Priest forgot words of absolution?

[G_S]

In my two experiences of a priest not saying the words of absolution, I realized that the sacrament had not occurred but I believe that my sins had been forgiven because of my own intention – kind of like being hit by a truck while walking to church to go to Confession. However, it was not a mortal sin situation and venial sins can be forgiven outside the confessional anyway. What I felt the worst about was the probability that these two priests do this all the time and I wonder what their “problem” is.

 

[R_H_Benson]

In my two experiences of a priest not saying the words of absolution, I realized that the sacrament had not occurred but I believe that my sins had been forgiven because of my own intention – kind of like being hit by a truck while walking to church to go to Confession. However, it was not a mortal sin situation and venial sins can be forgiven outside the confessional anyway. What I felt the worst about was the probability that these two priests do this all the time and I wonder what their “problem” is.

In that situation, after realizing that one’s confession was invalid, true contrition would necessarily include an interior promise of making a valid confession as soon as possible.

Yes - it is truly unfortunate that those particular priests are invalidly administering the sacrament, as such negligence is surely having grave effects on the souls of penitents who come to them.

 

[Memaw]

In my two experiences of a priest not saying the words of absolution, I realized that the sacrament had not occurred but I believe that my sins had been forgiven because of my own intention – kind of like being hit by a truck while walking to church to go to Confession. However, it was not a mortal sin situation and venial sins can be forgiven outside the confessional anyway. What I felt the worst about was the probability that these two priests do this all the time and I wonder what their “problem” is.

Our “own intentions” are not Absolution, or else we wouldn’t need the Sacrament of Confession at all. We should always have the intention of sorrow before we go to Confession anyway. We should believe what the Church teaches, not what we want to believe on our own. God Bless, Memaw

 

[ProVobis]

Actually, I would think that after the first ten or 20 confessions, the words might be permanently etched in his mind.

The words aren’t always in English though. I’ve been to confessions when absolutions were in Latin or Spanish as well. But now that I think about it, I have my doubts about a couple even in the English. Maybe during a lifetime this could happen to anyone? Maybe mention this next time in confession?

 

[dans0622]

I went to confession today, but afterward, as I was in the pew praying the penance that he had given me, it struck me: I don’t remember him saying “I absolve you in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” I remember him saying something like “May all your sufferings and whatever good you do be united to Christ and bring you closer to him” (I am ad-libbing here, but I can’t remember exactly what he said) and ending with “God has forgiven your sins; go in peace.”

He is a very good priest and very orthodox, so if he did omit the words, I am sure that it was not done on purpose, but I honestly have no recollection of him saying them. Also, I have never heard him pray the prayer that I attempted to reproduce above; he usually says the normal one which begins, “God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself . . . . " and ends with " . . . . and I absolved from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” What do I do? Should I abstain from receiving Communion until I get a chance to go to confession again? Should I just assume that he gave me absolution and that I somehow just didn’t hear it? If I do receive Communion, am I committing sacrilege if he did omit the absolution for some reason?

Hello,

The ritual may end with these words: “May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace” (Rite of Penance, n. 47).

Since the priest is “very good” and “very orthodox” I would think the much more likely explanation is that you were not paying attention at the time he said the words of absolution, not that he did not say them.

Dan

 

[Phil502]

Hello,

The ritual may end with these words: “May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace” (Rite of Penance, n. 47).

Since the priest is “very good” and “very orthodox” I would think the much more likely explanation is that you were not paying attention at the time he said the words of absolution, not that he did not say them.

Dan

I agree with Dan. You might not have heard them. You were probably focusing on making a good confession. I think Our Lord will count this one as good, either way. Don’t fret.

 

[Memaw]

I agree with Dan. You might not have heard them. You were probably focusing on making a good confession. I think Our Lord will count this one as good, either way. Don’t fret.

I don’t like to “think” for God. Talk to a priest. Clear it up right. God Bless, Memaw

 

[zab]

I don’t like to “think” for God. Talk to a priest. Clear it up right. God Bless, Memaw

He wasn’t thinking for God. He was thinking for himself when he said “I think…”. In other words he trusts in the mercy of God.

