Penance?

[brother_sun]

Does anyone have any interesting ways of going about doing Penance they would like to share. I know about confession which I practice monthly, and the Rosary which I pray daily. But are there any other ways? I long to be penatent for Christ.

 

[RWMorris]

After Confession, I usually say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in my pew although my priest doesn’t require it.
I understand about wanting to be penitent to Christ. I am the same way. I think Jesus understands when we add an extra devotion to Him. That’s why I try to pray the Sacred Heart devotion too.

 

[Andruschak]

Does anyone have any interesting ways of going about doing Penance they would like to share. I know about confession which I practice monthly, and the Rosary which I pray daily. But are there any other ways? I long to be penatent for Christ.

Perhaps you might want to consider the Confraternity of Penitents…

penitents.org

 

[Genesis315]

I try and do penances that counter the sin. For example, if I sin in some way that gives me pleasure, I will deny myself some lawful pleasure or comfort (by fasting, for example).

 

[mercygate]

Perhaps you might want to consider the Confraternity of Penitents…

penitents.org

Good plug, Harry!

 

[brother_sun]

Thank you for your responces. I do like the concept of doing penance for a sin to counter act that sin. Great idea. I also have looked and still looking into third orders as well as religious orders by recommendation of my priest.

Your brother in Christ

“If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire.”–Saint Catherine of Siena

 

[baltobetsy]

I know a priest who says every year at the beginning of Lent that our families should love Lent because that’s the time we do the most for them and are the most loving and cheerful. What he means is that our penances should be things that go against our tendency to be selfish - things that make life more pleasant for those around us.

Examples:

Smiling when we don’t feel cheerful
Being patient and kind with those who annoy us
Quietly taking the least attractive item for ourselves, food or whatever is being passed around
Helping someone without being asked, especially when it will not be noticed
Giving in cheerfully on matters of personal preference, like what movie to watch, etc.
Not having the last word, not saying the clever thing once in a while
Volunteering for or simply doing the most distasteful job

St. Josemaria put it well: “Choose mortifications that don’t mortify others.” So you would NOT:

Demand or serve a nasty meal because you want to deny yourself your favorites
Set the thermostat too high or too low for the whole house
Mysteriously keep silence, making the others wonder what’s wrong

It’s all about getting into a selfless mindset.

Betsy

 

[mercygate]

I know a priest who says every year at the beginning of Lent that our families should love Lent because that’s the time we do the most for them and are the most loving and cheerful. What he means is that our penances should be things that go against our tendency to be selfish - things that make life more pleasant for those around us.

[sign]Amen[/sign]

Examples:

Smiling when we don’t feel cheerful
Being patient and kind with those who annoy us
Quietly taking the least attractive item for ourselves, food or whatever is being passed around
Helping someone without being asked, especially when it will not be noticed
Giving in cheerfully on matters of personal preference, like what movie to watch, etc.
Not having the last word, not saying the clever thing once in a while
Volunteering for or simply doing the most distasteful job

While all of these things are good – especially for us who are not already in the habit – I would hardly call them “penance” in the sense of reparative penance. This is just how we should live all the time. They are not even particularly “Christian” practices. They’re just good manners.

St. Josemaria put it well: "Choose mortifications that don’t mortify others."

So you would NOT:

Demand or serve a nasty meal because you want to deny yourself your favorites

Goes double for dieters who go to a restaurant and order “broiled chicken that isn’t on the menu (is it organic?) – white meat only, without the skin” and a salad, no tomato, no onion, no carrots, and vinegar on the SIDE (no oil!!!).

Set the thermostat too high or too low for the whole house

Tell my spouse!

Mysteriously keep silence, making the others wonder what’s wrong

Heck: they would know what’s wrong. You’re NUTS!

It’s all about getting into a selfless mindset.

:yup: But St. Jose-Maria also advises small personal mortifications that would never be seen or experienced by others, such as going without salt, passing on a favorite dessert . . .

Betsy