Act of contrition during absolution

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snowflakeinlove

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This is probably a silly question… but today when I went to confession, the priest started absolving me while I was saying my act of contrition. I was probably 1/4 way done my act of contrition when the priest made the sign of the cross. I stopped but I stayed in the confessional because I was confused. :o The priest realized I was still in there and asked me if I was done my act of contrition and I said no and he asked me to keep going… and then he absolved me again.

Is this normal? Was I just supposed to leave or something?
 
Some priests will begin the absolution as soon as he hears, “I am sorry,” or something like that. Because, who knows, you could drop dead a second later!
 
I’ve had that occur before as well. I’ve even had a priest ask me to make my act of contrition after I departed if there is a long line. I surmise that it is his judgment that the confessing person is penitent. Articulating the Act of Contrition merely completes what is already in the penitent’s heart.

If anyone knows any particular rules for this, however, please post here. I’m just giving my opinion based on my understanding.
 
Some priests say the words of Absolution as I pray my Act of Contrition. As these priests seem very much in line with the Church, I’ve assumed it’s just another way to do it.
 
I guess what I was trying to ask was am I supposed to just keep saying my act of contrition in the confessional?
I’ve had priests ask me say my act of contrition afterwards/before confession, but I’ve never had this happen.
I wasn’t sure if the priest wanted me to leave… or finish… especially because he absolved me again after I was done. Which really confused me.
 
snowflakeinlove said:
I guess what I was trying to ask was am I supposed to just keep saying my act of contrition in the confessional?
I’ve had priests ask me say my act of contrition afterwards/before confession, but I’ve never had this happen.
I wasn’t sure if the priest wanted me to leave… or finish… especially because he absolved me again after I was done. Which really confused me.
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If you want to, yes. The point of an Act is to let the priest know that you are sorry (which is required). If it helps you psychologically or emotionally or spiritually to say a long one, or if you are in the habit, to complete it after the “sorry” part, then complete it.
 
snowflakeinlove said:
This is probably a silly question… but today when I went to confession, the priest started absolving me while I was saying my act of contrition. I was probably 1/4 way done my act of contrition when the priest made the sign of the cross. I stopped but I stayed in the confessional because I was confused. :o The priest realized I was still in there and asked me if I was done my act of contrition and I said no and he asked me to keep going… and then he absolved me again.

Is this normal? Was I just supposed to leave or something?
Click to expand...
This is common when there is a long line. The “act” of making an act of contrition is simply expressing sorrow. As long as sorrow is expressed, absolution is possible.

The confusion lies in that there is also a prayer title “An Act of Contrition” (“Oh my God, I’m heartily sorry…”). If the priest judges you contrite and absolves you, he may still assign the recitation of the Act of Contrition as a penance.

This prayer is valuable, because it summarizes both “Perfect Contrition” (Sorrow due to offending a loving God), and “Imperfect Contrition” (caused by fear of the loss of heaven and pains of hell). It also expresses an intent to seek confession, which is a vital step in making an act of perfect contrition. However, it would be quite silly to require this prayer to be recited after one has already made a confession!
 
snowflakeinlove said:
I guess what I was trying to ask was am I supposed to just keep saying my act of contrition in the confessional?
I’ve had priests ask me say my act of contrition afterwards/before confession, but I’ve never had this happen.
I wasn’t sure if the priest wanted me to leave… or finish… especially because he absolved me again after I was done. Which really confused me.
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He probably repeated it so that you wouldn’t worry. Oh well, any sins you committed between absolution were forgiven! 👍
 
Actually, this is how it was done pre-vatican II i believe. and the reason i say that is because they do that at my church and we still celebrate the “latin Mass” or the extraordinary form. when i first went to confession there i was caught off guard but i like it better now than the other way when he waits til the end. he says the absolution in latin though
 
runningdude said:
This is common when there is a long line. The “act” of making an act of contrition is simply expressing sorrow. As long as sorrow is expressed, absolution is possible.

The confusion lies in that there is also a prayer title “An Act of Contrition” (“Oh my God, I’m heartily sorry…”). If the priest judges you contrite and absolves you, he may still assign the recitation of the Act of Contrition as a penance.

This prayer is valuable, because it summarizes both “Perfect Contrition” (Sorrow due to offending a loving God), and “Imperfect Contrition” (caused by fear of the loss of heaven and pains of hell). It also expresses an intent to seek confession, which is a vital step in making an act of perfect contrition. However, it would be quite silly to require this prayer to be recited after one has already made a confession!
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I go to several local parishes for confession in Chicago. My experience has always been that the priest asks that I recite the act of contrition in the confessional booth. upon completion he gives penance and absolution. Seems like that isn’t always the case for others…??? Oh well, it’s what’s in your heart that counts.
 
I go to several local parishes for confession in Chicago. My experience has always been that the priest asks that I recite the act of contrition in the confessional booth. upon completion he gives penance and absolution. Seems like that isn’t always the case for others…??? Oh well, it’s what’s in your heart that counts.
Click to expand...
That’s what usually happens for me. And back in elementary school, when pretty much all the kids went to confession, we said our act of contrition as a group before confession to save time.

Thanks for all your replies!
 
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