SacramentOf

Penance

the term "penance" best describes the essential interior disposition required for this sacrament.

is a common name used for the Sacrament of Confession.

“Confession” stresses the action of believer.“Reconciliation” stresses the action of God, who uses the sacrament to reconcile us to Himself by restoring sanctifying grace in our souls.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Penance is a sacrament of the New Law instituted by Christ in which forgiveness of sins committed after baptism is granted through the priest's absolution to those who with true sorrow confess their sins and promise to satisfy for the same.

It is called a "sacrament" not simply a function or ceremony, because it is an outward sign instituted by Christ to impart grace to the soul.

In fact, there is a virtue of penance. This is a supernatural virtue by which we are moved to detest our sins from a motive made known by faith, and with an accompanying purpose of offending God no more and of making satisfaction for our sins. In this sense the word "penance" is synonymous with "penitence" or "repentance.“

It is a sacrament in which the priest, as the agent of God, forgives sins committed after Baptism, when the sinner is heartily sorry for them, sincerely confesses them, and is willing to make satisfaction for them.

1. Contrition2. Confession to a priest3. Absolution by the priest4. Satisfaction or penance

In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness; as a result we are called to forgive others.

Element of Reconciliation

Increase the sanctifying graceReconciliation with God by which the

penitent recovers graceReconciliation with the churchRemission of eternal punishment incurred by

mortal sinRemission of temporal punishment resulting

from sinPeace of serenity of conscience of spiritual

consolationIncrease of spiritual strength for the

Christian battle

Effects of Penance