Penance
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act. A sacrament in some Christian churches.
Example sentence: I grew up Catholic. We went to confession on Saturday, stood in the shortest line, since it led to the priest who gave the easiest penance - usually a few Our Fathers and Hail Marys. We confessed in private, prayed our penance and our souls were clean.
Repentance
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The condition of being penitentA feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning
Example sentence: The pattern of the prodigal is: rebellion, ruin, repentance, reconciliation, restoration.