Invalid Confessions ?

[Sir_Knight]

… In order to make a sacrament invalid, there must be a defect in either matter or form. The matter of the Sacrament of Penance is the sins of the penitent, and the form is the words of absolution given by the priest …

We have two priests at my parish (the pastor is one and a retired in-resident priest is the other one) who do not say the following during confession:

… 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 …

Instead, they merely say “I forgive you”.

Is that a valid confession? Have my sins been forgiven by God? If they haven’t, what can I do about it? I don’t remember then all to even know which ones to re-confess. If these confessions are invalid, how should I handle the matter in the future ESPECIALLY since it involves the pastor.

 

[Jan_Wakelin]

The fact that your priests say, “You are forgiven” instead of the entire formula does not invalidate the sacrament.