Act of Contrition
The Act of Contrition is prayed at the heart of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, right after confessing one's sins, but Catholics have long prayed it outside confession too — at night, or in any moment of wanting to set things right with God. This is the standard traditional English form.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
