How heavy should I expect me penance to be?

[ProVobis]

For me (revert): 27 years of sins resulted in a penance of three Hail Mary’s and a rather general “pray for the sick”. You will be fine!

With me it was to read and reflect on the Progical Son passage. It was at a retreat center and there was a nice library of books there.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I once went 18 years.

If I remember, it was something like, pray 2 Our Fathers and ponder the love Jesus has for you.

It was all very positive. The priest acted as though I was the prodigal son returning.

That seems rather light for a penance after being away for 18 years. I usually get 3 hail Mary’s and 3 Our Fathers for the Conversion of Sinners when I go weekly with no mortal sins. Though sometimes I get an entire decade.

When I made my Confession after 10 years my priest gave me one rosary reflecting on the Sorrowful Mysteries in reparation for my sins.

I wouldn’t expect anything too light such as a few prayers, but more along the lines of a rosary.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I’ve heard that some parishes have children receive First Communion and then a year later have them go to their First Reconciliation.

Rediculous if you ask me.

This is how people get confused. Particularly if their parents didn’t regularly attend Mass or get their children to CCD.

Don’t worry about penance. I’m a revert. After 15 years, I brought in a list to read of my sins (which I bawled through). My priest gave me an “Our Father” as penance.

That’s how it is in the diocese I’m in, except the FSSP make children go before First Communion. Canon Law states First Confession/Reconciliation is required BEFORE First Communion.

 

[maryjk]

That seems rather light for a penance after being away for 18 years. I usually get 3 hail Mary’s and 3 Our Fathers for the Conversion of Sinners when I go weekly with no mortal sins. Though sometimes I get an entire decade.

When I made my Confession after 10 years my priest gave me one rosary reflecting on the Sorrowful Mysteries in reparation for my sins.

I wouldn’t expect anything too light such as a few prayers, but more along the lines of a rosary.

If you read what others have written, mine is more along the lines of what someone that hasn’t been in a while seem to get. The last thing the priest wants to do is to scare anyone away.

I didn’t question the priest, I have to think he knows what he was doing.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

That’s how it is in the diocese I’m in, except the FSSP make children go before First Communion. Canon Law states First Confession/Reconciliation is required BEFORE First Communion.

However, communion can be given to children before the age of reason. If a 4yo is receiving communion, she doesn’t need to start going to confession until about 7 or so.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

If you read what others have written, mine is more along the lines of what someone that hasn’t been in a while seem to get. The last thing the priest wants to do is to scare anyone away.

I didn’t question the priest, I have to think he knows what he was doing.

If you read what I wrote, I also made a Confession with a significant time frame, yet I still got a significant penance.

The purpose for giving penitents a penance is to make reparation to God for the sins we’ve committed, as well as it helps to remove some of the temporal punishment due to our sins.

 

[Kennywood]

I’m glad no one says it was WORSE than they anticipated it would be!

 

[maryjk]

If you read what I wrote, I also made a Confession with a significant time frame, yet I still got a significant penance.

The purpose for giving penitents a penance is to make reparation to God for the sins we’ve committed, as well as it helps to remove some of the temporal punishment due to our sins.

If you read what others wrote, like I said, my penance seems in line with theirs.

So in answer to the OPs question, chances are he/she will receive something more in line with what I received, rather than what you received.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

If you read what others wrote, like I said, my penance seems in line with theirs.

So in answer to the OPs question, chances are he/she will receive something more in line with what I received, rather than what you received.

If that’s the case, then it would be in the penitent’s best interest to ask for a more heavy penance.

The Confessional/Reconciliation room is a tribunal of justice. Part of the priest’s duties is, in acting in persona Christie, to judge the state of our soul and ensure a proper and substantial penance is given.

From the Catechism:

1460 The penance the confessor imposes must take into account the penitent’s personal situation and must seek his spiritual good. It must correspond as far as possible with the gravity and nature of the sins committed. It can consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear. Such penances help configure us to Christ, who alone expiated our sins once for all. They allow us to become co-heirs with the risen Christ, "provided we suffer with him."63

 

[CB_Catholic]

I haven’t been to Confession since I was in CCD / Sunday School (so it’s been about 15 years). I didn’t know it was required. I thought it was only an “as needed” basis. I only several months ago learned that it is indeed required that one go regularly.

Im kinda scared though. Since I haven’t been in so long, how heavy should I be expecting my penance to be? I’ll do the penance either way obviously, but how heavy should I expect it?

Is he gonna say something like, 1000 Rosaries, 3 Ignatian Retreats, and 1 Mission Trip?
OR
Would it be more along the lines of 5 Rosaries, Liturgy of the Hours, Divine Office?

The latter I would be able to do, may take time to do all that, but the latter I could do. But the first I can’t imagine doing all that, it would take months to finish!
Im kinda hoping he assigns me the second choice. But what do y’all think?

Also are they allowed to dish out self-mortification as penance?
Im really scared about that. I understand that alot of the Saints did it and I understand the why and all…but I think that’s rather fanatical. So he’s not gonna say anything like, give yourself 25 lashings with a bull-whip! He’s not gonna give me anything like that is he?

Where did you get the idea that you are “required” to go to Confession frequently? I am surprised no one else here corrected that notion. The truth is, you are not required to go to Confession except for once a year during the Easter Season IF you have committed a mortal sin. There are no other requirements for Confession unless you are in mortal sin and want to receive the Sacraments.

HOWEVER, it is a bad idea to go long periods of time without Confession, even if you have not committed any mortal sins. The Church encourages, not requires, frequent confession.

This is in the Catechism if you wish to look it up.

It is not likely that you will receive a harsh penance, and you should follow whatever penance the priest gives you and not try to go beyond that. The priest is acting in the person of Christ in the Confessional, you need to trust him in the matter.

 

[Neildown]

Even 5 rosaries - let me see, that is less than 2 hours of your time - spread out to one rosary a day for 5 days, you are talking about a mere 20 minutes of prayer each day - we should all be doing that much and more time in prayer every day!

Be not afraid. Penance is usually far lighter than you expect.

Exactly!

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Where did you get the idea that you are “required” to go to Confession frequently? I am surprised no one else here corrected that notion. The truth is, you are not required to go to Confession except for once a year during the Easter Season IF you have committed a mortal sin. There are no other requirements for Confession unless you are in mortal sin and want to receive the Sacraments.

HOWEVER, it is a bad idea to go long periods of time without Confession, even if you have not committed any mortal sins. The Church encourages, not requires, frequent confession.

This is in the Catechism if you wish to look it up.

It is not likely that you will receive a harsh penance, and you should follow whatever penance the priest gives you and not try to go beyond that. The priest is acting in the person of Christ in the Confessional, you need to trust him in the matter.

If you want to do the bare minimum requirement and not advance in your spiritual life, go nuts. We know not the day nor the hour when we will die. Every hour that passes is another hour closer to death. Confession is not one of those things to put off to only do once a year. How many people when in school would simply settle on a minimal passing grade?

 

[rhiannonh]

I was just texting a friend last night after Ephipany and said I wonder quite how many will have had such a fun penance as I had in rejoining the choir. Since it was something I wanted but was able to express at confession. The time I went to confession when fell out with the ‘choir’ the priest at that time did do everything to help but I wasn’t ready to actually go back then. I did experience more collywobbles than wanted to admitt thursday night. It wasn’t totally easy to do though the only person making a little mountain out of it was me. My choir gown was still there in the bag with my name on it-the bit I was nervous about. But it was sooo brill. Some confessions are

 

[dochawk]

I’ve heard that some parishes have children receive First Communion and then a year later have them go to their First Reconciliation.

Rediculous if you ask me.

This is how people get confused. Particularly if their parents didn’t regularly attend Mass or get their children to CCD.

Confession before First Communion is a side effect of a coupe of historical quirks.

Baptism being immediately followed by confirmation and then communion at infancy was the universal norm.

The western church separated confirmation to reserve it to the bishop to reinforce his role. At that point, infant communion remained the norm. Infants, however, normally received only the blood, as they weren’t physically ready to consume the host.

Centuries later, the Cup was withheld from the laity to flush out heretics who denied that Christ was fully present in both species (ulquist? Something like that, jirc).

As a consequence, infant communion became impossible. The whole “age of reason” explanation came much, much later. Late communion was a consequence; it was never by design.

One of the things that the brain trusts at the Vatican are scratching their heads over is how to restore the order of the Sacraments of Initiation (not whether, but how). This is likely to take centuries

hawk

 

[ProVobis]

If you want to do the bare minimum requirement and not advance in your spiritual life, go nuts. We know not the day nor the hour when we will die. Every hour that passes is another hour closer to death. Confession is not one of those things to put off to only do once a year. How many people when in school would simply settle on a minimal passing grade?

Agreed. And as Canon Law requires you to go to confession at least once a year if you have a mortal sin to confess, you certainly don’t violate Canon Law by confessing after every mortal sin.

John 20:

22 καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησεν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς: λάβετε πνεῦμα ἅγιον. 23 ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἀφέωνται αὐτοῖς: ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται.

22 Hæc cum dixisset, insufflavit, et dixit eis : Accipite Spiritum Sanctum: 23 quorum remiseritis peccata, remittuntur eis : et quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt.

22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive the Holy Ghost. 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

 

[Miriam1947]

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60

Venial sins are forgiven in Mass. I go to daily Mass so if I don’t make it to confession (though I do every month or so) I am still forgiven my venial sins. Mortal is a whole 'nother story. I try especially hard never to have one of those.

 

[paperwight66]

A priest at my parish claimed that penance isn’t punishment for the sins, rather a way for showing that you still devote yourself to the church. He claimed that he makes sure that the assigned penance isn’t too much for the parishioner because assigning it is useless if the parishioner is unable to do it.

I wouldn’t worry about it. Your absolved on the spot, not after the penance. I’m not saying that you should not do the penance.

Actually, there’s no ‘claiming’ about it. It’s the truth.

 

[CB_Catholic]

You know, I wrote a post correcting the OP’s misconception about the frequency of Confession–and it was a misconception he held and I have been flamed for it ever since. Someone even told me, in essence, that if I wanted to put my soul in danger, I could go ahead and make a “zoo” of it However, I distinctly wrote that it was a BAD IDEA not to go to Confession frequently, it was bad for one’s soul. I gave him the Church’s teaching on the matter. There is no way I supported the idea of not confessing frequently.

So what gives? I never downplayed the importance of Confession–I merely informed him of the truth. Do we lie about Church teaching? Someone lied about to him to begin with. Maybe some of us want the Church to “require” more frequent Confession so people will do it, but that is not what the Church does. She encourages us, in love, to confess frequently, and that is what we should do.

I suggest some of you brush up on your reading and comprehension skills and quit rushing to judgment of your fellow posters.

 

[paperwight66]

My sympathies, Carolyn. Your post was an admirable balance, I thought.

I’ve had similar experiences. I think most of the problem is posters relying on summaries of the Church’s precepts, or on what they learnt at Sister’s knee, rather than going to the CCC or Canon Law.

‘The Truth shall make you free’.

 

[Spirithound]

I’ve had similar experiences. I think most of the problem is posters relying on summaries of the Church’s precepts, or on what they learnt at Sister’s knee…

For me, it’s a cynicism that so many people can remain free of mortal sin for years and years…