arise from any other motive, such as loss of heaven, fear of hell, or the heinousness of guilt, then it is termed "imperfect contrition", or attrition. Perfect contrition Perfect contrition (also called contrition of charity) is a repentance for sin that is motivated by faith and the love of God. It contrasts with imperfect contrition, which arises from a less pure motive, such as common decency or fear of Hell. The two types of contrition are distinguished by a person's motive for repentance, rather than the intensity of ones feelings or emotions. It is possible for perfect and imperfect contrition to be experienced simultaneously. In perfect contrition its motive is founded on God's own goodness and not merely his goodness to the sinner or to humanity. There is no way of knowing with an absolute certainty if one has made an act of perfect contrition, but all that is required is the standard of all human action, moral certainty. If one says an act of contrition truthfully, intending it, then one would likely have moral certainty. Perfect contrition removes the guilt and eternal punishment due to mortal sin, even before the sinner has received absolution in the sacrament of penance (also Sacrament of Reconciliation. Inaccurately, but strongly related: 'Confession'), provided that the person has a firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. An example of this theological precept is demonstrated in the Code of Canon Law in canon 916, which states: "A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible." In the case of imminent death, in which sacramental confession may not be possible, an act of perfect contrition removes the guilt and eternal punishment due to mortal sin. Imperfect contrition According to Psalm 111: 10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." In Philippians 2:12, Paul exhorts Christians to work out "our salvation in fear and trembling". In contrast to perfect contrition, imperfect contrition (also known as attrition) is a desire not to sin for a reason other than love of God. While attrition does not