 

[Memaw]

He wasn’t thinking for God. He was thinking for himself ( “I think…”. In other words he trusts in the mercy of God.

“I think Our Lord will count this one as good.”
Isn’t that what he said??? God Bless. Memaw

 

[zab]

Here is what Fr. Z advises

wdtprs.com/blog/2014/07/when-the-priest-confessor-doesnt-use-the-proper-form-of-absolution-wherein-fr-z-advises/

There is a difference between this example and what was expressed by the OP. The OP didn’t remember if the priest said the words of absolution or not. On the other hand the priest who went to confession was certain that the priest did not use the proper form of absolution.

 

[zab]

“I think Our Lord will count this one as good.”
Isn’t that what he said??? God Bless. Memaw

I agree with Phil

 

[chimo]

I went to confession today, but afterward, as I was in the pew praying the penance that he had given me, it struck me: I don’t remember him saying “I absolve you in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” I remember him saying something like “May all your sufferings and whatever good you do be united to Christ and bring you closer to him” (I am ad-libbing here, but I can’t remember exactly what he said) and ending with “God has forgiven your sins; go in peace.”

He is a very good priest and very orthodox, so if he did omit the words, I am sure that it was not done on purpose, but I honestly have no recollection of him saying them. Also, I have never heard him pray the prayer that I attempted to reproduce above; he usually says the normal one which begins, “God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself . . . . " and ends with " . . . . and I absolved from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” What do I do? Should I abstain from receiving Communion until I get a chance to go to confession again? Should I just assume that he gave me absolution and that I somehow just didn’t hear it? If I do receive Communion, am I committing sacrilege if he did omit the absolution for some reason?

It seems this priest used a different form than the one you are used to. Since the priest used the words “God has forgiven your sins” this is an indication that your sins are taken care of. I would not speculate that your sins are not forgiven just because this priest has not used the formula you were used to. God has forgiven you. Yet if you still have doubts than go to another priest or to this priest and bring your doubts to them. It seems your sins were taken care. Many of us like old formulas and tend to get bogged down on the formula rather on the grace which will come to us through the Sacrament. God is never restricted to any one formula so while the priest will use one that is not familiar to you that does not mean the grace of the Sacrament was not present. However if you have doubts discuss this with the next priest you will meet.

 

[Memaw]

It seems this priest used a different form than the one you are used to. Since the priest used the words “God has forgiven your sins” this is an indication that your sins are taken care of. I would not speculate that your sins are not forgiven just because this priest has not used the formula you were used to. God has forgiven you. Yet if you still have doubts than go to another priest or to this priest and bring your doubts to them. It seems your sins were taken care. Many of us like old formulas and tend to get bogged down on the formula rather on the grace which will come to us through the Sacrament. God is never restricted to any one formula so while the priest will use one that is not familiar to you that does not mean the grace of the Sacrament was not present. However if you have doubts discuss this with the next priest you will meet.

I am amazed at how easy we can “make God’s mind up for Him”. If the priest doesn’t say the words of Absolution correctly, (Old Formula) one has NOT received the Sacrament of Penance. It’s not up to the priest to use any ole formula he wants. Christ gave us the Church to guide us and the Sacraments to make us holy. And don’t forget the part, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.” Being “bogged down” with the OLD Formula, is the right way to go!! I wouldn’t accept anything less. No Absolution, no Sacramental Grace!!! No matter how sorry we may be for our sins!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[chimo]

I am amazed at how easy we can “make God’s mind up for Him”. If the priest doesn’t say the words of Absolution correctly, (Old Formula) one has NOT received the Sacrament of Penance. It’s not up to the priest to use any ole formula he wants. Christ gave us the Church to guide us and the Sacraments to make us holy. And don’t forget the part, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.” Being “bogged down” with the OLD Formula, is the right way to go!! I wouldn’t accept anything less. No Absolution, no Sacramental Grace!!! God Bless, Memaw

