Act of Contrition by Faber Digs DEEP | Lent
Channel: Marc My Words Presents
Date: 2024-03-06

This act of contrition is super helpful for digging deep and saying you're sorry to God. Perfect for this season of Lent! Just don't say it in the confessional unless your priest (and the rest of people in line ahead of you) are on board with you taking a long time, lol. Text is below, in case you want to copy/paste.

Summary:
The "Act of Contrition" by Frederick Faber is a heartfelt prayer of repentance and sorrow for sins committed, expressing a deep desire for forgiveness and a commitment to change. This recitation would likely encapsulate the essence of seeking divine mercy, highlighting Faber's eloquent and fervent plea for reconciliation with God. Frederick Faber, known for his devotion and contributions to Catholic hymnody and literature, infuses this prayer with a profound understanding of human frailty and the boundless compassion of God. The recitation might be characterized by a solemn and reflective tone, conveying the penitent's sincere remorse for offenses against God, the intention to amend one's life, and the trust in God's grace and forgiveness. Through this prayer, the speaker articulates the universal Christian experience of sin and redemption, emphasizing the importance of contrition and the hope for spiritual renewal.


FULL TEXT

The Act of Contrition
Frederick Faber

My God! who art nothing but mercy and kindness,
 Ah shut not Thine ear to the penitent's prayer;
‘Tis Thy grace that hath cured me, dear Lord, of my blindness,
 Thy love that hath lifted me up from despair.

Oh cruel, most cruel! the bondage of evil 
 That hath kept me so fast, and hath held me so low;
And fearful the hold, the strong hold of the devil,
 And the keen bitter fires of the long hopeless woe.

But, O God! by Thy mercy my mind is enlightened;
 I feel a new purpose burn strong in my heart;
I come to Thee now like a child scared and frightened,
 And I cling to Thy love and will never depart.

There is not one evil that sin hath not brought me,
 There is not one good that hath come in its train;
It hath cursed me through life, and its sorrows have sought me,
 Each day that went by, in want, sickness, or pain.

And then when this life of affliction is ended,
 What a home for my weary heart did it prepare?
The anger of Him whom my sins had offended,
 And the night, the sick night of eternal despair. 

Yes death would have come, and its angel have torn me 
 By force to the judgment where hope could not be;
And the spirit of darkness from thence would have borne me 
 To unspeakable woes in his wide burning sea.

Where the worms and the wails and the lashes cease never, 
 My poor ruined soul would have sickened of fire,
And I should be tortured for ever and ever,
 But the pains of eternity never would tire.

The corn-field all trampled to mud by the cattle,
 The house whose scorched walls have been blackened by fire,—
Ah! such was my soul when the desolate battle 
 Of sin raged within it, and sinful desire.

But away, mortal sin! by the help of my God,
 From thy false poisoned fruits I will firmly refrain;
I have vowed, mortal sin! I have manfully vowed,
 I will touch thee not, taste thee not ever again.

I abjure the dark spirit who fondles yet hates me,
 I abjure mortal sin, the black gift he hath given;
I hate it for fear of the fire that awaits me,
 I hate it for hope of God's beautiful heaven. 

I hate it because the dear Lord that would ease us 
 Sweated blood when He thought of the horror of sin;
I hate it because it hath crucified Jesus,
 Who hath done all He can the worst sinners to win.

And I swear to Thee—yes, dearest Jesus! Oh let me,
 In the strength of Thy grace, swear an oath unto Thee, 
No sin! never more! if Thou wilt not forget me, 
 But in Thy sweet mercy have mercy on me.