 If the sentence was condemnatory, this implied that the condemned had to participate in the ceremony of an "auto de fe" (more commonly known in English as an "auto-da-fé") that solemnized their return to the Church (in most cases), or punishment as an impenitent heretic.The "autos-da-fé" could be private ("auto particular") or public ("auto publico" or "auto general").Although initially the public "autos" did not have any special solemnity nor sought a large attendance of spectators, with time they became solemn ceremonies, celebrated with large public crowds, amidst a festive atmosphere.