Second Part: On the Effects of Penance

452. The proper effect of Penance is reparative healing from actual sin committed after Baptism.

Whence a) negatively it remits and takes away 1) every mortal sin with eternal punishment, 2) venial sins, 3) the temporal punishment due, at least partially; - b) positively: 4) it restores grace making one pleasing, with virtues and the merit of good works, and in the sacrament it gives special help against the wounds of sin, so as not to relapse.

Hence there are four questions, in which at the same time the virtue of Penance and the sacrament must be considered.

1. Thus Jerome, ep. 130 (otherwise 8), n. 6; Tertullian, On Penance, IV; Pacian, ep. I, n. 5; Ambrose, On Fallen Virgins, 8. Cf. Augustine, serm. 392.