Traditional Rite of the Sacrament of Penance: No Act of Contrition?

[japhy]

I’m reading the English translation of the Roman Ritual (hosted on EWTN’s web site), and I’m surprised to see it does not mention that the penitent says a prayer or act of contrition after having received his penance and before/during the prayers of absolution; there is no mention of the “O my God, I am heartily sorry…” prayer. Have I just missed it, or was this a non-written “traditional” part of the Rite, like the quiet “May the Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, so that thou mayest rightly confess all thy sins" prayer the priest says at the beginning?

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

I’m reading the English translation of the Roman Ritual (hosted on EWTN’s web site), and I’m surprised to see it does not mention that the penitent says a prayer or act of contrition after having received his penance and before/during the prayers of absolution; there is no mention of the “O my God, I am heartily sorry…” prayer. Have I just missed it, or was this a non-written “traditional” part of the Rite, like the quiet “May the Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, so that thou mayest rightly confess all thy sins" prayer the priest says at the beginning?

Hi japhy,

I have only in the last three years begun confessing to priests of the SSPX. They have always given me a penance, and then told me to make my act of contrition while they are giving absolution. I can’t seem to memorize very well anymore. They are always very patient and have never said anything about my not being able to say the confiteor and other prayers. But there is always an act of contrition…maybe it is like the second confiteor at Mass, which is not in the missals, but is customarily given.

Rory

 

[AJV]

I’m reading the English translation of the Roman Ritual (hosted on EWTN’s web site), and I’m surprised to see it does not mention that the penitent says a prayer or act of contrition after having received his penance and before/during the prayers of absolution; there is no mention of the “O my God, I am heartily sorry…” prayer. Have I just missed it, or was this a non-written “traditional” part of the Rite, like the quiet “May the Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, so that thou mayest rightly confess all thy sins" prayer the priest says at the beginning?

It was a way of ensuring the penitent was contrite. The Rituale strictly speaking deals with the priest’s parts. The words for the blessing of the penitent (such as the various forms of “Domine sit in corde tuo”) were often found in diocesan rituals.

 

[brotherhrolf]

To this day, when the priest is granting absolution, I pray the Act of Contrition out loud. That’s the way it was done in the late '50’s and I see no need to change things.

 

[Timothysis]

I have only in the last three years begun confessing to priests of the SSPX.

Rory

Do you realize that priests of the sspx do NOT have the proper faculties to hear confession? The Church, in her generousness, allows that people who do not honestly know this fact to receive absolution but one who does know , yet continues to confess to sspx priests has participated in an invalid confession. SSPX priests are not under the faculties of the local bishop and, as the Vatican has most recently declared, do not have an active ministry in the Church. The only sacrament by the sspx that is valid is the Eucharist, and even that is illict. You would do better by receiving the sacraments by those priests who are part of the active ministry of the Church.

Just letting you know.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

Do you realize that priests of the sspx do NOT have the proper faculties to hear confession? The Church, in her generousness, allows that people who do not honestly know this fact to receive absolution but one who does know , yet continues to confess to sspx priests has participated in an invalid confession. SSPX priests are not under the faculties of the local bishop and, as the Vatican has most recently declared, do not have an active ministry in the Church. The only sacrament by the sspx that is valid is the Eucharist, and even that is illict. You would do better by receiving the sacraments by those priests who are part of the active ministry of the Church.

Just letting you know.

Hi Tim,

I don’t suppose this would be an appropriate thread at which to respond to you in length if I were so inclined. I am satisfied that my current situation allows me to partake of that bountiful generosity of which you speak. I applaud you and any Catholic for taking care in this day and age to be sure they are receiving valid sacraments.

Regards,

Rory McKenzie56

 

[mkingdomlvr]

To this day, when the priest is granting absolution, I pray the Act of Contrition out loud. That’s the way it was done in the late '50’s and I see no need to change things.

That’s how we were taught too, and I’ve never had a Priest object to my doing so.

 

[bpbasilphx]

I applaud you and any Catholic for taking care in this day and age to be sure they are receiving valid sacraments.

---

**Pope Benedict XVI and CDF have said in so many words that SSPX clergy do NOT administer the Sacrments of Confession and Matrimony validly because of lack of jurisdiction.

Furthermore, as regards the other sacraments, twice this year alone, Pope Benedict has said that SSPX priests do NOT minister licitly in the Catholic Church.**

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

I applaud you and any Catholic for taking care in this day and age to be sure they are receiving valid sacraments.

---

Pope Benedict XVI and CDF have said in so many words that SSPX clergy do NOT administer the Sacrments of Confession and Matrimony validly because of lack of jurisdiction.

Furthermore, as regards the other sacraments, twice this year alone, Pope Benedict has said that SSPX priests do NOT minister licitly in the Catholic Church.

Hi Bpbasilphx,

I think I can agree to a great extent. If that is enough to resolve the questions for anyone, they certainly should NOT go to a Society priest for any of the sacraments.

Regards,

Rory

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . The only sacrament by the sspx that is valid is the Eucharist, and even that is illicit. You would do better by receiving the sacraments by those priests who are part of the active ministry of the Church.

Just letting you know.

I think their baptisms are also valid, since anyone, even a non-Christian, can validly baptize.