Confession and The Act of Contrition

[Marie5890]

Is it ok to write down (so it can be read out loud) our act of contrition?

I love Psalm 51 and parts of it reflect my feeling of contrition. I would love to be able to use it as an act of contrition but memorizing it would be daunting.

Thanks

 

[Garyjohn2]

Is it ok to write down (so it can be read out loud) our act of contrition?

I love Psalm 51 and parts of it reflect my feeling of contrition. I would love to be able to use it as an act of contrition but memorizing it would be daunting.

Thanks

I wrote down everything I wanted to say during confession once, including the act of contrition. It was a screen confession, and when I got in the booth, it was completely dark inside. I told the priest I couldn’t read what I wrote. He said, “Just to the best you can.” And I did.

It’s the feeling of contrition that matters most. The words are beautiful, and important, but they exist only to communicate this feeling. I was kind of stressing out trying to memorize it, but when I learned this, it brought me some comfort!

 

[KEVIN_WILCOX]

Contrition (sorrow for committing the offending act) is necessary for a valid confession. Perfect contrition is almost impossible for a mere mortal (unless that person is a saint).

 

[coda]

Contrition (sorrow for committing the offending act) is necessary for a valid confession. Perfect contrition is almost impossible for a mere mortal (unless that person is a saint).

Perfect contrition is ABSOLUTELY possible for "mere mortals’. { For whomwhat} else would any type of contrition even be possible or needed?} Perfect contrition is simply a true sorrow for offending God that is in ANY degree greater than one’s other motivations for being sorry. Perfect and imperfect motives for contrition are usually present in all of us. Being “perfectly contrite” is not meant to be understood as one being "contritely perfect’ . Dont let the word perfect confuse the meaning. “Perfect”, when it comes to contrition does NOT always have to} mean 100%. Btw-- to be a saint means we are already IN heaven. Until then , we can only do our best, which includes getting right back up again when we fall. As long as we always remember how much Our Lord loves us and suffered for us, perfect contrition will ALWAYS remin our main motivator. peace

 

[coda]

Is it ok to write down (so it can be read out loud) our act of contrition?

I love Psalm 51 and parts of it reflect my feeling of contrition. I would love to be able to use it as an act of contrition but memorizing it would be daunting.

Thanks

As long as you mean it, yes.

 

[PJM]

=michaeldaniels;If one goes to the sacrament of confession and is sorry for his sins, has a hatred for sin, recounts all of their sins to the best of their ability, and has a firm purpose of amendment…then their confession is valid. Is the actual “Act of Contrition” necessary for a valid confession if the priest gives you absolution? Also, lets say a person goes to confession and does everything right…and it comes time for the act of contrition and they come upon the line “and avoid whatever leads me to sin” and they say it…***but they know they will place themself in a near occassion of sin at a later time. And so later they put themself in a near occasion of sin ***and they do not sin…***so they truly had a firm purpose of amendment ***which was proven when they didn’t sin after exposing themself to a “near occasion of sin” and we all know they shouldn’t put themself in a situation where they might sin, but just by putting themself in this situation, does it invalidate the confession? The pentinent didn’t confess with the intention of committing the same sin again…they actually resolved to never do it again, but was aware they would be in the near occassion of sin. Is their confession still valid?

***My dear frind in Christ,

I was not going to respond to your OPQ until I read yor request for our prayers.

There are several key points here.

Jesus Himself tells us; "if you wish to come after Me; PICK UP YPUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME*!** "Do as I do!!!] Avoid sin and its temtations.

***Following Christ demands and implies avoiding the near ocassion of sin WHEN EVER SUCH IS POSSIBLE. The New “Mystery’s of LIght” decades of the Rosary. The Third Lumenious Mystery is “Repent and CONVERT.” Convertion requires change.

Luke 3:* “and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Is but one of numerous such directions.

To answer your OPQ:

Yes some sort of “act” [sign] of Contrition is REQUIRED in order to attain Absolution.

