At Mass sometimes the priest has the option of saying things “in these or similar words.” Many times, no such option is offered— “This is my Body” has to be “This is my Body,” after all. We don’t always think of these sorts of options for the lay faithful, do we? There’s no “in these or similar words” option for the Sanctus or the Lamb of God. Parents with babies to be baptized and couples coming to be married have to say “I do!” to the questions. But, there is one place where all of us— lay faithful and clergy—have significant options: The Act of Contrition during confession. In the recently revised translation of the book for celebrating reconciliation, the Church offers us no fewer than 12 different Acts of Contrition. They range from the simple prayer “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” through verses from the Psalms to the so-called “traditional” Act of Contrition. You can use any of these. You can make up your own words to express sorrow for sin and a promise to do better. And, if your Act of Contrition is in Spanish or French, Korean or Yoruba—go for it! After all, in that prayer you’re not talking with the priest, you’re speaking your contrition to your God.