Why do we as Catholics reconize Penance as a sacrament?

[pgnat1]

My Protestant friend and I were talking one day, and the subject of religion came up. He pretty much told me that they believe that they are saved by grace alone, not by Penance.

 

[Devon_Caffran]

These links should be helpful in understanding the Catholic positions. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
Recommended Reading:

• Salvation is “just believing in Jesus”…
• Doesn’t the good thief prove sola fide?
• Sola Fide before the Reformation?
• [This Rock: Quick Questions: Sola Fide (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/quickquestions/keyword/sola fide)
• Grace: What It Is and What It Does
• Sanctifying Grace: Don’t Leave Earth Without It
• Are Catholics Born Again?

•              [Assurance of Salvation?](http://www.catholic.com/tracts/assurance-of-salvation)

•              [Born Again in Baptism](http://www.catholic.com/tracts/born-again-in-baptism)

•              [Confession](http://www.catholic.com/tracts/confession)

• The Forgiveness of Sins