No Penance?

[Insomniac]

At my most recent confession, my confessor was about to tell me what my penance was, when I interrupted, because I remembered more sins. After that, I guess both of us forgot that I needed to be told my penance, because I was asked to say an Act of Contrition, and then was absolved. Only afterwards did I realize what I had missed.

Was the confession valid? Also… how can I make satisfaction for my sins now?

 

[Leopard]

Yes, it was valid. If you want, you can assign yourself whatever your priest usually gives you as a penance, but even that isn’t required.

 

[Lorrie]

I’ve gone to confession a few times and haven’t received a penance, it doesn’t make the confession itself invalid, but it sure did throw me off! I’m so accustomed (like most) to receiving a penance of some type and when you don’t get one it’s like, “What just happened here?” After it happened the second time I decided that penance or no penance I trust my priest to know what’s best for me at the time and to move on.

I agree with Leopard when he said just do whatever your priest would have you normally do if that makes you feel better. Maybe he didn’t actually forget, maybe he just changed his mind?

 

[Brooklyn]

I’ve gone to confession a few times and haven’t received a penance, it doesn’t make the confession itself invalid, but it sure did throw me off! I’m so accustomed (like most) to receiving a penance of some type and when you don’t get one it’s like, “What just happened here?” After it happened the second time I decided that penance or no penance I trust my priest to know what’s best for me at the time and to move on.

I agree with Leopard when he said just do whatever your priest would have you normally do if that makes you feel better. Maybe he didn’t actually forget, maybe he just changed his mind?

If a priest doesn’t give you a penance, he is not following the proper form of confession. According to 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.’ "

As you can see from this, penance is very important as it helps to “configure us to Christ.” If a priest does not give you a penance on a consistent basis, Ithink you should definitely discuss this with him.

Mary

 

[Leopard]

If a priest doesn’t give you a penance, he is not following the proper form of confession…

Correct, but if he does not this does not invalidate the sacrament, which was the original question.

 

[Brooklyn]

Correct, but if he does not this does not invalidate the sacrament, which was the original question.

You’re absolutely right, but I would be concerned about a priest who habitually disregards penance.

Mary

 

[Leopard]

You’re absolutely right, but I would be concerned about a priest who habitually disregards penance…

The OP gave no indication that this was habitual.

 

[Brooklyn]

The OP gave no indication that this was habitual.

I was actually replying to Lorrie’s email, as you will see from the quote in my email. She said her priest has done this a couple of times, and I feel that might be cause for concern.

Mary

 

[Lorrie]

I was actually replying to Lorrie’s email, as you will see from the quote in my email. She said her priest has done this a couple of times, and I feel that might be cause for concern.

Mary

I’ve gone to confession with my priest probably 40 times…it’s only happened a twice thus far. I truly trust his judgment and believe that he knows what is best for me at the time. There should definitely be no cause for concern.