What is a Penance Service?

Introduction

Lent offers Catholics the perfect invitation to receive the Sacrament of Penance ahead of the Easter celebration. The communal services are liturgies that bring members of the Body of Christ together to acknowledge sins and ask God for His forgiveness. They typically include Scripture readings and a homily to help penitents prepare for confession, as well as petitions for God’s mercy.

Penance services are communal in the sense that the faithful gather to acknowledge the effects of sin on the community and to celebrate the liturgy, but penitents don’t confess their sins collectively, nor do they receive a general absolution. Each person makes a private confession with a priest in the confessional during the service.

An Examination of Conscience is a helpful and proper way for penitents to reflect on The Ten Commandments and the sins they have committed before they enter the confessional. Resources for an Examination of Conscience are often available at Penance Services and in the confessional. Want to know more? How to Prepare for Confession. Catholics may attend a Penance Service at any church, regardless of which parish they attend. 

Examination of Conscience

Everyone is encouraged to make a thorough examination of conscience before coming to the penance service. Set some time aside between Sunday and Thursday to go through the examination below.  Making a list of the areas you need to improve may be helpful to bring along for your individual confession.

How have I failed to worship God in private and communal prayer?

  • Do I receive the sacraments regularly?
  • Do I keep Sundays and holy days sacred?
  • Do I value the sacrament of reconciliation? 
  • Do I sincerely want to be set free from sin, to turn again to God, and to begin a new life in deeper friendship with God?
  • Have I tried to grow in my faith through prayer and reading God’s word?
  • Do I pray daily?
  • Do I trust God’s goodness and providence, even in times of crisis and doubt?

How have I failed to use the gifts of God in daily living?

  • Do I respect my own body as a gift from God?
  • Do I control my vices, including abuses of food and drink?
  • Have I made good use of the gifts God has given me?
  • Do I work too hard and too long? Do I neglect my family and health?
  • Have I been lazy and given too much time to leisure or entertainment?

How have I failed in my relationships with others?

  • In my household, have I contributed to the well-being and happiness of the rest of my family? Am I patient? Am I loving?
  • Do I treat my parents [children] with respect?
  • Am I ever angry with those I love?
  • Have I been faithful in my relationships?
  • Have I imposed my will on others without respecting their freedom and rights? Am I intolerant of other’s ideas or needs?
  • Have I perpetuated racism, prejudices and stereotypes?
  • Do I treat people with disabilities with respect?
  • Have I indulged in reading, conversation, or entertainments that are contrary to Christian decency and respect for human life? 

Have I failed to share God’s love with the world?

  • Do I share my time and my treasure with others in need?
  • When I saw someone hungry, did I give them food?
  • When I saw someone thirsty, did I give them drink?
  • When I saw someone needing clothing, did I clothe them?
  • When I saw a stranger, did I welcome them?
  • When someone was homebound or imprisoned, did I visit them?
  • When someone was ill, did I care for them?
  • Do I fail to speak out on behalf of the poor or the oppressed?
  • Do I use the earth’s resources wisely?

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