Confession Question....

[wifenmommy]

This past Sunday, myself dh and dd attended confession before Mass. We had a “fill in” priest who has said masses at our parish numerous times. He is a very good Priest and we appriciate him saying Mass and hearing confession as he is elderly and retired. After I stated my confession, he told me to say the Act of Contrission (sp), and as soon as I said, Oh my God, I am sorry…he said “thats good~short version!!” and went on to give my my pennance…there was a line outside the confessional (which I particularly like to see… ), so has this happened to anyone? Am I correct to assume my confession was valid? Btw, I say the Act daily…

 

[acadian]

On occassion, I have had a priest tell me to say an AoC after I left the confessional - especially if time was of the essence. You should be fine.

 

[Joannm]

It is valid. YOu do not have to say a formal act of contrition…saying I am sorry is enought. In fact, one of the priets I go to confession to often just askes if I am sorry and when I say yes he gives me absolution.

 

[passus]

The rite of Penance does not provide for the recitation of a formal Act of Contrition, and so whether or not you had a chance to finish your Act of Contrition has no bearing on the validity of your absolution. If you are worried, then simply make another Act of Contrition in your private prayer.

No, this has never happened to me; it does sound sort of rude on the part of the priest, though.

 

[daeve]

I went to confession at a different church last year, and when the priest said go in peace before I said the act of contrition I asked him. He told me I should have said it before confession. The priest I normally go to has it typed up on the wall in case you’re old like me and can’t remember prayers you’ve been saing for over 50 years.