If you didn't hear the absolution

[Monica4316]

I went to Confession and the priest said the absolution really fast, and I only heard the very last part distinctly. I didn’t hear him say “I absolve you”. I wouldn’t say there’s any reason to think that he didn’t say it… I just didn’t hear, at all.

Do you think this was a valid Confession?

 

[agnes_therese]

Since you have no reason to think he didn’t say it, it’s a valid Confession.

 

[Cryptic1]

When the priest absolves you in confession, he is acting as God’s mediator, so it is God himself who is really forgiving you. The fact that you didn’t quite hear the words of absolution still make this a valid confession if you had the proper attitude when you confessed your sins.

God, in His mercy and goodness is like the father in the story of the prodigal son, patiently waiting for the return of His long lost son (the sinner). When we sin (all humans by our fallen nature are prone to sin), all we have to do is repent right away (tell him we’re sorry) and we’re forgiven. It’s that simple. If the sin is a serious one however, just make sure to go to confession as soon as possible.

I believe all God is looking for is a repentant heart. Confession was made for man, not for God. God does not want you to agonize over this small scruple. Just believe in your heart that you are forgiven.

God bless

 

[Monica4316]

Thanks for the replies, I’m just asking cause I read in Catholic Encyclopedia that the words “I absolve you” must be there for the Absolution to be valid, in the Latin church. However, - I think the priest did say the words, I just couldn’t hear them.