Perfect Contrition

[ATeutonicKnight]

A Priest told me that if I was sorry for my sins and said the act of contrition I would be forgiven if there was no way to do the Sacrament of Reconciliation before death (Such as being in a tornado warning, etc). And then later I realized that I had to have perfect contrition to be forgiven. Well, for some reason, I’m in a state of imperfect contrition. I’m not sure why either. I pray the Rosary everyday, I am starting to do Lectio Divina everyday, I always pray in the morning, and am always trying to make my decisions based off the ten commandments, but for some reason I’m only sorry for my sins because I don’t want to go to hell. I don’t want to be. I wish I had a better relationship with Christ, and loved him more, and I always pray and ask the Saints to help me. So, I suppose the question is, if I died right now, would I be forgiven since I want to be in perfect contrition, or would I be sent to hell because it doesn’t make matter if I want to be or not?

 

[Skeptic92]

A Priest told me that if I was sorry for my sins and said the act of contrition I would be forgiven if there was no way to do the Sacrament of Reconciliation before death (Such as being in a tornado warning, etc). And then later I realized that I had to have perfect contrition to be forgiven. Well, for some reason, I’m in a state of imperfect contrition. I’m not sure why either. I pray the Rosary everyday, I am starting to do Lectio Divina everyday, I always pray in the morning, and am always trying to make my decisions based off the ten commandments, but for some reason I’m only sorry for my sins because I don’t want to go to hell. I don’t want to be. I wish I had a better relationship with Christ, and loved him more, and I always pray and ask the Saints to help me. So, I suppose the question is, if I died right now, would I be forgiven since I want to be in perfect contrition, or would I be sent to hell because it doesn’t make matter if I want to be or not?

Perfect Contrition is extraordinary (as it is very rare, and can never be judged by another man), if at the moment of death, you were truly sorry for your sins, as they have offended God deeply, and by truly sorry, we don’t just mean that you are contrite, and wish to repent, but that you detest all sin as it offends God, and plead for his forgiveness before actual death (the moment of the separation of Soul and body, the moment when death is permanent, and we face judgement), then the Lord shall show you mercy, it doesn’t mean you wont spend time in purgatory though, we shall all have to bare our Crosses in Purgatory, and serve punishment for our sins, and to be purified (by fire as it states in scripture) to enter the Kingdom of God, and witness the Beatific Vision of the Triune God-head.

 

[Monica4316]

A Priest told me that if I was sorry for my sins and said the act of contrition I would be forgiven if there was no way to do the Sacrament of Reconciliation before death (Such as being in a tornado warning, etc). And then later I realized that I had to have perfect contrition to be forgiven. Well, for some reason, I’m in a state of imperfect contrition. I’m not sure why either. I pray the Rosary everyday, I am starting to do Lectio Divina everyday, I always pray in the morning, and am always trying to make my decisions based off the ten commandments, but for some reason I’m only sorry for my sins because I don’t want to go to hell. I don’t want to be. I wish I had a better relationship with Christ, and loved him more, and I always pray and ask the Saints to help me. So, I suppose the question is, if I died right now, would I be forgiven since I want to be in perfect contrition, or would I be sent to hell because it doesn’t make matter if I want to be or not?

I thought the Church teaching is that if a person dies without Confession, but with imperfect contrition, that is enough as long as they didn’t go to Confession simply because they couldn’t? though it is always good to strive for perfect contrition and if you have perfect contrition, your sins are forgiven without Confession BUT you still need to confess them if you have the opportunity (and I still wouldn’t receive Communion until after Confession even in that case, to be safe).

 

[thistle]

I thought the Church teaching is that if a person dies without Confession, but with imperfect contrition, that is enough as long as they didn’t go to Confession simply because they couldn’t? though it is always good to strive for perfect contrition and if you have perfect contrition, your sins are forgiven without Confession BUT you still need to confess them if you have the opportunity (and I still wouldn’t receive Communion until after Confession even in that case, to be safe).

That is not correct.

If a person in a state of mortal sin makes an act of imperfect contrition and dies before they get to confession their sins are not forgiven and they would go to Hell. Imperfect contrition still requires Confession to a priest to obtain absolution.

If a person makes an act of perfect contrition (and who could be 100% sure they made such an act) with the firm intention of going to Confession as soon as possible but dies before they get to Confession their sins are forgiven and they would be saved.

 

[Monica4316]

That is not correct.

If a person in a state of mortal sin makes an act of imperfect contrition and dies before they get to confession their sins are not forgiven and they would go to Hell. Imperfect contrition still requires Confession to a priest to obtain absolution.

