Act of Contrition # 1

Prayer # 1
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell.

But most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Amen.

---

The background story of Act of Contrition # 1

The Act of Contrition #1 is a Catholic prayer recited during the Sacrament of Confession. Its origins can be traced back to the early Church when penitents were required to perform public acts of contrition.

During the Middle Ages, the practice of private confession became more common, and the text of the Act of Contrition began to take shape. The earliest versions were simple statements of regret for sins committed.

Over time, the prayer became more elaborate, incorporating language from the Psalms and other scriptural sources. The version of the Act of Contrition most commonly used today was first printed in a French prayer book in the 16th century.

In 1908, the Catholic Church standardized the Act of Contrition, though variations still exist between different language groups. Nevertheless, the prayer remains an essential part of the Catholic sacrament of Confession, offering a way for the penitent to express sorrow for sins and resolve to do better in the future.

Through the centuries, the Act of Contrition has been a source of comfort and guidance for countless Catholics seeking forgiveness and renewal. Its enduring popularity testifies to the enduring power of prayer to shape human lives and offer hope in times of struggle and uncertainty.