Act of Contrition

The Act of Contrition is a prayer of confession. The following version is found in the Small Catechism of the Catholic Religion by John Neumann, fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, dated July 24, 1884:

"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."