What is perfect contrition?

[Schatzl]

This seems really confusing to me. Does this mean that our mortal sins can be forgiven outside of the confessional? How do we know if we are perfectly contrite? Or if our sins were forgiven this way? Thank you.

 

[Ana_v]

This seems really confusing to me. Does this mean that our mortal sins can be forgiven outside of the confessional? How do we know if we are perfectly contrite? Or if our sins were forgiven this way? Thank you.

Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin that is motivated out of love for God; you are sorry because you offended him.

Imperfect contrition is sorrow for sin that is motivated out of fear of God’s justice; you are sorry because you fear the pains of Purgatory or Hell.

Imperfect and perfect contrition, are not mutually exclusive. One can have both.

For a valid confession, only imperfect contrition is necessary.

Yes, it is possible for our mortal sins to be forgiven outside of the confessional, if and when we make an act of perfect contrition. However, we cannot be absolutely certain that our contrition is perfect, and for this reason, we are morally obligated to abstain from Hoy Communion until we have sacramentally confessed our mortal sins. There are exceptions to this condition, in extraordinary circumstances, such as cases in which death is imminent, and you have recourse to Holy Communion but not to confession. In which case I strongly recommend praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

 

[thistle]

This seems really confusing to me. Does this mean that our mortal sins can be forgiven outside of the confessional? How do we know if we are perfectly contrite? Or if our sins were forgiven this way? Thank you.

In addition to what Ana v said an act of perfect contrition is conditional upon the firm intent to get to Confession as soon as possible. Without that intent it is not valid.
Then there is the real issue of being sure or not about having made an act of perfect contrition. Personally, I do not believe we can ever be sure that we have made an act of perfect contrition.
The bottom line is if you commit a mortal sin get to Confession as soon as possible then you don’t have to worry if your contrition is perfect or imperfect.