You should discuss your concerns with the priest (or even another one if it makes you more comfortable). Prayers offered.
If the Priest does not say "I absolve you..." is my confession still valid?
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Gorgias
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Thomas_Casey
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Closed pending moderator review
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Joe_5859
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This seems the most pertinent part to me: “He had a bit of an accent, so to be honest, I cant tell if he said the words or not.”
As priests generally know how to administer the sacraments, I would say that it is far more likely that you simply missed what he said than that the priest failed to say the proper words.
Be at peace. If you have doubts, ask the priest about it. He’ll set your mind at ease. God supplies the forgiving grace even if the priest drops the ball.
As priests generally know how to administer the sacraments, I would say that it is far more likely that you simply missed what he said than that the priest failed to say the proper words.
Be at peace. If you have doubts, ask the priest about it. He’ll set your mind at ease. God supplies the forgiving grace even if the priest drops the ball.
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JimG
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I think he said the words but you just didn’t catch them. Here is the prayer of absolution:
“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.”
If he had said the prayer in Latin would you have been listening so intently?
“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.”
If he had said the prayer in Latin would you have been listening so intently?
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CatholicRaven
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I agree with JimG and Joe 5859.
My priest usually says the prayers all in Latin, and he’s quick, so I don’t always catch all of it, but I trust that he knows what he’s doing. Also, I’ve also noticed that sometimes he says the prayer of absolution while I’m saying my Act of Contrition, so it can be difficult to hear/notice it sometimes. Thankfully, he usually additionally says, “Your sins are forgiven; go in peace,” in English. But, as I understand it, it’s not really necessary since he’s already said it in Latin.
It’s likely that you just didn’t catch it because it was phrased slightly differently or because of the accent, or he said it in Latin. If it’s really bothering you, you could respectfully ask him about it outside of the Confessional (make an appointment if necessary). If it still bothers you after that, then perhaps you should consider going to another Confessor and mentioning it to that Confessor.
My priest usually says the prayers all in Latin, and he’s quick, so I don’t always catch all of it, but I trust that he knows what he’s doing. Also, I’ve also noticed that sometimes he says the prayer of absolution while I’m saying my Act of Contrition, so it can be difficult to hear/notice it sometimes. Thankfully, he usually additionally says, “Your sins are forgiven; go in peace,” in English. But, as I understand it, it’s not really necessary since he’s already said it in Latin.
It’s likely that you just didn’t catch it because it was phrased slightly differently or because of the accent, or he said it in Latin. If it’s really bothering you, you could respectfully ask him about it outside of the Confessional (make an appointment if necessary). If it still bothers you after that, then perhaps you should consider going to another Confessor and mentioning it to that Confessor.
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pismopal
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When a peace officer unlocks the handcuffs on your wrists…it is not necessary for him to tell you that you are free but even if he is supposed to…you are still free. Ok…I like to hear the words but the result is still good.
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FishyPete
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I know he said 99 per cent of what is written above, and I got the “go in peace”. I just didn’t hear the “I absolve you”. For argumenets sake, if he meant to say it, and for whatever reason didnot, is the confession still valid.
I appologize for my obsession with this, and many of the things this community has written in this thread is comforting.
I will go back to him this week for clarification, and I will learn to ask if they don’t say it in the future.
I just don’t want to step out of place so to speak.
I appologize for my obsession with this, and many of the things this community has written in this thread is comforting.
I will go back to him this week for clarification, and I will learn to ask if they don’t say it in the future.
I just don’t want to step out of place so to speak.
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Brigid34
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It feels to me as if you’re being a little scrupulous about this. His accent or saying those particular words probably caused it not to be heard. He said the rest of the words right so my hunch is that he did say these right. I would assume he (or any priest) said the needed words unless the words are definitely totally strange. Peace be with you.
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FishyPete
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I think you are right.
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JimG
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It really sounds as though he said the correct prayer of absolution. It’s unlikely that he would get everything else right and just skip those three words. And when reciting the prayer, it’s easy for that particular part to be said in a monotone, unless the priest makes an attempt to say it loudly.
I grew up at a time when the absolution prayer was recited by the priest in Latin, at the same time that the penitent was reciting the act of contrition. (i.e. we talked over each other.) Naturally, I couldn’t tell if the priest said the Latin prayer exactly right (nor could he tell whether I said the act of contrition exactly right.) We trusted each other to get it right though, and after reciting the prayer of absolution for the first thousand times, I’m sure the words come automatically, whether in Latin or English. I do like having everything in English now, but one unforseen side-effect has been that many of us now try to listen, but often we may not catch every word, or mis-hear some words. Which just makes us worry unduly. My advice: don’t worry.
I grew up at a time when the absolution prayer was recited by the priest in Latin, at the same time that the penitent was reciting the act of contrition. (i.e. we talked over each other.) Naturally, I couldn’t tell if the priest said the Latin prayer exactly right (nor could he tell whether I said the act of contrition exactly right.) We trusted each other to get it right though, and after reciting the prayer of absolution for the first thousand times, I’m sure the words come automatically, whether in Latin or English. I do like having everything in English now, but one unforseen side-effect has been that many of us now try to listen, but often we may not catch every word, or mis-hear some words. Which just makes us worry unduly. My advice: don’t worry.
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