Does my confession become invalid if I did my penance incorrectly?

[TempleofTheSoul]

I went to confession this past Sunday was given my penance and received absolution. I thought I understood my penance right but after I left the confessional and mass had started I began to have doubts as to how to go about doing my penance.

Does my confession become invalid if the penance I was given is done incorrectly and would it be a mortal sin to have done the penance incorrectly? I wanted to ask the priest for clarification but I was the last person to be confessed and he went on to conduct the mass immediately afterwards so I had no chance to ask him.

Now I am embarrassed that I didn’t understand the penance correctly and wonder if I have to go again to confession and bring up this matter.

Thanks and God bless.

 

[Bookcat]

No. Such does not invalidate the confession.

Not being sure what the penance was *how to do it…only means just that. That one was not sure. It is not a grave matter for mortal sin (or matter for any sin) to try to do what one remembers or thinks may have been meant. You do what you recall (unless what you recall is something like “fast on water for the next year”…)

In ones next confession that one goes to (one does NOT have to go sooner)…if it is that priest…you can ask what it was…or you can mention that in your last confession you were confused about the penance after confession and did what you thought may have been given.

 

[Digitonomy]

Does my confession become invalid if the penance I was given is done incorrectly

No.

TempleofTheSoul:

would it be a mortal sin to have done the penance incorrectly?

Not if you misunderstood or were uncertain of the penance.

TempleofTheSoul:

Now I am embarrassed that I didn’t understand the penance correctly and wonder if I have to go again to confession and bring up this matter.

That would be a great idea. However, while it would be wise to discuss this matter to put your mind at ease at your next confession, I really doubt it is necessary to go to confession for that purpose alone. I defer to other more knowledgeable minds on that issue.

 

[Bookcat]

I really doubt it is necessary to go to confession for that purpose alone. I defer to other more knowledgeable minds on that issue.

I am certain one who forgets or is not sure of his penance…does not have to go sooner to confession on that account.

 

[supertubos]

I went to confession this past Sunday was given my penance and received absolution. I thought I understood my penance right but after I left the confessional and mass had started I began to have doubts as to how to go about doing my penance.

Does my confession become invalid if the penance I was given is done incorrectly and would it be a mortal sin to have done the penance incorrectly? I wanted to ask the priest for clarification but I was the last person to be confessed and he went on to conduct the mass immediately afterwards so I had no chance to ask him.

Now I am embarrassed that I didn’t understand the penance correctly and wonder if I have to go again to confession and bring up this matter.

Thanks and God bless.

You’ve done your best, you should not come again to confession about that for it is scrupolosity and that becomes a disease.

 

[TempleofTheSoul]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. This is the only time that I have ever had doubts about the penance I was given by the priest. The penance I was given was very detailed and consisted of not just one thing that I had to do penance for, but several penances. I leave it up to your imagination just what I had done in order to receive such penances.

I´m not a scrupulous person. I tend to write out my sins in a quick list and only tell the priest the sin. I don´t go into details as to why I committed the sin(s). I am glad that my not understanding the penance afterwards and possibly having done my penances incorrectly does not invalidate my confession.

I thank you all again. God bless.

 

[Bookcat]

The penance I was given was very detailed and consisted of not just one thing that I had to do penance for, but several penances. I leave it up to your imagination just what I had done in order to receive such penances.
.

One can ask the priest in the next confession…or if it seems important to do so…see him sooner.

 

[puzzleannie]

no, not even if you failed to complete your penance

do the best you can in good faith

 

[jpjd]

In ones next confession that one goes to (one does NOT have to go sooner)…if it is that priest…you can ask what it was…

However, a priest hears many confessions and gives many different penances. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t remember what penance he gave.

 

[Bookcat]

However, a priest hears many confessions and gives many different penances. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t remember what penance he gave.

well the person can remind him…and the priest can give a new one in confession…

 

[supertubos]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. This is the only time that I have ever had doubts about the penance I was given by the priest. The penance I was given was very detailed and consisted of not just one thing that I had to do penance for, but several penances. I leave it up to your imagination just what I had done in order to receive such penances.

I´m not a scrupulous person. I tend to write out my sins in a quick list and only tell the priest the sin. I don´t go into details as to why I committed the sin(s). I am glad that my not understanding the penance afterwards and possibly having done my penances incorrectly does not invalidate my confession.

I thank you all again. God bless.

You do not need to detail everyghing. If you killed somebody you do not need to say all the gruesome details. If you commit adultery, details out.

You need to 1) confess that you are a sinner; 2) that you sinned by words and deeds; 3) that the sin was your fault; 4) that you want to do the utmost to correct and be a better persons. Without this, detailed confession and lists are just picking up dishes in a menu.

 

[thistle]

I went to confession this past Sunday was given my penance and received absolution. I thought I understood my penance right but after I left the confessional and mass had started I began to have doubts as to how to go about doing my penance.

Does my confession become invalid if the penance I was given is done incorrectly and would it be a mortal sin to have done the penance incorrectly? I wanted to ask the priest for clarification but I was the last person to be confessed and he went on to conduct the mass immediately afterwards so I had no chance to ask him.

Now I am embarrassed that I didn’t understand the penance correctly and wonder if I have to go again to confession and bring up this matter.

Thanks and God bless.

Absolution is not conditional upon the penance being done.