Must I know the duration of my penance?

[jmvhp]

I went to confession and the priest told me to meditate if I could on why I was committiting a regular blashemy for so many years and I said I could do that and have been trying to take about 15 minutes every day but find it difficult to meditate and wonder if this penance is for the rest of my life or how can I find out I do not know the name of the priest but am thinking of going back to the same church to talk with another priest and came across catholic answers which i was on 3 yrs ago. If you can answer me I thank you. . jmvhp

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

The usual advice for confessors is to give penances that are clear and concise so that the penitent does not doubt that he has fulfilled his penance.

My advice to you is to consider yourself to have completed your penance. The confessor asked you to meditate and you made a sincere effort to do so. If, however, you feel some spiritual turmoil over this then you can go to another confessor and explain your situation and he can “commute” your penance to something concrete.