From: Fr. Tom Mangattuthazhe
Lenten Penance
Penances must conform to our inner contrition and sorrow for our sins. Acts of penance are our outward signs of inward realities. Saint John the Baptist said: “Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.” (Matthew 3:8, ) Saint Paul also said: “I preach that they should do penance and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.” (Acts 26:20) I very much like how
the Apostle speaks of "works worthy of penance."
Below are some traditional Catholic penances. These acts should be unseen by men and offered only to God:
1. Abstaining from all meat
2. Abstaining from all alcohol
3. Abstaining from all sweets and desserts
4. Having only one or two meals per day
5. Eating little or no food of Fridays - the weekly remembrance of the crucifixion
6. Waking up for a night vigil of prayer
7. Abstaining from television, music, radio, and/or movies for all of Lent
8. Daily Mass
9. Weekly Confession
10. Daily Rosary
11. Daily Divine Mercy Chaplet
12. Daily or Weekly Stations of the Cross
13. Attending a parish mission
14. Increased Almsgiving
15. Acts of Mercy and Charity
Talk to your spiritual director before you do anything. If you do not have a director, talk to your priest in the confessional about how you can take it to higher level this year. The goal is to give greater glory to God, grow in holiness, and bring graces to others who need Christ.
As we learn from St Therese, even the smallest thing done for the love of God is great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Picking up piece of trash or opening the door for someone with a heart full of love for God and neighbor is better than a bitter heart enduring a hair shirt for forty days. This is why you need a holy spiritual director to help you think these things through.
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Lenten Penance
Penances must conform to our inner contrition and sorrow for our sins. Acts of penance are our outward signs of inward realities. Saint John the Baptist said: “Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.” (Matthew 3:8, ) Saint Paul also said: “I preach that they should do penance and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.” (Acts 26:20) I very much like how
the Apostle speaks of "works worthy of penance."
Below are some traditional Catholic penances. These acts should be unseen by men and offered only to God:
1. Abstaining from all meat
2. Abstaining from all alcohol
3. Abstaining from all sweets and desserts
4. Having only one or two meals per day
5. Eating little or no food of Fridays - the weekly remembrance of the crucifixion
6. Waking up for a night vigil of prayer
7. Abstaining from television, music, radio, and/or movies for all of Lent
8. Daily Mass
9. Weekly Confession
10. Daily Rosary
11. Daily Divine Mercy Chaplet
12. Daily or Weekly Stations of the Cross
13. Attending a parish mission
14. Increased Almsgiving
15. Acts of Mercy and Charity
Talk to your spiritual director before you do anything. If you do not have a director, talk to your priest in the confessional about how you can take it to higher level this year. The goal is to give greater glory to God, grow in holiness, and bring graces to others who need Christ.
As we learn from St Therese, even the smallest thing done for the love of God is great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Picking up piece of trash or opening the door for someone with a heart full of love for God and neighbor is better than a bitter heart enduring a hair shirt for forty days. This is why you need a holy spiritual director to help you think these things through.
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