Tag: catholic

Act of Contrition Prayer: Meaning and Examples

An Act of Contrition is a type of Christian prayer that demonstrates repentance for sins. It may be used in a liturgical service or privately, primarily in connection with an inspection of conscience.

act of contrition prayer
Image by Myriams-Fotos

The Act of Contrition in Catholicism

The Act of Contrition is part of the Sacrament of Penance and is prayed by the penitent following the priest assigning penance and before giving the penitent absolution. It is also generally said before one goes to bed at night.

It is commonly thought that individuals might have recourse to an Act of Contrition when they are in extremis, which means “In the last extreme, a person at the point of death when all positive ecclesiastical laws are subordinated to the primary responsibility of preparing the one dying for entrance into eternity.” The prayer declares in words a deeply personal “act” that involves a person’s heart and will.

As written in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1430-31,

“Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before Him, does not aim first at outward works, ‘sackcloth and ashes, ‘ fasting and mortification, but at the CONVERSION OF THE HEART, INTERIOR CONVERSION. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures, and works of penance.

Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time, it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of His grace.”

Traditional Act of Contrition Prayer

Oh 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 are 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.

Modern Act of Contrition Prayer

Lord have mercy on me
Do not look upon my sins
But take away all my guilt
Create in me a clean heart
And renew within me an upright spirit
Amen.

Act of Contrition for Anglican Communion

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father;
We have erred, and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against Thy holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;
And we have done those things which we ought not to have done;
And there is no health in us.
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
Restore thou them that are penitent; According to Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of Thy Holy Name. Amen.

Lutheran Version

O Almighty God, merciful Father,
I a poor, miserable sinner, confess to You all my sins and iniquities,
with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your punishment now and forever.
But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them,
and I pray You of Your boundless mercy,
and for the sake of the holy, innocent,
bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved son, Jesus Christ,
to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being.

Popular Catholic Prayers

Hail Mary
Prayer to St. Jude
The Peace Prayer of St. Francis
The Prayer to St. Joseph
Prayers to the Virgin Mary
The Prayer to the Sacred Heart Of Jesus
Prayer to St Michael
The Angelus Prayer

Sources:
EWTN.com
Wikipedia.com

The Angelus Prayer: Its Words, History, And Meaning

The Angelus prayer is a well-known Catholic prayer, traditionally said 3 times each day. It is a daily reminder to let God’s will be done in our life, harkening to the Annunciation of Mother Mary.

angelus prayer, icon of mary
Image by Dimitris Vetsikas

Meaning of the Angelus Prayer

The Angelus Prayer conveys the message from the angel Gabriel to Mary declaring God’s plan for her life. This was a crucial moment in mankind’s fate, where Mary’s yes to God began Christ’s work of salvation for humanity. Praying the Angelus prayer is unique because we say it at specific times of the day, bringing our minds and hearts to Christ throughout the day.

In the Angelus prayer, we observe and emulate Mary’s example of devotion to God’s will. In fact, all of mankind’s salvation depended on the moment where “the Word became flesh.”

History of the Angelus Prayer

The Angelus prayer began as a way for workers to pray in the evening, at the conclusion of their workday. It would regularly correspond with monks praying their Evening Prayer. At first, this prayer solely involved three Hail Marys to praise the Annunciation.

By the first decades of the 14th century, praying the 3 Hail Marys at dusk grew to be quite popular. It was even promoted and gratified by Pope John XXII. Catholic tradition suggests that the original author of the Angelus prayer was Benedetto Sinigardi.

The ringing of the Angelus bells preceded the prayer to inform people that it was time to pray. Soon this also included praying both in the morning and at midday. Although not all of the devoted could pray the Liturgy of the Hours like the monks, they could still include this prayer throughout their day.

Catholic Quotes

Pope St. Paul VI writes in his Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus: “What we have to say about the Angelus is meant to be only a simple but earnest exhortation to continue its traditional recitation wherever and whenever possible. The Angelus does not need to be revised, because of its simple structure, its biblical character, its historical origin which links it to the prayer for peace and safety, and its quasi-liturgical rhythm which sanctifies different moments during the day, and because it reminds us of the Paschal Mystery, in which recalling the Incarnation of the Son of God we pray that we may be led “through his passion and cross to the glory of his resurrection.”

Cardinal St. John Henry Newman even says that reciting “the Angelus devoutly” every day is a part of a perfect day.

The Angelus Prayer

The Angel of the LORD declared unto Mary,

And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace; the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Behold the handmaid of the LORD.

Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary, full of grace; the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

And the Word was made flesh.

And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, full of grace; the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

That we might be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray, Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O LORD, Thy grace into our hearts; that, we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Pray along with the Angelus Prayer

Popular Catholic Prayers

Hail Mary
Prayer to St. Jude
The Peace Prayer of St. Francis
The Prayer to St. Joseph
Prayers to the Virgin Mary
The Prayer to the Sacred Heart Of Jesus
Prayer to St Michael

Sources:
wedaretosay.com
Catholic Encyclopedia