What makes a valid/invalid confession?

[KyrieVarLee]

The other day my husband and I attended confession before mass and it was getting pretty close to mass time. It was my turn in line, I entered the booth and I stated my confession. I quickly rattled off my list and kelt there hoping Father would give me a few quick words, absolve me and move quickly so my husband could go after me, as he tends to be somewhat scrupulous and I wanted him to undoubtedly be able to receive Our Lord. After I confessed, Father began to give me spiritual guidance and started talking and continued to talk for a while (normally I love it, but I felt hurried that day)…I knelt there partially listening, but mostly hoping that he would wrap it up so that my hubby could go. I caught some of what he was saying and I somewhat interjected on a few things he mentioned so I could clarify on some of the sins I mentioned. Anyway he gave me my penance, absolution and ended Confession for the day.

After I left, I felt bad that I had somewhat ignored what he had said for spiritual guidance. I definitely got the gist of it, but I was more preoccupied with the thought of “hurry Father! I want my husband to be able to go after me!” Anyway, just got me thinking of “what makes a confession valid?” Obviously(!) it’s an excellent idea to listen to the guidance of the priest, but does it make for a valid confession if your mind is elsewhere when he’s talking? ( and I like I said it’s always ideal to listen to the priest)

 

[edward_george1]

You confessed and received absolution. Any guidance given by the priest and whether or not you listened to it has no bearing on the validity of your confession.

Given your posting history, it seems you struggle with scrupulosity. You should talk to your priest about this, and not ask questions online. It will only further the issue.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Aulef]

True repentance, confession of the sins, absolution by the priest in the name of the Holy Trinity and fulfilling the penance duty asap.

 

[edward_george1]

fulfilling the penance duty asap.

This is not essential for the validity of the confession.

 

[Aulef]

So even if I am not sorry for my sins my Confession is valid? Or if the priest forgive me in the name of something else than God, is it also valid? Or if I don’t fulfill my penance Confession will it be valid anyway?

 

[Fauken]

So even if I am not sorry for my sins my Confession is valid? Or if the priest forgive me in the name of something else than God, is it also valid?

That’s not what Father George said. He said doing the penance you’re assigned is not essential to the validity of the Sacrament. You are absolved by the priest before you leave the confessional, not after your penance.

 

[edward_george1]

Or if I don’t fulfill my penance Confession will it be valid anyway?

I don’t know if you noticed or not, but this was the only part of your post I addressed. Obviously you must be contrite and be absolved according to the proper formula in order for the sacrament to be valid. I simply said that absolution does not depend upon you completing the penance. You must accept the penance, but if you forget to complete it, the absolution is still valid.