separateurCreated with Sketch.

A visual guide to praying the act of contrition

CONFESSION,CONFESSIONAL
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
Philip Kosloski - published on 07/02/18
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative

Featuring five different ways of saying the act of contrition.One of the necessary elements of the sacrament of confession is reciting an act of contrition. A priest will usually prompt the penitent after they confessed their sins by saying such words as “Now say your act of contrition.”

Essentially it is a personal proclamation that you abhor the sins you confessed and are resolved to lead a life of virtue, doing all that you can to stop committing those and any sins in the future.

Strictly speaking there is no one formula that a penitent must recite. The person may use their own words, or use a traditional act of contrition. The important part is that the individual has a “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.”

For those who need a prayer handy in the confessional, here are a few different options that the Church offers to the penitent.

Click “launch the slideshow” in the image below:


MAN PRAYING IN PEW
Read more:
After going to confession, pray this powerful prayer


PRIEST IN CONFESSIONAL
Read more:
How to go to confession, a step-by-step guide

Did you enjoy this article? Would you like to read more like this?

Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.