Is this a correct definition of perfect contrition?

[coolduude]

“Perfect contrition forgives mortal sin immediately, even before one goes to Confession- although naturally, perfect contrition always included the intention to confess one’s sins as soon as possible. Perfect contrition is expressed on the words: ‘O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You…most of all because You are all good and deserving of all my love.’”

straight out of my textbook…

Is it correct? It seems a little Protestant to me…

 

[JaredR]

That’s correct.

 

[Alicat]

The Catechism says: “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.’ 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 1451–1452).

On the other hand, imperfect contrition “is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner” (CCC 1453).

 

[JRKH]

The Catechism says: “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.’ 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 1451–1452).

On the other hand, imperfect contrition “is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner” (CCC 1453).

This basically nails it. Perfect contrition is not so much the “formula” of prayer but the sorrow and detestation of the sin - of having offended He whom you Love above all others.

Peace
James

 

[thistle]

“Perfect contrition forgives mortal sin immediately, even before one goes to Confession- although naturally, perfect contrition always included the intention to confess one’s sins as soon as possible. Perfect contrition is expressed on the words: ‘O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You…most of all because You are all good and deserving of all my love.’”

straight out of my textbook…

Is it correct? It seems a little Protestant to me…

Yes that’s it but of course saying the right words also requires the right sincerity when saying them. Saying the right words but lacking in sincerity would not meet the criteria for “perfect” contrition.

 

[Bookcat]

“Perfect contrition forgives mortal sin immediately, even before one goes to Confession- although naturally, perfect contrition always included the intention to confess one’s sins as soon as possible. Perfect contrition is expressed on the words: ‘O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You…most of all because You are all good and deserving of all my love.’”

straight out of my textbook…

Is it correct? It seems a little Protestant to me…

Here is the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

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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i would note that not only perfect contrition remits venial sins…the CCC here is not saying that they can not be remitted otherwise…there are many ways regarding venial sin…

 

[Monica4316]

perfect contrition is being sorry for sin just because the sin hurt God (not out of fear of punishment, etc)

it also includes the resolution to go to Confession as soon as possible it doesn’t replace Confession, even if God forgives the sin. All mortal sin should be confessed (if the person has the opportunity).

 

[glenaitken]

“Perfect contrition forgives mortal sin immediately, even before one goes to Confession- although naturally, perfect contrition always included the intention to confess one’s sins as soon as possible. Perfect contrition is expressed on the words: ‘O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You…most of all because You are all good and deserving of all my love.’”

straight out of my textbook…

Is it correct? It seems a little Protestant to me…

yup, that;s right. in the Sacrament, the grace of the Church supplies what is lacking in an individual with imperfect contrition and throught the sacramental graces, perfect contrition is achieved.
quick note though: perfect contrition is when a person is sorry becuase of love of God who is all worthy etc. contrition is complicated because we are complicated creatures (complex in our intentions) and so the only person who truly knows if the contrition is perfect is God.

 

[coolduude]

yup, that;s right. in the Sacrament, the grace of the Church supplies what is lacking in an individual with imperfect contrition and throught the sacramental graces, perfect contrition is achieved.
quick note though: perfect contrition is when a person is sorry becuase of love of God who is all worthy etc. contrition is complicated because we are complicated creatures (complex in our intentions) and so the only person who truly knows if the contrition is perfect is God.

So now two questions.

1. is the prayer in my OP supposed to be an Act of Contrition and the text book edited it? (Hence the “…”)
2. If one receives perfect contrition can one also get the Eucharist if they have not been to Confession yet? Get it?

 

[JRKH]

So now two questions.

1. is the prayer in my OP supposed to be an Act of Contrition and the text book edited it? (Hence the “…”)
   Yes your textbook edited it. The prayer goes:
   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 avoid the near occasions of sin.
   Amen

1. If one receives perfect contrition can one also get the Eucharist if they have not been to Confession yet? Get it?
   One should not recieve if one know they are in a state of mortal sin until one is able to get to confession. If the sins are venial then yes, go ahead and receive.

Peace
James

 

[glenaitken]

So now two questions.

1. is the prayer in my OP supposed to be an Act of Contrition and the text book edited it? (Hence the “…”)
2. If one receives perfect contrition can one also get the Eucharist if they have not been to Confession yet? Get it?

I think the texbook was using the beginnig of the Act of Contrition as an example.
I don’t think that you may recieve communion (not 100% on this) until after going to sacramental confession. The reason that i think that this is the case is because God may know if you have perfect contrition, and you may think that you do, but you have no way of knowing if your contrition is perfect, only God does. (again, becuase human intentions and motivations are complex and at times muddy/ unclear even to ourselves). In short, I would trust in God’s Mercy to get you to the sacramental confession, but I wouldn;t trust myself to recieve the Eucharist.
The problem also arises as to what degree the person has sinned and how culpable he is for it. I don’t know how far psycological development, compulsion, ignorance, etc may effect an individual. I sometimes don;t even know for myself. We are unclear creatures

 

[thistle]

So now two questions.

1. is the prayer in my OP supposed to be an Act of Contrition and the text book edited it? (Hence the “…”)
2. If one receives perfect contrition can one also get the Eucharist if they have not been to Confession yet? Get it?

The answer is no you may not receive unless there is some grave reason to do so before you can get to Confession.

Canon Law:

Can. 916 Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.