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Penance has played a prominent role in religions all over the world. And the interesting thing is there are documents spanning the globe which discuss penance and provide clear opportunities to find out more about the world's history. Penitential literature gives credible information which allows you to peek into people's lives. But what exactly is penitential literature, and why is it so interesting for history?
What are Penitentials?
Catholic doctrines describe penitential literature as a collection of works by different Christian authors reflecting heavily on the topic of penance. They primarily describe the acts of confession for sins, repentance for them, and finding forgiveness with the assurance of satisfying them. Penance has been predominantly associated with gaining back the grace of God and as a road towards eternal salvation.
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Medieval priests had Penitentials to help them deliver penance from confessions. Source: Corpus Christi
