What is the History of the Sacrament of Penance?
The Rev. Clifford Howell, S.J., says it best when he states, “Did you know that the Sacrament of Penance (which we commonly refer to as “confession”) was once a public affair? That seems rather shocking to our way of thinking, but it is nevertheless a fact. In the early centuries of the Church’s history, people who wanted to have their sins forgiven went through an ordeal the very thought of which almost makes our hair stand on end. And though the things they had to do have now been discontinued, it is worth our while to learn something about them, because thereby we shall come to a better understanding of the Sacrament of Penance as we now have it. It is queer how things often become known by names which indicate some point of lesser importance So with this sacrament – we call it ‘confession or penance .’ And, of course, it does involve both confession and penance. But the really important thing about it is that it brings reconciliation with God. It seems rather a pity that we don’t c
