Continuing penance

[Deo_Gratias42]

I don’t know

What specifically did you ask him? Did you mention that this was a matter of a confession?

 

[Warandpeace]

I talked to him via email. He said consider it a new devotion to say twice a day.

 

[billcu1]

I assume that he figured that praying for (I assume sexual) purity will help out of this dangerous sin. I also think that he didn’t mean it to be continuous to the day you die. He probably forget to set a time frame. Ask him to clarify the penance.

It was little things that I am actually becoming stronger in like masterbation. I’ve felt a distinct unwinding and like something habitual was being addressed. But my mortal sin was that for the first time in ages I looked at a magzine (playboy). I’ve been deprived of mass too much because of transportation problems. I’ve guessing looking at nudity once you’ve done it you need to confess. He said if I didn’t say this devotion twice a day my confession would be no good.

 

[Bookcat]

He said if I didn’t say this devotion twice a day my confession would be no good.

Such would be a misunderstanding or miscommunication here.

One accepted the penance during confession and intended to do it.

If one omits ones penance after the fact --such can be a new sin (not doing the penance) but the confession does not become “not good”. You cannot “un-validate” a valid confession.

As I noted though – get the penance nailed down (that is changed) to one that is able to be “fulfilled” --something able to be “completed”.

… and then one can continue the practice as a devotion --not a penance.

 

[billcu1]

You mean unending? Are you sure it was meant to be a penance? Sometimes Priests will give you as suggested something along with a penance.

Or for a week or something?

If the first option – one can approach another Priest in confession and seek to have your penance “changed” to have an “end” point.

I talked to the Vicar Forane and he talked to a canon lawyer. Once absolution is given it can’t be taken back and it’s a good confession. I’ve been told before though that forgiveness occurs once the pennance is done. I think saying the devotion has been my penance.

 

[Bookcat]

I talked to the Vicar…and he talked to a canon lawyer. Once absolution is given it can’t be taken back and it’s a good confession. I’ve been told before though that forgiveness occurs once the pennance is done. I think saying the devotion has been my penance.

Yes that is what I too noted there.

One can sin by later not doing the accepted penance - but it does not “undo” a valid reception of the Sacrament of Penance. It is a *new *sin.

What I was saying to do is-- due to it seeming to be a “perpetual penance” – have it changed to something that one can complete.

Where one can then say “I have completed my penance”.

Then one can follow the advice of praying the prayers daily as one of your means to living the virtue.

 

[Zekariya]

It was little things that I am actually becoming stronger in like masterbation. I’ve felt a distinct unwinding and like something habitual was being addressed. But my mortal sin was that for the first time in ages I looked at a magzine (playboy). I’ve been deprived of mass too much because of transportation problems. I’ve guessing looking at nudity once you’ve done it you need to confess.

Yes, if your intention was to look at nudity or other types of sexual images (such as bikini models, etc), you need to confess it.

He said if I didn’t say this devotion twice a day my confession would be no good.

It is a sin not to preform your penance, however, it has no effect on the validity of you confession. Unless this is a serious misunderstanding between the two of you, I suggest you confess to a different priest.

PS When you feel the draw towards sexual temptation, Psalm 51 is a good prayer for purity and forgiveness (and might by you time to fight the hormone rush):

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to [committed adultery with] Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise. 18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

 

[billcu1]

Yes that is what I too noted there.

One can sin by later not doing the accepted penance - but it does not “undo” a valid reception of the Sacrament of Penance. It is a *new *sin.

What I was saying to do is-- due to it seeming to be a “perpetual penance” – have it changed to something that one can complete.

Where one can then say “I have completed my penance”.

Then one can follow the advice of praying the prayers daily as one of your means to living the virtue.

I could’ve misunderstood. He said a penance and new devotion. I felt forgiven after I read the prayer. Now I must’ve done something else because I’m feeling separated. I am planning to go to Mass tomorrow.

 

[Bookcat]

I could’ve misunderstood. He said a penance and new devotion. I felt forgiven after I read the prayer. Now I must’ve done something else because I’m feeling separated. I am planning to go to Mass tomorrow.

This is something that needs to be addressed with the Priest who gave it to you or another in confession.

One does not want to leave it as a “continuing penance”.

It needs to be* clearly* and *certainly *changed.