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Eruvande
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What constitutes perfect contrition? Is it a feeling? Or simply an act of the will? Or a combination of both?
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H
hakop
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I think its supernatural sorrow, having experienced it myself. You are brought to a point of nothingness due to your sinful state and are immensely sorrowful due to falling out of grace and having offended God, who is worthy of all love and reverence to. You undoubtedly cry, are brought to a point of excessive tears. It’s just kind of like, super-sorrow, out of love for God. It’s redemptive.It fixes your heart through sorrow. And leads to being brought back into God’s favor.
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Bookcat
Guest
Catechism:
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
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm
PS: Venial sins can be forgiven in many ways…imperfect contrition, prayer, acts of love, reading Sacred Scripture, prayerful use of holy water, the Our Father etc too
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
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm
PS: Venial sins can be forgiven in many ways…imperfect contrition, prayer, acts of love, reading Sacred Scripture, prayerful use of holy water, the Our Father etc too
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Bookcat
Guest
Now what can be helpful to know is that the grace of perfect contrition is also compatible with lesser motives. Just because one sees the sins ugliness or fears hell …does not mean that one therefore does not have perfect contrition. Such can co-exist with other motives.
And note well (NB) - that contrition need not involve any “feeling”. It is not about feeling in essence but our will and the grace of God. Though feeling contrite is good of course…it is better. But feelings are not under our direct command…
And note well (NB) - that contrition need not involve any “feeling”. It is not about feeling in essence but our will and the grace of God. Though feeling contrite is good of course…it is better. But feelings are not under our direct command…
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Bookcat
Guest
See my posts above. While such is good -such is not per se a description of PC.I think its supernatural sorrow, having experienced it myself. You are brought to a point of nothingness due to your sinful state and are immensely sorrowful due to falling out of grace and having offended God, who is worthy of all love and reverence to. You undoubtedly cry, are brought to a point of excessive tears. It’s just kind of like, super-sorrow, out of love for God. It’s redemptive.It fixes your heart through sorrow. And leads to being brought back into God’s favor.
S
Sirach2
Guest
I have worn the same shoes, Hakop. The sorrow for offending God is immense! With it comes a resolve never to sin again, and to go quickly to the sacraments. I like the gospel account of the woman who wiped Jesus’ feet with her tears of sorrow. Jesus commended her to such a high degree when He stated, “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Awesome!I think its supernatural sorrow, having experienced it myself. You are brought to a point of nothingness due to your sinful state and are immensely sorrowful due to falling out of grace and having offended God, who is worthy of all love and reverence to. You undoubtedly cry, are brought to a point of excessive tears. It’s just kind of like, super-sorrow, out of love for God. It’s redemptive.It fixes your heart through sorrow. And leads to being brought back into God’s favor.
What is memorable is that I never left Him again with deliberate sin.
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Leonhard
Guest
So you would say that if a person has perfect contrition, then they will never commit that sin again? I’m trying to think of how this case would apply to addicts recovering from a habitual sin.What is memorable is that I never left Him again with deliberate sin.
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Leonhard
Guest
I think the emotional sadness produced and especially tears can be a powerful sign that this person received perfect contrition, however its not necessary. Some persons are more emotional than others, and to worry that the contrition wasn’t perfect because of a lack of tears is to invite scruples in the people who fail to cry, and vanity in those who do.You undoubtedly cry, are brought to a point of excessive tears. It’s just kind of like, super-sorrow, out of love for God. It’s redemptive.It fixes your heart through sorrow. And leads to being brought back into God’s favor.
Sadness in the context of repentance always and only means recognising that what you did was wrong, regretting it and making a solemn decision never to do it again.
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Bookcat
Guest
No.So you would say that if a person has perfect contrition, then they will never commit that sin again? I’m trying to think of how this case would apply to addicts recovering from a habitual sin.
That does not necessarily follow.
One is though with all contrition to have a resolve at the time of the confession not to commit mortal sin again.
B
Bookcat
Guest
Correct.I think the emotional sadness produced and especially tears can be a powerful sign that this person received perfect contrition, however its not necessary. Some persons are more emotional than others, and to worry that the contrition wasn’t perfect because of a lack of tears is to invite scruples in the people who fail to cry, and vanity in those who do.
