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monstrance on ASK FATHER: The priest only said, “I absolve you from your sins”. Is that sufficient for a valid absolution?: “My experience with these problems often is attributed to the priest not being comfortable with the reality of “in persona…”
on Traditionis custodes and “reception theory” – or – When a law is no law at all.: “Yes, Gratian said it 800 years ago: a law must first be promulgated, but then it has to be accepted…”
on “Why, then, would Francis punish those who worship according to the Latin rite?”: “The Federalist article: “Catholics who attend Latin Mass are by all accounts the least likely to encourage disagreements, widen gaps,…”
on ASK FATHER: The priest only said, “I absolve you from your sins”. Is that sufficient for a valid absolution?: “The pastor of our mostly-NO parish often hears Confessions before & throughout Latin Mass. He usually has scores of penitents…”
on Traditionis custodes and “reception theory” – or – When a law is no law at all.: “I just noticed Summorum Pontificum, in speaking of the Novus Ordo, states, “…these were willingly received by the bishops as…”
on UPDATED – 14 August Pontifical Mass at the National Shrine: FORBIDDEN: “TonyO, I wouldn’t be surprised if “don’t establish new groups” is the rationale. When I originally read that part I…”
on ASK FATHER: The priest only said, “I absolve you from your sins”. Is that sufficient for a valid absolution?: “I go to confession sometimes on Saturday afternoon in my neighborhood parish where the pastor has about 90 minutes for…”
on ASK FATHER: The priest only said, “I absolve you from your sins”. Is that sufficient for a valid absolution?: “I used to go to a priest that used the NO formula, but added the words in italics and it…”
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Tag Archives: absolution
ASK FATHER: If the priest says an invalid absolution and I drop dead after… what happens to me?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, a question – if a penitent is in a state of mortal sin, and they go to confess their sins to a priest, and the penitent does everything necessary on their part for the sacrament … Read More
ASK FATHER: When giving me absolution, Father did not say “ALL your sins”. Was that invalid?
From a reader…. QUAERITUR: At my last Confession, during the absolution, the priest said: “I absolve you from your sins, in the name, etc.” Note that he did not say “from ALL your sins”. Does this mean the absolution is … Read More
ASK FATHER: I have heard of “Apostolic Pardon” but “Apostolic Blessing”?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have heard of “Apostolic Blessing” — is that the same thing but with a different name (eg: “reconciliation” == “confession” == “Sacrament of Penance”)? I’ve written about the IMPORTANT Apostolic Pardon quite a few times. … Read More
In time of Coronovirus a priest foolishly suggests confession by phone. FAIL!
UPDATE 28 March 2020: The CDW instructed the USCCB that mobile phones should not be used to amplify vocal exchanges between confessor and penitent, when the penitent is at least a little distant from, but still with, the priest. CNA … Read More
ASK FATHER: What about confession if the virus gets really bad and we are all locked down?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I just read that Italy is taking the measure of locking down the entire country, 60 million people, until 3 April. I don’t know if this is irrational panic or not. Let’s say that it is. … Read More
ASK FATHER: Am I still forgiven if I don’t to my assigned penance?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I saw a tweet about a question on confession. The person said the penance she got from the priest in confession was hard but she didn’t completely do it. She wanted to know if she was … Read More
ASK FATHER: Absolution at jail through glass, phone in visitor’s room
From a priest… QUAERITUR: I’m a priest who occasionally gets asked to hear confessions in a jail where the only way to speak to a person is through glass and a telephone headset. Without using the phone, one can barely hear the other … Read More
ASK FATHER: Penance given in confession was too vague
From a reader… QUAERITUR: In line with your recent ASK FATHER postings on Confession, I have a question about vague penance given in Confession. We attend the local TLM and it is difficult to make it to Confession because the lines are always … Read More
ASK FATHER: Father doesn’t make Sign of the Cross when giving absolution
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Whether an absolution is valid if the priest prays the form of the sacrament correctly, but does not make the sign of the cross. This might just be scruples, but recently, I went to confession to … Read More
When was the last time you heard those words?
A correspondent sent the following, which I offer for your consideration: Our Lord speaking to St. Faustina in the Diary of Divine Mercy: “He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of … Read More
19 Comments
ASK FATHER: Will SSPX priests be able to absolve validly after the Year of Mercy closes?
From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ve been searching through the Internet, and since I’ve found absolutely nothing regarding this matter, I’ve thought I might as well just send this question to you so that you can be the first (hopefully) to write about it. … Read More
ASK FATHER: The priest said: “I give you the absolution …”
From a reader… QUAERITUR: Reverend Father, If a priest in the confessional says “I give you the absolution in the name of the Father and the Song and the Holy Spirit” Is the absolution valid since he did not say … Read More
ASK FATHER: Confession on a train when going through another diocese
From a reader… A priest from Diocese X and a lay person travel by train to some place. During the trip the latter feels the need to confess sacramentally. The train at that moment is in Diocese Y, where the priest has no … Read More
ASK FATHER: Another nitwit priest changes words of absolution. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
From a reader… QUAERITUR: During my recent confession, the words the priest used to absolve me was: “I release you from your sins in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” Is it a big deal saying “release” … Read More
POPE FRANCIS FOR YEAR OF MERCY GRANTS THAT SSPX PRIESTS CAN VALIDLY ABSOLVE!
Huge news. This was under embargo till noon, Rome time, which must be honored. [UPDATE: The Bollettino is now available HERE] The Year of Mercy begins 8 December 2015 until 20 November 2016. It is about to be announced that the Holy Father has sent … Read More
136 Comments
ASK FATHER: The Apostolic Pardon and You
From a reader… QUAERITUR: What does apostolic pardon mean? The Apostolic Pardon, or Benediction, forgives temporal punishment due to our sins, not the sins themselves. If anything remains from our lives, provided we die in the state of grace, for … Read More
ASK FATHER: I’m haunted. Was I not really absolved? Am I still excommunicated?
Fathers and seminarians, pay attention! From a reader… The Pope is sending out special priests who can absolve abortion. Does this mean that priests are giving absolution for something they cannot? Is the absolution then invalid? What does that mean for reception of … Read More
13 Comments
Feedback and a confessional story
From a reader… I went to confession! It had been 10 years. Your encouragement helped me get up the nerve to go. The hardest part was actually going to the church. I wrote down every single thing I wanted to … Read More
12 Comments
ASK FATHER: Dressing up for confession
From a reader… QUAERITUR: A blessed Holy Week to you! I just had a question about proper attire for confession. We hear a lot about attire for Mass, rightly so, but I’m wondering if we should dress up for other sacraments, like confession? … Read More
