CATECHISM

Q. What is Contrition?
A. Contrition is a hearty sorrow for our sins, because by them we have offended so good a God,
together with a firm purpose of amendment.
Contrition. A deep sorrow for sin, with the determination of avoiding it in the future.
There are two kinds of contrition:
1. perfect, or that felt for having offended God alone;
2. imperfect, or the sorrow we feel for our sins because by them we lose heaven and
deserve hell; this is also called attrition. Sorrow for sin must be inward—that is, it
must come from the heart; it must be supernatural — that is, it is not enough to be
sorry from a human or natural motive; it must be universal—that is, it must
extend to at least all mortal sins of which we are guilty.
288. What is a firm purpose of amendment?
A firm purpose of amendment is a resolution to avoid, by the grace of God, not only sin, but
also the dangerous occasions of sin.

Q. How may we obtain a hearty sorrow for our sins?
A. We may obtain a hearty sorrow for our sins by earnestly praying for it, and by making use of
such considerations as may lead us to it.
Earnestly. Having a strong desire; being fervent and sincere, with intensity.
Such considerations, etc. Such thoughts as will help us to be sorry for our sins—such as
thinking on the goodness of God, the sufferings of our Lord on account of our sins, the
happiness of heaven, the misery of hell, etc.

Q. What consideration concerning God will lead us to sorrow for our sins?
A. This consideration concerning God will lead us to sorrow for our sins: that by our sins we have
offended God, who is infinitely good in himself and infinitely good to us.

Q. What other consideration concerning our Saviour will lead us to sorrow for our sins?
A. This consideration concerning our Saviour will lead us to sorrow for our sins: that our Saviour
died for our sins, and that those who sin grievously ‘crucify again to themselves the Son of God,
making him a mockery’. Heb. 6:6

Q. Is sorrow for our sins, because by them we have lost heaven and deserved hell,
sufficient when we go to confession?
A. Sorrow for our sins, because by them we have lost heaven and deserved hell, is sufficient when
we go to confession.

Q. What is perfect contrition?
A. Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin arising purely from the love of God.

Q. What special value has perfect contrition?
A. Perfect contrition has this special value: that by it our sins are forgiven immediately, even
before we confess them; but nevertheless, if they are serious, we are strictly bound to confess
them afterwards.