Note 111 — Chapter I · CONTRITION

This is the distinction given by the Council of Trent in Sess. 14, cp. 4: Perfect contrition is very aptly and simply called contritio in its restricted meaning, while imperfect contrition is called attritio. The figure is taken from solid bodies which, when pounded to dust, are contrita, but when broken into fragments are attrita. “The heart of man may be compared to wood for kindling. By contrition (contritio and attritio) the heart is rubbed; as the rubbing is increased, the heart, like wood, becomes drier and warmer, till there bursts forth a flame; this flame is sanctifying grace; and just as fire consumes wood, so charity consumes the crushed heart (cor contritum) and burns out its sin.” (Oswald, Die dogmat. Lehre von den heilig. Sakramenten, II. Bd. Fünft. Teil, Zweit. Abschnitt, Erst. Hauptst. § 7, S. 82.)