Confessions Unheard?

[rosebudfantasy]

My husband and I went to confession yesterday for the Divine Mercy feast day and to take part in the indulgence offered by the Holy See. We went to a very well attended church where they had confessionals set up in small tents and 16 priests hearing confessions. Well, it was a bit loud as you would assume with lines of people waiting to be given absolution and people walking through. It was my turn and I was a bit nervous as always… I said my confessions but have good reason to believe that the priest did not hear me. I heard other peoples distant confessions, nothing that I could tell what they were exactly saying because I was trying to focus on telling mine. But he was an elder priest I could tell, tho it wasn’t face to face. Also he did not have me say the Act of Contrition, which is also why I think he did not hear me. So my question is this; Is my confession still valid?

 

[marymonde]

Were any of your sins mortal? If you don’t think the priest heard a mortal sin, you may want to consult one to see what needs to be done.

Don’t worry too much.

 

[louder]

The presumption of the sacrament is that if a priest gives you absolution, he has heard your sins, and has forgiven you. You’ll drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what the priest heard – be at peace, and know you have been forgiven of your sins.

 

[cenpress]

The other thing to remember is that you are confessing your sins TO GOD, not to the priest. He is merely there as a witness to your confession and to grant you absolution. If in your heart you were truly sorry for your sins and the priest gave you absolution, I believe (of course I could be wrong) … but I believe your confession was valid.

May Christ be with you, Rosebud.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If the priest couldn’t hear you he would have told you to speak up. So I would assume that he heard what you said. And it’s not necessary to say the Act of Contrition during the time you’re with the priest. You can say it afterward, outside the confessional.