Catholic Prayer Contrition

“The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.” — Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium

Public Domain: Brother Gregorio Belo of Vicenza via THE MET.

The Prayer

Examine Your Conscience Before going to Confession, take time to reflect honestly on your thoughts, words, actions, and omissions since your last confession. Many Catholics use the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes to help identify sins and areas where they have fallen short. Enter the Confessional You may kneel behind a screen or sit face-to-face with the priest. Begin by making the Sign of the Cross and saying: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been X days/months/years since my last confession.” Confess Your Sins Confess all mortal sins by kind and number, and include venial sins if you wish. Be honest, clear, and direct. The priest may offer brief guidance or encouragement. Receive Your Penance The priest will assign a penance—often prayers, acts of charity, or spiritual reflection—to help repair the harm caused by sin and to aid spiritual growth. Pray the Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, 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 You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. Receive Absolution The priest extends his hand and prays the prayer of absolution. Through this prayer, God forgives your sins. Make the Sign of the Cross and respond “Amen.”

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About This Prayer

The Act of Contrition is a Catholic prayer that expresses sincere sorrow for sin and a firm commitment to change one’s life with God’s grace. It is most commonly prayed during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, after confessing sins and before receiving absolution from the priest. The prayer emphasizes not only fear of punishment, but true love for God, recognizing that sin wounds our relationship with Him. At its heart, the Act of Contrition is an act of humility, trust, and hope in God’s mercy, reminding the penitent that forgiveness flows from God’s goodness, not our perfection.

When To Pray

The Act of Contrition is prayed during Confession, immediately after the priest assigns a penance and before absolution is given. It may also be prayed outside of Confession, especially at night during an examination of conscience, in moments of personal repentance, or when preparing for the Sacrament but unable to attend immediately. Many Catholics pray it daily as a way to remain spiritually attentive and rooted in ongoing conversion.