Other Approved Acts of Contrition/Prayer of the Penitent
Psalm 25:6-7:
Remember, Lord, your compassion and mercy you showed long ago. Do not recall the sins and failings of my youth. In your mercy remember me, Lord, because of your goodness.
Psalm 51:4-5:
Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me of my sin. I acknowledge my offense; my sin is before me always.
Luke 15:18; 18:13:
Father, I have sinned against you and am not worthy to be called your son. Be merciful to me, a sinner.
Or:
Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to you and say: “I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
Christ Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief to who you promised
Paradise: “Lord, remember me in your kingdom.” Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I call on you with trust: “Purify my heart, and help me to walk as a child of light.”
Or:
Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love. Listen to my prayer: forgive all my sins, renew your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world.
Or:
Lord God, in your goodness have mercy on me: do not look on my sins, but take away all my guilt. Create in me a clean heart and renew within me an upright spirit.
Or:
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Or:
Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners. By your saving death and resurrection free me from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and truth.
From Rite of Penance/Rite for Reconciliation of Individual Penitents. Copyright © 1974. International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by the authority of the Bishops’ Committee on Liturgy, United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops.
d for peace of soul and peace of mind."