What is meant by the sacrament of Penance?
It is that holy rite which gives back to men the life of grace which Jesus Christ gave them at baptism; and this by communicating to them again the fruit of His Passion if they have had the misfortune to lose it by sin (LXXXIV. 1).
In what does the sacrament of Penance consist?
It consists in certain acts and words, which show on the one hand that the sinner has quitted his sin, and on the other hand that God has remitted the sin by the ministry of the priest (LXXXIV. 2, 3).
Is this sacrament of particular importance to man, and one for which man ought to be especially grateful to our Lord, who instituted it?
Yes, of a truth; for owing to the fragility of our fallen human nature, even after having received the grace of Baptism, which brings the supernatural life to man, it is possible for him to lose this grace; and if Jesus Christ had not instituted this sacrament of Penance, man would have had no external sacramental means of getting back his life of grace (LXXXI V. 6).
If after having received this sacrament, man falls again into sin, can he receive it again?
Yes; for Jesus Christ in His infinite mercy towards the sinner has fixed no limit to the number of times one may receive this sacrament, which carries with it always remission and pardon of sin, the only condition being that man should be truly repentant (LXXXIV. 10).
Next - The Catechism of the Summa - Tertia Pars - XXXVII. OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: OF ITS NATURE AND VIRTUE (B)
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