"True contrition" refers to feeling genuinely sorry for something wrong or harmful that you have done. It involves a deep sense of remorse and a sincere desire to make amends for your actions. Full definition
The prosecution argued not that the seal of confession was irrelevant, but either that Garnet must have heard of the plot outside of the confessional, or that the confession was not sacramental because the plotters lacked true contrition for what they were planning to do. (firstthings.com)
Instead, repentance means true contrition — an eagerness to seek the Father's forgiveness and a willingness to «bring forth fruits meet for repentance.» (religion-online.org)
Even if forgiveness is the end result, the brutal path towards it is an honest admission of guilt, true contrition and repentance, and then hopefully reparation and restoration. (nakedpastor.com)