Forgetting a Penance

[codefro]

I’ve been searching the Catechism trying to find an answer but cannot. 2 confessions ago I was given a simple penance to reflect my journey through RCIA. I went to confession the next week and during the Mass I realized I had forgotten to do the penance. So in that moment and up until my confession that night I reflected on my journey through RCIA. That being said, today I was reflecting on that and wondered, what happens if you forget to do your penance? References?

 

[YoungTradCath]

If you forget to do your penance, you forget to do your penance. That is not a sin. However, if you later remember it, you should still do it.

The efficacy of an absolution does not depend on the performance of a penance.

 

[Lancer]

code of canon law

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.

ewtn q&a
answer by fr. John trigilio on 04-19-2007

i absolve you from your sins is the bare necessity for validity but the priest should say the entire formula of absolution for liceity as well. The penance given and the act of contrition are not optional but if a priest neglects to ask for the act of contrition and/or omits to give a penance, the confession is still valid as is the absolution. Ecclesia supplet applies (the church supplies when there is a defect in the minister through no fault of the penitent)
i would urge you go to a different priest if this guy consistently omits giving a penance and continue to be glib about it afterwards.
ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?recnum=497555&forums=8&experts=0&days=2010&author=&keyword=penance&pgnu=1&groupnum=0&record_bookmark=11&order_by_txt=order+by+replydate+desc&start_at=

Catechism of the catholic church
second edition

1450 "penance requires . . . The sinner to endure all things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice complete humility and** fruitful satisfaction.**"49

satisfaction

1459 many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with god and neighbor.** absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused.**62

[indent**]raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something

more to make amends for the sin:** he must "make satisfaction for" or “expiate” his sins. this satisfaction is also called “penance**.”

Pax Christi

 

[sw85]

If you forget to do your penance, you forget to do your penance. That is not a sin. However, if you later remember it, you should still do it.

The efficacy of an absolution does not depend on the performance of a penance.

This.

Penance is not required for absolution, nor is absolution contingent upon completion of penance. The absolution is effected by the words “I absolve you of your sins.”

That said, one should do penance, and priests are obliged by canon law to assign them. It may well rise to the level of a sin to willfully refuse to do one’s assigned penance, because true contrition involves love, including a willingness to right wrongs AND to obey. However, the penance itself has no bearing on the sacramental validity of the act.

 

[Mary_Margaret_1]

Oh good I was wondering the same thing!! I forgot to offer up mass for perserverance. Glad to know the confession still stands.

God bless all.