Why can't I seem to memorize the Act of Contrition?

[whatevergirl]

I LOVE the idea of incorporating the A of C in my everyday prayer life–that is excellent. How dumb that I hadn’t thought of that!

Hey–for those who tell me ‘what you say,’ is it suitable (acceptable) to make it up as we go along?

 

[whatevergirl]

SLOWLY read and say (out loud) this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast)

…then QUICKLY read and say the same thing 12 times.

Then, say (without reading) this 6 times:

I confess to almighty God

…then say this 6 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,

…then say this 6 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast)

…then SLOWLY read and say (out loud) this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast),

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

…then QUICKLY read and say the same thing 12 times.

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

in my thoughts and in my words,

…then say (without reading) this 6 times:

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,

…then say (without reading) this 6 times:

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

…then SLOWLY read and say (out loud) this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast),

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

…then QUICKLY read and say the same thing 12 times.

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Then say this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast),

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

If you need to “peek”, that’s OK, but if you do it too often, go back one “section” (whatever you consider one section) and get that section down pat before continuing on.

I actually have no problem with the lengthy profession of faith!!! It’s the shorter A of C that I struggle with!!

 

[rotlex]

This is the one we’re teaching kids now:
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us. In His Name, my God, have mercy. Amen.”

Wow, that is the one I use to this day, I’m 41, and I can swear it is the same one I learned many, many years ago. Not doubting it might be knew, but it is the only one I have every memorized.

 

[EasterJoy]

I actually have no problem with the lengthy profession of faith!!! It’s the shorter A of C that I struggle with!!

I will tell you a funny story.

There was a parish I used to go to that had a priest who, when it was his turn to preach, would get up and recite the Gospel for that week from memory. I kid you not. This wasn’t a paraphrase. He knew it. Then, when it came time for the Creed, he would get out the missal and read the Creed out of the book!

One day, he stopped before the Creed and remarked that one of the children of the parish had asked him about this. His answer? Well, by the time he had mulled over the Gospel for a whole week prior to preaching on it, he knew it through and through. As for the Creed, he recited the rosary so often that he had a hard time with automatically launching into the Apostle’s Creed instead of the Nicene Creed! So he had to read that, to keep from stumbling.

Some people find that they enter a different space-time continuum in the confessional. They just can’t remember anything. Or they can’t remember their Act of Contrition. It is OK to read your Act of Contrition, if you can’t remember it. It even happens to people with good memories!

 

[EasterJoy]

Wow, that is the one I use to this day, I’m 41, and I can swear it is the same one I learned many, many years ago. Not doubting it might be knew, but it is the only one I have every memorized.

I learned the old one, but I actually like this newer one better. It seems like teaching kids to recite that one fears “the loss of heaven and the pains of hell” or even “just punishment” tempts toward imperfect contrition. On the other hand, an honest prayer is an honest prayer. Whatever reflects one’s actual state of contrition seems appropriate to me.

An old one (I am sure there are many). The “original” is what my parents taught me; the “newer” one is what was being taught in catechism class in our parish at the time. It’s obvious from the inclusion of the intention to confess one’s sins that this one was meant for daily use:

Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee. I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell (newer: “because of your just punishments” OR “because of their just consequences”) but most of all because I have offended thee, oh my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmy intend, with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and amend my life. Amen.

 

[whatevergirl]

I learned the old one, but I actually like this newer one better. It seems like teaching kids to recite that one fears “the loss of heaven and the pains of hell” or even “just punishment” tempts toward imperfect contrition. On the other hand, an honest prayer is an honest prayer. Whatever reflects one’s actual state of contrition seems appropriate to me.

An old one (I am sure there are many). The “original” is what my parents taught me; the “newer” one is what was being taught in catechism class in our parish at the time. It’s obvious from the inclusion of the intention to confess one’s sins that this one was meant for daily use:

Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee. I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell (newer: “because of your just punishments” OR “because of their just consequences”) but most of all because I have offended thee, oh my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmy intend, with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and amend my life. Amen.

**I prefer (love) that one, Easter–in PA, this is the one I used and said…"because of your just punishments.’ To me, that is such a truly sorrowful compilation of sentiments–the one you post here. I think it is more meaningful, the language more heartfelt than the newer version. Now, this is just my humble opinion–feel free to use whatever one you like.

PS: That is a funny story about the priest memorizing the Gospels, but not the Creed! Guess we all have our moments!

And, I’m glad to see I’m not alone, everyone. **

 

[CatsAndDogs]

I actually have no problem with the lengthy profession of faith!!! It’s the shorter A of C that I struggle with!!

Oh! OK.

In that case, to quote Miss Rosannadanna, “Never Mind!”.

 

[EasterJoy]

**I prefer (love) that one, Easter–in PA, this is the one I used and said…"because of your just punishments.’ To me, that is such a truly sorrowful compilation of sentiments–the one you post here. I think it is more meaningful, the language more heartfelt than the newer version. Now, this is just my humble opinion–feel free to use whatever one you like. **

Your favorite is the one my parents still use every night. I like the use of the word “detest” in the ones I was taught in childhood, and I like the remembering the saving death and resurrection of Our Lord in the one taught now. I go back and forth, which causes me a little trouble (like that priest!) when teaching religious education. I would probably do better to choose one and stick with it!

 

[Cari]

It helps to remember the elements

1. I’m sorry for my sins.
2. Why? Because it hurts You.
3. I promise to make to avoid sin or avoid temptation.

I also have a hard time memorizing this one, but I’m a highly visual learner, so you know what I did?

I had my child draw me a picture for each “part” of the prayer, which was broken up much like Leonie did. That way, I was able to visualize my child’s drawings, and from there could remember that section of the prayer.

If you’re not a visual learner, figure out the way you best learn, and come up with a way to hook that on to the memorization.