One may fool the priest; but one can never fool God. Evidence of TRUE Contrition and a FIRM commitment to do ones best [with the help of God] to avoid sining in the same way again; assumes and presumes a comitment to avoid the near ocassion of sin in the furture., If there are circumstances preventing that it MUST be discussed with the priest in Confession.

These are primary reasons why Jesus in His Divine Wsdom makes Confession to a priest, NOT an option; BUT A NECESSITY!

Logic denies your statement that knowing one will place thenselves in danger of sinning but later decing [thank God] not to sin, gives evidence of good intent. It does no such thing.

READ: [1 Jn. 1;8-10, 1 Jn. 5:16-17 and John 20:20-23.]

We all have a moral responsibility to avoid unnecessary temptations.**

 

[KEVIN_WILCOX]

“Perfect”, when it comes to contrition does NOT always [have to} mean 100%.

Perfect has to be 100% Otherwise it’s a contradiction, and imperfect.
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[Marie5890]

As long as you mean it, yes.

Thanks
I did use it, written down, on this past Sat and it was all good. Im glad I used it because it fits more how I feel rather than many of the other ones, and an ad lib one, well I tend to be paying more attention to finding the right words.

This psalm says perfectly how I feel .

 

[coda]

Perfect has to be 100% Otherwise it’s a contradiction, and imperfect.

Wrong. Please check the catechism for an explaination of perfect and other imperfect " motives’ for contrition. If it helps, please re-read my post as well… The nuance of the word ‘perfect’ has to do with MOTIVE , not FULLNESS or ‘100%’ as you said.} If numbers work better for you however, one can possess perfect contrition if one is at least 51% sorry for offending God’s goodness perfect motive} rather than being sorry because of shame, fear of hell, dislike of sin…imperfect motives}. As long as one’s MAIN motivator{51% or more} is because of love for God and sorrow for offending Him, one possesses"PERFECT CONTRITION’. Also know that one may still be motivated concurrently by imperfect motives as well, but to possess "perfect contrition’ these imperfect motives must be to a lesser{ 49% or less} degree. Does this help? The hard part is not weather we “as mere mortals” can be perfectly contrite; it is can we be sure we ARE perfectly contrite? Meditating on Christ’s cricifixion while bearing in mind how much He loves us should help exite one to perfect contrition. peace…

 

[PJM]

=coda;6276997]Wrong. Please check the catechism for an explaination of perfect and other imperfect " motives’ for contrition. If it helps, please re-read my post as well… The nuance of the word ‘perfect’ has to do with MOTIVE , not FULLNESS or ‘100%’ as you said.} If numbers work better for you however, one can possess perfect contrition if one is at least 51% sorry for offending God’s goodness [perfect motive} rather than being sorry because of shame, fear of hell, dislike of sin…[imperfect motives}. As long as one’s MAIN motivator{51% or more} is because of love for God and sorrow for offending Him, one possesses"PERFECT CONTRITION’. Also know that one may still be motivated concurrently by imperfect motives as well, but to possess "perfect contrition’ these imperfect motives must be to a lesser{ 49% or less} degree. Does this help? The hard part is not weather we “as mere mortals” can be perfectly contrite; it is can we be sure we ARE perfectly contrite? Meditating on Christ’s cricifixion while bearing in mind how much He loves us should help exite one to perfect contrition. peace…

CCC 1451 "Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.”

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.

CCC 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.

CCC 1448 Beneath the changes in discipline and celebration that this sacrament has undergone over the centuries, the same fundamental structure is to be discerned. It comprises two equally essential elements: on the one hand, the acts of the man who undergoes conversion through the action of the Holy Spirit: namely, contrition, confession, and satisfaction; on the other, God’s action through the intervention of the Church. The Church, who through the bishop and his priests forgives sins in the name of Jesus Christ and determines the manner of satisfaction, also prays for the sinner and does penance with him. Thus the sinner is healed and re-established in ecclesial communion.

CCC 1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

In searching “contrition,” then “perfect contrition” this is all I found in the Catecheism. What is the foundation for the position you posted?

