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buffalo
Guest
I got to thinking - given the sad state of Catechesis would a penance like having to read the Catechism or a Catholic book that would teach the faith be appropriate?
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Indyann
Guest
A couple of years ago, I was given the penance to read a certain scripure located on pp such and such in the Misalette. I think it might have been “the penance of the day”
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cricket36
Guest
I have been most fortunate with my SD, who gives me a specific reading from Scripture that beautifully relates to what I have just confessed. Much more meaningful and helpful to me…
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passus
Guest
Most priests probably wouldn’t assign a penance like this because there 1) isn’t really anything spiritual about reading the Catechism in itself and there’s a possibility the person wouldn’t understand it or 2) would lead himself into heresy by teaching himself incorrectly from the Catechism, among other things.
Spiritual penances like reciting prayers or reading Scripture are probably most common, followed by assignments to do good works.
Spiritual penances like reciting prayers or reading Scripture are probably most common, followed by assignments to do good works.
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puzzleannie
Guest
maybe, if such reading would help the person conquer the sin or habit that has been causing his spiritual harm, or if it would give him information about the topic of which he is ignorant, on something that came up in confession. For instance if his confession revealed he had never been properly taught about the 6th commandment and sins against it, reading that catechism section would help him fight those things.
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PhilotheaZ
Guest
Years ago I had a friend who said he was given the penance of reading the Catechism. (I wonder whether he’s still working on it.)
I think the priest knew him very well and knew it was something the man needed to do. It was someone who was perfectly capable of understanding what he was reading.
I don’t think the priest expected him to do it all at once, just to get started on the process.
I think the priest knew him very well and knew it was something the man needed to do. It was someone who was perfectly capable of understanding what he was reading.
I don’t think the priest expected him to do it all at once, just to get started on the process.
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passus
Guest
I doubt it. At about 3 pages a day, you should be able to finish the Catechism in less than a year.
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PhilotheaZ
Guest
He’s a doctor with a busy practice, a houseful of kids, and lots of community involvement (including running a free clinic in his spare time). If I had his schedule, my eyes would be closing after a paragraph or two.
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EasterJoy
Guest
Besides, the Catechism is very dense. It is possible to toss off a chapter in nothing flat, but it is also possible to have a single section stop you in your tracks for some time!
But yes, I would think that priests occasionally give the Catechism as a penance, for the sake of improving or amending problems in one’s conscience, if nothing else. On-going formation of conscience is one of the fruits of regular confession, after all.
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Corki
Guest
I got a penance a few years ago to read a “Catholic” book. I use the quotes because the book was rather unconventional (which, I found out later, so was the priest). I bought it, lost it and bought a second copy before I could finally finish it.
I joked that it was truly a penance to read that book.
But truthfully, some of the “alarms” the book set off got me to do more research on faithful Church teaching and inadvertantly brought me closer to my faith. Go figure.
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buffalo
Guest
Yeah - that could be a bad thing.I got a penance a few years ago to read a “Catholic” book. I use the quotes because the book was rather unconventional (which, I found out later, so was the priest). I bought it, lost it and bought a second copy before I could finally finish it.
I joked that it was truly a penance to read that book.
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Joannm
Guest
I think to ask someone to read the Catechism as a penance would be overly burdensome and might even cause the penitent to be resentful, especially if he is a bit of a lukewarm Catholic. I know I would be annoyed if my confessor suggested that I read the whole Catechism as a penance (he NEVER would, he is much more creative than that) Perhaps to read and meditate on a certain section would proove more benificial.
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