Penance question

[catholicjames29]

Lets say someone goes and gives a couple invalid confessions and does not do one of the penances given such as helping out at a charity… But that person feeling really bad about giving those invalid confessions goes and does a general confession confessing everything throughout their entire life including not having fulfilled the penance of helping with that charity. After the general confession the Priest gives the penance for the general confession but does not say anything about the previous penances that were not completed… Does the person still have to complete them?

 

[DexUK]

I would have thought not, since the penance given most recently covers all the sins confessed up to that point, including the failures to carry out prior penances.

Carrying out those un-done penances would seem not to be necessary, although as a personal discipline it might be a good idea to do them anyway if one can, especially if they relate to acts of charity. It can only go down well with Our Lord if we increase our charity towards others and it can only help us with our spiritual growth if we make that extra sacrifice. Who knows, it might prompt within one additional love for our fellow man and spur us on to better things in the future.

Charitable acts are always an opportunity for us to grow in holiness, whether or not they’re a penance. It sets a good example too which one day we might need repaid if we find ourselves in trouble.

Find the joy in giving now and hopefully there’ll be much less in the way of future penances

 

[thistle]

Lets say someone goes and gives a couple invalid confessions and does not do one of the penances given such as helping out at a charity… But that person feeling really bad about giving those invalid confessions goes and does a general confession confessing everything throughout their entire life including not having fulfilled the penance of helping with that charity. After the general confession the Priest gives the penance for the general confession but does not say anything about the previous penances that were not completed… Does the person still have to complete them?

Absolution is not conditional upon a penance being completed.