Absolution from ExcommunicationThe penitent kneels before the priest, who is seated, and who lightly strikes the penitent with a rod or cord, while reciting the Psalm Miserére: Psalm L 1. Have mercy on me, O God, in Thy goodness; * in the greatness of Thy compassion, wipe out mine offense. 2. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt * and of my sin cleanse me. 1. For I acknowledge my offense, * and my sin is before me always: 2. "Against Thee only have I sinned, * and done what is evil in Thy sight." 1. That Thou mayest be justified in Thy sentence, * vindicated when Thou dost condemn. 2. Indeed, in guilt was I born, * and in sin my mother conceived me; 1. Behold, Thou art pleased with sincerity of heart, * and in my inmost being, Thou dost teach me wisdom. 2. Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified; * wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 1. Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; * the bones Thou hast crushed shall rejoice. 2. Turn away Thy face from my sins, * and blot out all my guilt. 1. A clean heart create for me, O God, * and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 2. Cast me not out from Thy presence, * and Thy holy spirit take not from me. 1. Give me back the joy of Thy salvation, * and a willing spirit sustain in me. 2. I will teach transgressors Thy ways, * and sinners shall return to Thee. 1. Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; * then my tongue shall revel in Thy justice. 2. O Lord, open my lips, * and my mouth shall proclaim Thy praise. 1. For Thou art not pleased with sacrifices; * should I offer a holocaust, Thou wouldst not accept it. 2. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; * a heart contrite and humbled, O God, Thou wilt not spurn. 1. Be bountiful, O Lord, to Sion in Thy kindness * by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem; 2. Then shalt Thou be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and holocausts; * then shall they offer up bullocks on Thine altar. 1. Glory be to the Father and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost. 2. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen. The priest rises and with his head uncovered he says: Lord, have mercy. Our Father (then inaudibly until): P: And lead us not into temptation. All: But deliver us from evil. P: Lord, save Thy servant. All: Who trusts in Thee, my God. P: Let the enemy have no power over him (her). All: And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm him (her). P: Let him (her) find in you, Lord, a tower of strength. All: In the face of the enemy. P: O Lord, hear my prayer. All: And let my cry come unto Thee. P: The Lord be with you. All: And with thy spirit P:. Let us pray. O God, whose nature is ever merciful and forgiving, accept our prayer that Thy servant who is bound by the sentence of excommunication may be released by Thy loving kindness; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. The priest sits, head covered, and says: May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve thee, and I by His authority and that of the Holy Father (of the Most Reverend Bishop, N., or of your superior N.), release thee from the bond of excommunication incurred by thee (pronounced against thee) because of (the offense is named); and I restore thee to communion and union with the faithful, as well as to the holy Sacraments of the Church; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost All: Amen. In a Sacramental Confession the
confessor who has the faculty to absolve one excommunicated does so,
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