The Sacrament of Penance 15 The Priest's Absolution as the Form of the Sacrament of Penance

In part 15 on the Sacrament of Penance, we look at the nature of the Sacramental form. In Catholic theology the valid Sacrament comprises matter and form. The matter is the visible actions of the Sacrament of Penance is, this comprises contrition, confession, and performance of penance. The form is the words of absolution by the priest. We will learn that absolution together with acts of the penitent effects the forgiveness of sins. We will also learn the historical development of the deprecative and indicative nature of the verbal form of absolution.