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Act of Contrition
The Act of Contrition is a Catholic prayer expressing sorrow for sin, love of God and a sincere intention to turn away from sin.
Pray
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Explore what this prayer meansIn brief
Catholics pray an Act of Contrition to express genuine sorrow for sin, ask God's mercy and make a sincere resolution, with the help of grace, to turn away from sin and change their lives.
Understand
What is this prayer?
An Act of Contrition is a prayer of repentance. There are several legitimate Catholic forms, so the wording is not limited to one single text. What matters is sincere sorrow for sin and conversion toward God.
Quick facts
- Type
- Prayer of repentance
- Sacrament
- Reconciliation / Confession
- Purpose
- Sorrow for sin and conversion
- Versions
- Several Catholic forms exist
- Common use
- Confession and examination of conscience
Why Catholics pray it
Why it matters
Contrition is central to repentance. Catholics recognise sin not merely as breaking a rule but as damaging communion with God and neighbour. The prayer therefore combines sorrow, trust in grace and a real intention to change.
When to pray
When Catholics use it
Catholics often pray an Act of Contrition during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, after examining their conscience, at night, or whenever they become aware that they have sinned and want to turn back toward God.
Meaning
What the words mean
The prayer acknowledges wrongdoing, expresses sorrow especially because sin offends the goodness of God, and asks for grace to avoid sin in the future. It is repentance directed toward conversion rather than self-hatred.
History
Where this prayer comes from
Catholic tradition contains several Acts of Contrition rather than one universally exclusive formula. Different approved forms have developed for sacramental preparation and personal prayer while expressing the same essential movement of repentance.
Scripture
Biblical connections
Luke 15:17–24
The return of the prodigal son illustrates repentance, confession and the Father's merciful welcome.
Psalm 51
The Psalm is one of Scripture's great prayers of repentance and desire for a clean heart.
Catholic teaching
Catechism connections
CCC 1451
The Catechism defines contrition as sorrow of the soul and detestation for sin together with the resolution not to sin again.
CCC 1452–1453
The Catechism distinguishes contrition arising from love of God from imperfect contrition while recognising both as movements toward conversion.
Understand
Common questions
Do I have to memorise the Act of Contrition for Confession?
Memorising one form is useful, but Catholic contrition is not a memory test. A penitent can express sincere sorrow using an appropriate Act of Contrition even if the exact familiar wording is not remembered.
Are there different versions of the Act of Contrition?
Yes. The Catholic Church uses several legitimate forms. They differ in wording while expressing repentance, trust in God's mercy and a resolution to turn away from sin.
What makes an Act of Contrition sincere?
Its sincerity comes from genuinely recognising sin, being sorry for it and intending, with God's grace, to avoid sin and change direction.
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