There is a vast difference, however, between childlike faith and childish faith, though the two are often confused. [Childlike faith calls the believer] to remain forever in a state of awe and trust of their heavenly Father, while a childish faith balks at learning the things of God in depth. It refuses the meat of the gospel while clinging to a diet of milk...The call of the New Testament is to maturity.
R.C. Sproul

Contrition

Contrition

CONTRITION

BASIC R.C. BELIEF An Act of Contrition is a devotion that verbalizes the sorrow for sin necessary for forgiveness. It is an integral part of the Sacrament of Penance.

Imperfect contrition (attrition) is sufficient for forgiveness of mortal sin when joined with absolution in Confession.

Perfect contrition is expressing sorrow for sin because of a pure motive of the love of God. It is sufficient for forgiveness of mortal sins outside Confession, as long as confession is made as soon as, and if, possible (CATHOLIC ALMANAC, page 280).

From CONFESSION QUIZZES TO A STREET PREACHER, Carty (Imp: Bishop Murray), page 14. “Every soul who is unable to find a priest is forgiven if he makes an act of perfect contrition or sorrow, but such an act supposes at least the intention of going to Confession when the opportunity presents itself. For perefect sorrow supposes the will to do God’s will … But who can know if he has such perfect contrition? Perfect contrrition implies a hatred of sin to be forgiven, not from any motive, but because it has offended God. What certainty has one that he possesses such dispositions? Is his sorrow supernatural? … He has no definite and personal revelation that he is forgiven.

HEAVEN OPEN TO ALL BY PERFECT CONTRITOION, by Timothy Halpin, S.J. “Note. If a mortal sin has been committed since one’s last good Confession, it is not enough to make an Act of Perfect Contrition before going to Holy Communion. Though one would be restored to the state of grace by making an Act of Perfect Contrition, and would go to Heaven if he died before going to Confession, there is a special law of the Church (New Code of Canon Law, Canon 856) which forbids him to receive Holy Copmmunion no matter how perfect he may believe his sorrow to be, unless he has first confessed his mortal sin. Furthermore, it should be clearly understood that perfect contrition does not supersede sacramental Confession.

Ibid., page 3. “There is a widespread belief that it is very difficult to make an act of perfect contrition. … the opinion is false and is doing incalculable harm to souls.”

Ibid., page 5. “Father Von Den Driesch calls perfect contrition `a Golden Key of Heaven.’ He assures us it is not counterfeit; it is pure gold; it fits, and is easily handled. `It opens heaven for you at will, on any day and at any moment, when mortal sin has barred heaven against you, even when the priest, the bearer of the keys of God’s mercy, cannot be with you to pronounce the words of absolution.”

Ibid., page 6. “The only means of (dying non-Christians) getting rid of their sins, and of escaping eternal damnation, is perfect contrition.

Ibid., page 7. “Contrition … is made up of detestation, sorrow and a resolution of amenmdment.

Ibid., page 11. “If we reprent principally through the noble motive if having offended a God supremely good in Himself, lovable in Himself, and of Himself worthy of ineffable, infinite love, this sorrrow, animnated as it is by the love of God, is an act of perfect contrition. … But if we detest our sins because they deprive us of grace … and leave us liable to eternal damnation, our sorrow is an act of imperfect contrition or attrition.”

Ibid., page 27. “When we Ought to Make an Act of Perfect Contrition. (1) If we sin grievously; (2) At the beginning of each day; (3) If death overtakes us without a priest (4) In assisting a dying person, Catholic or non-Catholic.”

From PERFECT CONTRITION, Rev. J. Von Den Driesch, Imp. Archbishop Glennon. p. 18. “In the general Council of Trent (Session XIV, c. 4) the Church has placed in clear and unmistakable light the most important dogmas of faith which were always taught in the Church. This great Council teaches, `Perfect contrition, contrition from love of God, justifies man and reconciles him to God even before the reception if the Sacrament of Penance.”

From RADIO REPLIES, Vol I, #831. “Catholics who are unable to find a priest are forgiven if they make an act of perfect contrition. . . But who can know if he has perfect contrition? Perfect contrition implies a hatred of sin, not from any motive, but because he has offended God. . . What certainty has one that he possesses such dispositions? He has no definite and personal revelation that he is forgiven.”

From PERFECT CONTRITION – A GOLDEN KEY TO HEAVEN, page 16. “To give you confidence in your ability to make acts of perfect contrition.”

POST VATICAN II Contrition is an essential part of the Rite of Reconciliation.

From THE NEW CODE OF CANON LAW, Canon 756. “Furthermore, it should be clearly understood that perfect contrition does not supersede sacramental Confession, which is the primary means instituted by Christ for forgiving sins. The Church forbids him to receive Holy Communion no matter how perfect he may believe his sorrow to be, unless he has first confessed his mortal sin.”

CHRISTIAN COMMENT While a Christian has genuine sorrow for sin, it is not his sorrow, but God’s love, which is the basis for forgiveness and restoration of fellowship.