act of contrition
🕯️ prayer
O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended you,
because of your just punishments,
but especially because it offends you, my God,
who is worthy and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of your grace,
to sin no more,
and to avoid the occasion of sin.
Amen.
🧎 what it is
the act of contrition is a prayer of sorrow for sin and a desire to return to God.
it is often prayed during confession, after confessing sins and before receiving absolution.
🧭 when i might use this
- during confession
- while preparing for confession
- during night prayer
- when i feel spiritually stuck
- when guilt needs to become repentance instead of shame
- when i need words for returning
🧠 note to self
contrition is not panic.
it is honest sorrow turned toward mercy.
i do not have to perform perfect feelings. i can simply tell the truth, ask for grace, and return.