Possibility of Satisfaction

Absolutely speaking, man cannot make to God satisfaction for sin. Sin offends an infinite God, and has, therefore, something of infinity about itself. Man is finite; he can in no wise, of himself, render infinite satisfaction. Still, man should do what he can in the way of satisfaction for sin; justice and penance (the virtue) demand as much. If a man cannot make equivalent satisfaction, he may be able to make sufficient satisfaction.

One man can make satisfaction for another, as is manifest from the doctrine of the Communion of Saints. But in so far as satisfaction is remedial, and is meant for the cure of the person performing it, it cannot be rendered by anyone but that person. Similarly, a man fined by a judge may have his fine paid bya friend. But if the judge imposes a personal penalty to teach the offender a lesson, no friend can step up and pay this penalty. One person cannot discharge the obligation of penance imposed on another by a confessor, unless the confessor says so.