penitence (noun) - a show of recognition or regret for having done wrong; contrition, remorse [pen-i-tuhns]
BREAKDOWN: PENIT- (to regret) + -ENCE (act or state)
penitent means showing regret or remorse for wrongdoing; repentant
a penitentiary is a prison, usually operated at the state or federal level; a place of confinement for criminals (abbreviated as pen)
“Patriotism means unqualified and unwavering love for the nation, which implies not uncritical eagerness to serve, not support for unjust claims, but frank assessment of its vices and sins, and penitence for them.” –Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn