Wonderful explanation! I wish I had this back in my seminary days.
Do you by any chance know of any resources about the particular types of penances that were given throughout history? We were taught, and your article seems to affirm, that in the first centuries of the Church penances were much more weighty than they are today. For example I’ve read that for very grave sins the penance might be to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Compostela. Even in the not very distant past I’ve heard that penances were much more than 5 Paters and 5 Aves. I’d appreciate any input you have.
Thank you for the kind words father! I definitely know there are books out there on this topic, and I’ve come across primary sources that prescribe very harsh penances (e.g. the canons of St. Basil). However, I have yet to read any books directly on this subject.
your citation has an error....."St. Ambrose, Concerning Repentance, Book I, Ch. 10, 33." is actually Ch. 7, 33"
Wonderful article!
Wonderful explanation! I wish I had this back in my seminary days.
Do you by any chance know of any resources about the particular types of penances that were given throughout history? We were taught, and your article seems to affirm, that in the first centuries of the Church penances were much more weighty than they are today. For example I’ve read that for very grave sins the penance might be to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Compostela. Even in the not very distant past I’ve heard that penances were much more than 5 Paters and 5 Aves. I’d appreciate any input you have.
Thank you for the kind words father! I definitely know there are books out there on this topic, and I’ve come across primary sources that prescribe very harsh penances (e.g. the canons of St. Basil). However, I have yet to read any books directly on this subject.