Examination of Conscience
Prior to confession you should take some time to reflect on sins you may have committed and the underlying cause of the sin. For example, a harsh word to a friend or spouse could result from a pattern of annoyance with the person or a sense of inferiority and a defensive outburst. Knowing the difference may be useful in trying to curb such sin in the future.
An Examination of Conscience for Adults
based on the 10 commandments.
I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.
- Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God?
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Have my words, actively or passively, put down God, the Church, or people?
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
- Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and on
- Holy Days of Obligation (Jan. 1; the Ascension; Aug. 15;
- Nov. 1; Dec. 8; Dec. 25)?
- Do I avoid, when possible, work that impedes worship to God, joy for the Lord’s Day, and proper relaxation of mind and body? Do I look for ways to spend time with family or in service on Sunday?
Honor your father and your mother.
- Do I show my parents due respect?
- Do I seek to maintain good communication with my parents where possible? Do I criticize them for lacking skills I think they should have?
You shall not kill.
- Have I harmed another through physical, verbal, or emotional means, including gossip or manipulation of any kind?
You shall not commit adultery.
- Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself?
You shall not steal.
- Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another?
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- Have I gossiped, told lies, or embellished stories at the expense of another?
You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse.
- Have I honored my spouse with my full affection and exclusive love?
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
- Am I content with my own means and needs, or do I compare myself to others unnecessarily?
An Examination of Conscience for Young Adults
Responsibilities to God:
- Have I gone to Mass on Sunday or have I rebelled and been stubborn about going to Mass?
- Did I participate in the Mass or did I daydream?
- Have I prayed every day?
- Have I read the Bible?
- Have I been rebellious toward God and his commands?
- Have I misused the name of God by swearing and cursing?
- Have I told the Father that I love him for creating me and making me his son/daughter?
- Have I thanked Jesus for becoming man, dying for my sin and rising to give me eternal life?
- Have I asked the Holy Spirit to help me conquer sin and temptation and to be obedient to God’s commands?
Responsibilities to others and myself:
- Have I been rebellious, disobedient or disrespectful to my parents, teachers and those in authority over me?
- Have I lied to or deceived my parents or others?
- Have I been arrogant and stubborn?
- Have I talked back to my parents or those in authority?
- Have I gotten angry or nurtured and held grudges and resentments? Have I refused to forgive others? Have I cultivated hatred?
- Have I engaged in sexual fantasies? Have I looked at others lustfully?
- Have I read pornographic literature or looked at pornographic pictures, shows or movies?
- Have I masturbated?
- Have I lustfully kissed or sexually touched someone? Have I had sexual intercourse?
- Have I had an abortion or encouraged another to have one?
- Have I gossiped about others? Have I slandered anyone? Have I told lies about others? Have I mocked or made fun of others?
- Have I lied or cheated? Have I stolen anything? Have I paid it back?
- Have I been selfish or spiteful toward others? Have I been jealous?
- Have I gotten drunk, or taken drugs?
- Have I participated in anything that is of the occult: ouija boards, fortune tellers, séances, channeling, astrology?
- Have I been patient, kind gentle and self-controlled?
- When my conscience told me to do something good, did I do it or did I ignore it?
