ness — i.e., on account of that perfection which He, as the Sovereign Good, possesses; and how, nevertheless, we have despised and insulted Him, our most loveable Father; how we have expelled Him from our heart, and renounced His love and friendship for ever. In order to excite ourselves to Imperfect Contrition, let us consider how terrible are the pains of Hell or of Purgatory, which we have deserved; how beautiful Heaven, which we have lost; how detestable sin, which nailed the Son of God to the Cross, has deprived our soul of grace, disfigured it, rendered it foul and execrable before God and His Angels, etc.; and let us, therefore, repent of the offence given to God, and detest it more than any other evil in the world.
35. Must Contrition necessarily be perfect?
It is not necessary for the remission of sins that we should have Perfect Contrition; we should, however, strive to obtain it.
36. Why should we strive to obtain Perfect Contrition?
Because the more Perfect our Contrition is, the more is our repentance meritorious and acceptable to God, and the more certainly it obtains our pardon.
37. When should we make an Act of Perfect Contrition, even ' without' the Sacrament of Penance?
1. In danger of death; and 2. As often as we have the misfortune to commit a mortal sin and cannot immediately go to Confession.
38. When must we make the Act of Contrition 'in' the Sacrament of Penance?
We must make it before our Confession, or, at least, when the Priest gives us Absolution.
39. Can Contrition ever be supplied in case of necessity?
No; Contrition is so necessary that it cannot be supplied by anything or in any case.
§ 3. The Resolution of Amendment.
40. What must Contrition necessarily include?
Contrition must necessarily include, 1. Hope of pardon; and 2. Resolution of Amendment.
