Examination of Conscience

How long has it been since my last good confession? Have I voluntarily concealed any mortal sin in a past confession? Do I have true sorrow for my sins and the desire to change? Have I completed the penances from past confessions and repaired the injustices committed? Have I received communion in the state of mortal sin?

First Commandment: I am the Lord thy God: Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.

Have I seriously doubted some truth of faith? Did I do it in front of others? Have I failed to trust in the help of God? Have I spoken irreverently about the things of God, of the Church, and its ministers? Have I neglected prayer or the sacraments? Am I superstitious? Do I believe in fortune tellers, witches, amulets, or similar things? Have I read books, magazines or webpages that are contrary to faith or morals? Do I seek to know more about the faith? Do I have other “gods,” that is to say, things that occupy me more than God—money, my profession, my studies, pleasures, etc.—?

Second Commandment: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Have I been irreverent with the name of God, of the Virgin Mary, or of the Saints? Have I offended them with blasphemies (insults to God)? Have I given false witness or given witness without necessity? Have I done it in front of others? Have I made a vow, oath, or promise and left it unfulfilled through my own fault?

Third Commandment: Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

Do I believe all that the Catholic Church teaches? Do I show the proper docility to Church authorities, as representatives of Christ? Do I skip Mass or arrive late on Sundays or days of obligation? Have I worked unnecessarily on Sunday? Have I fulfilled the precepts of the Church (cf. #52) and the conditions for making a good confession and communion (cf. #53)? Have I observed the laws of penance on the Fridays of the year (cf. #54)? Have I participated in the apostolic works of the Church?

Fourth Commandment: Honor thy father and thy mother.

For children: Was I disobedient or disrespectful toward my parents and superiors? Did I neglect to help my parents in their material and spiritual needs? Do I request Masses for my deceased parents? For parents: Have I given bad example to my children? Have I been concerned with their spiritual formation? Have I fulfilled my duty to educate them? Have I abused my authority toward them? Have I tolerated scandal or moral dangers among those who live in my house? Have I fought with my spouse? Do I care for my spouse’s needs?

Fifth Commandment: Thou shalt not kill.

Have I caused harm to the life, reputation, or goods of others? Have I consented, collaborated, or obtained an abortion, participating in this serious crime? How many times? Do I have true love for my neighbor, or have I taken advantage of him by using him for my personal benefit? Have I been a source of serious scandal to my neighbor with my words or actions? Do I hold enmity, hate, or rancor against anyone? Have I been carried away with anger? Have I desired serious evil for my neighbor, or have I been happy at his troubles? Have I abused alcohol? Have I used drugs?

Sixth and Ninth Commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.

Have I stained my body with some improper action? Alone or with another? Have I placed myself in the near occasion of sin against purity? Have I read or watched anything, or had any conversation against purity? Have I participated in shows or entertainment contrary to Christian and human integrity? Have I been, in this, the cause of sin for others? Have I amused myself with improper thoughts or memories, even though I have not carried them out? Have I dressed immodestly? Spouses: Am I married in the Church? Have I used or consented to contraceptives or other unnatural methods against procreation?

Seventh and Tenth Commandment: Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.

Have I stolen or aided in a robbery? Have I returned the goods and repaired the damage committed? Have I been fair, responsible, and honest in my work? Have I paid a just salary, fulfilled contracts? Have I paid just taxes? Have I supported projects of social action that are immoral or anti– Catholic? Am I selfish with the things I have? Am I envious of the things others have? Do I do whatever possible to help the poor and help in the works of the Church?

Eighth Commandment: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Have I lied? Have I slandered (to say serious and false things about another)? Have I made rash judgments (bad statements about another without a fair basis)? Have I gossiped (talking without reason about the defects and faults of others)? Have I revealed secrets without just cause? Have I repaired the harm done by saying these things?