Penance

:For the Final Fantasy boss, see Penance (Final Fantasy); for the Marvel Comics character, see Penance (comics).

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Penance (from the Latin Poenitentia, the same root as penitence, which is English means repentence, the desire to be forgiven, see contrition; in many languages only one single word is derived) is the actual name of the Catholic Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (formerly called Confession).

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In this Sacrament, the penitent (repentent sinner, known as confessant) accuses himself of his sins to an ordained priest (known as confessor). The priest may then offer advice and imposes a particular penance to be performed. The penitent then prays an Act of Contrition, the priest administers absolution, thus formally forgiving the penitent of his sins, and finally sends him out with words of dismissal.

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Penance, as imposed during the Sacrament, may consist in prayers, fasting, or the giving of alms. The most common penances are prayers, such as the Our Father and Hail Mary, while corporal punishments such as the wearing of a cilice and public humiliations have become rare, even in monastic practice.

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Penance also may be self-imposed, especially during the Lenten fast (mainly the Passion week, inspired by Christ's suffering; hence also flagellantism or even voluntary crucifixion) and Advent. Self-imposed penance, also called mortification of the flesh (beacuse its natural weakness endangers the salvation of the soul unless duely controled by the devout spirit), serves to detach the penitent of his worldly passions, as to draw him into closer union with God.

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• In eastern religions (Hinduism, etc.), acts of hardship committed on oneself (fasting, lying on rocks heated by the Sun, etc.), especialy as part of an ascetic way of life (as monk or 'wise man') in order to attain a higher form of mental awareness (trough detachment from the earthly, not punishing guilt) or favours from (the) God(s).
Penance: Penance in fiction ►



 

Penance (Final Fantasy): redirect Final Fantasy X...

Marvel Comics: Marvel Comics , (AKA Marvel Entertainment Group, Marvel Characters, Inc., and Marvel Enterprises, Inc.) sometimes called by the nickname The House of Ideas, is an American comic book company. Its best-known comics include The Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Cap...

Penance (comics): Penance is a body which several members of the St Croix family, all members of the Marvel Comics superhero team Generation X had been trapped in. When last seen, however, the form had no known host....




Penance related Images and Photos (experimental)

Oxford Transports or Albanians Doing Penance For Past Offences The English Spy c.M. Westmacott

The Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich IV Does Penance at Canossa Modena After

Avengers: The Initiative #29 Cover: Speedball and Penance