--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perfect contrition (contritio), which is…" description: "\"“Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of perfect charity, justifies a man independently of the Sacraments...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/joseph-pohle-3769_contrition_perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a_2640944.jpg" --- # Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a true… ![“Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of perfect charity, justifies a man independently of the Sacraments.” quote by Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/joseph-pohle-3769_contrition_perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a_2640944.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/joseph-pohle-3769_contrition_perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a_2640944.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/joseph-pohle-3769_contrition_perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a_2640944.jpg) > ““Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of perfect charity, justifies a man independently of the Sacraments.”” [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfect contrition, a sincere sorrow rooted in charity, can justify a person without sacraments. **In simple terms:** True remorse can replace sacramental forgiveness. Key Takeaway Seek sincere remorse for redemption. Themes theology forgiveness spirituality Mood contemplative theological Type ethical doctrinal When to use this quote - confession - personal repentance - moral dilemmas - spiritual counseling Key Concepts catholic doctrine ethics Questions to Reflect On - How does this view affect sacramental practice? - Can sincere remorse replace ritual? A Different Perspective May conflict with sacramental teachings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contritio True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contritio-true-2268139/) [Contrition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition/) [Contrition Contritio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition-contritio-2268138/) [Justifies Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justifies-man-2268140/) [Perfect Contrition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect-contrition-2268137/) ## Related quotes > [“efficacy of perfect contrition be reconciled with the dogma that the power of the keys is necessary for the forgiveness of sins? 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It breaks the heart with sighs and sobs and groans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/true-repentance-includes-sorrow-for-sin-and-contrition-of-heart-it/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [Evil is retributive: every trespass slips fetters on the will, holds the soul in durance till contrition and repentance restore it to liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/evil-is-retributive-every-trespass-slips-fetters-on-the-will-holds/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [“He died, as the Spanish phrase has it, full of illusions. He had not had time in his life to lose any of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/he-died-as-the-spanish-phrase-has-it-full-of-illusions-he-had-not-had/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/three-conditions-are-necessary-for-penance-contrition-which-is-sorrow/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/every-contrition-for-sin-is-apt-to-encourage-a-not-quite-charitable/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [“One moment of prayer, of weak worship, confused contrition, tepid thanksgiving, or pitiful petition will bring us closer to God than all the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/one-moment-of-prayer-of-weak-worship-confused-contrition-tepid/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) ## More by Joseph Pohle > [“We are compelled to concur in another view of Cardinal De Lugo, namely, that the value of the Mass is dependent on the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/we-are-compelled-to-concur-in-another-view-of-cardinal-de-lugo-namely/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“the scientific development of the doctrine of indulgences. 29 St. Thomas knows but one plenary indulgence, i. e. that granted for the liberation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-scientific-development-of-the-doctrine-of-indulgences-29-st/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The Church has always regarded the admin istration of a Sacrament in the state of mortal sin as a sacrilege, and insists on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-church-has-always-regarded-the-admin-istration-of-a-sacrament-in/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Origen says: " The Church hath received it as a tradition from the Apostles that infants, too, ought to be baptized." 21”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/origen-says-the-church-hath-received-it-as-a-tradition-from-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“St. Bruno of Asti, who says: " The first tabernacle, therefore, is the Synagogue; the second, the Church; the third, Heaven. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/st-bruno-of-asti-who-says-the-first-tabernacle-therefore-is-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“ceases to be merciful, no matter what sins have been conv mitted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/ceases-to-be-merciful-no-matter-what-sins-have-been-conv-mitted/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Does the external sign receive from God a peculiar super natural power enabling it physically to produce sanctify ing grace in the soul, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/does-the-external-sign-receive-from-god-a-peculiar-super-natural/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“While it is possible for the con fessor in some cases to obtain such knowledge without confession, this is not the rule, because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/while-it-is-possible-for-the-con-fessor-in-some-cases-to-obtain-such/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“minister begins with an actual intention, but is distracted while administering the Sacrament, he has a virtual in tention. Thirdly, an habitual intention is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/minister-begins-with-an-actual-intention-but-is-distracted-while/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The confectio of a Sacrament, i. e. the combina tion of matter and form into the sacramental sign, is not necessarily of itself a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-confectio-of-a-sacrament-i-e-the-combina-tion-of-matter-and-form/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The Second Council of Mileve (416) anath ematized all "who deny that new-born infants should be baptized immediately after birth." n The Tridentine Council…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-second-council-of-mileve-416-anath-ematized-all-who-deny-that-new/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“bread and wine." These species must, therefore, be acci dents, and, having by Transubstantiation lost their con natural subjects, which cannot be supplied by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/bread-and-wine-these-species-must-therefore-be-acci-dents-and-having/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“heretics can validly administer all the other Sacraments, with the sole exception of Penance, 30 which cannot, barring cases of urgent necessity, be validly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/heretics-can-validly-administer-all-the-other-sacraments-with-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Alterations in the formula of Baptism may or may not affect its substance. Substantial changes render the Sacrament invalid ; purely accidental changes do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/alterations-in-the-formula-of-baptism-may-or-may-not-affect-its/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“i. e. a sacrifice offered " from the rising of the sun to the going down" and " in every place." Moreover, the Sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/i-e-a-sacrifice-offered-from-the-rising-of-the-sun-to-the-going-down/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) [Explore all 122 Joseph Pohle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) ## More Contrition quotes > [“One moment of prayer, of weak worship, confused contrition, tepid thanksgiving, or pitiful petition will bring us closer to God than all the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/one-moment-of-prayer-of-weak-worship-confused-contrition-tepid/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/every-contrition-for-sin-is-apt-to-encourage-a-not-quite-charitable/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/three-conditions-are-necessary-for-penance-contrition-which-is-sorrow/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“He died, as the Spanish phrase has it, full of illusions. He had not had time in his life to lose any of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/he-died-as-the-spanish-phrase-has-it-full-of-illusions-he-had-not-had/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Evil is retributive: every trespass slips fetters on the will, holds the soul in durance till contrition and repentance restore it to liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/evil-is-retributive-every-trespass-slips-fetters-on-the-will-holds/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [True repentance includes sorrow for sin and contrition of heart. It breaks the heart with sighs and sobs and groans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/true-repentance-includes-sorrow-for-sin-and-contrition-of-heart-it/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [We in the church have humility and contrition to offer the world, not a formula for success. Almost alone in our success-oriented society, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/we-in-the-church-have-humility-and-contrition-to-offer-the-world-not/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [God is not looking for repayment, but repentance. What heals a broken relationship is sincere love and contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederica-mathewes-green/god-is-not-looking-for-repayment-but-repentance-what-heals-a-broken/) [Frederica Mathewes-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederica-mathewes-green/) > [We fancy that our afflictions are sent us directly from above; sometimes we think it in piety and contrition, but oftener in moroseness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/we-fancy-that-our-afflictions-are-sent-us-directly-from-above/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-de-montfort/even-if-you-are-on-the-brink-of-damnation-even-if-you-have-one-foot/) [Louis de Montfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-de-montfort/) > [“I divested myself of despair and fear when I came here. 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When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-bet-richard-fuld-doesn-t-have-an-ounce-of-contrition-it-s-just/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 43 Contrition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of perfect charity, justifies a man independently of the Sacraments.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Pohle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contrition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/joseph-pohle-3769_contrition_perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a_2640944.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/joseph-pohle-3769_contrition_perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a_2640944.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/joseph-pohle-3769_contrition_perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a_2640944.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a true supernatural sorrow from a motive of perfect charity…” — Joseph Pohle", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph Pohle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Perfect contrition (contritio), which is a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/perfect-contrition-contritio-which-is-a-true-supernatural-sorrow-from/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```