Prayer of the Church

Act of Contrition — Actus Contritionis

Said in confession, and every night before sleep

LatinEnglish

Deus meus, ex toto corde paenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins, and I detest them, because in sinning I have deserved the punishments you have justly decreed, but most of all because I have offended you, the highest good, who are worthy to be loved above all things. Therefore I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

SourcePrayer of the Church · Said in confession, and every night before sleep

The history of this prayer

The Council of Trent defined contrition as sorrow of soul and detestation of the sin committed, with the resolve to sin no more, and gave it first place among the acts of the penitent. The Act of Contrition puts it into words: sorrow for the punishment deserved and, above all, for having offended the One who is worthy of all love.

There are many formulas; this one, in Latin and English, is among the best known. It is said in Confession, after telling one's sins, and also every night in the examination of conscience.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Act of Contrition said in Confession?

After confessing one's sins and receiving the penance, before absolution.

What is perfect contrition?

Sorrow out of love for God, above fear of punishment. With the resolve to go to Confession as soon as possible, it obtains forgiveness even of grave sins (Catechism, 1452).

Must it be exactly this formula?

No. Any approved formula, or one's own words expressing sorrow and resolve, will do.

More prayers: Every Catholic's prayers

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