Words of absolution used in confession

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MrIrish

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In my last confession the priest said “Jesus absolves you of your sins” or something similar. As respectfully as I could, I asked if he would use the traditional form, “I absolve you of your sins”. He then did so…I think. Was I wrong to have asked this? Would it have been a valid absolution if he had not done as I had asked?

Also, what is required at a minimum for the absolution to be valid? For instance, is “I absolve you of your sins” sufficient, or must the priest also say “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”? I am worried now because I am not sure if he used this extra part or if he simply said “I absolve you of your sins in the name of Jesus” or something of this sort.

Please reply only if you are dead certain you know the answers. “Maybe”, “Possibly”, etc., will not ease my mind. Yes, I have a scrupulous conscience and know about Scrupulous Anonymous. :o
 
So long as the formula is approved, it’s valid and licit.

It is unusual for third person mode (“Jesus Absolves you”), at least for the Latin Rite. It’s not forbidden, just unusual.

It’s not invalid, since that formulation is used in some byzantine churches.
 
You could do a web search for the Rite of Absolution or similar wording and see what it says. If the wording is approved, then it’s valid.

Certainly it IS, in fact, Jesus who absolves, not the Priest as himself; it is Christ who speaks THROUGH him. And of course you know this. I don’t know the required wording but theologically I’m not sure I’d have a problem with what you heard.

I don’t believe, however, that he can, as standing alone, say “I absolve you of your sins” without attaching it to his authority, ie “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. I believe he also has to state where he gets the authority, ie “through the ministry of the Church”…

Amazing. I just went to Confession today, I go nearly every week, and you’d think I could quote the formula, but I can’t. 😊

(I don’t go because I’m holy…I go because I’m NOT) :nope:

So…do a search and you can likely find the best info by reading it yourself. I’d provide a link but I don’t know it and I’m too lazy to look it up for you.
 
MrIrish said:
In my last confession the priest said “Jesus absolves you of your sins” or something similar. As respectfully as I could, I asked if he would use the traditional form, “I absolve you of your sins”. He then did so…I think. Was I wrong to have asked this? Would it have been a valid absolution if he had not done as I had asked?

Also, what is required at a minimum for the absolution to be valid? For instance, is “I absolve you of your sins” sufficient, or must the priest also say “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”? I am worried now because I am not sure if he used this extra part or if he simply said “I absolve you of your sins in the name of Jesus” or something of this sort.

Please reply only if you are dead certain you know the answers. “Maybe”, “Possibly”, etc., will not ease my mind. Yes, I have a scrupulous conscience and know about Scrupulous Anonymous. :o
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The essential words of the form of absolution are “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Rite of Penance #21, but you’ll find the exact same thing if you look to any other source).
 
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