How does a Priest decide on Penance for Confession?

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Nelka

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I just wondered whether he decides at the last minute or whether it depends on the sins?

I did have one priest who would give penance as praying a prayer for vocations to the priesthood, there were prayer cards for this outside the confessional.

Thanks.
 
Nelka said:
I just wondered whether he decides at the last minute or whether it depends on the sins?

I did have one priest who would give penance as praying a prayer for vocations to the priesthood, there were prayer cards for this outside the confessional.

Thanks.
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Can. 981 The confessor is to impose salutary and appropriate penances, in proportion to the kind and number of sins confessed, taking into account, however, the condition of the penitent. The penitent is bound personally to fulfill these penances.
 
Of late, to my joy, I’ve fallen in with confessors who use imagination in imposing an ordinary and not onerous, but interesting penance, such as reading and mulling over a Bible passage.
 
Everyone has their own preferences and habits based on their own learned judgement.
 
pianistclare said:
Everyone has their own preferences and habits based on their own learned judgement.
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Exactly. A lot of priests seem to have “go to” penances which they give just about everyone. Others try to give penances based on how serious they see the sin, etc.
 
I remember reading somewhere that penance, like the the yoke of Christ, should be light. A common penance I’ve seen is 3 Hail Marys and 3 Our Fathers. Other priests have given just one prayer or to pray for the Holy Father’s intentions.

Considering what confession and penance does for our souls shouldn’t anything less than a million Hail Marys be considered light?

ChadS
 
The priest around relate the story that they were taught in the seminary to be a lion in the pulpit and a lamb in the confessional.
 
Vic_Taltrees_UK said:
Of late, to my joy, I’ve fallen in with confessors who use imagination in imposing an ordinary and not onerous, but interesting penance, such as reading and mulling over a Bible passage.
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That’s my favourite penance. Although, I did get an entire rosary once.
 
adamhovey1988 said:
That’s my favourite penance. Although, I did get an entire rosary once.
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Once, I was given a decade of the rosary to pray, but usually, it’s “Pray for the person who you sinned against” or something along those lines. And also, “Reflect over this Sunday’s gospel reading” is a common one, too.
 
The most recent priest of the parish never gave penances at end of confession, to me.
 
My priest usually gives one Hail Mary for each type of sin (e.g. one for chastity, one for anger etc). Sometimes its one Our Father, One Hail Mary. A couple of times to read a passage of scripture. One time to read the Miserere Me Deus, which is one I highly recommend to anyone struggling to feel sorry for their sins.
 
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