Question about Contrition

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I was reading over the catechism when this section stood out:
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.
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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.
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My question has to do with contrition at the time of death. If one committed a mortal sin or sins, resolved to go to confession as early as possible, but dies beforehand, would possessing imperfect contrition instead of perfect contrition result in the mortal sin(s) not being forgiven by God? Would the person be in greater risk of damnation than had they possessed perfect contrition?
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
I was reading over the catechism when this section stood out:

My question has to do with contrition at the time of death. If one committed a mortal sin or sins, resolved to go to confession as early as possible, but dies beforehand, would possessing imperfect contrition instead of perfect contrition result in the mortal sin(s) not being forgiven by God? Would the person be in greater risk of damnation than had they possessed perfect contrition?
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Wow! That’s exactly what it sounds like. I always thought imperfect contrition on your deathbed was sufficient to save us from final damnation if we don’t have the opportunity to get to confession. Sounds like I was wrong! That is a shocker. We all know how difficult it is to have perfect contrition and sometimes imperfect is all we can muster up. If that is the case, then it goes to show just how urgently important it is to get to confession the moment we are conscious of grave matter!
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
I was reading over the catechism when this section stood out:

My question has to do with contrition at the time of death. If one committed a mortal sin or sins, resolved to go to confession as early as possible, but dies beforehand, would possessing imperfect contrition instead of perfect contrition result in the mortal sin(s) not being forgiven by God? Would the person be in greater risk of damnation than had they possessed perfect contrition?
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Yes.

But God can give them perfect contrition at the last moment…indeed his mercy can ‘come to the rescue’…but one should not “presume” on such of course.
 
Well, to be honest, this is really scary and depressing. 😦 I can resolve to go to confession as soon as possible but considering that my pastor is also the pastor of a parish in another city, he is often out of town. If I am unfortunate enough to be dying on a day he is away, and only possess imperfect contrition at the time…well…very scary. 😦 And depressing. I suppose I can only pray regularly for His mercy and hope.
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
Well, to be honest, this is really scary and depressing. 😦 I can resolve to go to confession as soon as possible but considering that my pastor is also the pastor of a parish in another city, he is often out of town. If I am unfortunate enough to be dying on a day he is away, and only possess imperfect contrition at the time…well…very scary. 😦 And depressing. I suppose I can only pray regularly for His mercy and hope.
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Remember in order to commit a mortal sin…one needs grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent (not partial either…)…let us live in the grace of God…as saints…

And if you do happen to commit such… if we should fall…let us call out to him our Good Shepherd…

You can make an act of perfect contrition (it can be mixed motive you know…it does not have to be absolutely purely only out of love of God)…

also one can go to any Priest…

and as I noted God can give one the grace ones needs in ones last moment…

Jesus is the Good Shepherd …who leaves the 99 and goes looking for the lost sheep…

Let us live in Christ with joy and trust…and in the reality of our being his:

"Moreover, our radical belonging to Christ and the fact that “we are in him” must imbue in us an attitude of total trust and immense joy. In short, we must indeed exclaim with St Paul: “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8: 31). And the reply is that nothing and no one “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8: 39). Our Christian life, therefore, stands on the soundest and safest rock one can imagine. And from it we draw all our energy, precisely as the Apostle wrote: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4: 13).

Therefore, let us face our life with its joys and sorrows supported by these great sentiments that Paul offers to us. By having an experience of them we will realize how true are the words the Apostle himself wrote: “I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me”; in other words, until the Day (II Tm 1: 12) of our definitive meeting with Christ the Judge, Saviour of the world and our Saviour. "

~Pope Benedict XVI (vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061108_en.html)
 
Very excellent points, Bookcat. Thank you very much. 🙂 The word “perfect” threw me off a bit. It seems I was reading it with a different definition than what the Church means. And as is often the case, I worry too much before investigating a matter further. Can you recommend a good resource on cultivating or developing perfect contrition? I’ve googled it but I keep getting short articles with helpful but limited information. Thanks again! 🙂
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
Very excellent points, Bookcat. Thank you very much. 🙂 The word “perfect” threw me off a bit. It seems I was reading it with a different definition than what the Church means. And as is often the case, I worry too much before investigating a matter further. Can you recommend a good resource on cultivating or developing perfect contrition? I’ve googled it but I keep getting short articles with helpful but limited information. Thanks again! 🙂
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You Prob read it already …but here is the Catechism:

451 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."50

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

(I would note though that when it says here that perfect contrition remits venial sins…it does not mean one needs perfect contrition to forgive venial sins…)
 
Bookcat said:
This will help…from the well known Theologian Fr. John Hardon:

catholicreference.net/index.cfm?id=35519
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Yes, that does seem to help. It was very clear. I was a bit confused because I thought perfect contrition was more of a feeling or something. I confess I am not all that in tune with my feelings or the more emotional side of life. Seeing that perfect contrition is more motive than feeling, if I am reading the Fr. Hardon correctly, it does not seem all that difficult to have, with God’s grace, of course. Am I correct?
 
Let us look at our Lord Jesus Christ…look at the Crucifix…see his love for us…his goodness…

and let us turn to him as did Peter and say:

Lord you know all things…you know that I love you!
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
Yes, that does seem to help. It was very clear. I was a bit confused because I thought perfect contrition was more of a feeling or something. I confess I am not all that in tune with my feelings or the more emotional side of life. Seeing that perfect contrition is more motive than feeling, if I am reading the Fr. Hardon correctly, it does not seem all that difficult to have, with God’s grace, of course. Am I correct?
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We do not have a dispotic control over our feelings…only a “diplomatic control”…our feelings do not always follow our will…(since the fall). And according to temperment or background some may have more…others less.

