My Confession

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Abisko

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I haven’t been to confession in a long long time. Recently I went, this is something the Lord has been calling me to do and I think it’s a very important sacrament. I didn’t follow any of the sayings that are done when one goes to confession. It was more like a sit together with a priest face to face. It was an amazing experience the priest touched my heart, I told him my sins, he was glad that I came, He gave me penance, gave me advise on what I should be doing, talked about the Lord, talked about that Jesus is shedding out his blood to wash my sins away. Our meeting ended with him saying goodnight and shaking my hand. I did not say the act of contrition and any of the rituals when confessing just talked and listened and he did not say the words of absolution. I did say the act of contrition to the Lord after when I left when I opened up my catholic prayer book.
I don’t know is it maybe because I didn’t follow the standard things you say while in confession. I don’t know why I’m really saying this on here. I mean it was a great thing that happened to me. I feel that my sins were forgiven by Jesus and finally I can receive the Holy Communion.
 
I’m not sure that the words of absolution are optional. I hope that the priest said them but you did not notice or hear. I am by no means a canon lawyer nor do I have any specific training in this area, but I think the words of absolution are the “matter” and the "
form" for the sacrament of reconciliation, just as they are in matrimony.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, please.
 
congratulations.

some people here are going to tell you that your Confession was void b/c he didn’t say the words of Absolution. Before you listen to them, have a word with that priest when you get the chance.

Enjoy your Holy Communion.
 
Thanks for sharing! A similar thing happened to me last confession, it was very uplifting.

My Pastor didn’t ask for my prayer of contrition, but he did end it with absolution after counseling. I prayed my contrition later.

I don’t know if its a ‘formula’ that needs to be performed, similar to baptizing in the trinity, but since absolution was not said, are your sins forgiven?
 
Light_Seeker said:
Thanks for sharing! A similar thing happened to me last confession, it was very uplifting.

My Pastor didn’t ask for my prayer of contrition, but he did end it with absolution after counseling. I prayed my contrition later.

I don’t know if its a ‘formula’ that needs to be performed, similar to baptizing in the trinity, but since absolution was not said, are your sins forgiven?
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I hope so, all I can do is trust Jesus, and I trust Jesus that he forgave my sins.
 
The absolution must take place to be absolved of the sins.

The priest must say either “I forgive you, or I absolve you…in the name…”

However, there is a good possibility that you didn’t hear it, that he did it silently at some point.

I would talk to him about it.
 
I agree with those who suggested you ask the priest. As I said, I suspect he said it but just not in a way that you are used to and you may have missed it. I have also had “confessions” that took place in a very informal matter and felt more like one hour conseling sessions, but the priest always said the words of absolution.

I was not trying to raise alarm or make a statement about the confession because I was not there and am not qualified to make the determination.

In any event, I am grateful that you were able to celebrate this wonderful sacrament and can now receive our Lord’s Body and Blood.
 
the standard format is a guide, so people won’t be nervous by not knowing what to say. What you describe contains all the elements for a valid confession (you don’t say so but I assume the priest said the words of absolution). If he did not say a forumula for absolution including the words “I absolve you from your sins” then no, you did not receive the sacrament, but many priests say this not silently but quietly, so unless you know for a fact he did not, please ask him about it.
 
I did get penance from the priest and I wouldn’t get something from the priest for penance if I didn’t get a absolution.
 
puzzleannie said:
the standard format is a guide, so people won’t be nervous by not knowing what to say. What you describe contains all the elements for a valid confession (you don’t say so but I assume the priest said the words of absolution). If he did not say a forumula for absolution including the words “I absolve you from your sins” then no, you did not receive the sacrament, but many priests say this not silently but quietly, so unless you know for a fact he did not, please ask him about it.
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I believe the priest HAS to verbally speak the words of absolution so the penitent can hear, not just silently in his head. I remember looking this up a number of years ago. I’ll see if I can find it again.

With that said, I do know some priests will quietly mumble the beginning of absolution while you’re saying your act of contrition so that once you are done he is at the “I absolve you…” part and completes it loud enough for you to hear. Maybe that is what happened. In this case it is definitely valid. In the aforementioned silent absolution, I’m not so certain.

Trob
 
Abisko said:
I hope so, all I can do is trust Jesus, and I trust Jesus that he forgave my sins.
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Well no, it isn’t all you can do. You can confess these sins again, you can go back to that priest for another confession and ask him to say the words of absolution. You do have a few options. Why don’t you write in to Ask the Apologist or call them up.

Father did answer this question once or twice before-

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=217589

Here’s another Priest’s take on it. Are you sure he didn’t say it ? Perhaps you were distracted with the experience and missed it?

wdtprs.com/blog/2008/12/quaeritur-no-words-of-absolution-during-penance-service/
 
I did ask the priest about it, he said the absolution was part of the blessing at the end although I don’t remember those saying or anything like In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit etc. I guess I was that nervous and that focused about our conversations and what the priest was saying that I missed it but if he says that there was absolution than I gotta trust that right?
It doesn’t make it wrong that I don’t remember…
 
Also realize that the absolution may be given in any language for which it has an approved translation, or in latin.

Also, it isn’t unheard of to have Eastern Rite priests help at reconciliation services; the absolution prayer differs in those cases as well. Sometimes even in the third person.
 
Abisko said:
I did ask the priest about it, he said the absolution was part of the blessing at the end although I don’t remember those saying or anything like In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit etc. I guess I was that nervous and that focused about our conversations and what the priest was saying that I missed it but if he says that there was absolution than I gotta trust that right?
It doesn’t make it wrong that I don’t remember…
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If he says he said it then I’d trust it. I personally like to hear it. Listen for it next time.
 
Abisko said:
I did ask the priest about it, he said the absolution was part of the blessing at the end although I don’t remember those saying or anything like In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit etc. I guess I was that nervous and that focused about our conversations and what the priest was saying that I missed it but if he says that there was absolution than I gotta trust that right?
It doesn’t make it wrong that I don’t remember…
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this is quite likely what has happened anytime somebody thinks or fears “the priest did not say the words of absolution”, you did the right thing to ask and put your mind at ease.
 
I bet you enjoyed Communion yesterday!!! Did you walk into the mass feeling like a million bucks???

I went 12 years without confessing and it felt amazing afterwards.
 
Serap said:
I bet you enjoyed Communion yesterday!!! Did you walk into the mass feeling like a million bucks???

I went 12 years without confessing and it felt amazing afterwards.
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YES
It was amazing, so touching, so beautiful so loving. WOW, the best thing in the world. I can’t explain it. I thank you JESUS!
 
Abisko said:
YES
It was amazing, so touching, so beautiful so loving. WOW, the best thing in the world. I can’t explain it. I thank you JESUS!
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No need to explain. I detest confession. But afterward, during Mass, I’m always moved to tears. Of Joy.

Welcome Home. 👍
 
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