Question about Confession

[jasm]

I went to confession this afternoon. I went to a church where I sometimes go to confession, but am not a member. I was the only person there when I arrived and all through my confession. I didn’t notice until more than half way through that I hadn’t closed the door. I didn’t recognize the priest and I even wondered to myself if he was a priest. He was dressed extremely casually. In a split second my mind processed that maybe he was called on short notice because the regular priest was ill or something. He didn’t greet me other than to say hello and so after a second or two hesitation, I launched in to my confession. He didn’t ask me to make an act of contrition so while he was absolving me I said one in my head and again afterwards. He did give me a penance. This is not the first time a priest has absolved me without asking me to make an act of contrition. Is this OK? Is it just an oversight or do some priest just not do it?
Thanks and God bless!

 

[LilyM]

I went to confession this afternoon. I went to a church where I sometimes go to confession, but am not a member. I was the only person there when I arrived and all through my confession. I didn’t notice until more than half way through that I hadn’t closed the door. I didn’t recognize the priest and I even wondered to myself if he was a priest. He was dressed extremely casually. In a split second my mind processed that maybe he was called on short notice because the regular priest was ill or something. He didn’t greet me other than to say hello and so after a second or two hesitation, I launched in to my confession. He didn’t ask me to make an act of contrition so while he was absolving me I said one in my head and again afterwards. He did give me a penance. This is not the first time a priest has absolved me without asking me to make an act of contrition. Is this OK? Is it just an oversight or do some priest just not do it?
Thanks and God bless!

An Act of Contrition is not a required element of Confession, you can say one afterwards if you’re not asked to say it in the Confessional. I have one confessor who never requires it.

 

[kleary]

I went to confession this afternoon. I went to a church where I sometimes go to confession, but am not a member. I was the only person there when I arrived and all through my confession. I didn’t notice until more than half way through that I hadn’t closed the door. I didn’t recognize the priest and I even wondered to myself if he was a priest. He was dressed extremely casually. In a split second my mind processed that maybe he was called on short notice because the regular priest was ill or something. He didn’t greet me other than to say hello and so after a second or two hesitation, I launched in to my confession. He didn’t ask me to make an act of contrition so while he was absolving me I said one in my head and again afterwards. He did give me a penance. This is not the first time a priest has absolved me without asking me to make an act of contrition. Is this OK? Is it just an oversight or do some priest just not do it?
Thanks and God bless!

I have also been to confession a few times and the priest didn’t ask me to pray the Act of Contrition. Praying an Act of Contrition is not necessary for the validity of the Sacrament, just being sorry for the sin(s) committed.

Some priests I guess “are not that good at their jobs”. This seems to be the case as well as other things since the priest was not dressed in his clerics. He MUST however at least wear a purple stole for the Sacrament.

Ken

 

[jasm]

. He MUST however at least wear a purple stole for the Sacrament.

Ken

I don’t remember …he was wearing a black and white checked flannel jacket type shirt…I don’t recall seeing the purple stole…I hope it was there and I just don’t remember seeing it.

 

[LilyM]

I’m not worried about whether the priest asks for an Act of Contrition or not … this same confessor who doesn’t is also one of the best I’ve ever comes across when it comes to the advice he gives in the Confessional, so I’d rather he spend his time where it will do most good.

Don’t worry if you don’t remember - I’ve always gone behind the screen, so never been able to see what the priest may or may not be wearing anyways.

 

[Trevelyan]

He MUST however at least wear a purple stole for the Sacrament.

Not ‘MUST’. He ordinarily should, but wearing the stole or any vestments is not required for the validity of the sacrament.