Prayer to the Holy Spirit for Time and Grace to Make an Act of Perfect Contrition

Prayer for the Afflicted

O HOLY SPIRIT, Who art God together with the Father and the Son,

deliver us this day from sadness and discouragement;

preserve all Christians from despair and its fatal results.

To all, even to those who destroy their own lives,

or who may be overtaken by a sudden or violent death,

mercifully grant both time and grace to make an act of perfect contrition.

Amen.

~ From Devotion to the Holy Spirit , Tan Books ~

1451  Among the penitent's acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again."

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved 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.

1453 The contrition called "imperfect" (or "attrition") is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin's ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.

1457 According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."56 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.57 Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

~ Excerpts from Catechism of the Catholic Church ~

Act Of Contrition

O my God,  I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee.

 I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell;

but most of all because I have offended 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.