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coachkfan1 · #1 Yesterday, 8:25 am

So I go to Confession every three or four weeks. This Saturday I went to Confession at a different Parish than my own. I did not believe that I had any mortal sins to confess, although I could see how possibly one of them could be so that is why I went on to Confession.

I couldn't see the priest but his voice "sounded young". I say this because the penance he gave me was to pray the Liturgy of the Hours...for the next two months! Now I fully intend on doing this and it is probably something that I should be doing anyway, but has anyone else ever had a penance like this before? I am also fairly scrupulous so now I am kind of scared I may miss one of the prayers.

Anyway, as I said I have no problem with doing the penance, but it really made feel like I had committed a very serious sin when I went in thinking that I was in pretty good shape. So I would like anyone's thoughts or comments as to if this sounds normal. Thanks in advance!

bsroufek · #2 Yesterday, 8:35 am

Do your best with it. It's kind of unusual and pretty heavy, though, I must say.

Still, from what I've been told by my catechist (a Deacon), Catholics used to have much heavier penances, including public humiliations. I've also heard of Catholics spending years doing penances. So, it could be worse.

Zekariya · #3 Yesterday, 8:39 am

Your usual confessor would be the best person to discuss this situation with, especially if you suffer from scruples.

Jguerra · #4 Yesterday, 9:00 am

You can go back to your regular confessor and ask that the penance be commuted.

Joe

Nom the Wise · #5 Yesterday, 9:26 am

That is such a strange penance if only because so very few Catholics even seem to know about the Liturgy of the Hours, let alone know how to pray them (I needed lessons and support as I got the hang of it).

I once received a penance of having to read St. Theresa's biography, the one where she discusses her dark night of the soul. I still haven't finished it, because it's actually a very boring read for me. So sometimes I've wondered if those sins that I confessed to that priest will ever be forgiven if I don't finish the book.

I miss the old days in the 70's and 80's where I would get "Say three Our Fathers and five Hail Marys" and they would say it with all seriousness as if they knew exactly how many Our Fathers and Hail Marys were required to forgive each and every sin.

The thing is, yeah, you have to pray those Liturgy of the Hours unless you see your regular confessor and he gets you off the hook (he didn't mean all of them, did he? I mean, was it just Morning Prayer or just Vespers? He couldn't have meant all 7 of the hours).

Dorothy · #6 Yesterday, 9:29 am

That sounds unusual to be given such a penance. Most Catholics do not even own a book of LOTH....unless he asked you and you told him you had one. Also, the priest needs to be specific as to what hours he wants you to say, such as Morning and Evening prayer. And, if you go to work and he told you to do all the prayers during the day, it doesn't sound feasible. I would ask for clarification, or for a different penance.

Zekariya · #7 Yesterday, 9:31 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nom the Wise

I once received a penance of having to read St. Theresa's biography, the one where she discusses her dark night of the soul. I still haven't finished it, because it's actually a very boring read for me. So sometimes I've wondered if those sins that I confessed to that priest will ever be forgiven if I don't finish the book.

Your sins are forgiven when the priest absolves you. If you do not finish your penance, your sins are still forgiven though, it is a separate sin to neglect ones penance. I suggest that you speak with a priest and ask him to change your penance if you cannot complete.

SwizzleStick · #8 Yesterday, 9:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nom the Wise

...I miss the old days in the 70's and 80's where I would get "Say three Our Fathers and five Hail Marys" and they would say it with all seriousness as if they knew exactly how many Our Fathers and Hail Marys were required to forgive each and every sin. ...

The 70s and 80s? It is not unusual for those very penances to be given today, at least that has been my experience.

Zekariya · #9 Yesterday, 9:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwizzleStick

The 70s and 80s? It is not unusual for those very penances to be given today, at least that has been my experience.

Those are the penances I receive when confessing to Roman Rite priests (even when I confess to EWTN priests).

SwizzleStick · #10 Yesterday, 9:36 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachkfan1

...So I would like anyone's thoughts or comments as to if this sounds normal. Thanks in advance!

coachfan1, that penance does sound excessive to me. If I were you, I would discuss it with my regular confessor. I'm sure he can counsel you on what to do. You indicated you are scrupulous, so seeking his counsel sounds like a wise choice. That way, you know you are getting sound advice from a priest. We can offer our opinions, but he can offer sound guidance.

Nom the Wise · #11 Yesterday, 9:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwizzleStick

The 70s and 80s? It is not unusual for those very penances to be given today, at least that has been my experience.

Seriously, I haven't received a good ol' fashioned "Three Our Fathers and five Hail Marys" penance in decades.

Decades.

Where are you and Zekariya at? I'm coming to your parishes from now on.

Nom the Wise · #12 Yesterday, 9:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zekariya

Your sins are forgiven when the priest absolves you. If you do not finish your penance, your sins are still forgiven though, it is a separate sin to neglect ones penance. I suggest that you speak with a priest and ask him to change your penance if you cannot complete.

You know, I've been a Catholic for a long time, a former seminarian, and I've always believed that the forgiveness is not really complete until the penance is over. But I get what you're saying. Thanks.

SwizzleStick · #13 Yesterday, 9:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nom the Wise

Seriously, I haven't received a good ol' fashioned "Three Our Fathers and five Hail Marys" penance in decades.

Decades.

Where are you and Zekariya at? I'm coming to your parishes from now on.

I might get a bit of Scripture reading, reading a Psalm or going to adoration or something, but the old-fashioned penance isn't unusual either.

I'm in a parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Come on by!

coachkfan1 · #14 Yesterday, 9:44 am

Thanks everyone. He gave me a link to a website and it consists of three sets of prayers, morning, evening and night. There was only one other person confessing that afternoon and I thought it might be because the weather was so nice, but maybe it was because these are the types of penance this priest gives. As I said, I am not trying to get out of doing it, just wondered if anyone had heard of such a thing.

Nom the Wise · #15 Yesterday, 9:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachkfan1

Thanks everyone. He gave me a link to a website and it consists of three sets of prayers, morning, evening and night. There was only one other person confessing that afternoon and I thought it might be because the weather was so nice, but maybe it was because these are the types of penance this priest gives. As I said, I am not trying to get out of doing it, just wondered if anyone had heard of such a thing.

No.

Really, no. Maybe for a monk. Not for a regular Joe Parishoner.

You really have a special case here.

I'm secretly envious of you.

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