Penance Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter jrpolite
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jrpolite

Guest
Today was the first time I went to confession in about 5 yrs.
For my penance, he instructed me to perform 5 acts
of self-mortification.

I think I understand the concept, but I’m looking for some examples
that I could consider.

Thanks
 
  • Fasting.
  • Eating simple plain food (moreso than usual)
  • Quit smoking for a time or any other like habit.
  • Stop watching TV
  • Stop going on the PC
Just some I have thought of.
 
During Mass or private prayer, kneel on the floor/carpet instead of using the kneelers. Offer the discomfort in union with Christ’s sufferings and of those who suffer on earth.
 
Yield cheerfully to someone else in a matter of preference, like what movie to go see (chick flick or not).

Leave the air conditioning off in your car.

Take a cold shower.

Wear your uncomfortable shoes and keep smiling.

Smile genuinely at someone who annoys you greatly.

Leave the great parking space for someone else and walk from the far corner of the lot.

Get up the very second the alarm rings - no snooze button!

Do a little job for someone else, especially if it’s distasteful or inconvenient - clean the cat box, bird cage or toilet, for example, if it’s not your job anyway.

Leave the cream/sugar/sweet’n’low out of your coffee, or put it in if you don’t usually. Nothing ruins a good cup of coffee like sugar!

Did you notice a lot of these involve a kindness to someone else?

Betsy
 
resist the urge to make a comment, retort, come-back, opinion, put-down or any other response to what someone else says, and remain silent.
 
Think of things you like to have/consume which give you lots of pleasure and gratification, such as coffee, chocolates, smoking, tv, or anything else where you ‘treat yourself’, and deny yourself of these things for a certain period of time (day, week, month).
 
I just want to congratulate you on coming back to the Sacrament of Confession!!! Please try to go weekly or at least monthly. And, if you committ a mortal sin, you need to confess the sin before receiving Holy Communion.

“I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance” (Luke 15:7)

In the future, these links about Confession may be helpful to you or others who have fallen away from the Sacrament of Confession:

acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/08/catechism-on-confession-by-st-john.html
fisheaters.com/penance.html#examination
catholic.org/frz/examen/confession_how.htm
usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.htm#art4
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top