I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong and falling 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.

Amen.

The Act of Contrition is a prayer that expresses to God the sorrow one feels and the willingness to avoid sin in the future. It may be memorized or spontaneous and is prayed regularly in a healthy Catholic spirituality.