Act of Contrition Prayer
The Act of Contrition is the prayer Catholics pray during the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), right after naming their sins to the priest and before receiving absolution. It expresses sorrow for sin, a resolve to avoid it going forward, and trust in God's mercy — the heart of what Confession is actually about. Below you'll find the traditional English text most Catholics learn as children, a contemporary form, a prayer to pray before Confession, and a short prayer before receiving Communion.
You'll also find a simple guide to what Confession involves and the difference between venial and mortal sin. Confession can feel intimidating, especially if it's been a long time, but the priest is there to help you, not to judge you — the Church has heard every kind of sin before, and mercy is the whole point of the sacrament.
The Act of Contrition — Traditional Text
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.
A Shorter Act of Contrition (Contemporary Form)
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
A Prayer Before Confession
Lord, help me examine my conscience honestly, without hiding and without excusing myself. Give me the courage to name my sins plainly to the priest, and the trust to believe that Your mercy in this sacrament is real. Amen.
A Prayer Before Receiving Communion
Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Cleanse my heart before I receive You, and let this Communion draw me closer to Your grace. Amen.
A Short Prayer of Sorrow
Lord, forgive me; I did not mean to stray so far from You. Amen.
Scripture to pray
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.— James 5:16
If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.— John 20:23
Frequently asked questions
How do you go to Confession (the Sacrament of Reconciliation)?
Begin by examining your conscience — honestly reviewing where you've fallen short since your last Confession. In the confessional, you tell the priest how long it's been, name your sins as plainly as you can, listen to any counsel he offers, and receive a penance (usually a short prayer or act) to complete afterward. You then pray an Act of Contrition, and the priest gives absolution in God's name. It can feel intimidating the first time back, but the priest's role is to help you receive God's mercy, not to judge you.
What is the difference between venial and mortal sin?
A venial sin is a lesser offense — it wounds your relationship with God but doesn't destroy the grace of God within you. A mortal sin is serious wrongdoing done with full knowledge and full, deliberate consent, and it breaks communion with God entirely. The Church teaches that anyone conscious of a mortal sin should go to Confession before receiving Communion, while venial sins can be confessed regularly as part of ongoing spiritual growth even though they don't bar you from the Eucharist.
Which saints are especially associated with penance and forgiveness?
St. Mary Magdalene is long associated with repentance and Christ's forgiveness. St. Augustine's own dramatic conversion, recorded in his Confessions, is often read as a model of turning fully back to God. St. Padre Pio spent decades as a confessor known for his gentleness with penitents. And devotion to Divine Mercy, rooted in the revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska, centers entirely on trusting God's mercy in Confession.