What does one do with no penance after absolution?

[bekoop]

I have a friend at work who recently told me that after absolution during the sacrament of reconciliation, he was not given a penance. From what I understand of penance, it is necessary to, in some measure, account for the temporal damage one’s sin has caused. So, if no penance is given, should he perform one on his own?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear b,

The penance one receives in Confession is to remind us of the seriousness of the sins we have just confessed. The failure of the priest to give a penance does in no way affect the validity of the sacrament, of course. It would be good for your friend to say a prayer in its absence.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.