friday penance question

[angell1]

so I have this issue where I feel like I’m not doing enough for Friday penance so I assign myself a bunch of things, but then can’t do them all, then feel guilty for not doing them all

for example, yesterday, I decided to just eat one full meal and just have a couple snacks the rest of the day, basically like a fast, and also to not check facebook. I also thought of going to mass and adoration as well as saying a rosary and divine mercy and reading scripture all for penance. well we were celebrating a friend’s birthday so I didn’t end doing mass and adoration and by the time I got home, I was so tired that I only managed to get through one decade of the rosary, then fell asleep.

I’m afraid I didn’t complete my penance now because I didn’t do all the things I said I was going to. which I realize, I really should just pick one or two things to avoid this problem.

do I need to go to confession for not completing everything, or what if you change what you will do for penance halfway through the day if you realize you might not be able to do what you originally wanted to do?

 

[pianistclare]

so I have this issue where I feel like I’m not doing enough for Friday penance so I assign myself a bunch of things, but then can’t do them all, then feel guilty for not doing them all

for example, yesterday, I decided to just eat one full meal and just have a couple snacks the rest of the day, basically like a fast, and also to not check facebook. I also thought of going to mass and adoration as well as saying a rosary and divine mercy and reading scripture all for penance. well we were celebrating a friend’s birthday so I didn’t end doing mass and adoration and by the time I got home, I was so tired that I only managed to get through one decade of the rosary, then fell asleep.

I’m afraid I didn’t complete my penance now because I didn’t do all the things I said I was going to. which I realize, I really should just pick one or two things to avoid this problem.

do I need to go to confession for not completing everything, or what if you change what you will do for penance halfway through the day if you realize you might not be able to do what you originally wanted to do?

Clearly that’s too much.
Now, many people do those things and it’s not too much for them.
But the point of the penance is to do something well, that helps you to focus on Christ’s life and suffering.
Not to rack up all kinds of sacrifices in one day.
Pick ONE, and do it well.
Peace.

 

[fred_conty]

so I have this issue where I feel like I’m not doing enough for Friday penance so I assign myself a bunch of things, but then can’t do them all, then feel guilty for not doing them all

for example, yesterday, I decided to just eat one full meal and just have a couple snacks the rest of the day, basically like a fast, and also to not check facebook. I also thought of going to mass and adoration as well as saying a rosary and divine mercy and reading scripture all for penance. well we were celebrating a friend’s birthday so I didn’t end doing mass and adoration and by the time I got home, I was so tired that I only managed to get through one decade of the rosary, then fell asleep.

I’m afraid I didn’t complete my penance now because I didn’t do all the things I said I was going to. which I realize, I really should just pick one or two things to avoid this problem.

do I need to go to confession for not completing everything, or what if you change what you will do for penance halfway through the day if you realize you might not be able to do what you originally wanted to do?

I would give you A for effort and Jesus would too.

He likes your loving thoughts.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

If it’s so difficult for you, why don’t you just not eat meat on Friday and be done with it?