Odd confession question

[RCIAquestioner]

Hello-

Thank you for reading! I have a question about confession. I went to confession today and made, to me, a good confession. The priest was engaged in our dialogue, asked me to say the act of contrition and started to do the absolution prayer. He gave me penance but never said the words “I absolve you of your sins” but seemed like everything was fine. Even if the priest didn’t say “I absolve you of your sins” am I ok?

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

He started the absolution but didn’t finish?

Also, by your username, am I to understand that you’re in RCIA?

 

[CatholicRaven]

Within the prayer of absolution itself are the words, “I absolve you from your sins…” so even if you did not necessarily hear these words said separately, if he said the prayer, it’s fine.

Different priests have different ways of doing it. We have two regular priests at our parish, and a third from another parish that I occasionally go to for Confessions, as well. Two of them in closing do say some form of, “Your sins have been forgiven; go in peace.” But one priest says the absolution prayer in Latin while I’m saying the Act of Contrition (and he speaks so softly, I can’t always hear what he’s saying at that time), and then when I’m finished, he simply gives the blessing, “Go in peace.” He doesn’t specifically say that I’ve been absolved or forgiven apart from the absolution prayer. But that’s what the prayer is for.

Of course, you can always ask him about it in general terms (not referencing your particular Confession).

 

[Lenten_ashes]

Hi

If you are in RCIA and did the first confession, keep in mind that not everyone has their sins absolved with that. Many are waiting on annulments and are in irregular marriages, etc. So they don’t have access to the Sacraments.

If you aren’t in RCIA, then disregard this post.

 

[RCIAquestioner]

ThAnk you for the responses. Yes, the priest began the absolution prayer and as best I can remember stopped the normal prayer about halfway through and continued to talk to me. Just for clarification, I was received into the church a few years ago.

 

[Ubenedictus]

ThAnk you for the responses. Yes, the priest began the absolution prayer and as best I can remember stopped the normal prayer about halfway through and continued to talk to me. Just for clarification, I was received into the church a few years ago.

If i were u i’ll be worried. The last part of the prayer of absolution is the most important part.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

It would be highly unusual for a priest not to complete the absolution. It’s not an impossibility, but highly unlikely. What’s more likely is that you don’t recall, using your own admission. The best thing to do is ask him, or return to the confessional if you’re terribly uncomfortable with the situation.

(As a side note, you placed this in the Traditional Catholicism forum when it really belongs in Liturgy and Sacraments.)