Act of Contrition

The Prayer That Completes Confession

After naming their sins and receiving a penance in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the penitent prays an Act of Contrition before the priest offers absolution. The Church requires genuine sorrow for sin ("contrition") for the sacrament to be fruitful (CCC 1451); this short prayer is how that sorrow is voiced aloud. Several worded versions are in common use across English-speaking dioceses — the one below is the version currently used by the USCCB.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, 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.

An Older, Widely-Used Alternate Form

O my God, I am sorry and repent with all my heart for all the wrong I have done and for the good I have failed to do, because by sinning I have offended you, who are all good and worthy to be loved above all things. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid the occasions of sin. Through the merits of the Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ, Lord, have mercy.

Helper

1. Either version above is accepted in confession — you do not need to memorize a specific one; you may also express contrition in your own words.
2. Note the two motives named: fear of "just punishments" (imperfect contrition, still sufficient for the sacrament) and love of God "who are all good" (perfect contrition) — the Church accepts both, but names the difference (CCC 1452-1453).
3. If you go blank in the confessional, simply saying "I am sorry for my sins" is enough — the priest will not expect word-perfect recitation.