Penance is the sacrament by which a person’s sins are forgiven by God.
This sacrament may be received by any baptised person who has reached the use of reason of reason- able to distinguish wrong from right- normally seven years of age.
In Penance a penitent receives God’s forgiveness through the ministry of the priest. Forgiveness requires a person being sorry for their sins. One receives forgiveness through confession of one’s sins followed an expression of sorrow for them and by the absolution from the priest. The signs of this sacrament are the confession of sins and the words of absolution.
This sacrament is normally received for the first time some days/ weeks before the reception of First Holy Communion Thereafter, it may be received as often as a person may need it.