Can't recall all of my penance

[ChristIsTheWay]

I went to confession yesterday. The priest assigned me a penance but now I can’t recall all of it. Actually, I remember almost none of it. What should I do?

 

[babochka]

I went to confession yesterday. The priest assigned me a penance but now I can’t recall all of it. Actually, I remember almost none of it. What should I do?

Is this a priest you’ve gone to before? Does he give a “typical” penance? If so, I would just complete a penance similar to what he would usually give, then maybe bring it up the next time you go to confession. You can just tell the priest what penance you did complete.

 

[ChristIsTheWay]

Is this a priest you’ve gone to before? Does he give a “typical” penance? If so, I would just complete a penance similar to what he would usually give, then maybe bring it up the next time you go to confession. You can just tell the priest what penance you did complete.

I occasionally go to confession with this priest. However, he is not my regular confessor.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I went to confession yesterday. The priest assigned me a penance but now I can’t recall all of it. Actually, I remember almost none of it. What should I do?

You are not the only one this has happened to, assuredly.

Mention in your next confession that you were unable to complete the penance imposed because you could not recall it. A confessor has the power to commute whatever the penance was and can therefore either impose a penance that will supply for both the confession you will make as well as the one before it or impose two distinct penances, one for the previous confession and then one for the current confession.

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

I think a bit of Bible reading would make up for it,

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I think a bit of Bible reading would make up for it,

Actually, no. The penance imposed is an obligation that is binding on the penitent to personally accomplish. If the penance cannot be done, for whatever reason, even if it is because it is forgotten, the penitent cannot choose something else of their own accord…because it is an obligation imposed. The penance has to be commuted by one who has the authority to commute a penance. This is fundamental to the theology of the sacrament.

Can. 981 The confessor is to impose salutary and suitable penances in accord with the quality and number of sins, taking into account the condition of the penitent. The penitent is obliged to fulfill these personally.

When the penance cannot be fulfilled personally, it is resolved by commutation.

 

[Eliazer]

I went to confession yesterday. The priest assigned me a penance but now I can’t recall all of it. Actually, I remember almost none of it. What should I do?

My Parish priest taught me that when someone forgets a penance we mention it during confession even though it might be another priest and the Priest will impose another penance.

 

[ChristIsTheWay]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I’ll go to my regular confessor this weekend and get a new penance/commutation.

 

[Memaw]

I went to confession yesterday. The priest assigned me a penance but now I can’t recall all of it. Actually, I remember almost none of it. What should I do?

I have done that before too but especially if we get into a little conversation after my confession is complete. So I just say a rosary for penance to be sure. I try NOT to chat with him after confession, unless I have something important to discuss. And I say my penaces right after confession! God Bless, Memaw