Perfect contrition

Perfect contrition

Perfect contrition in Catholic theology is a sorrow for sins which is motivated from the love of God. It contrasts with imperfect contrition, or attrition, a sorrow arising from a less pure motive, such as fear of Hell. It is the motive for sorrow rather than the intensity of feeling that distinguishes the two forms of contrition, and it is possible for perfect and imperfect contrition to be experienced simultaneously.

According to Catholic teaching, perfect contrition removes the guilt and eternal punishment due to mortal sin, even before the sinner has received absolution in the sacrament of penance. However, a Catholic is still bound, under Church law, to confess grave sins at the first opportunity.

Jansenists who often insisted on the necessity of contrition versus simple attrition quoted frequently , , First Epistle to the Corinthians 16:22, First Epistle of John 3:14, .

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04337a.htm "Catholic Encyclopedia" "Contrition"]


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  • perfect contrition. — See under contrition (def. 2). * * * …   Universalium

  • perfect contrition. — See under contrition (def. 2) …   Useful english dictionary

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  • Contrition — • Lat. contritio, a breaking of something hardened Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Contrition     Contrition     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • contrition — [kən trish′ən] n. [ME contricioun < OFr contrition < LL(Ec) contritio, grief: see CONTRITE] 1. remorse for having done wrong 2. Theol. sorrow for having offended God: perfect contrition is such sorrow arising out of pure love of God SYN.… …   English World dictionary

  • Contrition — Saint Peter Repentant 1823 25 , Goya Contrition or contriteness[1] (from the Latin contritus ground to pieces, i.e. crushed by guilt) is sincere and complete remorse (i.e. regret with a sense of guilt) for sins one has committed. The remorseful… …   Wikipedia

  • contrition — /keuhn trish euhn/, n. 1. sincere penitence or remorse. 2. Theol. sorrow for and detestation of sin with a true purpose of amendment, arising from a love of God for His own perfections (perfect contrition), or from some inferior motive, as fear… …   Universalium

  • contrition — /kənˈtrɪʃən/ (say kuhn trishuhn) noun 1. sincere penitence. 2. Theology sorrow for and detestation of sin with a true purpose of amendment, arising from a love of God for His own perfections (perfect contrition), or from some inferior motive, as… …  

  • Imperfect contrition — (also known as attrition) in Catholic theology is a desire not to sin for a reason other than love of God. Imperfect contrition is contrasted with perfect contrition. While attrition does not produce justification, it disposes the soul to receive …   Wikipedia

  • Attrition — • Also called imperfect contrition. Definition, its relation to sacramental penance, and moral considerations Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Attrition     Attrition      …   Catholic encyclopedia

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