Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended You,
and I detest all my sins
because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell;
but most of all because they offend You, my God,
who are all-good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace,
to confess my sins, to do penance,
and to amend my life. Amen.

About the Act of Contrition

The Act of Contrition is a prayer expressing sorrow for sin and a resolve to amend one’s life. Its origins trace back to early Christian penitential practices, evolving through medieval confession rites into the form we use today. By acknowledging God’s mercy and pledging to turn from sin, it prepares the penitent’s heart for reconciliation, uniting personal repentance with the Church’s sacramental life.