Love and prayers,
Pat
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[coda]

CCC 1451 "Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.”

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.

CCC 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.

CCC 1448 Beneath the changes in discipline and celebration that this sacrament has undergone over the centuries, the same fundamental structure is to be discerned. It comprises two equally essential elements: on the one hand, the acts of the man who undergoes conversion through the action of the Holy Spirit: namely, contrition, confession, and satisfaction; on the other, God’s action through the intervention of the Church. The Church, who through the bishop and his priests forgives sins in the name of Jesus Christ and determines the manner of satisfaction, also prays for the sinner and does penance with him. Thus the sinner is healed and re-established in ecclesial communion.

CCC 1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

In searching “contrition,” then “perfect contrition” this is all I found in the Catecheism. What is the foundation for the position you posted?

Love and prayers,
Pat

PJM ,
You asked about this very topic in a post on DEC.5, 2005. Please go back and re-read your post along with the extensive info given to help you understand that "perfect’ does not mean the only motivating factor involved in perfect contrition. Love of God has to be the PRIMARY, but one can still have inferior SECONDARY motives as well. Please pay close attention to replies #12{ fr. john hardin=trusted} and #22. If still in doubt ,please ask your priest. peace

 

[KEVIN_WILCOX]

If whilst confessing one’s sin one is aware of the probability of sinnining again, even in the same area, this does not invalidate the sacramental affect.
Metaphorically, if I lived in a rough neighbourhood and was mugged and knew that if I left my house again similar would probably happen this is reality.
Not withstanding we should do everything in our power to avoid it and go to the police, and report the crime.

 

[aspirant]

Is it ok to write down (so it can be read out loud) our act of contrition?

I love Psalm 51 and parts of it reflect my feeling of contrition. I would love to be able to use it as an act of contrition but memorizing it would be daunting.

It is perfectly acceptable to read your act of contrition, so long as you mean it. Many priests I’ve encountered in the confessional hand people cards with an act of contrition printed on it, just to help anxious and tongue-tied people find some words. Psalm 51 would make a great act of contrition.

At the same time, please allow me to recommend that you don’t read the whole Psalm in the confessional. Select a few verses that express the point. The whole Psalm is a bit long for these circumstances.

 

[KEVIN_WILCOX]

It is perfectly acceptable to read your act of contrition, so long as you mean it. Many priests I’ve encountered in the confessional hand people cards with an act of contrition printed on it, just to help anxious and tongue-tied people find some words. Psalm 51 would make a great act of contrition.

At the same time, please allow me to recommend that you don’t read the whole Psalm in the confessional. Select a few verses that express the point. The whole Psalm is a bit long for these circumstances.

I remember when the new directive on the rite of confession was published. To follow it, to recite it, took an extremely long time. To the relief of many priests penitents resorted to a more simpler form. The sacrament of confession is not to be treated as a theatrical production.
As a well-known counsellor says, “Keep it real.”

 

[PJM]

=coda;6285472]PJM ,
You asked about this very topic in a post on DEC.5, 2005. Please go back and re-read your post along with the extensive info given to help you understand that "perfect’ does not mean the only motivating factor involved in perfect contrition. Love of God has to be the PRIMARY, but one can still have inferior SECONDARY motives as well. Please pay close attention to replies #12{ fr. john hardin=trusted} and #22. If still in doubt ,please ask your priest. peace

***My dear friend in Christ.

I first became aware of CAF on August 31, 2008, the day I signed up. So I fear you have me confused with someone else?

Nevertheless, I would be happy to take your advice if you can provide instructions that I can comprehend?

I have reviewed the topic in Fr. Hardon’s Catholic Dictionary, the Catholic Encypedia and what TRENT had to say on the topic. Further I attempted tp located Fr. Hardon’s writtings on the topic but failed to locate them.

Love ad prayers,
Pat***

 

[Verbum_Caro]

PJM,

I think coda confused you with PMV, on this thread.

Fr. Hardon makes an appearance in post #12. (I recognized my own post from coda’s reply above).

VC