Formula of absolution in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

[Tradycja]

What is the approved formula for absolution in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church? I can’t seem to find it anywhere online

 

[ConstantineTG]

From the book The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship (page 26 within the Rite of Repentance)

Prayer of Absolution
May our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, by the grace and mercies of His love for us, pardon you, my child, N, all your faults, and I, and unworthy priest, by His authority given to me, pardon and absolve you of all your sins, in the name of the +Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

[Tradycja]

I went to a UGCC priest who usually gives me absolution in Ukrainian (which from the Ukrainian I understand is what you have posted above) but last time he gave it in English and said “May God absolve you of your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

Is this valid?

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

I went to a UGCC priest who usually gives me absolution in Ukrainian (which from the Ukrainian I understand is what you have posted above) but last time he gave it in English and said “May God absolve you of your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

Is this valid?

It is indeed. The Eastern Churches tend to have a number of forms of absolution. The one Constantine posted is the less Latinized version. I believe the Melkites actually have a couple of official forms, but I’ll have to look it up again.

 

[Tradycja]

Oh okay good. I was a little worried there. I tend to be a scrupe… I didn’t expect a UGCC priest to be doing anything that was unapproved though. I once received a form of absolution from a latin priest and I consulted one of my priest friends about it and he actually told me to find another priest and reconfess because the priest had changed it up so much.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Oh okay good. I was a little worried there. I tend to be a scrupe… I didn’t expect a UGCC priest to be doing anything that was unapproved though. I once received a form of absolution from a latin priest and I consulted one of my priest friends about it and he actually told me to find another priest and reconfess because the priest had changed it up so much.

Also note that there could be variations based on translations. Its possible the priest might be using an older form than what I posted.

 

[Tradycja]

Wow I just realized this is a GREAT argument against sedevacantism and traditionalists who do not accept he Novus Ordo as valid. I mean sedes say the new rite of episcopal consecration is invalid due to changes in the rite, but if there are VARIOUS approved ways of giving absolution it shows that not all sacraments’ validity depend on exact words, but the Church determines which are valid and there may be variation.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

I once received a form of absolution from a latin priest and I consulted one of my priest friends about it and he actually told me to find another priest and reconfess because the priest had changed it up so much.

Wow - I wondered what prompted your initial question - now we know.

I am baffled that a priest actually suggested that a confession was “invalid” due to “form”. Out of proper respect for clergy and not knowing all the facts, I would not presume to make any judgment (nor would I generally in such matters). But did you not confess to an ordained Catholic priest? Are we now focused on form over substance at the confessional?

I really don’t understand this. It is and has been commonplace for many years now that Latin and Eastern Catholics receive the sacrament of reconciliation in either Rite, and may use the prayers of their Rite in making the confession. As a kid, I used to ride my bike a few miles to the local RC church to go to confession before holy days. The senior pastor of that church knew me and my family (my mother’s side is RC, and they all attended that parish), and knew very well that we were Byzantine Catholic. He was very “old school” by virtually every definition (the kind that used to verbally single people out directly if they attempted to leave Mass right after receiving communion, for example - he once famously quoted on one such occasion that “Judas was the first person to leave Mass early”). Yet, he heard my confession and did not care that I used the prayers of my Rite. He did care that I made a full and honest confession, and he would often “counsel” me beforehand to prompt me to make a more complete examination of conscience. I am sure I’m a better Catholic as a result of his spiritual guidance.

By extension, are we now going to argue that a confession made by a Latin Catholic to Ukrainian (or other Eastern) Catholic priest, or vice versa, using their prayers and acts of contrition are not valid absolutions?

What about a priest “hearing” a confession from a dying soldier on a battlefield? In this extreme case, usually the priest simply asks for some physical signal from the dying soldier acknowledging that he or she is sorry for their sins, without ever hearing a single sin confessed, and then renders absolution. Is this an invalid confession?

In the Eastern Christian tradition, we purposely refer to the Holy Sacraments as Mysteries. We cannot fully understand as mere mortals and sinners how exactly the Holy Spirit graces us.

Further, when all else fails to guide us definitely, would it not be prudent to look to Christ directly for guidance? What did He require of those who sought repentance? Were prayers, text and form important to Him?

May the joys of this holy season be with you all!

 

[Zekariya]

Here is a formula of the Antiochian and Greek Orthodox tradition:

The Priest places his right hand upon the Stole, making the Sign of the Cross over the head of the Penitent, and pronounces the Absolution:

Priest: God it was who forgave David through Nathan the Prophet, when he confessed his sins, and Peter weeping bitterly for his denial, and the sinful woman in tears at his feet, and the Publican, and the Prodigal Son: May that same God forgive thee all things, through me a sinner, both in this present world, and in that which is to come, and set thee uncondemmed before his dread Judgement Seat. And now, having no further care for the sins which thou hast declared, depart in peace.

Priest: May Christ, our true God, through the intercessions of his most Holy Mother, and of all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for as much as he is God and loveth mankind. Amen.

 

[Tradycja]

By extension, are we now going to argue that a confession made by a Latin Catholic to Ukrainian (or other Eastern) Catholic priest, or vice versa, using their prayers and acts of contrition are not valid absolutions?!

The question was not about the form of the prayers used by the person confessing, but the form used by the priest. It is my understanding that the priest must use the approved formulas for absolution of his Church sui iuris for validity. Again, I know that I am going to be accused of being very Latin and scholastic, but hey…Patriarch Josef Slipyj was a Thomist.

