The Act of Contrition is part of the Sacrament of Penance and is prayed by the penitent after the priest assigns a penance and before he gives the penitent absolution. It is also customarily said especially before one goes to bed at night. It is generally supposed that individuals might have recourse to an Act of Contrition when they find themselves in extremis. Fulton Sheen recounts a story told of John Vianney. When a recent widow bemoaned the death of her husband who committed suicide by jumping off a bridge, Monsieur le Curé observed, "Remember, Madam, that there is a little distance between the bridge and the water." By this he meant that her husband had time to make an Act of Contrition. This is analogous to the well-known quote, "Between the stirrup and the ground, he something sought and something found," indicating that mercy is available when sought. The prayer expresses in words a deeply personal "act" that engages a person's affections and will.
A particular Latin formula and its English translations
Within the Catholic Church, the term "act of contrition" is often applied to one particular formula, which is not given expressly in the handbook of Indulgences. The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that "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.' When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’. 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". Catholic teaching holds that "imperfect" contrition, is also a gift of God. Born of fear of eternal damnation or other penalties, it is nonetheless sufficient to inspire a valid Act of Contrition. There are different versions of the Act of Contrition, but all generally include an expression of sorrow, an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a promise to amend one's life and avoid sin. Thehe Latin text and a number of English versions that approximate to the Latin text are given here.
Latin text and other English variants
Traditional version
A popular Catholic American English version
A modern version taught in Religious Education
Irish version
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee: and I detest my sins most sincerely because they displease Thee, my God, Who art so deserving of all my love for Thy infinite goodness and most amiable perfections: and I firmly purpose by Thy holy grace never more to offend Thee.
Nigerian version
O my God, because You are so good, I am truly sorry that I have sinned against You and by the help of Your grace, I will not sin again.
Other formulas for acts of contrition
Sacrosanctum concilium called for the revision of the Rite of Penance so that it more clearly express both the nature and effect of the sacrament. Consequently, the Rite of Penance was revised in 1973. The revised rite offered several possible options for making an Act of Contrition. One may choose one of the general formula prayers or other prayers of contrition. The following are some formulas for acts of contrition that differ more considerably from the Latin text given above.
Modernized forms can be found in other Anglican Prayer Books.
Lutheran formula
The Lutheran Church also has its own act of contrition, which is said during Holy Absolution. The following version, taken from the Lutheran Service Book, says:
