Perfect and imperfect contrition: what's the difference?

Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin that comes from love of God: you're sorry because you've offended God, who is all good. Imperfect contrition is real sorrow that comes from other motives, like fear of punishment or seeing how ugly a sin is. Imperfect contrition is enough to make a good Confession. Perfect contrition goes further: it obtains forgiveness even of mortal sins before you reach the confessional, as long as you intend to confess as soon as you can (CCC 1452).

What is contrition?

The Catechism, quoting the Council of Trent, defines contrition as "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again" (CCC 1451). It comes first among the things you bring to Confession, ahead of telling your sins and doing your penance.

Notice the last part. Being sorry includes meaning to change. That doesn't mean being certain you'll never fall again. It means you aren't planning to. The priest can help you name your sins and choose a penance, but the sorrow is the one part only you can bring.

What is perfect contrition?

Contrition is called perfect when it "arises from a love by which God is loved above all else" (CCC 1452). You're sorry mainly because of who you've hurt, not because of what might happen to you.

An example. You've been short and cold with your family all week. You kneel in front of a crucifix at night, and what stays with you isn't the consequences. It's that God has been patient with you every single day, and you've answered him like this. You're sorry because he deserves better from you.

"Perfect" doesn't mean flawless. It describes the motive, not the strength of the feeling. You don't need tears, and your motives can be mixed. Most people's are.

What is imperfect contrition?

Imperfect contrition, also called attrition, is sorrow born of seeing how ugly a sin is or of fearing its punishment, including the loss of heaven (CCC 1453). The Catechism is clear that it is "also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit."

An example. You realize you've been lying at work for months, and what shakes you is the thought of where this leads: for your soul, for your marriage, for the kind of person you're becoming. That's real sorrow, and it can be the start of turning back to God.

On its own, imperfect contrition can't obtain forgiveness of grave sins. But it disposes you to receive that forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance (CCC 1453). In other words, if you go to Confession sorry mainly because you're afraid, and you mean to change, the absolution is real and your sins are forgiven. You don't need to fix your motives before you go.

Does perfect contrition forgive mortal sin?

Yes, with one condition. Perfect contrition forgives venial sins. It "also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible" (CCC 1452).

The intention to confess isn't a technicality added on. If you love God above all things, you want to come back to him the way he asked, through the sacrament he gave the Church. Sorrow that refused Confession wouldn't be the love it claims to be. It also means a mortal sin forgiven this way still gets confessed. At your next Confession, you name it like any other.

When does perfect contrition matter?

• In danger of death, with no priest. After an accident, in a hospital at night, in any situation where you can't reach a priest in time. Make an act of contrition from love of God, with the intention of confessing if you live. Simple words are enough: "My God, I'm sorry, because I love you." You can help someone else pray it too.
• When you can't get to Confession for a while. No confession times near you, travel, illness. You don't have to spend those days far from God.
• Right after a serious sin. Don't wait for Saturday to tell God you're sorry. Pray an Act of Contrition straight away, then go to Confession at your next chance.
• Every evening. A short examen that ends in sorrow from love keeps venial sins from piling up and keeps you close to God between Confessions.

Can I receive Communion after an act of perfect contrition?

Usually not yet. Anyone aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Communion, "even if he experiences deep contrition," without first receiving sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to Confession (CCC 1457).

So perfect contrition restores you to God's friendship, but the ordinary path is still Confession first, then Communion. The exception is narrow: a serious reason to receive, and truly no chance to confess. Church law adds that in that case the person must make an act of perfect contrition, including the resolution to confess as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law, can. 916). If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, ask a priest. In the meantime, go to Mass anyway. Staying in the pew during Communion is common, and no one is keeping track.

How to move from imperfect to perfect sorrow

1. Ask for it. Sorrow from love is a grace. "Lord, help me be sorry because I love you" is a good prayer, and God answers it.
2. Look at a crucifix. Think about who is on it and why. It's hard to look at the cross for long and think only about yourself.
3. Remember who God has been to you. Think of the good things in your life, the times you were carried. Or read the father running to meet his son in Luke 15:20.
4. Pray the Act of Contrition slowly. Linger on "but most of all because they offend Thee." The traditional prayer walks you from fear to love in one sentence. (We compare the versions in the old and new Act of Contrition.)
5. Leave the feelings to God. Love lives in the will. Choosing God over your sin is the sorrow, whether or not you feel moved.

If you worry your sorrow isn't good enough

You can't measure your own contrition precisely, and you don't have to. This is one of the quiet mercies of Confession: imperfect sorrow, brought to the sacrament, is enough. If you tend to worry over whether you're sorry enough, keep it simple. Pray an act of contrition, go to Confession when you can, and trust the priest's absolution more than your own feelings. If the worry keeps returning, tell your confessor. Helping with that is part of his work.