Perfect Contrition — For everyone, like me, who can't get to confession

Recently the Holy Father, in light of the crisis caused by the coronavirus and the inability of many to seek the Sacrament of Confession, has spoken about “perfect contrition.” The Holy Father said on March 20, 2020: “You do what the Catechism says. It is very clear: if you do not find a priest to hear your confession, speak to God, he is your father, and tell him the truth. Enumerate your sins, ask the Lord for forgiveness with all your heart, and make an act of contrition. Promise him:
‘Later I will confess, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to the grace of God.”

While this may sound novel to some, this notion of contrition (known as “perfect contrition”) being a means of returning to God’s grace has always existed in the Church, and the Holy Father was merely expressing a longstanding principle of the Church.

The Chancellor of our Diocese, Gregory Caridi, issued a statement totally appropriate to this crisis. It is about Perfect Contrition. I really liked it and pass it on to you!