Catholic Prayers
Act of Contrition
A prayer for sorrow for sin and the hope of forgiveness.
This prayer can be written out by hand and carried into St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Send it in.
You are carrying a sorrow for sin and a desire to be made clean again.
A Prayer for Contrition
An Act of Contrition
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.
A Prayer for Mercy
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I turn to you in sorrow for my sins and ask for your healing grace. Forgive me, renew me, and lead me in your ways.
For a Renewed Heart
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Short Prayers for Contrition
- Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
- Forgive me my sins, O Lord.
- I am sorry for all my sins.
- Cleanse me from my iniquity.
- Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
- Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
Prayers for Contrition in Confession
Before Confession
Lord, prepare my heart to make a good confession. Help me to see my sins clearly, to be truly sorry for them, and to confess them fully. Give me the grace of a sincere and humble contrition.
After Confession
O God, I thank you for the gift of your forgiveness poured out in this sacrament. Help me to remember your mercy and to live a new life in your grace. Strengthen me against temptation and keep me faithful to you.
When the Weight of Sin Feels Heavy
Lord, my sins are many and my guilt weighs heavily upon me. I come to you in my weakness and shame, asking for your compassion. Do not look upon my sins but upon the faith of your Church and the love of your Son who died for me. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear your voice of pardon and peace.
What Scripture Says
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. — Psalm 51:1
A prayer from a heart aware of its need for God's cleansing.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9
God's promise to those who turn to him in truth.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. — Psalm 51:17
God draws near to the humble and sorrowful.
I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. — Luke 15:7
Heaven rejoices when we return to God.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. — Isaiah 55:7
God's call to turn back and his promise to forgive.
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. — Colossians 1:13-14
Through Christ, we are forgiven and set free.
Questions People Ask
What is an Act of Contrition? An Act of Contrition is a prayer expressing sorrow for sin, hatred for sin, and a firm purpose of amendment. It is often said in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
When should I say an Act of Contrition? It is appropriate anytime you wish to express sorrow for your sins to God, especially before sleep, after examining your conscience, or when preparing for or leaving confession.
Do I need to be Catholic to pray for contrition? No. Anyone who seeks God's mercy and forgiveness with a sincere heart can pray these prayers. God hears the cry of every contrite soul.
What if I don't feel sorry for my sins? Sorrow is an act of the will, not just a feeling. Ask God for the grace of contrition. Praying these words can help form a disposition of true repentance in your heart.
Why confess my sins to a priest? Catholics believe Christ entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to his Apostles and their successors. Confessing to a priest is the ordinary way Christ offers us the assurance of sacramental forgiveness and grace.
Related Prayers
- /prayer-library/prayer-for-forgiveness
- /prayer-library/penitential-psalms
- /prayer-library/prayer-before-confession
- /prayer-library/mercy-prayers
These prayers of contrition can be sent to St. Peter's Basilica, carried into the heart of the Church.