Penitential Rite

[mullenpm]

On another thread where there was a discussion about frequent Confession several posters said that the Penitential Rite absolved us from our venial sins whenever we attended Mass.

I know that at Mass the Penitential Rite is a time of reflection on one’s sins and a prayer for God’s mercy but the priest does not offer absolution (I believe they do in the Anglican Church).

Am I wrong in my belief that the Penitential Rite DOES NOT absolve us of our venial sins when we attend Mass? We should go to Confession to confess these sins.

 

[Seatuck]

ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur88.htm

So while the words you hear don’t sound like sacramental absolution , which they of course are not, they are a statement of absolution.

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

Here’s another-

books.google.com/books?id=ihHMmu2_NFkC&pg=PA31&lpg=PA31&dq=does+penitential+rite+forgive+sins&source=web&ots=8V1xITVPtv&sig=-GANviz-EVg7zDn0p0blpMruzw0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result

There are other ways that venial sins are forgiven. Holy Water, sincere prayers of contrition, penitential acts.

St. Thomas wrote-

**

I answer that,

As stated above (Article 2), no infusion of fresh grace is required for the forgiveness of a venial sin, but it is enough to have an act proceeding from grace, in detestation of that venial sin, either explicit or at least implicit, as when one is moved fervently to God. Hence, for three reasons, certain things cause the remission of venial sins: first, because they imply the infusion of grace, since the infusion of grace removes venial sins, as stated above (Article 2); and so, by the Eucharist, Extreme Unction, and by all the sacraments of the New Law without exception, wherein grace is conferred, venial sins are remitted. Secondly, because they imply a movement of detestation for sin, and in this way the general confession act of contrition, the beating of one’s breast, and the Lord’s Prayer conduce to the remission of venial sins, for we ask in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses.” Thirdly, because they include a movement of reverence for God and Divine things; and in this way a bishop’s blessing, the sprinkling of holy water, any sacramental anointing, a prayer said in a dedicated church, and anything else of the kind, conduce to the remission of venial sins. **

newadvent.org/summa/4087.htm

 

[mullenpm]

I have been a Catholic for my whole life (a long, long time) and I have never, ever heard that by going to Mass our venial sins have been absolved.

Just this morning on EWTN’s Daily Mass, Father preached the importance of going to Confession for absolution of our venial sins because ignoring them causes them to possibly grow into serious (mortal) sins.

With all due respect to St. Thomas, I cannot believe that simply sprinkling holy water around a room will absolve us of venial sins.

In this prayer, the Priest is praying along with us and asking forgiveness of his and our sins. Nowhere does it say - your sins are absolved.

“May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.”

This is something I must take up with an Apologist, but usually they don’t answer my questions.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

On another thread where there was a discussion about frequent Confession several posters said that the Penitential Rite absolved us from our venial sins whenever we attended Mass.

I know that at Mass the Penitential Rite is a time of reflection on one’s sins and a prayer for God’s mercy but the priest does not offer absolution (I believe they do in the Anglican Church).

Am I wrong in my belief that the Penitential Rite DOES NOT absolve us of our venial sins when we attend Mass? We should go to Confession to confess these sins.

Maybe it’s the terminology. The Penitential Rite forgives venial sins, venial sins can be forgiven in a number of ways. Absolution is given in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

[japhy]

The Roman Missal calls it an absolution:

4. Sequitur absolutio sacerdotis: Misereátur nostri omnípotens Deus et, dimissís peccátis nostris, perdúcat nos ad vitam aetérnam.

“4. The absolution by the priest follows: …”

It is true that the second prayer (from the E.F.) which directly mentions absolution is omitted. Probably because the snip-snippers thought it was a “duplication” or a “useless repetition”.

 

[FrDavid96]

The Roman Missal calls it an absolution:

4. Sequitur absolutio sacerdotis: Misereátur nostri omnípotens Deus et, dimissís peccátis nostris, perdúcat nos ad vitam aetérnam.

“4. The absolution by the priest follows: …”

There are a lot of examples of the word “absolution” being used in liturgical settings. The older funeral rite also contained an “absolution” at the end of the requiem Mass. There is a distinction between a “prayer of absolution” on the one hand and “sacramental absolution” in confession on the other hand.

Same word, vastly different meanings.