The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are:
- reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace;
- reconciliation with the Church;
- remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
- remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin;
- peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation;
- an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

Temporal punishment is the temporary suffering or unhealthy attachment left behind by sin. Even when the guilt of a sin is forgiven through confession and eternal damnation is avoided, a residual spiritual disorder or "debt" remains. This temporal penalty requires purification either through earthly penance, acts of charity, or suffering in Purgatory before entering Heaven.

Confession removes the eternal guilt of sin, but the harmful wounds and worldly attachments caused by the sin persist.

We are creatures of habit. The goal is to develop the habit of charity. When we sin we make a habit that is contrary to charity. The healing of this bad habit is called “temporal punishment.”

Prayer, fasting, almsgiving, patient endurance of life's sufferings, and acts of mercy reduce this punishment during life.

Indulgences: explains that partial or plenary indulgences granted by the Church can remit part or all of this temporal punishment.

Any unremitted temporal punishment remaining at the time of death is cleansed through the temporary suffering of Purgatory.