Does It All End In Penance?

[FlamingArrow]

Is doing penance already enough for your sins or do you have to do the right restitution and reparation even though the priest did not say it?

 

[brown_bear]

Obviously the loot must be returned

But maybe you had other things in mind that are less “criminal code”

 

[Minks]

Aim for a true and perfect contrition after a thorough examination of your conscience, followed by a good confession with a priest. Talk to the priest about your concerns regarding penance and reparation. Listen to him, then trust and follow his advice.

 

[Vico]

Is doing penance already enough for your sins or do you have to do the right restitution and reparation even though the priest did not say it?

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1460 The penance the confessor imposes must take into account the penitent’s personal situation and must seek his spiritual good. It must correspond as far as possible with the gravity and nature of the sins committed. It can consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear. Such penances help configure us to Christ, who alone expiated our sins once for all. They allow us to become co-heirs with the risen Christ, "provided we suffer with him."63 …

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the "new man."84

2487 Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of reparation , even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another’s reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience.

 

[Minks]

Do talk to your priest regarding your concerns about reparation. In spite of our good intentions toward giving you greater understanding, It is he who is the expert and can give you guidance for a particular circumstance, as well as benchmarks for you to use in your everyday life dealings. Keep the faith!