Penitential
Penitential (Codex Pmenitentialis) is an ecclesiastical book in the Romish Church which contains everything relating to the imposition of penance (q.v.) and the reconciliation of penitents (q.v.). It appoints the time and manner of penance to be regularly imposed for every sin, and forms of prayer that are to be used for the receiving of those who entered upon penance, and reconciling penitents by solemn absolution; a method chiefly introduced in the time of the degeneracy of the Church. There are various penitentials, as the Roman Penitential, and the Penitentials of Bede, and of Theodore of Tarsus, archbishop of Canterbury, etc.
