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Archbishop_10-K
Guest
I haven’t gotten first confession yet, and I’m curious: what kinds of penance do priests issue?
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threej_lc
Guest
It depends on what you confess, the priest, and how comfortable you appear to the priest.
First confession penances are usually something like pray 5 our fathers, or go do a good deed you wouldn’t normally do. Just let the priest know its your first confession, and he’ll make it a relatively pleasant experience.
I tend to like a more involved penance though, so the priests I’m closer with know this and give me something that works more effective for me, like spending 15 minutes a day in silent prayer for a week.
The “hardest” penance I’ve ever had was to say a rosary. shrugs
Josh
First confession penances are usually something like pray 5 our fathers, or go do a good deed you wouldn’t normally do. Just let the priest know its your first confession, and he’ll make it a relatively pleasant experience.
I tend to like a more involved penance though, so the priests I’m closer with know this and give me something that works more effective for me, like spending 15 minutes a day in silent prayer for a week.
The “hardest” penance I’ve ever had was to say a rosary. shrugs
Josh
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Dr.Colossus
Guest
Me too. Apparently this is somewhat of the norm around where I live. My brother once asked what the worst penance I ever got was, and I told him “say the rosary”. His eyes got really wide and he exclaimed “What did you do!?!?”. At least the penance isn’t anything to be afraid of, but sometimes I wish the priests were tougher on me.
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T.A.Stobie_SFO
Guest
Sometimes instead of prayers, I get tasks, such as go home and do something out-of-the-ordinary & nice for your wife.
Sometimes the penance is designed to help you combat the habit behind the sin.
Sometimes the penance is designed to help you combat the habit behind the sin.
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system
Guest
Archbishop 10-K:
Another one that was really effective was an active penance (I call it) which wasn’t prayer, but I actually had to do something and I was none too thrilled about it, but again, very effective. I only came to understand the wisdom behind it several weeks later.
I too wish my priest would be a little tougher on me with penances, but when I get the 7 HMs, 7 OFs, and 7 GBs, I know he thought I’d done something more damaging than other weeks.
JELane
The very first penance I had after my initial confession after 25+ years of being away from the Church was the Rosary–Sorrowful Mysteries. That was veerrrry effective. Probably the most meaningful penance I’ve received.
Another one that was really effective was an active penance (I call it) which wasn’t prayer, but I actually had to do something and I was none too thrilled about it, but again, very effective. I only came to understand the wisdom behind it several weeks later.
I too wish my priest would be a little tougher on me with penances, but when I get the 7 HMs, 7 OFs, and 7 GBs, I know he thought I’d done something more damaging than other weeks.
JELane
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IoA
Guest
JElane:
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It all depends upon the priest as to the original question, though. You will probably get what everybody else gets around you, if you’re doing this in a group. I imagine it won’t be all that much.
I got two Chaplets of the Divine Mercy once
.It all depends upon the priest as to the original question, though. You will probably get what everybody else gets around you, if you’re doing this in a group. I imagine it won’t be all that much.
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T.A.Stobie_SFO
Guest
And if you do not think it is enough, you can ask for more to be added.
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OhioBob
Guest
Some priests offer only rudimentary penance - one Our Father or something like that. Personally I think that diminishes the impact of reconciliation. While I don’t advocate mortifications or extreme penances, the penance should be significant enough to ensure that you spend some quiet time reflecting on your repentence.
A bogus penance seems to almost belittle the sacrament, in my opinion.
Blessings.
A bogus penance seems to almost belittle the sacrament, in my opinion.
Blessings.
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baltobetsy
Guest
I know some priests who give very light penances because they do heavy penances themselves for the people they absolve. I think this is a wonderful image of Christ Himself, taking on the sins of the world. It’s also a reminder that nothing I do can really atone for sin. And it inspires the people to do more penance themselves in imitation of the generosity of the priests.
Betsy
Betsy
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