Penance

Penance refers to both the interior disposition of sorrow for sin and exterior acts that express and deepen that sorrow — and to the Sacrament of Penance itself, through which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven. The word encompasses both the spiritual movement of the heart and the concrete acts through which that movement is expressed (CCC 1422–1434).

Interior Penance

Interior penance is the conversion of heart toward God and away from sin — what the Catechism calls "a radical reorientation of our whole life." It involves contrition for sin committed, the firm intention to sin no more, and trust in God's mercy. Without this interior movement, external acts of penance are empty gestures (CCC 1430–1431).

Exterior Acts of Penance

Exterior penance includes a wide range of acts: fasting, prayer, almsgiving, works of mercy, acts of self-denial, and — most importantly — the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance. Scripture, the Fathers, and the Church consistently recommend prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as the three great forms of penance (CCC 1434).

The Sacrament of Penance

The Sacrament of Penance — also called Reconciliation or Confession — is the sacramental celebration of God's forgiveness of sins through the ministry of the priest. It includes the acts of the penitent (contrition, confession of sins, and satisfaction) and the absolution of the priest (CCC 1440–1449).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the "penance" given by the priest in Confession a punishment? No — it is a satisfaction: an act of reparation that helps repair the harm done by sin and foster conversion. It is medicinal, not punitive. Common penances include prayers, works of charity, or acts of self-denial (CCC 1459–1460).