Choose a topic from Part 3a:
1. Penance is said to have parts inasmuch as severalthings are required to constitute this sacrament. This isparticularly the case with regard to the matter of thesacrament.
2. The parts of penance are the acts of the penitent:contrition, confession, and satisfaction. We may add, as a fourthpart, the absolution imparted by the priest.
3. An integral part of anything is something inand of the thing itself which gives completeness or perfection. Thethree acts of the penitent (contrition, confession, satisfaction),are called integral parts of penance. These acts must allcome together to constitute the rounded perfection of penance in sofar as this perfection depends on the penitent.
4. Considering penance as a virtue, wedistinguish three types or varieties of it: penance before baptism;penance for mortal sin; penance for venial sin.
"We must not be behind time in doing good; for death will not be behind his time. "
St Phillip Neri
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"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine
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"Whoever wants to stand alone without the support of a master and guide will be like the tree that stands alone in a field without a proprietor. No matter how much the tree bears, passers-by will pick the fruit before it ripens.
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St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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