ConfessionalDuinenkerkjeBiechtstoel — Contrition in the Confessional

Act of Contrition

Act of Contrition: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offended You, my God, who are all goo and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

+

This above is a traditional act of contrition commonly used in the sacrament of penance. Other acts of contrition may be used during this sacrament of mercy. Among them (from the Church’s official Rite of Reconciliation):

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.
Lord Jesus, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.

+

Art: Modified detail of Confessional in rococo style, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Duinenkerk [Our Lady of the Dunes], Duinenkerkje biechtstoel, [Dunes Kerkje confessional]; Ostend, Belgium, JoJan, CCA-SA, 26 July 2005, Wikimedia Commons.

Email Print

Dan Burke

Dan Burke is the past President and C.O.O. of EWTN's worldwide news
network. He is presently the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 90 countries and prepares men for seminary in over 40 dioceses.

Dan is the author and editor of numerous books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.

In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.

Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.