PRO EXAMEN

ACTVS CONTRITIONIS PERFECTAE

Act of Perfect Contrition

The Act of Perfect Contrition expresses sorrow for sin arising from love of God rather than merely from fear of punishment. Perfect contrition, with the intention to confess, forgives even mortal sins before absolution—a crucial prayer when confession is unavailable.

Actus Contritionis Perfectae dolorem pro peccato ex amore Dei oriundum exprimit, non tantum ex metu poenae.

LATINE
Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet 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.
Diligo Te, Domine, super omnia.
Utinam Te numquam offendissem.
Utinam omnia peccata vitae praeteritae rescindere possem.
Mori mallem quam iterum peccare.
Deus meus, quia Tu es bonitas infinita et infinite amabilis,
diligo Te super omnia;
et propter Te diligo proximum meum sicut meipsum.
Iesu, Deus meus, diligo Te super omnia.
ENGLISH
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.
I love Thee, O Lord, above all things.
I wish I had never offended Thee.
I wish I could undo all the sins of my past life.
I would rather die than sin again.
My God, because Thou art infinite Goodness, and infinitely amiable,
I love Thee above all things;
and for Thy sake I love my neighbour as myself.
Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things.
NOTA
FONS
Raccolta (1910); Actus Contritionis Traditionalis
USUS
During confession, when in danger of death, daily prayer
CONTEXT
Perfect contrition (from love of God) forgives mortal sins even outside confession, provided one intends to confess. Imperfect contrition (attrition, from fear) suffices within the sacrament.