My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
-- from the Rite of Penance
Forgiveness without a priest? The Pope reminds us how we receive it
People dying without chaplains, families confined to their homes and unable to reach a priest because of the Covid-19 emergency -- in his homily at Santa Marta, Pope Francis mentions the Catechism and the “contrition” that obtains forgiveness from sins while one waits to go to confession.
The salus animarum, the salvation of souls, is the supreme law of the Church. This is the fundamental interpretative criterion for determining what is right. This is why the Church always seeks, in every way, to offer the possibility of reconciliation with God to all those who desire it, who seek it, who await it or who, in any case, become aware of their condition and feel the need to be welcomed, loved and forgiven. In these times of emergency due to the pandemic, with people seriously ill and isolated in intensive care wards, and families who are asked to stay at home to avoid the spread of the virus, it is useful to remind everyone of the richness of the Church’s tradition.
Pope Francis did this in his homily during Mass in Santa Marta on Friday, 20 March.
“I know that many of you, for Easter, go to confession so you can be right with God again”, said the Pope. “But, many will say to me today: ‘But, Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, when I can’t leave my house? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want Him to embrace me, I want my Daddy to embrace me... What can I do if I can’t find a priest?’ You do what the Catechism says”.
“It is very clear: if you cannot find a priest to whom you can confess,” explained the Pontiff, “speak with God, He is your Father, and tell Him the truth: ‘Lord, I have done this, this and this…. I am sorry”, and ask Him for forgiveness with all your heart, with the Act of Contrition, and promise Him: ‘Later I will go to confession, but forgive me now”. You will return immediately to God’s grace. You yourself can approach God’s forgiveness as the Catechism teaches us, without having a priest at hand. Think about it: this is the moment! And this is the right moment, the appropriate moment. An Act of Contrition, made well. In this way our souls will become as white as snow”.
Pope Francis refers to numbers 1451 and 1452 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, promulgated by Saint John Paul II and drafted under the guidance of the then-Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Joseph Ratzinger.
As far as “contrition” is concerned, the Catechism, citing the Council of Trent, teaches that among the acts of the penitent it “occupies first place. Contrition is sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again”. “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ (contrition of charity)”, continues the Catechism. “Such contrition remits 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”.
Therefore, while waiting to receive absolution from a priest as soon as circumstances permit, it is possible with this act to be immediately forgiven. This too was already affirmed by the Council of Trent, in chapter 4 of the Doctrina de sacramento Paenitentiae, where it is stated that contrition accompanied by the intention of confession is able to “reconcile man with God, even before this sacrament is truly received”.
This is a way to approach God’s mercy, and is open to all. It belongs to the Church’s tradition and can be useful to everyone, especially at this time to those who are near the sick in their homes and hospitals.
Numbers 1451 and 1452 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Contrition
1451. Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again” [Council of Trent: Denz.-Schönm., 1676].
1452. When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits 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 [cf. Council of Trent: Denz.-Schönm., 1677].
--from the Vatican Prayerbook STRONG IN THE FACE OF TRIBULATION