Does One Have to Have An Act of Contrition Memorized if Confessing In Old Rite?

[Vico]

I learned this one, almost the same as in the preceding post:
Bless me Father, for I have sinned.

It has been … since my last confession and these are my sins.
(Then confess.)

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen
Also a Byzantine form:
I confess to Almighty God, One in the Holy Trinity, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to all the Saints, and to you, Father, all my sins.

It has been … since my last confession and these are my sins.(Then confess.)

*Act of Contrition

*For these and all my other sins which I remember or cannot call to mind, I am very sorry. I have offended God and have angered Him against me. I am sincerely repentant and promise with the help of God to better my life. For this, I humbly ask of you, Father, salutary penance and absolution.

 

[BiffRuffle]

I’ve always understood that AN act of contrition must be said, not necessarily THE act of contrition. Just a simple ‘Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner’ as the publican did in the gospel will suffice.

 

[jmcrae]

I’ve always understood that AN act of contrition must be said, not necessarily THE act of contrition. Just a simple ‘Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner’ as the publican did in the gospel will suffice.

That works. When I went to Confession last weekend, I used that one because I momentarily went blank and couldn’t remember the one I normally use.

In answer to the original question, I have gone often to FSSP priests for Confession, and there is very little difference in the actual format of the Rite, except that the FSSP priests say their parts in Latin. I have never been expected to say my Act of Contrition in Latin, though, and in fact they have it printed in English on the penitent’s side of the Confessional for the use of those of us whose minds might go blank.