Mercy & Contrition
Act of Contrition
Actus Contritionis
Prayed in the confessional after confessing your sins, and any time you turn back to God. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again" (CCC 1451).
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments,
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 sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Amen.
When to pray it: In confession, at night, and whenever you recognize sin.
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