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Act of Contrition
A prayer expressing sorrow for sins, prayed during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
History
Various forms of the Act of Contrition have been used throughout Church history. This traditional form emphasizes both imperfect contrition (fear of punishment) and perfect contrition (love of God).
When to Pray
This prayer is prayed during Confession after confessing your sins, and can be prayed anytime you want to express sorrow for sin.