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5. The Effect of Contrition

1. Contrition, when it is a perfect act of the supernaturalvirtue of penance, blots out sin. As part of the sacrament ofpenance, contrition operates instrumentally for the forgiveness ofsin, which is effected by this sacrament.

2. Contrition or sorrow for sin may be so perfect as totake away all punishment due to sin as well as the guilt of the sinitself.

3. Sorrow which is true and perfect contrition blots outsin. The want of sensible sorrow (that is, the feeling or emotionof sorrow) is no hindrance to the perfection of contrition, forcontrition belongs essentially to the will and not to thefeelings.

"Obedience is the true holocaust which we sacrifice to God on the altar of our hearts."
St Philip Neri

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"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine

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"To do God's will -- this was the goal upon which the saints constantly fixed their gaze. They were fully persuaded that in this consists the entire perfection of the soul. "
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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