130+ Act of Contrition Prayers: Traditional & Modern

The Act of Contrition prayer is said after Confession to express sorrow for sin and ask God’s mercy. This guide gives 130+ Act of Contrition prayers, including traditional, short, modern, children’s, Latin, saints’, and multilingual versions.

Traditional Act of Contrition Prayers

Classic Traditional Act of Contrition Prayers

• O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments.
• O my God, I am sorry for my sins because they offend You, who are all good and deserving of all my love.
• My God, I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the occasions of sin.
• Lord, I am sorry for every sin I have committed, whether in thought, word, or deed.
• O my God, I detest my sins above every other evil, because they displease You, my Creator and Redeemer.
• Father, I confess my wrongdoing and ask for the grace to turn away from sin completely.

Baltimore Catechism Act of Contrition Prayers

• 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.
• My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart, because they offend You, who are 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.
• O my God, my sins wound Your infinite goodness, and I am truly sorry for offending You.
• Lord Jesus, I acknowledge my sins before You and ask for forgiveness through Your mercy.
• Heavenly Father, I regret every fault I have committed and promise to strive for holiness.

New and Modern Act of Contrition Prayers

Official Modern Act of Contrition Prayers

• 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.
• 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.
• Lord, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things, and I ask for Your pardon.
• God of mercy, I confess my failures and commit to living according to Your commandments.
• Merciful Father, I turn away from sin and turn toward You with a contrite heart.

Contemporary Act of Contrition Prayers

• Lord, forgive me for the times I failed to love You and my neighbor as I should.
• God, I am sorry for my sins and ask for the strength to live a better life.
• Father, cleanse my heart and help me choose good over evil each day.
• Jesus, I trust in Your mercy and ask forgiveness for my sins.
• Holy Spirit, guide me away from sin and toward a life of virtue.
• Lord, renew my spirit and help me walk in Your light.

More Posts:130+ Prayers for Pets for Protection, Adoption, Training & Care

Short Act of Contrition Prayers

One-Line Act of Contrition Prayers

• My God, I am sorry for my sins; help me sin no more.
• Lord, forgive me; I am truly sorry for offending You.
• God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
• Jesus, I repent and ask for Your forgiveness.
• Father, cleanse me and renew my heart.
• Lord, I turn away from sin and toward You.

Quick Act of Contrition Prayers for Confession

• My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
• Lord, I regret my sins and resolve to avoid them.
• God, forgive my faults and guide my steps.
• Jesus, wash away my sins and grant me peace.
• Father, I confess my sins and ask for absolution.
• Lord, have mercy on me and help me change.

Act of Contrition Prayers for Children

Simple Act of Contrition Prayers for Kids

• Dear God, I am sorry for being unkind and disobedient.
• Jesus, help me be a better boy or girl every day.
• Lord, forgive me when I do something wrong.
• God, I promise to try my best to be good.
• Father, thank You for loving me even when I make mistakes.
• Jesus, help me say sorry and mean it.

First Confession Act of Contrition Prayers

• Dear God, this is my first time in Confession, and I am sorry for my sins.
• Jesus, help me remember to be kind, honest, and obedient.
• Lord, I promise with Your help to do better.
• God, thank You for forgiving me through the priest.
• Father, I want to grow closer to You every day.
• Jesus, guide my heart so I can choose good always.

Perfect Act of Contrition Prayers

Perfect Act of Contrition Prayers for Mortal Sin

• O my God, I am sorry for my sins, not from fear of punishment, but because they offend You, whom I love above all things.
• Lord, my sorrow comes from love for You, not fear of hell.
• God, I resolve to confess my sins as soon as possible, out of love for You.
• Father, my contrition flows from love, and I intend to seek sacramental confession soon.
• Jesus, I am sorry because I have hurt the One who loves me most.
• Lord, help my sorrow for sin be rooted in charity, not fear.

Perfect Act of Contrition Prayers of Love

• My God, I love You above all things, and I am sorry for ever offending You.
• Lord, my heart grieves because I have wounded Your perfect love.
• God, I choose You over sin, out of love, not obligation.
• Father, help me love You so deeply that sin becomes unbearable to me.
• Jesus, my sorrow is born from love for Your Sacred Heart.
• Lord, may my contrition always spring from love, not fear alone.

More Posts:130+ Prayers for Healing From Sickness, Anxiety, Grief & Loss

Act of Contrition Prayers in Latin

Actus Contritionis Prayers

• Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum.
• Meaning: My God, I am sorry with all my heart for all my sins.
• Domine, peccavi; miserere mei.
• Meaning: Lord, I have sinned; have mercy on me.
• Deus, propitius esto mihi peccatori.
• Meaning: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

Latin Act of Contrition Prayers with Translation

• Deus meus, prae omnibus diligo Te, et paenitet me a fundo cordis mei.
• Meaning: My God, I love You above all things, and I am sorry from the depths of my heart.
• Fac me, Domine, ab omni peccato abstinere.
• Meaning: Lord, help me abstain from all sin.
• Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam Tuam.
• Meaning: Have mercy on me, God, according to Your great mercy.
• Domine, converte cor meum ad Te.
• Meaning: Lord, turn my heart toward You.

