Penitent (Noun)
Meaning
(Roman Catholic Church) a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The priest met with the penitent in the confessional booth to guide them through the sacrament of reconciliation.
- During Lent, many penitents attend special services and perform acts of charity to atone for their sins.
- In the Roman Catholic tradition, the penitent is expected to demonstrate genuine remorse and a commitment to change their behavior.
- The priest absolved the penitent of their sins and assigned them a penance to complete as a form of reparation.
- As a penitent, she spent hours in prayer and contemplation, seeking forgiveness for her past mistakes.