Act of Contrition - Definition and Overview

The Act of Contrition is a prayer recited by the penitent during the Roman Catholic sacrament of Confession.

Full text

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 I

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.

Recent Version 2004

Oh My God,

I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,

I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend,

with your help,

to do penance,

to sin no more,

and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.

In his name, my God, have mercy.

Amen

Alternative version

O My Lord, I am heartily sorry for all my sins,

help me to live like Jesus and not sin again.

Amen.

Irish version in use in 1960s

O my God, I am heartily sorry

for having offended Thee

and I detest my sins

above every other evil

because they displease Thee, my God,

Who, in Thy infinite wisdom,

art so deserving of all my love

and I firmly resolve

with the help of Thy grace

never more to offend Thee

and to amend my life. Amen.

Another version in use, circa 1970

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.