Act of Contrition Prayer by Janice Holt Giles

I was raised a Catholic and attended Catholic school for 12 years. One of the things we were taught was the Act of Contrition prayer. I have always been fascinated by this prayer and the history behind it.

The Act of Contrition is a Christian prayer that expresses remorse for sins. It is usually said as part of the sacrament of confession but can also be said anytime someone wants to express sorrow for their sins. The history of the Act of Contrition prayer goes back to the early days of Christianity.

Saint Augustine (354-430), one of the most influential theologians in early Christianity, wrote that contrition is “sorrow of heart and tears for sin committed with the purpose of not sinning again.” In other words, contrition is true remorse for your actions with a sincere desire to change your ways. The act or prayer itself has undergone some changes over time, but the sentiment remains the same.

For Catholics, saying this prayer is an important step in receiving forgiveness from God and absolution from the priest during confession. Even if you are not Catholic, however, this prayer can be a powerful way to express your sorrow for your sins and ask for forgiveness from God.

The act of contrition is a Catholic prayer that expresses sorrow for sin and a desire to reconcile with God. It is typically recited after the sacrament of confession, but can also be said anytime someone feels the need to express their sorrow to God. The most common form of the act of contrition goes like this:

Act of Contrition for Kids

The Act of Contrition is a Catholic prayer that expresses sorrow for sin and the desire to be forgiven. It’s an important part of the sacrament of confession, and it’s also a good prayer for kids to know even if they haven’t yet reached the age of reason (when they can begin receiving the sacrament). There are many versions of the Act of Contrition, but they all have the same basic elements.

In most versions, you’ll find three main parts: expressing sorrow for sin, asking for God’s forgiveness, and resolving to avoid sin in the future. Here’s one version of the Act of Contrition that would be suitable for kids: 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 resolve, with your help, to do penance, to Sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me back into sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.

In his name I pray.

Credit: uknowledge.uky.edu

How Many Versions are There of the Act of Contrition?

There are two versions of the act of contrition: the formal act of contrition, and the spontaneous act of contrition. The formal act of contrition is recited from memory, and includes the specific language required by the Catholic Church. This version is used during confession, when a penitent must confess their sins to a priest in order to receive absolution.

The spontaneous act of contrition is said without any specific wording or memorization, and can be done at any time – not just during confession. This version can be useful in emergency situations where a person may not have time to recite the formal act of contrition, but it is also less effective than the formal version in terms of receiving absolution from a priest.

Who Wrote the Act of Contrition Prayer?

The Act of Contrition prayer was written by St. Alphonsus Liguori in the 18th century. It is a short, simple prayer that expresses sorrow for sin and a desire to be forgiven. The prayer is typically recited before receiving the sacrament of reconciliation (confession).

St. Alphonsus Liguori was an Italian Catholic theologian and moralist who founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, more commonly known as the Redemptorists. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1930 by Pope Pius XI.

March 23, 2021 – BCC Regular Meeting

Conclusion

In her blog post, Janice Holt Giles discusses the Act of Contrition prayer and its importance in the Catholic faith. She begins by explaining that the prayer is a way for Catholics to express sorrow for their sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. She goes on to say that the prayer is not only important for those who are seeking forgiveness, but also for those who are already forgiven but need to remember their sinners.

She concludes by saying that the prayer is a reminder that we are all human and need God’s help to stay on the right path.