Absolution (2)

Absolution as a liturgical term for a-form of public service, has several applications.

1. A short deprecation which follows the Psalms of each Nocturn in the ordinary offices for the Hours. In this usage, the word perhaps denotes simply "ending'' or " completion," because the monks, when the nocturns were said at the proper hours of the night, broke off the chant at this point and went to rest. Of the "Absolutiones" in the present Roman Breviary, only one (that "in tertio nocturn, et pro feria iv et Sabbato") contains a prayer for a setting free from sin.

2. For the absolution which follows the introductory Confession in most liturgies and offices, SEE CONFESSION

⇒Bible concordance for ABLUTION.

3. The prayer for absolution at the beginning of the Office is, in Oriental liturgies, addressed to the Son; but many of these contain a second, at some point between Consecration and Communion, which is addressed to the Father.

4. The word is also applied to those prayers said over a corpse or a tomb in which remission of the sins of the departed is entreated from the Almighty.

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.