How do I get perfect contrition?

[Holly3278]

Hey everyone. I am in a state of mortal sin but I can’t go to Confession until Saturday. I know that one cannot receive forgiveness of mortal sins without perfect contrition unless you go to Confession where imperfect contrition suffices. So, what is the best way to get perfect contrition?

 

[LilyM]

Any contrition, but especially perfect contrition, is a grace, a gift from God. It is motivated by love of God, and so like any kind of love it is not really something we manufacture by our own effort.

If you want perfect contrition - the easisest way is to ask Him for it! Just as you ask Him (I hope) for the grace to avoid sin and all the other good things that you need.

Like all requests, He will answer it in His own good time. This is one where you can be sure He won’t ultimately say no - He wants you to be saved even more than you want it for yourself. So you can be secure that if you ask for perfect contrition which will help save you, that He will grant that request.

 

[Holly3278]

Thanks for your reply Lily. I did pray an Act of Perfect Contrition earlier when I was at the church to pray. I am not sure if I had perfect contrition though. I sincerely hope that I did. I did call my priest and left him a message to see if he could hear my Confession today. I am hoping and praying that he returns my call soon and is willing to hear my Confession today. I know I am in a state of mortal sin and so it is imperative to me to get it forgiven as soon as possible. I hate being in a state of mortal sin because I know if I die in that state, I’ll go to Hell.

 

[JRKH]

Holly,
“Perfect contrition” is not something that one “gets” but is something that one “has” or perhaps “develops”. Let’s ask a couple of questions here that I think will hlep.

Are you “heartily sorry” for having offended God?
Do you hate this sin that you committed because it offended God?
Are you firmly committed to avoiding this sin in the future?

If you can answer yes to the above - then you are about as near to perfect in your contrition as any of us ever get…

Peace
James

 

[Nelka]

The Divine Mercy Chaplet.

 

[Lutgardis87]

Holly,

I stumbled across this thread, and although it feels awkward to comment on something which is so personal to you whilst not knowing you at all, I will do so anyway:

Firstly, I am very sorry to read that you are in a state of mortal sin. I will pray for your swift return to a state of grace.

Secondly, if you have time, I would urge you to read the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 and to meditate on the love of the Father shown therein. That is the way that God loves you. The younger son’s attitude is an example of imperfect contrition if ever there was one, but everything is transformed by the Father’s love. The more you are aware of God’s love, the greater and purer sorrow you will have for your sins.

Thirdly, for what it’s worth, the distress your sin appears to have caused you suggests that you are close to perfect contrition already. But as others have said above, it is a grace from God. So put all your trust in Him and speak with Him honestly. Since you desire to restore your relationship with Him, He will not leave you alone.

 

[Bookcat]

It is motivated by love of God, and so like any kind of love it is not really something we manufacture by our own effort…

(yes perfect contrition involves grace…)

But it is important to note that this the love mentioned is not per se …“emotional”…one necessiaryly involving the “emotions”.

 

[Bookcat]

Pray, make “acts of perfect contrition” (out of love of God). Resolve not to commit the mortal sin again – and to go to confession as soon as one (reasonably) can.

Note that perfect contrition out of love can co-exist with lesser motives (such as fear of hell or punishment that one finds in imperfect contrtion).

“Jesus, Good Shepherd – I love you and am sorry for my sins for I love you – help your sheep”

 

[Holly3278]

Thank you everyone for your posts. I really do appreciate them. Anyway I am going to Confession at noon today. I am so glad that I can get to Confession today. I will soon be in a state of grace again! :extrahappy:

 

[ready]

Holly, you have perfect contrition if you are heartly sorry for having offended God because he is infinitely good and deserving of ALL your love. I hope this helps.