by Stephen Taylor

Created on: February 24, 2009

The act of contrition comes at the end of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and before the receiving of forgiveness. The Act of Contrition cannot be separated from the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

To Protestants, the entire Sacrament of Reconciliation is a mystery, one which seems like an excuse to commit any sin, then go to confession for forgiveness. It is not that simple. If there is no true contrition, there is no true forgiveness. According to the

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1492 states "Repentance (also called contrition) must be inspired by motives that arise from faith. If repentance arises from love of charity for God, it is called "perfect" contrition; if it is founded on other motives, it is called "imperfect."" In other words, it is easy to say I'm sorry and not be the least bit sorry. The more technical meaning of imperfect is fear of hell as a motive for contrition. That is a very sorry reason for contrition, because it says "I don't want to go to hell," and not, "I love God too much to have this sin as a wall between us."

While there are many written Acts of Contrition, some priests like for the penitent to say something more personal, a prayer reflecting the persons intention for amendment of life. Paragraph 1451 of the Catechism says "Among the penitents 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.'" It should be easy to see that the act of contrition is more than a written prayer said by rote, it is an interior movement and renunciation.

When a catholic goes to the Sacrament of Reconciliation they go because their love of God (hopefully) impels them to confess sin, have it removed from their conscience, and most important of all, to turn away from a practice, or act, that places a barrier between themselves and God. Otherwise, the Protestant assertion is true, that we confess only to get clean so we can go commit the same sin again. Unfortunately, that may be the case in far too many catholics, but for those to whom the faith is real and the love of God is real, the Act of Contrition is a moment of tremendous emotional, and spiritual impact.

To compare this true impact the Act of Contrition should have on the penitent let us consider Luke 15:11-32, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The son runs off, loses everything in riotous living, and after eating what the pigs eat comes home to a loving father. That is an Act of Contrition that is perfect. He has seen the effects of his sin, he is sorrowful, and returns to his father with no hope but to be treated as a slave. Yet, upon his arrival finds a father who is more than willing to accept him and love him. And why? Because, "because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found."

That is what the Act of Contrition means to a Catholic.

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