PENANCE 183 



ARTICLE 7 



SACRAMENTAL SATISFACTION 



1. Necessity. — The necessity of imposing a 

 sacramental satisfaction or penance {satis f actio 

 vel poenitentia) arises from the nature of the 

 Sacrament. 1 However, since satisfaction is 

 merely an integral part of Penance, absolution 

 would be valid even if the confessor imposed no 

 satisfaction or if the penitent failed to perform 

 the penance imposed. Still, for the valid and 

 worthy reception of the Sacrament it is essential 

 that the penitent be willing to receive and per- 

 form the sacramental satisfaction imposed by the 

 confessor. 



2. Duty of the Confessor. — As a faithful 

 "steward of the mysteries of God," 2 the confes- 

 sor is in duty bound to impose upon every peni- 

 tent a sacramental penance. Since this penance 

 is intended as a satisfaction for the sins com- 

 mitted, as a remedy for the wounds of the soul, 

 and as an antidote against future sins, it should 

 be proportioned to the penitent's guilt and 

 adapted to age, sex, profession, disposition, etc. 3 



1 Cone. Trident., Sess. VI, c. 14; 3 Cone. Trident., Sess. XIV, De 

 Sess. XIV, De Poenit., c. 8, can. Poenit., c. 8; Sess. XXIV, cap. 8, 

 12-15. — St. Thomas, Summa Theol,, De Reform. — Rit. Rom., tit. 3, c. 1, 

 3a, Suppl., qu. 12-15. — St. Alphon- n. 18-21: "Postremo salutarem et 

 sus, Theol. Mor., 1. VI, n. 506-530 convenientem satisfactionem, quan- 

 (ed. Gaude, III, 516). turn spiritus et prudentia suggesse- 



2 1 Cor. IV, 1-2. tint, iniungat, habita ratione status, 



