An Apologetical Explanation of

Conversion and Penance

How does interior conversion and penance take place?

“I despise myself, / and repent in dust and ashes.”  (Jb 42:6)

I turned my face to the Lord god, seeking him by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.  (Dn 9:3)

“I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country to Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance.”  (Acts 26:19-20)

The primary keys to conversion and penance are fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.  Also helpful in fostering interior conversion are other acts of mortification, pious devotion, and charitable works.

Conversion of heart is an ongoing effort in the life of a Christian.  We are converted to Christ at Baptism, but the combination of our inclination to sin and our human weakness causes us to drift from this gift of grace.  Thus, conversion is a lifelong process since we must struggle continually to grow in holiness and against the tide that threatens to carry us into sin.  We carry on this struggle within the Church both individually and communally.  (Cf. CCC 1426-1429)

While conversion is in its essence an interior reorientation—as humans we have a natural need to express our interior dispositions in external acts.  Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (cf. Tb 2:8; Mt 6:1-18) are the primary  and indispensable vehicles for fostering and nurturing penance.  Penance also finds expression in concern for the poor and oppressed, efforts at reconciliation, charitable acts, acceptance of suffering (“take up your cross”), firm resolutions to change our lives, acts of humility, and enduring persecution for a righteous cause.  (Cf. CCC 1430, 1434-1435)

Other important helps include receiving the Eucharist, reading Scripture, voluntary self-denial, pilgrimages, and sincere acts of devotion or worship.  (Cf. CCC 1436-1439)

Penance is expressed most appropriately in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, whereby with the proper dispositions we can receive absolution and ample graces to assist us in our resolution for ongoing conversion and orientation to Christ.  (Cf. CCC 1422-1423)

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraph 1434.

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