Elzee,
In regard to you second ‘yes’ - does it remit all or just some of the temporal punishment for those sins?
(thanks dave!)
I’m just shootin’ from the hip here, and haven’t really researched the question, however…
It depends, I think. At times it may, and at times it may not. The sacramental absolution (remission of sin) is a grace confered
ex opere operato (by virture of the valid sacrament). However, the temporal punishment of the sin still exists even after remission of the eternal effects of sin. Think of King David, who was forgiven by God for his sinfulness, but was promptly penalized severely for his sins.
How much punishment must we endure for our sins? I think only God knows that. The priest gives his judgment, but his facts are limited. He cannot see into your heart and know the impediments (or malice) with regard to your intellect and will. He likely does not have all the details to give the perfect penance for the sin committed. Something in my heart tells me that the one Hail Mary I was given just isn’t enough. Perhaps Father is more merciful in his judgement of me than I am.
http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon11.gif
Thus, I don’t believe the act of performing the penance confers grace *ex opere operato *but instead confers grace *ex opere operantis *(by virtue of piety of the person doing the penance). The piety and attentiveness of each person doing the penance varies, so I don’t think we can say that one’s temporal punishment is always totally remitted or not with much certainty.
That’s why we should be doing acts of spiritual and corporeal mercy every day. That’s why partial and plenary indulgences are a blessing. We also have a “day of penance” on
every Friday, when Catholics ought to be doing a special act of penance in communion with the Church universal, in rememberance of the passion and crucifixion of Christ on the Friday before he rose from the dead. Such communal acts of penance include abstaining from consuming meat, or some other act of penance as recommended by the Church.
Such acts of mercy are
penitential, if not all temporal punishment for your past sins have been satisfied, and
meritorious, if all temporal punishment for your past sins have already been satisfied. So, yer either paying off a penalty or building up spiritual rewards when you faithfully perform pious works of mercy. And if you offer your indulgence on behalf of the souls in purgatory, then your works of mercy benefit the Church Suffering as well.
See here for more:
Ex Opere Operantis
Ex Opere Operato
