Confession and penance

[chopstocky]

Is the moment of absolution (forgiveness) when the priest says the words “… and I absolve you from your sins…” so when I leave the confessional I am wiped clean OR is it after I complete the penance assigned to me?

The other day I went to confession and Mass started immediately after I was finished. I didn’t have time to say the prayers before Mass began so I found myself counting on my fingers saying the Lord’s prayer in-between responses to the Mass. I began to feel both scrupulous and irreverent to the Mass. However I wanted to make sure I was ‘cleansed’ by completing my penance before I received Communion in order to make sure there was no known mortal sin on my soul.

What should I do in this situation? Not receive communion and perform my penance after Mass is over?

 

[Oneofthewomen]

You are absolved the moment the priest says the words “I absolve you…”
Doing your penance is not required for you to be in a state of grace in order to receive Communion.

That said, you should do your penance as soon as possible after confessing, but it is never a requirement for absolution.

 

[Christbearer03]

Yep, just as the others have said.