Catholic Terminology

noun a punishment undergone in token of penitence for sin

• After confessing his sins, the priest assigned him a penance of saying ten Hail Marys.
• I had to do a penance of cleaning the whole house after coming home late last night.
• I got caught cheating on the test and now I have to do this stupid penance for it.
• Her decision to volunteer at the homeless shelter was her way of doing penance for her past mistakes.

adjective allowing or able to be forgiven easily; excusable

• Stealing a pen from work may be considered a venial offense.
• Eating the last cookie in the jar is a venial sin in this household.
• Skipping class is just a venial sin compared to what others do.
• In the grand scheme of things, telling a white lie is a venial transgression.