 

[the_phoenix]

Why can’t you seem to memorize the Act of Contrition?

Maybe for the same reason why I can’t seem to memorize the Memorare … Because much as I tell myself I’d like to everytime I hear or read this prayer somewhere, I never actually get around to sitting down and making myself learn it by rote?

I really do need to memorize this prayer, as it’s so very basic, it’s short and simple, and it would be very beneficial to my prayer life.

Maybe we need to keep each other accountable? You learn your prayer, I learn mine, we give each other a week and see how we’re doing?

~~ the phoenix

 

[krissy343]

We would say it every morning in grade/middle school along with the Pledge of Allegiance and while it’s very basic, it serves it’s purpose.

Oh my God I love you and because I love you I’m sorry for having offended you. I promise, with your help, to try to do better and to sin no more. Amen

Again, very basic, but I use it in confession and have never heard any complaints from the Priest. Hope this helps!

 

[krissy343]

Also, a couple of months ago I went to confession and for whatever reason I drew a blank when it was time for the Act of Contrition. I just made up my own. Worked just fine

 

[brigid12]

This helps if you can remember it in the Confessional - that is my problem. I get in there, I confess my sins, get my penance, say an Act of Contrition, start the one I learned in Grade School and can recite anywhere else (and it is not a short version) then apologize to Father that I forgot and then ask him what my penance was again before I leave. There is something about the Confessional that makes me very forgetful.

Brenda V.

Yup, no matter how much I’ve memorized prayers outside of the confessional and how many countless times I’ve used the confessional, when it comes to inside I either need cheat sheets/cards - for both the A of C and the sins I fully recognize I’ve committed - or to just kneel there stammering.

I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that “freezes” in the confessional.

 

[Jennifer_J]

Yup, no matter how much I’ve memorized prayers outside of the confessional and how many countless times I’ve used the confessional, when it comes to inside I either need cheat sheets/cards - for both the A of C and the sins I fully recognize I’ve committed - or to just kneel there stammering.I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that “freezes” in the confessional.

As a convert, the confessional makes me nervous. To feel more comfortable, I take the prayer in with me. Why make myself more crazy than I need to (or than I already am )?* It doesn’t ‘have’ to be memorized as long as the sentiment is there that you are truly sorry. My kids know it by heart and I’ve helped them learn it, but I can’t remember it when I need to because of my nerves.

 

[igator99]

SLOWLY read and say (out loud) this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast)

…then QUICKLY read and say the same thing 12 times.

Then, say (without reading) this 6 times:

I confess to almighty God

…then say this 6 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,

…then say this 6 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast)

…then SLOWLY read and say (out loud) this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast),

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

…then QUICKLY read and say the same thing 12 times.

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

in my thoughts and in my words,

…then say (without reading) this 6 times:

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,

…then say (without reading) this 6 times:

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

…then SLOWLY read and say (out loud) this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast),

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

…then QUICKLY read and say the same thing 12 times.

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,

Then say (without reading) this 6 times:

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Then say this 12 times:

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault (strike breast),

in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;

and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

If you need to “peek”, that’s OK, but if you do it too often, go back one “section” (whatever you consider one section) and get that section down pat before continuing on.

Is this the act of contrition? I thought it started with I’m so sorry for having offended thee. This is the prayer I remember before communion. Is it the same thing?

 

[dove51]

I’m the same way. I have to say things daily (or nightly) to remember them. It was this way with the Hail Holy Queen and Apostles Creed and the A o C for me too. Once a night until I learn them by heart, and then I run them through in my head whenever I have time, sitting in traffic and whatnot. Right now I’m working on the Pater Noster.

I also write my sins on a post-it note for confession every time. Can’t for the life of me remember 2 weeks worth of sins.

 

[Nickkname]

**Hi everyone;

Not sure if you have any memorizing tips…is it ‘bad’ that I don’t have this memorized? I have been going to confession regularly, like every 3 weeks for years, now–you’d think I would have this memorized!

My dd is cute. We went to confession on Saturday, and I handed her a card with the A of C on it before heading into the confessional, and she looked at me and said…‘mommy, I know it by heart.’

I don’t normally have trouble memorizing things, but there was a day that I didn’t have my prayer card with me, and there was no ‘sign’ with it listed in the confessional. (this was a few months ago) I told the priest that day…never forget…in a sheepish voice…‘I don’t know it by heart.’ He said, that is ok, and then he went on to absolve me. I felt so stupid!

Anyways…now I make sure I have my prayer card with me at all times.

Just sharing…and looking for memorization advice. **

A simple “Jesus, mercy!” is enough for the act of contrition, so long as you pray with the correct intention.

Other forms of the act of contrition include:

• “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
• “O my God, I am wholeheartedly sorry for and detest all my sins, which have offended Thee, and, I ask Thee to look with mercy upon me. Grant me, O Lord, the graces I need to make a good confession, to do penance for my sins, and to never sin again.”
• “Jesus, I weep at Your feet, for I have offended You, my Lord, by my sins, which I detest and which I am so sorry for. Sweet Jesus, I promise, by Your grace, to do penance and to resolve to never sin again.”
• “Holy God, I have offended Thee by my sins! I detest all my sins and I beg of Thee, through Mary, to grant me the graces which I need to make confession, do penance, and never offend You again.”

 

[Genesis12345]

Hi everyone;

You do not have to memorize the Act of Contrition. If you forgot your card just tell the priest you are sorry for these sins and ask forgiveness.

Isn’t that why you are there in the first place, because you are sorry?

I never use the Act of Contrition because there are some beautiful ones from a prayer book I use. I try to use a different one each time I go.

Also, you can make up your own. So, do not get caught up on remembering your Act of Contrition, whatever words you use, God will forgive you.