If a person makes an act of perfect contrition (and who could be 100% sure they made such an act) with the firm intention of going to Confession as soon as possible but dies before they get to Confession their sins are forgiven and they would be saved.

hmm that is not what I was taught…

what if a person dies on their way to Confession with imperfect contrition? it is not their fault that they died before getting there… I was taught if the person is repentant and intends to go to Confession asap, - if they are unable to they would still be saved.

It’s true that imperfect contrition requires Confession to a priest to obtain absolution, but I was told that death is an exception if the person simply didn’t have the chance to confess. This is also how Protestants can go to Heaven - because they don’t have access to Confession (provided that they didn’t knowingly and intentionally reject the truth in the Catholic Church, but are ignorant or very misinformed through no fault of their own).

For example, St Padre Pio told a lady that her son who committed suicide was saved because he repented of the act right before he died - of course he did not have a chance to confess it.

I think perfect contrition at death lessens Purgatory - as some stories in the lives of the Saints indicate.

 

[wsxyz]

what if a person dies on their way to Confession with imperfect contrition? it is not their fault that they died before getting there…

It would still be their fault that they committed the mortal sin.

I was taught if the person is repentant and intends to go to Confession asap, - if they are unable to they would still be saved.

No one can say that such a person “would still be saved.” They might be saved. For example, if they had perfect contrition.

This is also how Protestants can go to Heaven - because they don’t have access to Confession (provided that they didn’t knowingly and intentionally reject the truth in the Catholic Church, but are ignorant or very misinformed through no fault of their own)

There is absolutely no reason to believe that any protestant who ever lived is now in Heaven. That is not to deny that there might be a few, but we have no reason to have any certainty at all – and a lot of reason to think that most, if not all, protestants end up in Hell. God gives every person enough graces to be saved, but they must act upon those graces. There are very few places where protestants don’t have easy access to, and knowledge of, the Catholic Church. The fact that a person dies a protestant is a good reason to suspect that they did not cooperate with the graces God gave them for their salvation.

For example, St Padre Pio told a lady that her son who committed suicide was saved because he repented of the act right before he died - of course he did not have a chance to confess it.

Assuming St. Pio was correct in this case, the son had perfect contrition. We cannot know what graces a person receives at the moment of death, but their are many stories of people receiving extraordinary graces at the time of death – usually because someone had been praying to the Blessed Virgin on that person’s behalf.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

That is not correct.

If a person in a state of mortal sin makes an act of imperfect contrition and dies before they get to confession their sins are not forgiven and they would go to Hell. Imperfect contrition still requires Confession to a priest to obtain absolution.

If a person makes an act of perfect contrition (and who could be 100% sure they made such an act) with the firm intention of going to Confession as soon as possible but dies before they get to Confession their sins are forgiven and they would be saved.

That’s not quite right, according to what I’ve been told. If you want to be in perfect contrition but you’re not you can still be forgiven because it’s not your fault. If you’re sorry for your sins (Even if it’s just because you don’t want to go to hell) but are sorry for it I think God would forgive you, but, as stated earlier, only as through fire (Purgatory).

Tim Staples told me directly that if you had the intent to go to confession but you couldn’t than you would be forgiven. This was declared at the Council of Trent, he told me.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

It would still be their fault that they committed the mortal sin.

No one can say that such a person “would still be saved.” They might be saved. For example, if they had perfect contrition.

There is absolutely no reason to believe that any protestant who ever lived is now in Heaven. That is not to deny that there might be a few, but we have no reason to have any certainty at all – and a lot of reason to think that most, if not all, protestants end up in Hell. God gives every person enough graces to be saved, but they must act upon those graces. There are very few places where protestants don’t have easy access to, and knowledge of, the Catholic Church. The fact that a person dies a protestant is a good reason to suspect that they did not cooperate with the graces God gave them for their salvation.

Assuming St. Pio was correct in this case, the son had perfect contrition. We cannot know what graces a person receives at the moment of death, but their are many stories of people receiving extraordinary graces at the time of death – usually because someone had been praying to the Blessed Virgin on that person’s behalf.

I think you’re a little confused on the matter. Do you honestly think that C.S. Lewis, one of the most Catholic Protestants that ever lived, is in Hell? He was like a Rhino Republican, only Protestant by name. Many people were almost 99% sure that he would convert, and he probably almost did. Do you think that he’s in hell just because he didn’t have access to the sacraments? Yes, they are important and necessary for salvation, but you can be saved without them. But with your line of thinking the Africans who have never heard of Christ would they be thrown into eternal fire just because they didn’t have access to the Gospel and the church.

