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Mark O' Grady wrote:

Hi, guys —

I have a question about what makes a valid absolution in Confession.

I know the penitent must be sorry, mentions sins by name and number, and resolve not to sin again. Apart from this the priest at minimum must say:

“I absolve you from your sins in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

I went to Confession today and the priest said everything correctly, but he omitted the word, “Amen”, so, I said “Amen” before I left the Confession.

He did say:

    “I absolve you from your sins in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Would omitting the word “Amen” after the absolution invalidate the entire Confession?

The priest I went to yesterday entirely omitted the words:

    “I absolve you from your sins”,

which is why I went back to Confession today; to confess to another priest.
  • I was just wondering, because the priest omitted the word “Amen”, should I mention the entire Confession again next week?
Mark
  { Would omitting the word “Amen” after the absolution invalidate the entire Confession? }

Mike replied:

Hi Mark,

The Catechism states CCC 1449:

1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:

The sacrament of forgiveness.
.
.
1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give 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.

(Ordo Paenitantiae 46: formula of absolution. and (On Reconciliation and Penance) Reconciliatio et Paenitentia (188-189), December 2, 1984)

So, no, he does not have to say "Amen", after saying the words of absolution.

It is still a valid Confession.

Now, if he omits words from the Form(ula) of absolution, it is an invalid Confession.

You should definitely make sure your local bishop is aware that one of his priests is using an  invalid form for the sacrament of Confession.

If you ever have a concern about a Confession, just bring the sins you mentioned from that Confession to the next Confession you go to.

I hope this answers your question.

Mike
Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
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