How do catholics make amends for past sins?

[AnneTeresa]

I have been thinking about what one can do to make up for their past sins. I understand that all our sins are forgiven once we confess them, and at the same time there may be lifelong consequences to some of our past sins. But what can we do to make up for the things we have done in the past that we now realize were harmful (to God, to others, to ourselves) and which we now repent of?

Is there any catholic teaching about this topic of making amends? Or any saints who talk about what they did?

Obviously going forward we try to honor God in all we do. But what are some ways that people who come to faith late in life can make up for what they’ve done before and now regret?

 

[MarcoPolo]

The Catechism refers to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Check out Catechism #1434 and the surrounding paragraphs.

 

[Catholic1954]

As the song says, “Let the punishment fit the crime”. Whatever sin you trying to make up for, try practicing the opposite virtue. If you stole something, return it. If you lied, confess to the truth. If you missed years of Sunday Masses, go to daily Mass. If you practiced contraception, consider becoming a foster parent or maybe sponsoring a child from third world county. You are only limited by your imagination. And of course, pray, pray, pray. Just be sure not to get caught up in useless guilt and remorse. God lives in the present and that is where you should be with him.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

In addition to all that has been said, and surpassing all that, we remember that we cannot totally make amends for our sins. This would be disturbing except that Jesus has already done so! His mercy is greater than the greatest sins if we repent.

Our response should be thanksgiving, praise, living out our love of God and our neighbors in whatever way God wills for us. Since we have been forgiven we need to forgive others.