St. Faustina has a very remarkable statement about the dying in her diary:
“God’s mercy sometimes touches the sinner at the last moment in a wondrous and mysterious way. Outwardly, it seems as if everything were lost, but it is not so. The soul, illumined by a ray of God’s powerful final grace, turns to God in the last moment with such a power of love that, in an instant, it receives from God forgiveness of sin and punishment…” – Diary of Divine Mercy, 1698
In the said scenario, the soul received forgiveness even without the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The dying person was able to be saved through “perfect contrition”.
What is Perfect Contrition?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has the following definitions to help us understand it more:
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.”
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.
Perfect contrition then is when we feel truly sorry for our sins not because we fear hell or any punishment but because we have offended our Lord who loves us very much.
With perfect contrition, we obtain even the forgiveness of mortal sins! And although confession may not be within our reach, all we need is to have a firm resolution to go to confession as soon as we are able.
What we need to remember is that even before one goes to confession, one’s sins are already forgiven through perfect contrition! What a wonderful blessing that God provides for us: to be in a state of grace and to have heaven even before we are able to confess our sins.
Pope Francis once talked about this during the pandemic when people were advised to stay indoors:
“You do what the Catechism says. It is very clear: if you do not find a priest to hear your confession, speak to God, he is your father, and tell him the truth…Promise him: ‘Later I will confess, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to the grace of God…”
We must never forget the importance of perfect contrition.
During those times when confession may not be available for us, may we avail of the infinite mercy of God through a sincere, contrite and trusting God.
Let us never lose faith in God’s love and mercy for us. Each day, let us learn to trust His love more. Let us love Him more! For only by love can our sorrows over our sins be made perfect.
To be perfect, we need not be a saint. All we need is to be open to God’s love. Why not love Him who is kind, faithful and true even to those who offend Him? To whom can we best entrust our hearts if not to Him who died to give us eternal life?
“Who do you want to love, if you do not want to love Jesus?” – St. Gemma Galgani
“I am thirsty, said Jesus on the cross… His thirst was not for water but for love.” – Mother Teresa
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” – Luke 23:39-43 (NABRE)
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book Defending My Catholic Faith.
“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NABRE)
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