Do the words of absolution in confession matter?

[Sir_Knight]

We have several different priests in our parish. Three of them are regular (one is a priest, another one is the Pastor Msgr and the third is a retired Msgr) but we also have one or two priests from elsewhere stationed in the rectory. They stay for a few weeks or a few months and move on and are replaced by others. It was explained that our parish puts them up because there is extra space in the rectory. While there, some of them hear confessions and say Mass.

I’ve noticed that during the absolution part of confession, different things are said and I wonder if this has any bearing on the sins which are forgiven? The most common is: “… I absolve you of your sin …”; but I also have heard it said: * “… I absolve you of all your sins as they stand in the eyes of God …”

• “… I absolve you of all your sins going back to your first confession …”
• “… I absolve you of all your sins since your last confession …”
• “… I absolve you of the sins that you have confessed to me …”
• etc.

Does what the priest says have a bearing on which sins are forgiven? I would think that it does.

If, for example, the priest says the last one {"… I absolve you of the sins that you have confessed to me …"), I would take that to mean that if I forgot to confess a particular sin, that sin still remains on my soul. And if that sin should be mortal, my friendship with God has still not be restored.

I’ve thought about going to confession a second time with another priest to cover any forgotten sins but I’m not really sure what to confess since I already confessed all of the sins that I was conscious of to the first priest and if I did forget anything, it was still forgotten. Plus, I might get the same priest the second time around as well.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

While the words do matter, the important ones are “I absolve you…” all the rest is window dressing. The rules on confession are that all confessed sins for which you show repentance are forgiven. All forgotten sins are also forgiven. If one deliberately refrains from confessing a sin, no sins are forgiven and a new sin is added for the bad confession.

Deacon Ed

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Does it matter what the priest says? Yes, however only as it pertains to a specific section. In other words like the Consecration at Mass the priest can change certain words making the Consecration illicit but still valid. Changing other specific words renders the Consecration invalid.

“… I absolve you of your sin …”; but I also have heard it said:

• “… *I absolve you **of *all your sins as they stand in the eyes of God …”
• “… I absolve you of all your sins going back to your first confession …”
• “… I absolve you of all your sins since your last confession …”
• “… I absolve you of the sins that you have confessed to me …”

The only one that does not contain the necessary from is the last one. It does essentially say the same thing with slightly different words and I would consider it illicit but not invalid. However this is why the Church in it’s Rites spells out the EXACT words that the minister of the Sacrament is supposed to use.

 

[justinmatter]

br. rich

another one for you!!!
the priest i go to is not conversant with english (he can read it off the missal but that’s about all)
when i confess, he just says to me- i absolve you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit.
that’s it, no-god the father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his son…
i’m not even sure he says the official words silently in tamil (a south indian language and the one he speaks) unless he does it after i elave the confessional coz the time is too less
now i’m really worried. are my absolutions valid?

also, you mentioned something in you post here about a consecration being illicit but valid
what’s the difference between illicit and invalid?
again, thanks in advance for the reply

 

[patriciamn09]

Earlier this year when I went to confession, the priest never used the word absolve. After leaving the church I thought to myself, “I should have questioned this priest”. Today I went to confession and the same priest heard my confession; again, he did not use the word absolve. This time I questioned him “Father am I absolved of my sins?” Yes" he said, “I blessed you.” Well I try not to be scrupulous, but why wouldn’t a priest say “I absolve you from your sins.” Is this something I should report to the parish pastor?

 

[Harrison]

Earlier this year when I went to confession, the priest never used the word absolve. After leaving the church I thought to myself, “I should have questioned this priest”. Today I went to confession and the same priest heard my confession; again, he did not use the word absolve. This time I questioned him “Father am I absolved of my sins?” Yes" he said, “I blessed you.” Well I try not to be scrupulous, but why wouldn’t a priest say “I absolve you from your sins.” Is this something I should report to the parish pastor?

What words did the priest say instead? No priest has the right to change the words of the sacraments. If he did not say “I absolve you…” then I would highly doubt the validity of the absolution.

 

[patriciamn09]

I’m not sure of the exact words. When I realized this was the same priest that some months earlier,did not say “I absolve you”, I focused on trying to hear the word ‘absolve’. I believe he said, “I bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. I could have asked him directly. " Why didn’t you use the word - absolve?", but I felt too intimidated and just walked out to say my penance.

I can’t seem to find a traditional parish where all the priests are following strict Catholic practices. For those of us who are trying our best to practice our faith, it’s diificult to know which priests to trust.

 

[Brendan]

While the words do matter, the important ones are “I absolve you…” all the rest is window dressing.

And even then, there is some variation. As you well know, several of the Eastern Rites use the passive form “You are absolved…”