Act of Contrition
A prayer recited by the penitent during the Roman Catholic sacrament of Confession.
"O my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of Heaven
and the pains of Hell,
but most of all because I
offend Thee, my God,
Who art all-good and deserving
of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help
of Thy grace to confess my sins,
to do penance
and to amend my life. Amen."
"O My Lord, I am heartily sorry for all my sins,
help me to live like Jesus and not sin again.
Amen"
Version in use in Ireland, 1960s:
"O my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended Thee
and I detest my sins
above every other evil
because they displease Thee, my God,
Who, in Thy infinite wisdom,
art so deserving of all my love
and I firmly resolve
with the help of Thy grace
never more to offend Thee
and to amend my life. Amen."
