Parts of the Sacrament of Penance

Penance is said to have parts inasmuch as several things are required to constitute this sacrament. This is particularly the case with regard to the matter of the sacrament.

The parts of penance are the acts of the penitent:contrition, confession, and satisfaction. We may add, as a fourth part, the absolution imparted by the priest.

An integral part of anything is something inand of the thing itself which gives completeness or perfection. The three acts of the penitent (contrition, confession, satisfaction),are called integral parts of penance. These acts must all come together to constitute the rounded perfection of penance in sofar as this perfection depends on the penitent.

Considering penance as a virtue, we distinguish three types or varieties of it: penance before baptism;penance for mortal sin; penance for venial sin.