There are many formulas a priest can use. Even in the Eastern Churches there are many formulas. In my Antiochian Orthodox Church there is two distinct formulas and while one formula has those words “I absolve you…” the other formula has not these same words. It is not up for us to decide which formula works since in these two formulas God will forgive you in either formula. If you will like to know about differences in formulas just look at the Eucharist. While Catholics are used to their formula the Orthodox have a different formula yet the Grace of God is the same in either formula. God is never restricted to any one formula. Yet since people are used to one formula this might make them uneasy when another formula is used since they are unaware of these other prescribed formulas. If you find that the formula that a priest uses is not to your liking than just go to the priest and tell him so. You have the right to ask the priest beforehand what formula you think best in the case of Confession. I think it bothers some people when they are not used to more than one formula but that does not take away what Grace is conferred upon you. The same Grace is offered in whatever formula was used.

 

[ProVobis]

There is a difference between this example and what was expressed by the OP. The OP didn’t remember if the priest said the words of absolution or not. On the other hand the priest who went to confession was certain that the priest did not use the proper form of absolution.

Okay, but what about someone who can’t remember if every one of his confessions used the correct form over a period of a lifetime of say, 60 years, now that the issue is being brought up?

 

[Memaw]

There are many formulas a priest can use. Even in the Eastern Churches there are many formulas. In my Antiochian Orthodox Church there is two distinct formulas and while one formula has those words “I absolve you…” the other formula has not these same words. It is not up for us to decide which formula works since in these two formulas God will forgive you in either formula. If you will like to know about differences in formulas just look at the Eucharist. While Catholics are used to their formula the Orthodox have a different formula yet the Grace of God is the same in either formula. God is never restricted to any one formula. Yet since people are used to one formula this might make them uneasy when another formula is used since they are unaware of these other prescribed formulas. If you find that the formula that a priest uses is not to your liking than just go to the priest and tell him so. You have the right to ask the priest beforehand what formula you think best in the case of Confession. I think it bothers some people when they are not used to more than one formula but that does not take away what Grace is conferred upon you. The same Grace is offered in whatever formula was used.

Here is what Fr. Z advises

wdtprs.com/blog/2014/07/when-…-fr-z-advises/

 

[Memaw]

Okay, but what about someone who can’t remember if every one of his confessions used the correct form over a period of a lifetime of say, 60 years, now that the issue is being brought up?

I’m sure they received a correct form of Absolution many times in that 60 years. After every Confession, I say, "I’m sorry for these and all the sins of my past. " God Bless, Memaw

 

[ProVobis]

I’m sure they received a correct form of Absolution many times in that 60 years. After every Confession, I say, "I’m sorry for these and all the sins of my past. " God Bless, Memaw

So you think that should suffice for those sins which might not have been absolved? Just asking.

By the way, your Fr.Z web page was not found.

 

[JimG]

The words aren’t always in English though. I’ve been to confessions when absolutions were in Latin or Spanish as well. But now that I think about it, I have my doubts about a couple even in the English. Maybe during a lifetime this could happen to anyone? Maybe mention this next time in confession?

I can understand that a priest who hears confessions (and gives absolution) in more than one language, might have more difficulty. Around here I’ve only heard one form of absolution, but that’s not to say that some of the priests might not hear confessions in other languages.

Even so, I think it would not be that difficult to memorize the words of absolution in more than one language, or at least carry a card with the proper form. I have a hard time thinking that a priest can actually forget the words of absolution and be forced to ad-lib!

 

[Memaw]

I don’t understand this.

I rarely hear my confessor pray the prayer of absolution, but I always assume that I have been absolved. I have come seeking absolution, and unless Father tells me that he is not able to give it, why would I not assume that it has been given? I have faith in the Church and in the sacrament, and I trust that my priest knows what he is about. To do otherwise would be to doubt the competence and/or good will of the priest. My priest often absolves in his native language and I’ve never asked for a translation to make sure he’s doing it right. I trust him.

The OP was in serious doubt the priest even said the right words of Absolution. If it happened to me in that manner I would go to confession to him again and ask about it, or to another priest. I try to listen to the words of Absolution as they are the most important words I will ever hear along with the words of Consecration at Mass. God Bless, Memaw