Question about the end of Confession

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redbaron162

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Hello,

I have always felt awkward at the end of confession about what I am suppose to say, if anything, after the absolution is given. Are you suppose to say anything to the priest?

For example when your completely done, received your penance and been absolved is it appropriate or expected to say “Thank you” or “Thanks be to God” or anything like that? It feels odd to be absolved and then just leave without saying anything but I don’t know if it is appropriate or expected to say anything before leaving the confessional.

Thank you
 
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I always say, “Thank you father.” I’m grateful not just for my absolution, but for the priest making time for confession.
 
I always say “Thank you, Father,” and then add, “We’re praying for you as well.”

I just want whatever priest hears my confession to know we appreciate them and are keeping them in prayers.
 
Can’t go wrong with, Thank you/God bless you, Father. Have a nice day.
 
We were taught as children to say “Thank you, Father” before you leave the confessional, so that’s what I always say.

Recently I have started saying, “Thank you, Father. I will pray for you.” I started doing this because a couple of the priests actually asked for prayers, as in, “Please pray for me.” As I now say a prayer for priests at least once a week, I just include all the priests in that prayer who I have ever received sacraments from, and they are all covered.
 
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redbaron162 said:
Hello,

I have always felt awkward at the end of confession about what I am suppose to say, if anything, after the absolution is given. Are you suppose to say anything to the priest?

For example when your completely done, received your penance and been absolved is it appropriate or expected to say “Thank you” or “Thanks be to God” or anything like that? It feels odd to be absolved and then just leave without saying anything but I don’t know if it is appropriate or expected to say anything before leaving the confessional.

Thank you
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The Rite of Penance was revised in 1973 to the current form, for the Latin church. It ends after the Absolution:
  • Penitent: Amen.
  • Priest: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
  • Penitent: His mercy endures forever.
  • Priest: The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace. (or another prayer, see EWTN link.)
Ritual instinct knows that a moment as intense and rich as absolution needs a denouement. It would be improper to move from so holy a space quickly out the door and back to normal life without any transition. And yet sometimes, if a clear liturgical sense is not observed, the Sacrament’s celebration can finish with a sense that expresses nothing more than: «It’s over; you can go now». The Rite of Penance says clearly what is needed: «After receiving pardon for his sins the penitent praises the Mercy of God and gives him thanks in a short invocation taken from Scripture. Then the priest tells him to go in peace» ( RP 20).

This short ritual is arranged in RP 47. Again, priest and penitent speak not their own words but the words of Scripture. Quoting words inspired by Psalm 118: 1, the priest exclaims: «Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good». The penitent concludes with the next line of the same psalm: «His mercy endures forever» (cf. also Ps 136: 1). These words of praise used by Israel and the Church throughout the ages have been fulfilled once again very concretely with startling freshness and irreducible newness.
Click to expand...
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...cdds_notitiae-2015-quaderno-penitenza_en.html

https://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWFORMA.HTM
 
I’d think it depends on how the priest concludes.

P: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
R: For his mercy endures forever.

or

P: Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life.
R: Thanks be to God.

or

P: May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ merit for you the remission of your sins, the increase of grace and the reward of everlasting life.
R: Amen.

or

P: Take care!
R: Thank you, Father.

or

P: Merry Christmas/Happy [holiday], etc.
R: Merry Christmas/you too, Father.

or

P: Christ is risen!
R: He is truly risen!

Just use your Catholic gut. You know which responses are appropriate for which occasions.
 
Vico said:
  • Penitent: Amen.
  • Priest: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
  • Penitent: His mercy endures forever.
  • Priest: The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.
Click to expand...
I’ve only encountered a few priests who do this, and I wish more would do so. It’s an appropriate verse.
 
I always thank the priest. It is the correct thing to do and the most mannerly thing to do.
That God for confession and for absolution!
 
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