Forgiveness Doesn’t Rely on Penance

The usual advice for confessors is to give penances that are clear and concise so that the penitent does not doubt that he has fulfilled his penance. Unfortunately, sometimes priests with the best of intentions give non-standard penances that leave penitents feeling caught in a gray area. However, sins are forgiven by the sacrament even if the penance is never performed; the doing of penance is not a direct relation to the forgiveness received.

If upon reflection the penitent feels the penance he received is too cumbersome or impossible for him to fulfill, he may ask the same confessor or another confessor to change the penance.