The Common Form for Absolution

Violet Stole

As the priest is about to absolve a penitent (after having enjoined a salutary penance on him and the latter accepting it) he begins by saying:

May almighty God have mercy on thee, forgive thee thy sins, and bring thee to life everlasting. R. Amen.

He raises the right hand toward the penitent and says:

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant thee pardon, absolution, + and remission of thy sins. R. Amen.

May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve thee. And I by His authority absolve thee from every bond of excommunication (suspension [omitted for laymen]) and interdict, in so far as my power lies and thou art in need. And now I absolve thee from thy sins; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost. R. Amen.

May the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merits of the blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, and all the good thou do and the suffering thou dost endure, gain for thee the remission of thy sins, increase of grace, and the reward of life everlasting. R.: Amen.

In case of urgent necessity such as danger of death, the priest may use the short form:

I absolve thee from all censures and from thy sins; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R.: Amen.