Act of Contrition - Confession

[PeteZaHut]

If I say the Act of Contrition, and it says “Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loos of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You,” that implies perfect contrition because it is sorry for offending God. What if I am confessing with imperfect contrition? Is it wrong to say that Act of Contrition?

 

[acadian]

I think it covers both. It does say that we dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. That’s imperfect. And even if we don’t have perfect contrition, hopefully we are still motivated somewhat because we have offended God. Yes, we want to save our own hides, but we are at least a little sorry that we’ve hurt the One who gave His all for us.

 

[PeteZaHut]

I think it covers both. It does say that we dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. That’s imperfect. And even if we don’t have perfect contrition, hopefully we are still motivated somewhat because we have offended God. Yes, we want to save our own hides, but we are at least a little sorry that we’ve hurt the One who gave His all for us.

but it doesn’t say I am a little sorry that I’ve hurt God; it says most of all, because I have offended God

 

[jmcrae]

If it bothers you so much, then just use the other Act of Contrition.

 

[agapewolf]

I think this begs a bigger question than about the act of contrition,

When reading the divine office, many times I don’t mean or feel what the particular psalm is saying. Especially in the morning, I’m not a morning person by any means, so reading “o joyous day, o beautiful Lord, lollipops and balloons, etc etc”…in the morning seems so dishonest.

But I think prayers like these help us reflect on why we don’t match the prayer at that time, and also, praying it because we WANT to be there, but not quite are there yet, can make it sincere.

and if you don’t want to be sorry for offending God, then say the prayer in understanding that you want to want to be sorry…add as many “wants” on there as you need to be sincere.

 

[thistle]

If I say the Act of Contrition, and it says “Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loos of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You,” that implies perfect contrition because it is sorry for offending God. What if I am confessing with imperfect contrition? Is it wrong to say that Act of Contrition?

You can say any Act of Contrition you want, including making up your own. We are not bound to say a specific act of contrition.

 

[DebChris]

but it doesn’t say I am a little sorry that I’ve hurt God; it says most of all, because I have offended God

When you offend somebody, you do hurt them. I have hurt you instead of showing the love that you deserve at all times. Please forgive me for my thoughtlessness or please forgive me for the thoughtlessness of the actions I have committed. In committing these acts I hurt you/offended you when I hurt my brother/sister/friend/spouse etc.
Maybe this will help. Our desire is a more perfect and loving relationship with our Creator. I like this Act because it is made less out of desire to avoid punishment and more about restoration of that relationship between God and myself. He has never stopped loving me despite my sinfulness and I desire to turn from that sinfulness back to Him.

 

[JDHallKY]

That’s why I use the Act of Contrition suggested in most modern Missals. It says, “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…”

It expresses deep sorrow for sin (whatever the motivation), a recognition that you know God should be loved above all things, and a desire to move closer to that ideal. I pray it every day with the intention that God would give me the grace necessary for more perfect contrition.

 

[DaveBj]

snip

When reading the divine office, many times I don’t mean or feel what the particular psalm is saying. Especially in the morning, I’m not a morning person by any means, so reading “o joyous day, o beautiful Lord, lollipops and balloons, etc etc”…in the morning seems so dishonest.

Maybe someone needs to come out with a new prayerbook–Lauds for Grouches

Back on topic, when I go to Confession, I always leave out the part about “dread[ing] the loss of heaven and the pain of hell,” because for me it’s always more about the fact that I’ve offended my Abba and I need to make it right. Just my $0.02.