Like I stated earlier, Tim Staples said that they declared at the Council of Trent that if you were in Mortal Sin and had the intent to go to confession but died before you could, you would be forgiven and would simply spend some time in purgatory, as 99% of us will anyway, since “Nothing unclean shall enter heaven”.

Yes, it is bad that you committed the Mortal Sin, but if you were sorry for it you will be forgiven. It’s not as if it’s impossible if you don’t receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And honestly, I think that, although I’m in imperfect contrition, I am sorry for it, and am praying to have perfect contrition, and I think Jesus would forgive me.

 

[thistle]

That’s not quite right, according to what I’ve been told. If you want to be in perfect contrition but you’re not you can still be forgiven because it’s not your fault. If you’re sorry for your sins (Even if it’s just because you don’t want to go to hell) but are sorry for it I think God would forgive you, but, as stated earlier, only as through fire (Purgatory).

Tim Staples told me directly that if you had the intent to go to confession but you couldn’t than you would be forgiven. This was declared at the Council of Trent, he told me.

What I said is correct. Making an act of imperfect contrition on its own (i.e. without Confession to a priest) does NOT forgive sins.
Here is the Church teaching:

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 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.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

I see. Canon law is always a hell-raiser isn’t it?

Well, although I’m going to admit I was wrong (Seeing as how Canon Law says the exact opposite of what I said), I’m still hoping that God will forgive me, because I never get to go to confession and I’m in a state of Mortal Sin. We were supposed to go on two different occasions, but we didn’t. I would just like to get it out of the way because it’s my very soul that’s at stake, but, unfortunately, we never do. How can I convince my parents that we should go more than every six months without them getting suspicious?

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

It would still be their fault that they committed the mortal sin.

Who said anything about Mortal Sin? Imperfect Contrition is not a Mortal sin in and of itself. In fact, it says in Canon Law a little bit above this message that it is a gift, showing that you understand the ugliness of sin and understand the consequences. It does, however, say that it cannot forgive Mortal Sins. So you’re right in a way, you just go a little extreme about it.

 

[Monica4316]

It would still be their fault that they committed the mortal sin.

No one can say that such a person “would still be saved.” They might be saved. For example, if they had perfect contrition.

Again I was told something else… but I’ll find out and will post the answer here I’ll ask a priest or maybe I’ll ask in the Apologetics section.

There is absolutely no reason to believe that any protestant who ever lived is now in Heaven. That is not to deny that there might be a few, but we have no reason to have any certainty at all – and a lot of reason to think that most, if not all, protestants end up in Hell. God gives every person enough graces to be saved, but they must act upon those graces. There are very few places where protestants don’t have easy access to, and knowledge of, the Catholic Church. The fact that a person dies a protestant is a good reason to suspect that they did not cooperate with the graces God gave them for their salvation.

I am not supporting Protestantism at all, - it is heresy… but I did read that St Padre Pio talked about someone’s Protestant relative being in Heaven. Since God looks at people’s hearts, it’s possible that He shows them mercy because they were misinformed, etc… they might still have to be in Purgatory for this though. Of course, if a Protestant hates the Catholic Church for what it is, knowingly, - that is very dangerous. But most have so many misconceptions they only hate what the think the Catholic Church is, not the real thing.

Assuming St. Pio was correct in this case, the son had perfect contrition. We cannot know what graces a person receives at the moment of death, but their are many stories of people receiving extraordinary graces at the time of death – usually because someone had been praying to the Blessed Virgin on that person’s behalf.

yes there are some stories like that… as for perfect or imperfect contrition, - I’ll try to find out about that. It’s good to seek perfect contrition though.

That’s not quite right, according to what I’ve been told. If you want to be in perfect contrition but you’re not you can still be forgiven because it’s not your fault. If you’re sorry for your sins (Even if it’s just because you don’t want to go to hell) but are sorry for it I think God would forgive you, but, as stated earlier, only as through fire (Purgatory).

Tim Staples told me directly that if you had the intent to go to confession but you couldn’t than you would be forgiven. This was declared at the Council of Trent, he told me.

Maybe I can find a quote or something

What I said is correct. Making an act of imperfect contrition on its own (i.e. without Confession to a priest) does NOT forgive sins.
Here is the Church teaching:

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 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.

yes this is all true… but it does not say, what happens when a person CAN’T get to Confession, through no fault of their own. Will they go to hell simply because they can’t get there? I don’t think that is the Church teaching…

I see. Canon law is always a hell-raiser isn’t it?

