For the Battlestar Galactica episode, see Act of Contrition (Battlestar Galactica).

The Act of Contrition is a prayer recited by the penitent during the Latin Rite Roman Catholic sacrament of Confession.

Full text

Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet

me omnium meorum peccatorum,

eaque detestor, quia peccando,

non solum poenas a te iuste

statutas promeritus sum,

sed praesertim quia offendi te,

summum bonum, ac dignum qui

super omnia diligaris.

Ideo firmiter propono,

adiuvante gratia tua,

de cetero me non peccaturum

peccandique occasiones

proximas fugiturum. Amen.

English

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 they

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.

Recent Version 1992

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, whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend,

With your help,

To do penance,

To sin no more,

And to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.

In his name, my God, have mercy.

Amen

Alternative version

My Lord, I am heartily sorry for all my sins,

help me to live like Jesus and not sin again.

Amen.

Irish version in use in 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.

Other versions in use, circa 1970

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

O my God, I am very sorry for all my sins because they offend you, who are so good, and with your help, I will not sin again. Amen.

Other versions in use, circa 1980

O my God, I am sorry for my sins. In choosing to sin, and failing to do good, I have sinned against You and Your Church. I firmly intend, with the help of Your Son, to do good and to sin no more. Amen.

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, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us in His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

Modern version

O my God, I thank You for loving me. I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving others and not loving You. Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.

Roman Catholic prayers