Three conditions are necessary for Penance:
contrition, which is sorrow for sin,
together with a purpose of amendment;
confession of sins without any omission;
and satisfaction by means of good works.

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St. Thomas Aquinas, 13th century

Holy is the time of Lent
in which the Judge is moved to mercy.

 
St. Maximus, 7th century

Repentance is a medicine to trespasses,
and end to tears, courage before God,
a weapon against the devil, the hope of salvation,
the abolishment of despair.

 
St. John Chrysostom, 4th century

Repentance opens heaven.

 
St. John Chrysostom, 4th century

Flee to the Lord and you will be comforted,
touch Him and you will be made clean;
cleave to Him and you will be safe
from every kind of peril.

 
Bl. Julian of Norwich, 14th century

God turns himself away, not so much from those who sin,
but from those who are not stricken with fear
after they sin.

 
St. John Chrysostom, 4th century

The first exercise in training the soul
is to turn away sin,
the second to implant virtue.

 
St. Ambrose, 4th century

What the Christian should be doing at all times
should be done now with greater care and devotion,
so that the Lenten fast may be fulfilled,
not simply by abstinence from food,
but above all, by the renunciation of sin.

 
St. Leo the Great, 5th century