Well, although I’m going to admit I was wrong (Seeing as how Canon Law says the exact opposite of what I said), I’m still hoping that God will forgive me, because I never get to go to confession and I’m in a state of Mortal Sin. We were supposed to go on two different occasions, but we didn’t. I would just like to get it out of the way because it’s my very soul that’s at stake, but, unfortunately, we never do. How can I convince my parents that we should go more than every six months without them getting suspicious?

hmm… are you able to get to a church any other way, like if a friend drives you, or by walking or taking the bus? It’s hard when parents don’t agree about such things I’m the only Catholic in my family so I know what you mean.

God bless

 

[Alexander_Roman]

My own view here is that we must constantly pray for the Grace to have perfect contrition - it just doesn’t arise by itself because we recite a formula.

It is good to constantly recite the penitential prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, by the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, have mercy on me a sinner.

Alex

 

[thistle]

Again I was told something else… but I’ll find out and will post the answer here I’ll ask a priest or maybe I’ll ask in the Apologetics section.

yes this is all true… but it does not say, what happens when a person CAN’T get to Confession, through no fault of their own. Will they go to hell simply because they can’t get there? I don’t think that is the Church teaching…

God bless

If a person is in a state of mortal sin and only makes an act of imperfect contrition then they remain in a state of mortal sin. They must somehow get to Confession or their mortal sins remain. The Church teaching is clear on this. If they die in that state before getting to Confession they are not saved. I quoted you the teaching.
I do not believe a person cannot get to Confession at all. Not in this day and age.
The only way round it is to make an act of perfect contrition with a firm intention to get to Confession as soon as possible.

 

[PaulinVA]

If a person in a state of mortal sin makes an act of imperfect contrition and dies before they get to confession their sins are not forgiven and they would go to Hell. Imperfect contrition still requires Confession to a priest to obtain absolution.

Even though Christ died on the Cross for that mortal sin, the act of confessing to a priest is required?

Sure seems like we have replaced one unattainable set of laws with another.

 

[thistle]

Even though Christ died on the Cross for that mortal sin, the act of confessing to a priest is required?

Sure seems like we have replaced one unattainable set of laws with another.

That is the Church teaching. Are you rejecting it?

 

[PaulinVA]

That is the Church teaching. Are you rejecting it?

No, I understand the keys and what the Church decides to do is what we are bound to follow.

 

[GloriousOrder]

I find the notion of having to confess every last sin a tad formulaic. The entire Gospel, handed down by all four evangelists, seems to be the height of anti-formulaic religion. God does not want us to become like Pharisees, counting every last sin like coins. He doesn’t want us to be so solicitous for our failures that we despair.

It seems very dubious to say that God would ever be so rigid and spiteful as to let a soul fall into the abyss for eternity over a difference in contrition at one specific point in the soul’s life. Why would He be so imprudent as to confound one day of imperfect contrition with another day of perfect contrition, basing an entire soul’s eternal future on that difference of only a few hours in an otherwise spotless life? We are not perfect, though we are trying to be… but some days our contrition is not what it ought to be. Don’t you think God’s mercy would tend to swing down on those days, rather than let us die forever because of the other days we are not in a state of total perfection? Christ is a physician…

Any scriptural passages to show me the wrath of God over imperfect contrition, or passages that say we ought to be solicitous, anxious, and fearful in counting every last sin? It just strikes me as odd…

 

[wsxyz]

Even though Christ died on the Cross for that mortal sin, the act of confessing to a priest is required?

Sure seems like we have replaced one unattainable set of laws with another.

Christ’s sacrifice provided the means by which sins are forgiven, but it did not remove from you the necessity of contrition, repentance, and reparation.

It is a dogma of the Church that no one can be sure of their salvation, but we do know for sure that God is perfectly just. A lot of the tooth-gnashing in this thread seems to be of the “it wouldn’t be fair if…” variety.

But God is fair. If you end up in hell, it will be your fault, and you will know that it is your fault.

 

[wsxyz]

I find the notion of having to confess every last sin a tad formulaic.

You don’t have to confess every last sin. You have to confess every mortal sin that you remember.

It seems very dubious to say that God would ever be so rigid and spiteful as to let a soul fall into the abyss for eternity over a difference in contrition at one specific point in the soul’s life. Why would He be so imprudent as to confound one day of imperfect contrition with another day of perfect contrition, basing an entire soul’s eternal future on that difference of only a few hours in an otherwise spotless life? We are not perfect, though we are trying to be… but some days our contrition is not what it ought to be. Don’t you think God’s mercy would tend to swing down on those days, rather than let us die forever because of the other days we are not in a state of total perfection?

Now is the time for mercy. After death is the time for judgement, not mercy. But God is perfectly just, he knows the state of your soul perfectly and at the time of your death you will receive the reward or punishment that you justly deserve.