The Act of Contrition is the prayer by which we express sorrow for our sins and resolve to sin no more. It is prayed in the Sacrament of Penance.
The Prayer
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 offend you, my God,
who are all good 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.
When to Pray This Prayer
In the Sacrament of Confession, and each night as part of the examination of conscience.
About This Prayer
True contrition, sorrow for sin out of love for God, is the heart of the Sacrament of Penance and reopens the soul to grace.
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Text: traditional Act of Contrition. Source: USCCB.