Penance may be referred to as Reconciliation or Confession, as well. Penance is the sacrament by which our sins are forgiven. As human beings, we are all sinners. We sin against God, our family and friends, and our community. Penance gives us the opportunity to have our sins forgiven by God.
First Penance is included in the preparation process for First Communion, since the Church requires that we go to confession before we have received our First Communion.