What penance's do priests give somebody to do?

Answer 1

The priest's role in confession does include giving each penitent a particular penance as a part of their contrition for their sins. The particular penance given depends on a host of factors including the sins committed, the culture, and most importantly, the priest.

In the United States, most priests for regular penitents have them offer a number of prayers (i.e. 3 Our Fathers, 5 Hail Marys, etc.) as penance.

For instance, if a child is making his first confession, it is not likely that his penance will be extremely cumbersome. Similarly, most adults who go to confession regular are given short, simple penances.

However, if the person has confessed a serious sin such as murder, rape, etc., the penance may be something more than a private prayer. In such a situation, the priest may tell the person that their penance is to turn themselves in or seek professional help.