Chapter XXXII: We Must Have the Spirit of Penance

IN regard to the penance or satisfaction that is imposed in the Sacrament of Confession, I would observe that it should, of course, be done faithfully; but over and above this, we should endeavor to do penance by all the actions of our lives, principally by putting up with the crosses, troubles, trials, and afflictions which God may see fit to send upon us.

We need, all of us, to do penance; for our sins and faults are more than the hairs of our heads, and what is the little penance imposed on us in Confession? A few prayers, a few recitals of the Rosary, a slight deprivation or self-denial. Truly, it keeps up the principle of penance in the sacrament and reminds us solemnly of our duty; but after all how inadequate it is, and out of proportion to the number and greatness of our sins!

God imposes His own penance as He sees fit and good for us. Oh! let us not stand in the way of His designs for us by refusing to accept His penance, by complaining and fretting under it, or by seeking to escape it amid the dissipations and distractions of the world.

How short-sighted we are! God looks upon us with eyes of love and proposes a very precious gift for us, a splendid diamond that shall sparkle for all eternity. It comes in the shape of a trial, an affliction, or a disappointment. All we have to do is to look through it right up to God, who has allowed it to happen, and to say: “Praise and glory be to God in this as in all things.” “If we have received good things from God, why shall we not also receive evil?” (Job ii. 10). When we have done so we have united ourselves to Him more closely than we could have done had all happened according to our desire.

Instead, then, of complaining and grumbling at what God permits to befall us, let us be thankful and take it as a sign that he has not forgotten us; but that He is watching over us with all the interest of a father, desiring our salvation, and holding out to us the means of attaining it.

I am convinced that the reason why many souls are lost is, that they will not submit to these penances. Penance is necessary to purify their souls and destroy the evil root of sin in them, but they will have none of it; they go so much on the principle of self-indulgence and self-love that God’s love can find no place in them, and God’s grace is thrown away on their hard and sterile hearts.

Let us remember always these blessed words spoken by the priest when he imparts the Absolution. He says: “May the Passion and Suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, and whatsoever good you shall do, or evil you shall suffer, be to you for the remission of your sins, the increase of grace, and the reward of eternal glory.” The sufferings of this life work out for us, if taken in the spirit of penance, what St. Paul calls “an eternal weight of glory.”

Take, then, with patience and joy everything disagreeable, everything painful, everything against your will, the loss of friends, or of property, or of health, or anything whatever as a penance for your sins, from the hands of Jesus Christ, as a filling up of what is wanting in your sacramental penance, and you will be rewarded for it. It will give you a foretaste of heaven even now in your soul, and heaven itself hereafter.

These are the chief things regarding the Sacrament of Penance which I have deemed it more especially useful to say to you. As to other matters, which may be of equal importance, you will find them sufficiently explained in your prayer-books, or books of instruction, such as the Mission Book. Many of you, no doubt, have learned them in your catechisms when you were children. Let us now consider some of the things in regard to Holy Communion which it will be most pleasing and profitable for us thoroughly to understand and to apply to our souls.