From a cleric reader…
QUAERITUR:
I was wondering if I received valid absolution. The priest in confession said the entire formula correctly but at the very end he said “I absolve you of your sins, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” but didn’t say “in the name of”. It’s a strange nuance. Normally they don’t get absolution and say I forgive you or they make something up entirely but this was basically all there, absolution and trinitarian formula but curious on validity. Thank you
Yet another priest going off on his own. Perhaps this is rash judgment but, if he was of a certain age, I wonder if he doesn’t make the Sign of the Cross with his palm outward.
You were validly absolved. Validly, but not licitly.
The Sacrament of Penance is a liturgical rite of the Church. It has actual RULES to be followed and WORDS to be said!
The essential form is “I absolve you from/of your sins”. The Trinitarian part is not strictly necessary for validity. The words “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” are not demanded by Christ or because of the juridical aspect of the form. Words before and after the form might be omitted but only for a serious reason. In fact, the manualists say that one could (one shouldn’t except for a burning grave motive) omit the “you” as in “I absolve your sins” or else could say, “I absolve you” because “your sins” is implicit in what is being absolved. This is clearer in Latin, than in English. However, that is highly theoretical and not to be fooled around with.
This is the proper Novus Ordo form, which you can print and give to Fr. Jackass when he stumblebums around with the words of absolution.
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The priest should be urged to say the entire formula, properly, without deviation lest anyone be left in the slightest doubt… as you were… and you have had some training.
It is cruel clericalism to alter forms of sacraments.
St. Michael the Archangel Novena – Day 2
St. Michael the Archangel Novena Prayers
On this day, 19 September, in 1846 Our Lady appeared to two young shepherds at La Salette in France. She appeared seated on a rock, weeping, with her face in her hands. She wore a headdress like a bright crown with a band of roses, a dress with beams of light, slippers edged with roses. Around her neck hung a golden crucifix. On one end of the cross beam was a hammer and nails. On the other, a tongs for extracting the nails. On her shoulders was a large chain. In tears, she stood and spoke in their local French dialect.
I received this and my heart goes out to these folks.
