Penitential Rite

[Dream]

First of all, before I ask any follow up questions, I have read that the Penitential Rite at Mass remisses all venial sins. Is this correct?

If so, I've got several other questions.

1) Does one have to be a Catholic for remision of sins in the Penitential Rite? For example, if I have a Protestant friend who goes to Mass with me, would all of his venial sins be remissed?

2) Can the Penitential Rite take effect on any place outside of Mass? If I were to say it on my own at home, would I still recieve remission of my sins? Or with my family?

Thanks for all responses.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I actually have no idea! On the second question my instinct is that it would have to be done by a priest...

 

[Dream]

I actually have no idea! On the second question my instinct is that it would have to be done by a priest...

Thank you for your honesty, Shannon.

My instinct also tells me that it would have to be done by a priest, but I just want to make sure my instinct is right.

 

[Paul S]

I'm not entirely sure, but I think a layperson saying the penitential rite can obtain forgiveness of venial sins. In the office of Compline, the Confiteor is said, and there is a form given for saying the Office in choir and a different form for saying it privately or if no priest is present. I've been meaning to ask a priest about this, but I keep forgetting.

In the form for lay people, "and to you, Father", is omitted; the Confiteor is said this way:

I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints: that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault, and I ask Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, and, our sins having been forgiven, bring us to life everlasting. Amen. [A priest here would say "you" instead of "us".]

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, + absolution, and remission of our sins. Amen.

 

[Dream]

Thanks Paul.

Now how about my first question?

 

[Dream]

Bump.

 

[Paul S]

I don't know whether sacramental work for non-Catholics. I do know one has to be baptised to receive the other six sacraments, but sacramentals are different.

Canon 1170 says blessings and sacramentals (including the ashes on Ash Wednesday) may be given to non-Catholics and to catechumens, unless the Church specifically prohibits it.

 

[Dream]

Wow, I may have actually stumped Paul.

Well, there is a first for everything. Thanks for the response.

 

[Paul S]

Wow, I may have actually stumped Paul.

Well, there is a first for everything. Thanks for the response.

 

[Dream]

Alright, where are the rest of the Catholic geniuses out there? Geo? Michelina? Davide? Clskinner? There's got to be somebody that can answer my first question.

 

[Alexis OCA]

I'm not entirely sure, but I think a layperson saying the penitential rite can obtain forgiveness of venial sins. In the office of Compline, the Confiteor is said, and there is a form given for saying the Office in choir and a different form for saying it privately or if no priest is present. I've been meaning to ask a priest about this, but I keep forgetting.

Paul,

I know thats the form for the Breviarium Romanum but I honestly don't recall seeing that distinction in the Liturgy of the Hours. Did I miss something?

In the LOTH I know the closing blessing for each hour is different when done solo or when a priest is available.

Regards,
Doug

 

[Paul S]

Paul,

I know thats the form for the Brevarium Romanum but I honelstly don't recall seeing that distinction in the Liturgy of the Hours. Did I miss something?

Regards,
Doug

That is indeed from the old Office, not the LotH, but if a lay person reciting it would have venial sins forgiven, then the new Confiteor and Misereatur should also forgive sins.

I don't think the Confiteor is ever said in the LotH - I had my priest (who prays the LotH) bless my Breviary a couple weeks ago, and he was suprised to see the Confiteor in it. Once he realised it was the older Office, he remembered it from his seminary days.

 

[Alexis OCA]

That is indeed from the old Office, not the LotH, but if a lay person reciting it would have venial sins forgiven, then the new Confiteor and Misereatur should also forgive sins.

I don't think the Confiteor is ever said in the LotH - I had my priest (who prays the LotH) bless my Breviary a couple weeks ago, and he was suprised to see the Confiteor in it. Once he realised it was the older Office, he remembered it from his seminary days.

Good point. I guess one could do a Confiteor as part of the examination of conscience at the beginning of Night Prayer in the LOTH.

Regards.

 

[Dream]

Still waiting for the answer to my first question.

 

[Alexis OCA]

First of all, before I ask any follow up questions, I have read that the Penitential Rite at Mass remisses all venial sins. Is this correct?

If so, I've got several other questions.

1) Does one have to be a Catholic for remision of sins in the Penitential Rite? For example, if I have a Protestant friend who goes to Mass with me, would all of his venial sins be remissed?

2) Can the Penitential Rite take effect on any place outside of Mass? If I were to say it on my own at home, would I still recieve remission of my sins? Or with my family?

Thanks for all responses.

1) I'll say, yes.

2) I'll say. no

 

[Dream]

1) I'll say, yes.

2) I'll say. no

Are you sure or are you just making an educated guess?

 

[Alexis OCA]

Are you sure or are you just making an educated guess?

Educated guess. Re: number 2: I can't see the remission of sins coming outside of the confessional unless an action is attached with an indulgence. Even then we are still bound to confess. Even the penitential rite does not absolve us of mortal sins. But this is off the top of my head so I am open to discuss this and revise my view.

 

[Dream]

Educated guess.

Well thanks, but I'm hoping to find somebody who knows for a fact one way or the other. Especially my first question.

 

[Paul S]

Educated guess. Re: number 2: I can't see the remission of sins coming outside of the confessional unless an action is attached with an indulgence. Even then we are still bound to confess. Even the penitential rite does not absolve us of mortal sins. But this is off the top of my head so I am open to discuss this and revise my view.

But the remission of venial sins does come outside the confessional, in many ways. The penitential rite is one and the devout use of holy water is another.

I think I'll ask my priest about this tomorrow.

 

[Dream]

I think I'll ask my priest about this tomorrow.

I'll do the same if I get the chance to.