Paenitentiam Agere: the Need for the Practice of Interior and Exterior Penance Encyclical of Pope John XXIII

    Penance in the modern world, even amongst Catholics is not widely practiced, much less understood.  Many attribute this to the changes after Vatican II, however this document was presented to the bishops present just before the opening of Vatican II's meetings.  Pope John XXIII expressed his desire that this fundamental principle not be forgotten and serve as a guiding force during the council meetings.  This was to implore the grace of God to guide and instruct those gathered praying for the intention that "the faith, the love, the moral loves of Catholics may be so re-invigorated, so intensified, that all who are at present separated from the Apostolic See may be impelled to strive actively and sincerely for union, and enter the one fold of the Shepard."[1]

    

    After instructing the audience of bishops to pay head to his requests for themselves, he asks also that they invite the clerics and laymen in their archdiocese to join in this spiritual communion of prayer and sacrifice.  As a Good Shepard, Pope John XXIII explains the need for penance to begin in ones heart and then be brought forward in exterior works, less those works be sterile and fruitless.  By turning away from sin one needs to also be incline towards the Good of its Creator through justice and charity.  This practice of penance is not just for the "great sinners" but necessary for all who wish to reserve their baptismal innocence by keeping their wayward passions under control and regaining grace when it has been lost. [2] 

    In this exhortation Pope John XXIII explains the benefits accepting suffering in this life in a spirit of reparation and love by "the acceptance from God in a spirit of resignation and trust of all life's sorrows and hardships and of everything that involves inconvenience" in the performing of ones duties of state in life.[3]  Right there is an example of Christian dignity and charity which binds all the baptized together in one family, as Jesus said; "by this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."[John 13:35] This serves as an example for each other and for the modern world at large.  Benno Alexander Zuiddam points out the necessity of penance in non Christian cultures throughout history as a means of reconciliation and harmony. [4] As well as going above this to embracing voluntary penances that serve as a means of increases the fruits of Divine Love and compunction.  These actions should flow first and for most from an interior detestation for sin and the desire for amendment through Confession and the Eucharist.

    This encyclical was written not only for the bishops present in 1962, but for all Catholics seeking to be true disciples of Christ.  Penance is the fruit of an ongoing conversion, a re-assimilation to Christ whom we chose each day as our Savior.  In a comment on St. John the Baptists preaching, Anton Klooster says "the call to repent: according to the circumstances of our lives the word "repent" will speak to us differently" and recall to mind that it serves an invitation to the kingdom of God. [5] May the sprit of Pope John XXIII enflame the hearts of all Christians to exemplify this saving truth. 

[1] Pope John XXIII, Encyclical on the Need For the Practice of Interior and Exterior Penance, Paenitentiam Agere, (1 July, 1962), §25.

[2] Paenitentiam Agere, (1 July, 1962), §13.

[3] Paenitentiam Agere, (1 July, 1962), §30.

[4] Benno Alexander Zuiddam, "Repentance and Forgiveness: Classical and Patristic Perspectives on a Reformation Theme," In die Skriffling, 56 no 1 (2022):3, at In die Skriffling,  http://www.indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig.

[5] Anton ten Klooster, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!" (Mt 3:1 and 4:17): Conversion in the Gospel and the Christian Life," Journal of Moral Theology vol. 10 (2021): 56, at Journal of Moral Theology, https://jmt.scholasticahq.com/issues.