Confession...need to hear absolution?

[BusterMartin]

So, I went to Confession today and at the words of absolution my brain zoned out apparently. About a minute or two after leaving I realized I couldn’t remember hearing the words of absolution. I remember getting a penance, saying my act of contrition, and after a while thanking father for hearing my confession. I just don’t remember hearing the absolution though I am sure he said it (words were said during the pause, though I don’t remember what they were, and I go semi-regularly to this priest and his absolution is never a concern).

So then the question: Does one who can hear need to hear the priest’s words of absolution for the absolution to be valid? Or, am I to not worry and just presume my brain had a momentary lapse and the words were said properly?

Thanks,

Buster

 

[Vico]

…

You do not need to hear it.

 

[ThomasMT]

I had a situation like this before. If it’s a regular confessor, I would feel OKish about it. But a new priest… I think that I would want to be sure that he recites the proper formula.

 

[JanR]

If your brain zoned out, it zoned out. God still heard him absolve you. That’s what’s important.

 

[porthos11]

Actually silent absolution was a common practice. My FSSP confessors often completed the absolution silently while the penitent was saying the act of contrition. Usually what you heard next was “go in peace.”