Act of Contrition Prayers for Special Occasions

Act of Contrition Prayers Before Confession

• Lord, prepare my heart to make a good and honest confession.
• God, help me remember every sin I need to confess.
• Father, give me courage to speak the truth in Confession.
• Jesus, remove my fear so I can confess sincerely.
• Lord, guide the priest to help me grow in holiness.
• God, thank You for the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Act of Contrition Prayers for the Sick and Dying

• Lord, receive my sorrow for sin as I face illness and weakness.
• God, forgive my sins and prepare my soul for eternal life.
• Jesus, be with me in this hour of suffering and repentance.
• Father, I trust in Your mercy as I approach the end of life.
• Lord, grant me peace and forgiveness in my final days.
• God, welcome my soul into Your eternal kingdom.

Act of Contrition Prayers from Catholic Saints

Act of Contrition Prayers by Doctors of the Church

• St. Alphonsus Liguori: My Jesus, mercy; I am sorry for having offended You.
• St. Thomas Aquinas: Lord, grant me sorrow for sin and love for virtue.
• St. Francis de Sales: God, my heart is sorrowful for every fault against Your love.
• St. Teresa of Avila: Lord, let my sins be washed away by Your mercy alone.
• St. Augustine: Late have I loved You; forgive my sins, O God.
• St. John Chrysostom: Lord, have mercy on me, though my sins are many.

Act of Contrition Prayers by Other Catholic Saints

• St. Ignatius of Loyola: Take, Lord, my sins and my sorrow; give me Your grace.
• St. Faustina Kowalska: Jesus, I trust in Your Divine Mercy for my sins.
• St. Padre Pio: Lord, forgive me; I place my sins at Your feet.
• St. Therese of Lisieux: God, my confidence in Your mercy makes me sorry for sin.
• St. John Paul II: Father, renew my heart through Your forgiveness.
• St. Pope Pius X: Lord, I am sorry and resolve to sin no more.

Act of Contrition Prayers in Different Languages

Act of Contrition Prayers in Spanish

• Dios mío, me arrepiento de todo corazón de haberte ofendido.
• Señor, perdona mis pecados y ayúdame a no pecar más.
• Padre, confío en tu misericordia para el perdón de mis culpas.
• Jesús, purifica mi corazón y guíame por el buen camino.
• Dios mío, detesto mis pecados porque te ofenden a ti, que eres todo bondad.
• Señor, con tu ayuda, prometo evitar toda ocasión de pecado.

Act of Contrition Prayers in Other Languages

• Tagalog: Diyos ko, nagsisisi ako sa aking mga kasalanan.
• Vietnamese: Lạy Chúa, con thật lòng ăn năn tội lỗi của con.
• Polish: Boże, żałuję za moje grzechy z całego serca.
• Italian: Dio mio, mi pento con tutto il cuore dei miei peccati.
• French: Mon Dieu, je regrette de tout mon cœur mes péchés.
• German: Mein Gott, es tut mir von Herzen leid für meine Sünden.

Alternative and Rite Specific Act of Contrition Prayers

Rite of Penance Act of Contrition Prayers

• Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
• Father of mercy, I have sinned against heaven and against You.
• Lord, forgive my sins as I forgive those who sin against me.
• God, remember me in Your kingdom, and forgive my failures.
• Jesus, I trust in Your saving death and resurrection for my sins.
• Father, receive my sorrow through the merits of Christ’s Passion.

Eastern Catholic Act of Contrition Prayers

• O Lord, forgive my transgressions, known and unknown.
• Master and Lord, cleanse me of my many sins.
• Holy Trinity, have mercy on me, a sinner.
• O God, be merciful to me according to Your great compassion.
• Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.
• O Theotokos, intercede for the forgiveness of my sins.

Act of Contrition Prayers for Daily Life

Act of Contrition Prayers for Personal Struggles

• Lord, forgive me for losing patience and reacting in anger.
• God, help me overcome pride and speak with humility.
• Jesus, forgive my selfishness and teach me to give freely.
• Father, I am sorry for neglecting prayer and Your presence.
• Lord, strengthen me against temptation and habitual sin.
• God, renew my willpower to resist addiction and weakness.

Act of Contrition Prayers for Family and Work

• Lord, forgive me for harsh words spoken to my family.
• God, help me be patient and loving at home.
• Jesus, forgive dishonesty and shortcuts taken at work.
• Father, guide my decisions to reflect integrity and honesty.
• Lord, heal the relationships I have damaged through sin.
• God, help me forgive others as You forgive me.

FAQ’s

What is the full act of contrition prayer?

The full Act of Contrition prayer expresses sorrow for sin, love for God, and a firm resolve to avoid sin and confess through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

How do you say the act of contrition prayer?

The Act of Contrition is said after confessing sins to the priest, usually before receiving absolution during Confession.

How do I make a perfect act of contrition?

A perfect act of contrition comes from love of God, not fear of punishment, with the intention to confess as soon as possible.

What is the new version of the act of contrition?

The new Act of Contrition is the updated prayer approved after the Rite of Penance, focusing on love, mercy, and resolve to sin no more.

Conclusion

The Act of Contrition prayer helps Catholics express true sorrow and seek God’s mercy through Confession. Choose any version above that fits your heart and pray it with sincerity.