I didn't say my penance and received communion

[Sean]

So I went to confession and was absolved I was given a penance of saying the rosary but since I was with my cousin I did not want to keep him waiting. I went to another church and was going to say my rosary there since while I prayed it he could walk around and look at the statues and paintings. I knew there was a mass but thought I could pray some of it before mass but the mass started right away. I thought since the priest absolved me I could still receive communion if I was going to do my penance asap. I just want to check.

 

[InThePew]

I thought since the priest absolved me I could still receive communion if I was going to do my penance asap. I just want to check.

Yes you can. Completion of your penance is separate from absolution.

 

[1ke]

You were absolved. Yes you can receive communion.

There is no requirement to do the penance immediately after confession.

 

[Catholic361]

That is good to know. Because I try and do my penance right before mass and that sometimes doesn’t work out.

 

[Socrates92]

Sometimes it is just not possible, for example when you go to Confession directly before Mass.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

Correct me if I’m wrong, Father, but even though one can go to Communion, they still have to do their penance before their next confession.

 

[InThePew]

Correct me if I’m wrong, Father, but even though one can go to Communion, they still have to do their penance before their next confession.

Completion of penance is of course important for true conversion because it helps us recover full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for our sin. that said, there is nothing which strictly requires it to be completed within a particular time frame (unless obviously that is a part of the penance itself). So, If a person simply forgets to complete the assigned penance, or cannot complete it for a good reason, there is no harm that results. However, it’s helpful to mention this to the priest at your next confesion. If, on the other hand, a person intentionally decides not to do it then this is different and is something which should be confessed.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

Thank you, Father!