Contrition and the purpose of amendment

Question 195

What is contrition, or sorrow for sin?

Contrition, or sorrow for sin, is a hatred of sin and a true grief of the soul for having offended God, with a firm purpose of sinning no more.

Question 196

What kind of sorrow should we have for our sins?

The sorrow we should have for our sins should be interior, supernatural, universal, and sovereign.

Question 197

What do you mean by saying that our sorrow should be interior?

When I say that our sorrow should be interior, I mean that it should come from the heart, and not merely from the lips.

Question 198

What do you mean by saying that our sorrow should be supernatural?

When I say that our sorrow should be supernatural, I mean that it should be prompted by the grace of God, and excited by motives which spring from faith, and not by merely natural motives.

Question 199

What do you mean by saying that our sorrow should be universal?

When I say that our sorrow should be universal, I mean that we should be sorry for all our mortal sins without exception.

Question 200

What do you mean when you say that our sorrow should be sovereign?

When I say that our sorrow should be sovereign, I mean that we should grieve more for having offended God than for any other evil that can befall us.

Question 201

Why should we be sorry for our sins?

We should be sorry for our sins, because sin is the greatest of evils and an offense against God our Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer, and because it shuts us out of heaven and condemns us to the eternal pains of hell.

Question 202

How many kinds of contrition are there?

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

Question 203

What is perfect contrition?

Perfect contrition is that which fills us with sorrow and hatred for sin, because it offends God, who is infinitely good in Himself and worthy of all love.

Question 204

What is imperfect contrition?

Imperfect contrition is that by which we hate what offends God, because by it we lose heaven and deserve hell; or because sin is so hateful in itself.

Question 205

Is imperfect contrition sufficient for a worthy confession?

Imperfect contrition is sufficient for a worthy confession, but we should endeavor to have perfect contrition.

Question 206

What do you mean by a firm purpose of sinning no more?

By a firm purpose of sinning no more I mean a fixed resolve not only to avoid all mortal sin, but also its near occasions.

Question 207

What do you mean by the near occasions of sin?

By the near occasions of sin I mean all the persons, places, and things that may easily lead us into sin.

Repentance from the heart

Questions 195, 196, 197, 198

Interior means that the words express a real inward response. Supernatural means that faith and grace shape its motives. A person can regret being caught while still wanting to repeat the act; that differs from turning away from the wrong itself. The distinction helps explain why simply reciting a formula is not the whole of contrition. Psalm 51 joins acknowledgment with a request for inner renewal.

Universal and sovereign

Questions 199, 200, 201

Universal sorrow does not reserve a chosen grave wrong as something one intends to keep. Sovereign concerns the priority given to reconciliation with God. It need not mean producing a feeling stronger than every grief one has ever experienced. The lesson is asking about what a person rejects and values. Read its strong language with the broader call to trust divine mercy, not as an instruction to manufacture distress.

Perfect and imperfect contrition

Questions 202, 203, 204, 205

The distinction concerns motive. Perfect contrition arises from love of God; imperfect contrition can begin with fear of sin's consequences or recognition of its ugliness. Catechism 1452–1453 treats both as responses to grace and explains their relation to sacramental confession. Perfect does not mean that a person can prove emotional perfection. The terms describe why one turns from sin, not a competition between penitents.

A practical purpose of amendment

Questions 206, 207

A firm purpose is a present resolve to change. The lesson includes avoiding near occasions: situations that readily lead to the wrongdoing in question. Translate that into a concrete response, such as changing a dishonest practice or stepping away from a conversation that repeatedly becomes cruel. The aim is responsible action within one's circumstances. A sincere resolve can coexist with awareness of weakness and the need for continued help.

Psalm 51:10–17

The psalm connects a renewed heart, truthful worship, and a contrite spirit.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Luke 18:9–14

The parable contrasts self-exaltation with the humble appeal for mercy.

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 19:1–10

Zacchaeus' response makes repentance visible through changed conduct and restitution.

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.