What invalidates Confession?

[Monica4316]

Hi everyone!
Oki I just went to my first Confession, and - wow I feel so …clean!! I actually feel like all the stuff I’ve done (all of it was so horrible ) is actually gone from my soul now… wow!! I’m not used to this haha…

but I do have one question.

For some reason, after I finished saying all my sins and the priest gave me advice and my penance, he then went straight to the Absolution without asking me to say the Act of Contrition… later I asked him if I should have, and he said, just do it privately on your own.

but I read that we should say the Act of Contrition? I’ve never heard of someone not saying it during Confession?

That’s sort of making me worried, - was my confession valid???

 

[dixibehr]

It’s a very common practice to say an Act of Contrition either before or after confession.

It’s not part of the Byzantine order of Confession.

 

[Monica4316]

I went to a Latin rite confession though

Every source I read said that you should say an act of contrition before the Absolution, after saying your sins?

 

[mhazell]

Hi everyone!
Oki I just went to my first Confession, and - wow I feel so …clean!! I actually feel like all the stuff I’ve done (all of it was so horrible ) is actually gone from my soul now… wow!! I’m not used to this haha…

but I do have one question.

For some reason, after I finished saying all my sins and the priest gave me advice and my penance, he then went straight to the Absolution without asking me to say the Act of Contrition… later I asked him if I should have, and he said, just do it privately on your own.

but I read that we should say the Act of Contrition? I’ve never heard of someone not saying it during Confession?

That’s sort of making me worried, - was my confession valid???

Yes, your confession was valid. As long as the priest said the words of absolution, and your intent was proper (which from your reaction to your first confession, it was!) there is absolutely nothing to worry about. So, don’t worry! Rejoice!

Very often, the priest will ask one to say an act of contrition before the absolution, but it is not necessary for the valid administration of the sacrament. (Helpful, certainly, but not necessary.)

A quick word of advice on confession: I’ve been a Catholic since June 5th last year, and I still find the act of *going *to confession quite scary. It really helps to do it regularly, because that way a) even if you’re scared, it’s part of your routine and b) you gradually get better at both going and confessing! I would really encourage you to go every week or every fortnight if you can (at least every month). It’s too easy sometimes to neglect the confessional and put it off until next week–don’t! Embrace the sacrament as best as you can–heck, we need all the sacramental grace we can get, don’t we?

Congratulations on your first confession; I will pray for you and see if I can get a few Saints to intercede for you as well! (Are you coming into the Church soon–is that why this is your *first *confession?)

 

[Monica4316]

Thank you!!

I’m glad that my confession was valid…

I guess the reason I got worried about the act of contrition is because I really wanted to say it to God, but didn’t get the opportunity. and I heard in most cases, people DO say it, is that true? or is it not too common?

and yes, I’m coming into the Church this Easter, actually!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Thank you!!

I’m glad that my confession was valid…

I guess the reason I got worried about the act of contrition is because I really wanted to say it to God, but didn’t get the opportunity. and I heard in most cases, people DO say it, is that true? or is it not too common?

and yes, I’m coming into the Church this Easter, actually!

If the priest doesn’t have you say it during your confession you say it afterward. God hears it either way.

 

[WMM]

Hi everyone!
Oki I just went to my first Confession, and - wow I feel so …clean!! I actually feel like all the stuff I’ve done (all of it was so horrible ) is actually gone from my soul now… wow!! I’m not used to this haha…

but I do have one question.

For some reason, after I finished saying all my sins and the priest gave me advice and my penance, he then went straight to the Absolution without asking me to say the Act of Contrition… later I asked him if I should have, and he said, just do it privately on your own.

but I read that we should say the Act of Contrition? I’ve never heard of someone not saying it during Confession?

That’s sort of making me worried, - was my confession valid???

Yes, it was valid. You had contrition. The priest pronounced the words of absolution. And you carried out the penance.

 

[Heath_Bar]

Thank you!!

I’m glad that my confession was valid…

I guess the reason I got worried about the act of contrition is because I really wanted to say it to God, but didn’t get the opportunity. and I heard in most cases, people DO say it, is that true? or is it not too common?

and yes, I’m coming into the Church this Easter, actually!

Yes, it is common to say an act of contrition, and is certainly encouraged. I’ve been to one or two times, though, where the priest never asked me to say it, and I have heard that it is just as valid. It is the intent of your soul, and not necessarily the words spoken. And, I am still fairly uncomfortable about confession (I’m trying, I really am!) and this last time I said the Act of Contrition before I ever confessed my sins because I forgot the order of the way things are supposed to go. My priest was very understanding, though. I am happy to hear that you have the desire to go and do the sacrament, and receive all of God’s available graces!

 

[mhazell]

I guess the reason I got worried about the act of contrition is because I really wanted to say it to God, but didn’t get the opportunity. and I heard in most cases, people DO say it, is that true?

Certainly from my experience, that seems to be true. For me, ordinarily I make my confession and then the priest asks me to say an act of contrition, and then the priest absolves in persona Christi. The act of contrition, though, is not necessary for the sacrament to be valid–it’s quite helpful though, because it focuses one’s own mind on the gravity of the sins about to be absolved, and also focuses one’s future efforts on resolving to, by the grace of God, strive to not sin again.

Of course, focusing one’s mind on the gravity of sin, etc., is also part of the function of the penance given by the priest. The gravity of sin is a good thing to think about from time to time, even outside of sacramental confession. How much do we offend God with our mortal sin?–yet He is still a loving Father, wanting us to come back to Him, and this is Holy Mother Church’s call to us in the sacrament of confession. We deserve death, yet are given life! Lord, thank you for Your grace in the sacraments!

(And, in point of fact, a penance is not required for the sacrament to be valid either–as long as your intention in confessing your sins is proper (i.e. you are truly sorry), and the priest says the words of absolution, the sacrament is valid.)

and yes, I’m coming into the Church this Easter, actually!

**Congratulations!!

**Becoming a Catholic was one of the best things I’ve done in my life (which, God willing, is still reasonably short since I’m 25!). Welcome home! I’ll be sure to pray for you at the Easter Vigil.