So while it is very good and better if our feelings follow our will in contrition…they do not always. The “sorrow” need not enter per se to our feelings.

As to easy or not…well such could be argued I suppose …but I think there is much that would go into answering such a question…like the relationship one has had with Christ…etc and of course the grace…and much that is mystery…and needing to be left to the mystery of God.

A harden sinner living for a long time in the state of mortal sin…may not have an easy time with “perfect contrition” …but then again God in his great mercy may surprise him.

One who has been living a Christian life for a long time…may have a more easy time of it…due to his long habit of returning quickly…

Various things I imagine could go into things…

But really such is difficult to know …

What is easier to know is the fact of the love of Jesus of Nazareth for his sheep…and his desire for their salvation…perhaps coming in with great graces in the last moment when door is just a little open…

In all things let us entrust ourselves to the Good Shepherd…who carries his sheep back on his shoulders… and let us look to his love and his goodness…and love him…

here is a quote about St. Joan of Arc (Jeanne de Arc)

“Asked if she knew that she was in God’s grace, she replied: ‘If I am not, may it please God to put me in it; if I am, may it please God to keep me there.’” (CCC 2005)
 
Thanks again for your assistance. And thanks especially for the qoute from St. Joan of Arc. When I joined the Church, I took her name at baptism and confirmation and I frequently seek her intercession. Thank you.
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
Thanks again for your assistance. And thanks especially for the qoute from St. Joan of Arc. When I joined the Church, I took her name at baptism and confirmation and I frequently seek her intercession. Thank you.
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St. Jeanne de Arc Ora Pro Nobis!

Her little statue is in my house…which I brought back from near the house she was born in in France.

I too was received into the Church…

If I can be of any other help feel free to pm

Have a blessed Day of the Lord!
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
Well, to be honest, this is really scary and depressing. 😦 I can resolve to go to confession as soon as possible but considering that my pastor is also the pastor of a parish in another city, he is often out of town. If I am unfortunate enough to be dying on a day he is away, and only possess imperfect contrition at the time…well…very scary. 😦 And depressing. I suppose I can only pray regularly for His mercy and hope.
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I believe the idea is to keep yourself out of the state of mortal sin and if you happen to find yourself in the state of mortal sin, then get to confession at your earliest opportunity. Do not delay because serious matter is serious matter. But in the meantime, avoid sin and avoid the near occasion of sin.

Remember, we do not fall into mortal sin by accident. It is a choice we make to turn against God. Keep yourself out of that state and you’ll be fine.

This is why it is so important to take advantage of the sacraments as much as possible. You know, going to confession often (even when you have no mortal sins to confess), gives you the grace and strength necessary to live and more perfect and Christ-like lilfe. The more often you go, the more you see sin with Christ’s eyes, rather than your own. Seeing your sins with Christ’s eyes enables you to have perfect contrition. You see how horribly offensive your sins are to Christ and it becomes repugnant to commit sin because you don’t want to offend Him. This is a beautiful gift that comes gradually (not overnight) through FREQUENT reception of the sacraments (i.e. confession and the Eucharist).
 
Bookcat said:
St. Jeanne de Arc Ora Pro Nobis!

Her little statue is in my house…which I brought back from near the house she was born in in France.
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That is awesome! 🙂
RosaryFan said:
I believe the idea is to keep yourself out of the state of mortal sin and if you happen to find yourself in the state of mortal sin, then get to confession at your earliest opportunity. Do not delay because serious matter is serious matter. But in the meantime, avoid sin and avoid the near occasion of sin.

Remember, we do not fall into mortal sin by accident. It is a choice we make to turn against God. Keep yourself out of that state and you’ll be fine.

This is why it is so important to take advantage of the sacraments as much as possible. You know, going to confession often (even when you have no mortal sins to confess), gives you the grace and strength necessary to live and more perfect and Christ-like lilfe. The more often you go, the more you see sin with Christ’s eyes, rather than your own. Seeing your sins with Christ’s eyes enables you to have perfect contrition. You see how horribly offensive your sins are to Christ and it becomes repugnant to commit sin because you don’t want to offend Him. This is a beautiful gift that comes gradually (not overnight) through FREQUENT reception of the sacraments (i.e. confession and the Eucharist).
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All very good points. I went to confession this morning and was discussing some of this with the priest. He said I am suffering from scrupulosity. Probably explains a lot…:o
 
ChristIsTheWay said:
That is awesome! 🙂

All very good points. I went to confession this morning and was discussing some of this with the priest. He said I am suffering from scrupulosity. Probably explains a lot…:o
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You are not alone! There are many, many on these threads who suffer from scrupulosity. Just try to remember that if you start obsessing over something (I know - easier said than done). Did the priest offer any advice on how to deal with it?
 
He suggested that I might want to go to confession about once a month, instead of weekly. He also encouraged me not to over think the venial sins I commit. I often over think them and become concerned they might have been mortal. He also suggested that I do my best with making the perfect act of contrition and trust in God. He seems to have experience dealing with people suffering from scrupulosity but he is a retired priest filling in for my parish pastor for a couple of weeks. I think he left today. I’ll have to meet with the parish priest in order to discuss the problem with him and maybe get some long term help. And thank you for the encouragement. 🙂
 
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