About the Act of Contrition?

[catholicgirl201]

Hi,
I was just wondering does saying an act of contrition forgive your mortal and venial sins or does it only forgive your venial sins?

Thank you all, Have a happy new year

 

[1ke]

Being in a *state *of perfect contrition forgives mortal sins, not merely *saying *an act of contrition. Even if one has perfect contrition-- no easy thing to do-- one must still confess the sin as soon as possible.

 

[YoungTradCath]

The only thing that can be guaranteed to forgive all your sins is to confess to a priest. You can make an act of perfect contrition, but with that comes the requirement that you have to seek confession as soon as possible.

So an act of contrition never replaces sacramental confession.

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism:

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.52

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Venial sins may be forgiven in many varied ways…prayer…act of contrition etc (though it is highly recommended to also confess them)

 

[catholictiger]

Hi,
I was just wondering does saying an act of contrition forgive your mortal and venial sins or does it only forgive your venial sins?

Thank you all, Have a happy new year

the absolution given by a validly ordained priest forgives all stain of sin.

Baptism does as well