Perfect Contrition and Imperfect Contrition

When we come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation seeking God's forgiveness, we come with a contrite heart. Contrition is more than the feelings of guilt we have for committing sin. Contrition is the "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again" (Council of Trent / Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1451).

There are two kinds of contrition: perfect contrition and imperfect contrition.

Perfect contrition is motivated by the love of God. It is also called Contrition of Charity because the love of God compels us to seek forgiveness and, indeed, this contrition itself accesses God's forgiveness especially of venial sins.

Imperfect contrition, or Contrition of Fear, is motivated by the fear of punishment from God or the pain of sin. While not perfect, it is still a gift from God that urges us forward seeking God's mercy in the Sacrament of Penance.

(Read the complete definition of contrition, as well as perfect contrition and imperfect contrition, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1451-1454.)

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