Chapter — 1917 Code of Canon Law
Chapter II: Of Penances
Superseded as law in 1983 — read why this Code still matters. Each canon links to its 1983 counterpart.
§ 1. Penances are imposed in the external forum so that the delinquent may either escape a penalty, or receive absolution or dispensation from a contracted penalty.
§ 2. On account of an occult delict or transgression, public penance is never to be imposed.
§ 3. Penances are to be moderated not so much according to the quantity of the delict as according to the contrition of the penitent, with the qualities of persons and circumstances of the delicts weighed.
§ 1. Poenitentiae in foro externo imponuntur ut delinquens vel poenam effugiat, vel poenae contractae absolutionem aut dispensationem recipiat.
§ 2. Ob delictum aut transgressionem occultam nunquam poenitentia publica imponatur.
§ 3. Poenitentiae non tam secundum quantitatem delicti, quam secundum poenitentis contritionem moderandae sunt, pensatis qualitatibus personarum et delictorum adiunctis.
1983 Code correlation: can. 1340
§ 1. The chief penances are precepts:
1° Of reciting determined prayers.
2° Of performing some pious pilgrimage or other works of piety.
3° Of observing a peculiar fast.
4° Of disbursing alms for pious uses.
5° Of performing spiritual exercises in a pious or religious house for some days.
§ 2. The Ordinary, according to his prudence, can add penances to the penal remedy of warning and correction.
§ 1. Praecipuae poenitentiae sunt praecepta:
1° Recitandi determinatas preces;
2° Peragendi piam aliquam peregrinationem vel alia pietatis opera;
3° Servandi peculiare ieiunium;
4° Erogandi eleemosynas in pios usus;
5° Peragendi exercitia spiritualia in pia aut religiosa domo per aliquot dies.
§ 2. Poenitentias Ordinarius pro sua prudentia addere potest poenali remedio monitionis et correptionis.
1983 Code correlation: can. 1340