Contrition need not involve any “feeling”. It is not about feeling in essence but our will and the grace of God. Though feeling contrite is good of course…it is better. But feelings are not under our direct command…
L
Leonhard
Guest
Though one shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking that perfect contrition is easy either. It requires a will that motivates itself primarily out of love for God. Thomas Aquinas said that fear of Hell, loathing of sin and sadness for lost merit, while all lesser motives could move a soul towards perfect love, so if we feel these things that shouldn’t stop us from making an act of contrition.Correct.
Contrition need not involve any “feeling”. It is not about feeling in essence but our will and the grace of God. Though feeling contrite is good of course…it is better. But feelings are not under our direct command…
I think if any Catholic is serious about getting rid of their sins, frequently seek the sacraments and prays a lot, God will make it easy for a person to have this kind of contrition.
Its the golden key to heaven, we should all strive to achieve it by God’s grace.
Basically, as I understand it, it comes down to whether you love God for his own sake. If you do that, then when you ask for forgiveness, because you’ve violated God’s great gift He’s given you or fail Him, then you get it.
The downside is that we don’t get a sure external sign that this has happened to reassure us. Some get tears, others peace, all signs that aren’t all that clear in the end. That’s why we have the priest.
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Bookcat
Guest
It is important to note that in* by the grace of God.* And remember a person in a state of mortal sin - that person needs to be restored by the grace of God (from outside as it were). Be it in Confession or prior to confession via the grace of perfect contrition. It is not something that we “achieve” from within. For we are not yet in a state of Grace.Though one shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking that perfect contrition is easy either. It requires a will that motivates itself primarily out of love for God. Thomas Aquinas said that fear of Hell, loathing of sin and sadness for lost merit, while all lesser motives could move a soul towards perfect love, so if we feel these things that shouldn’t stop us from making an act of contrition.
I think if any Catholic is serious about getting rid of their sins, frequently seek the sacraments and prays a lot, God will make it easy for a person to have this kind of contrition.
Its the golden key to heaven, we should all strive to achieve it by God’s grace.
Basically, as I understand it, it comes down to whether you love God for his own sake. If you do that, then when you ask for forgiveness, because you’ve violated God’s great gift He’s given you or fail Him, then you get it.
The downside is that we don’t get a sure external sign that this has happened to reassure us. Some get tears, others peace, all signs that aren’t all that clear in the end. That’s why we have the priest.
Let us turn though if unhappily we fall into such – to the Good Shepherd and seek to the grace of perfect contrition and of course head off to confession as soon as one can.
Now if one is in a State of Grace - and one is talking about venial sins -such can be forgiven “from within” for one is in life. In grace. Via the various means I mentioned above.
1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity).
(such as I noted is compatible with lesser motives).
S
Sirach2
Guest
No, I’m just saying that was the case with me, that I was horrified at the thought that I might offend this loving God ever again. Perfect contrition is thought to be a “for the moment” sorrow. It suffices for a person on their death bed to die in God’s grace. It also suffices for a person to receive communion if they fully resolve to go to confession at the earliest moment.So you would say that if a person has perfect contrition, then they will never commit that sin again? I’m trying to think of how this case would apply to addicts recovering from a habitual sin.
However, it is possible that addicts can be sufficiently sorrowful that they will give up alcohol. I have heard such testimonies. It depends on the extremity of their sorrow. Are you familiar with Mary Magadalene being freed from sin and “sinning no more?”
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littlestsouls2
Guest
Here is a link to an excellent little pamphlet, titled ‘CONTRITION. The Golden Key of Paradise.
Key to Heaven.’ (by Rev. J Von Den Driesch):
pamphlets.org.au/docs/cts/australia/html/acts1325.html
Sample: “It is perfect when we are sorry through love of Him… we are sorry because sin offends God, Who is so good and infinitely loveable… It is like a child repenting of a fault because it has grieved its parents, who are so good and loving, and have done so much for it.”
Key to Heaven.’ (by Rev. J Von Den Driesch):
pamphlets.org.au/docs/cts/australia/html/acts1325.html
Sample: “It is perfect when we are sorry through love of Him… we are sorry because sin offends God, Who is so good and infinitely loveable… It is like a child repenting of a fault because it has grieved its parents, who are so good and loving, and have done so much for it.”
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