Proper form for absolution

[Dan-Man916]

Hello,

What is the proper form of absolution?

I went to confession before mass last night at another parish (cause they have 8PM Sunday mass and my parish doesn’t)and the wording the priest used for absolution was a little different from the wording my regulat confessor uses.

The words “I absolve you of your sins…” were there, but the rest of the wording was a bit different. i don’t remember the specific wording since it was 10 minutes before mass and there were 6 people behind me and the priest was trying to keep us moving along.

Also, is it absolutely mandatory that the penitent say the act of contrition before getting absolution?

In the past year, I have been to confession 2 different times in which the priest gave me absolution and never asked me to say my act of contrition first.
so i did it when i left the confessional as a part of saying my penance.

What is the proper matter and form for the Sacrament of Reconciliation anyway?

 

[baltobetsy]

Dan-man, I seem to remember that the penitent is expected to say the act of contrition before entering the confessional - but I don’t know where that came from. All the priests I go to ask me to say it right there.

As for matter and form of the Sacrament: the matter is the sins of the penitent, and the form is the words, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Many pious people who confess frequently don’t confess any real sins - only imperfections. That’s the reason for saying, “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life” at the end of your confession - just in case you haven’t sinned this week, there is something (matter) for the absolution to work on and let loose the graces of the sacrament once again.

Betsy

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Betsy - RE I seem to remember that the penitent is expected to say the act of contrition before entering the confessional - but I don’t know where that came from. All the priests I go to ask me to say it right there. The confessor must be assured that the penitent has contrition for his sin before giving absolution. Most will automatically ask for the Act of Contrition to satisfy this requirement. However, he may be satisfied from the penitent’s demeanor, other words, etc.

 

[Ivi]

baltobetsy:

Dan-man, I seem to remember that the penitent is expected to say the act of contrition before entering the confessional - but I don’t know where that came from. All the priests I go to ask me to say it right there.

As for matter and form of the Sacrament: the matter is the sins of the penitent, and the form is the words, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Many pious people who confess frequently don’t confess any real sins - only imperfections. That’s the reason for saying, “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life” at the end of your confession - just in case you haven’t sinned this week, there is something (matter) for the absolution to work on and let loose the graces of the sacrament once again.

That’s the reason for saying, “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life” at the end of your confession - just in case you haven’t sinned this week, there is something (matter) for the absolution to work on and let loose the graces of the sacrament once again.

Betsy

The matter of Penance is two-fold: contrition and confession of sins. See No. 1450 of the Catechism. Contrition (sorrow) is No. 1.

The form is the absolution formula which includes the Sign of the Cross. See No. 1449 of the Catechism. At the minimum the words of forgiveness, including "I absolve you from your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

You are in error when you say that “pious people who confess frequently don’t confess any real sins - only imperfections”. Every saint will speak of their sinfulness. Proverbs 24:16 tells us, “…the just man falls seven times…” Only falsely pious people will have nothing to confess. Those constantly working at following the Lord will be more aware of our Lord and at the same time more of their poverty and sin before Him.

The reason for ending, “I’m sorry for these sins and all the sins of my past life especially ___________” goes toward building greater contrition, realizing sins of the past continue to effect us since the flesh remembers, continues growth in virtue in fighting temptations.