I don't think the priest absolved my sins in confession

[masondoggy]

What a weird experience. I went to Confession today and ended up with a very, very old priest. He kept dozing off as I was talking to him. I had Jacob with me so he started off talking about my family and asking me questions about that. He just kept going on and on, and then every time I’d start talking, he’d doze off and then kind of lose track of the conversation.

Then he started giving my my penance and I said , wait…don’t you want me to confess my sins yet??? He seemed to think I already did, like he was confusing me with somebody before him or something.

Ok, so then he let me confess and then he told me to do the Act of Contrition and then he dismissed me. He didn’t give me absolution or anything. He was praying outloud to himself while I was saying the AofC, but I don’t know if that counts or not?

Yikes! So, what just happened? Do I need to re-confess my sins? I wasn’t really confessing anything too serious, but still? I’m kind of frustrated because I feel like I should go again just to make sure and it is SO hard for me to get to Confession with the kids. I ended up today having to take the baby with me which was NOT FUN AT ALL. I got there and the line was horrendous. Not pleasant with a baby.

I don’t know what to think.

I was intending to do the First Five Saturdays starting today, but I guess that’s out the window now.

 

[Ignatius2000]

Ok, so then he let me confess and then he told me to do the Act of Contrition and then he dismissed me. He didn’t give me absolution or anything. He was praying outloud to himself while I was saying the AofC, but I don’t know if that counts or not?

Since you say that your confessor was rather old, perhaps he just slipped back into the pre-VII latin absolution (you say your AoC while he says the absolution in latin). If thats the case, you shouldn’t be worried, the priest was just old and confused, not your fault. If it makes you feel better to confess again, they go for it, but I’m not inclined to say that you HAVE to. Just my two cents.

 

[masondoggy]

Since you say that your confessor was rather old, perhaps he just slipped back into the pre-VII latin absolution (you say your AoC while he says the absolution in latin). If thats the case, you shouldn’t be worried, the priest was just old and confused, not your fault. If it makes you feel better to confess again, they go for it, but I’m not inclined to say that you HAVE to. Just my two cents.

I did not know that’s how absolution was done pre-VII. I guess tha’s what he was doing then.

Thanks.

 

[lak611]

I did not know that’s how absolution was done pre-VII. I guess tha’s what he was doing then.

Thanks.

I’ve gone to Confession where the priest does the absolution in English while I am saying the Act of Contrition. The priests do not always wait until you finish the Act of Contrition to absolve you, even if the absolution is in English. It usually ends up where I finish the Act of Contrition at the same time the priest finishes absolving me, then the Sign of the Cross is done at the same time by me and the priest.

 

[masondoggy]

I’ve gone to Confession where the priest does the absolution in English while I am saying the Act of Contrition. The priests do not always wait until you finish the Act of Contrition to absolve you, even if the absolution is in English. It usually ends up where I finish the Act of Contrition at the same time the priest finishes absolving me, then the Sign of the Cross is done at the same time by me and the priest.

I don’t believe he did the Sign of the Cross. But maybe I missed it because I think I had my eyes closed.

 

[lak611]

I don’t believe he did the Sign of the Cross. But maybe I missed it because I think I had my eyes closed.

He would have done the Sign of the Cross the same way he does at Mass. You probably would not have seen it though if you had your eyes closed. I frequently bow my head while saying the Act of Contrition and being absolved, so I don’t see the priest make the Sign of the Cross either.

 

[chicago]

And if you weren’t confessing anything mortal, you wouldn’t have to concern yourself with reconfessing, anyway. Also, even were he to have omitted the absolution, this sounds like a case where “The Church Supplies” for any defect which might have occurred. I’d suggest you simply, “Go in Peace!” at this point.

 

[zorro18]

I too have the same problem. Though I’m married, I’m addicted to masturbation and I have been fighting hard to overcome this weakness. Week after week, I go for confession feeling remorseful for what I have done but after 2 weeks of ‘battles’, I will succumb to temptation and sin…that’s my life story.

Anyway, just last week I went for confession by this priest.
After telling me to pray to the Lord regularly, he simply asked me to say the ActOfContrition and that was it. No absolution, no penance and I couldnt remember if he said ‘Go in Peace’. I was quite troubled and being cautious, I decided to skip Holy Communion.
I’m not sure if my sins were forgiven…

 

[paradoxy]

Even if you’re unsure, I don’t think you need to actually CONFESS your sins again. You might just approach your parish priest anytime, anywhere, explain the situation, and he could either absolve your already confessed sins, or tell you it’s fine to receive Communion, in which case you just obey and stop worrying.