Perfect Contrition
Perhaps you have heard your parents speak of making a Perfect Contrition. What is that? It is explained in the Catechism, paragraphs 1451 and 1452. The section containing these paragraphs is titled The Acts of the Penitent-Contrition. I bring this to your attention from the last line of today’s first reading.
“That is what some of you used to be; but now you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
You are washed (cleaned from original sin), sanctified (made holy), and are justified (an adopted child of God). From 1451, we can seek God’s forgiveness. I remind people every time you commit a sin ask for God’s forgiveness. Your sin does not define who you are. You are a holy child of God.
1452: When (we ask for forgiveness) it arises from a love by which God is lived above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.
This is the power of a perfect contrition. It is not a magical spell but an act of love, a love for God. Even without sin, this is such a great act of love I suggest you memorize the prayer of contrition, there are about 32 variations, or make up your own prayer, and then repeat it often, particularly before going to sleep.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen