Absolution Formula

[pcg2]

Yesterday when I went to confession the priest added something to the absolution formula. I don’t remember exactly what he said or where in the formula he said it, but it had something to do with about the “authority” he was given or something like that. I think it went something like this (I bolded what I think he added):

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death
and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I with the authority I’ve been given absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.

Was this okay for him to do? DId it somehow invalidate the confession?

 

[Bookcat]

…

 

[Joe_Kelley]

From what I remember the absolution is valid if he says

I absolve you of your sins

. How much he can add to that, or omit from the rest of the formula I don’t know. But errors there would make it illicit on his part and would not affect the validity for you.

 

[otjm]

From what I remember the absolution is valid if he says. How much he can add to that, or omit from the rest of the formula I don’t know. But errors there would make it illicit on his part and would not affect the validity for you.

I would be a little careful of saying it was illicit unless I ahd something more to go on.

 

[Bookcat]

Yes it would seem to be valid … the* I absolve you* was there… a priest should always use the prescribed formula but one that does not change the essential meaning of the form does not usually invalidate a sacrament.

(it may have been a mistake for older priests would remember a similar line from the older form)

 

[Bookcat]

PS I also emailed a Priest who teaches these things in Rome…he also responded:

“I would say that the confession was valid even though the priest should not ever change the form.”

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

At least he didn’t say “by the authority vested in me by the State of California, I absolve you…”

 

[pcg2]

Sorry for the late replies, but thank you everyone for your kind responses!!!