 

[Volodymyr]

ABSOLVE

This was interesting to me as I did not know such word . Now I know that **разрешительная молитва ог дозвільна молитва is called absolving prayer in English. I cannot find dictionary calling these Russian and Ukrainian words ** absolve - but does translate them as **resolve **which I assume as the same (???). But such prayer for Orthodox in Slavonic is:

*«Господь и Бог наш, Иисус Христос, благодатию и щедротами Своего человеколюбия да простит ти чадо (имя), и аз недостойный иерей Его властию мне данною прощаю и разрешаю тя от всех грехов твоих, во Имя Отца и Сына, и Святаго Духа. Аминь

Lord and our God, Jesus Christ, by grace and generosity of his love of mankind, will let forgive this child (name) and I His unworthy priest by the power given to me forgive and ABSOLVE you from all your sins, in name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amin

I am told this is similar to Latin prayer of Absolution. but interesting differences from one that I found

*God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son
has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Interesting that this Latin Church prayer is prayer to God the Father. But God is one in three so I understand this. Interesting to ask God for peace through “ministry of Church” - not sure what this means - does this mean mystery of confession?? also that confession person is called only “you” and not called by baptismal name. This very different from Orthodox church. In our churches all mysteries called by our name. Priest must know my name to give me communion. I know this not true for Latin Church, but seems more personal in Orthodox way. I know Catholics much more worried about all being secret confession - must confess in a dark room - but in our Churches we just stand in front of Analogion with Gospel and Cross, priest at the side. Must be reasons for Catholics to go to dark room - do you know why?? Perhaps more fear of priests? Perhaps more shame feeling for sins??
.

 

[Tradycja]

Must be reasons for Catholics to go to dark room - do you know why?? Perhaps more fear of priests? Perhaps more shame feeling for sins??
.

The Latin custom of doing it in a confessional is to aid the penitent to be able to make a complete and anonymous confession without fear of being heard by other people or identified by the priest.

 

[Volodymyr]

Anonymous Confession

Very different for us. Our priest is our Father. We call him that. God let him often know what I need to say before I say it - because he knows me well. Other people not able to hear. Also small little dark room is frightful for many - they say so here. Dread of going to confessiosn - often!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Anonymous Confession

Very different for us. Our priest is our Father. We call him that. God let him often know what I need to say before I say it - because he knows me well. Other people not able to hear. Also small little dark room is frightful for many - they say so here. Dread of going to confessiosn - often!

I have to agree with Volodymyr here. Of course as Latin Catholic I have been to many face-to-face confessions. I don’t know why we need to be anonymous to the priest. If we are truly repentant, then we shouldn’t be afraid to hide our face but instead show its remorse and willingness to accept instruction.

 

[Trizub99]

It is true that there are several acceptable fomulae for this purpose. The one I prefer and use almost exclusively is this:

The Lord Jesus Christ gave to His Apostles the mandate to retain or to forgive the sins of mankind. I am His unworthy and equally sinful servant, yet I have received from Jesus Christ through His Apostles this same mandate and so therefore, I pronounce the servant (handmaid) of God (NAME) to be absolved from these sins and all of the sins of his (her) life in this world and in the world to come, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

[katy]

I LIKE that nice, cozy, dark (maybe, maybe not) confessional. And I don’t think I could manage to confess to a priest I would see again if it were face-to-face. Just sayin’…

 

[Volodymyr]

I LIKE that nice, cozy, dark (maybe, maybe not) confessional. And I don’t think I could manage to confess to a priest I would see again if it were face-to-face. Just sayin’…

Face to face?? You do not look at priest, you look at cross and evangelion in front of icon Christ! You are face to face with Christ! Cozy is strange word for me but confession of sins and cozy - ?? - what is this some kind humor?? or a pun??

 

[ConstantineTG]

Face to face?? You do not look at priest, you look at cross and evangelion in front of icon Christ! You are face to face with Christ! Cozy is strange word for me but confession of sins and cozy - ?? - what is this some kind humor?? or a pun??

This is correct. I think the symbolism in the Eastern Church is spot on with what is the theology. The priest acts like an arbiter and stands beside you while you face the icon of Christ because Christ is the only judge of our souls.

 

[twf]

This is correct. I think the symbolism in the Eastern Church is spot on with what is the theology. The priest acts like an arbiter and stands beside you while you face the icon of Christ because Christ is the only judge of our souls.

Many Latin confessionals have a crucifix on the screen between the priest and penitent. In principle it is a similar concept. In any rite the sacrament of penance is an intimate encounter with Christ through the mediation of his ordained minister. In Our Lord’s revelations to St Faustina (divine mercy), He calls the confessional the “tribunal of my mercy” - it is indeed true, West or East, to refer to Christ as the sole judge acting through and in the sacrament.

 

[Tradycja]

I don’t think we need to turn this into a Latin vs. Byzantine approach to where confessions are heard…both practices are valid and some people prefer the privacy of the confessional whereas others prefer the rich symbolism of the Eastern way of confessing.

The confessional is also symbolic…you go in there in sin where it is dark and after you are absolved you come out into the light…very symbolic.

One practice is not better than the other, they are just different. Each Catholic should cherish the traditions of the particular Church in which he grew up.

Seriously, come on guys…the whole world has bought into evolution, atheism, contraception, abortion, and pornography and is on the road to hell and we are gunna sit here arguing about the place in which people confess? Seems like kind of a lame waste of time to me. My original question was just on the validity of the formula used when I went to confession.