An Act of Contrition is a prayer for forgiveness recited in repentance during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or as a private devotional as part of an examination of conscience.
Act of Contrition
O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended You.
I detest all my sins because of Your just punishment,
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
Alternate Version
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 Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy.