In April, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments confirmed a new English translation of the Order of Penance for use in the United States. This ritual text may be used as of February 22, 2023 (Ash Wednesday), and its usage is mandated as of April 16, 2023 (Divine Mercy Sunday).
The new Order of Penance makes two minor changes to the longstanding English translation of the formula of absolution while keeping the essential words of the formula the same. The alterations appear in bold below:
God, the Father of mercies,
through the Death and Resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and poured out the Holy Spirit [Spíritum Sanctum effúdit] for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God grant [tribuat] you pardon and peace.
AND I ABSOLVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS,
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, + AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
R. Amen.
In its decree, the Congregation also approved the addition of the following formula for the Act of Contrition, which is now included amongst ten other options given in the Order of Penance.
O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended you,
and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments,
but most of all because they offend you, my God,
who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Amen.
Penitents may feel free to use any of the given options for the Act of Contrition, or even compose their own prayer which expresses sorrow for sins, the intention to avoid sin in the future, and the resolution to perform a given penance.