Are My Sins Forgiven?

[ToJesusMyHeart]

I went to confession this Wednesday for the Lenten Penance service and we had visiting priests. The priest I confessed to did not say the Absolution prayer ("God, the Father of mercies...). He only said "I forgive you of your sins." 

 

He also did not ask me to say my Act of Contrition, but I said it outside the confessional anyway.

 

Are my sins forgiven or should I go again with a priest who says the Absolution prayer?

[cappie]

I would go again, :frown: if the absolution prayer was as you described. The Rite of Penance says in the Introduction: 

 

Penitent’s Prayer and the Priest’s Absolution

 

19. Next, through a prayer for God’s pardon the penitent expresses contrition and the resolution to begin a new life. It is advantageous for this prayer to be based on the words of Scripture.

 

Following the penitent’s prayer, the priest extends his hands, or at least his right hand, over the head of the penitent and pronounces the formulary of absolution, in which the essential words are: I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. As he says the final phrase the priest makes the sign of the cross over the penitent. The form of absolution indicates that the reconciliation of the penitent comes from the mercy of the Father; it shows the connection between the reconciliation of the sinner and the paschal mystery of Christ; it stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in the forgiveness of sins; finally, it underlines the ecclesial aspect of the sacrament, because reconciliation with God is asked for and given through the ministry of the Church.