In the Sacrament of Penance the Faithful 
   who confess their sins to a Priest, are sorry for those sins and 
   have a purpose of amendment, receive from God, through the 
   absolution given by that Priest, forgiveness of sins they have 
   committed after Baptism, and at the same time they are reconciled 
   with the Church, which by sinning they wounded.  (Canon 959) 
   Act of Contrition:    
   O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest 
   all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and fear the pains of 
   hell, but most of all, because they offend Thee, my God, who art all 
   good and worthy of all my love.  I firmly intend with the help of 
   Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.  
   AMEN 
   
                  Examination 
   of Conscience 
   I.  “I am the 
   Lord, thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.” 
   Have I sinned against Religion by 
   seriously believing in New Age, Scientology, Astrology, Horoscopes, 
   Fortune-telling, Superstition or engaging in the Occult?  Did I 
   endanger my Catholic Faith or cause scandal by associating with 
   anti-Catholic groups & associations (e.g., the Freemasons)?  Have 
   fame, fortune, money, career, pleasure, etc. replaced God as my 
   highest priority?  Have I neglected my daily prayers? 
   II.  “Thou 
   shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” 
   Have I committed blasphemy by using the 
   name of God and Jesus Christ to swear rather than to praise?  Have I 
   committed sacrilege by showing disrespect to holy objects (crucifix, 
   rosary) or contempt for religious persons (bishop, priests, deacons, 
   women religious) or for sacred places (in Church).  Have I committed 
   sacrilege by going to Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin 
   without first going to confession e.g., after missing Mass on Sunday 
   or a Holyday?  Did I violate the one-hour fast before Communion?  
   Did I break the laws of fast and abstinence during Lent?  Did I 
   neglect my Easter duty to receive Holy Communion at least once?  
   Have I neglected to support the Church and the poor by sharing my 
   time, talent and treasure? 
   III.  Remember 
   to keep holy the Sabbath day. 
   Did I miss Mass on any Sunday or 
   Holyday of Obligation?  (Bad weather and being sick do not count) 
   Have I shown disrespect by leaving Mass early, not paying 
   attention or not joining in the prayers?  Did I do unnecessary work 
   on Sunday which could have been done the day before?  Have I been 
   stingy in my support for the Church?  Do I give of my time & talent?
    
 
IV.  Honor 
  thy Father and Mother. 
  
  Parents: 
  Have I set a bad example for my children by casually missing Mass, 
  neglecting prayer, or ignore my responsibility to provide a Catholic 
  education by either sending my children to parochial school or to C.C.D. 
  (Religious Education Program)?  Do I show little or no interest in my 
  children’s faith and practice of it?  Have I showed disrespect for those 
  in authority, government or church?  Have I not expressed my moral 
  values to them?   
  Children: 
  Have I been disobedient and/or disrespectful to my parents or 
  guardians?  Did I neglect to help them with household chores?  Have I 
  caused them unnecessary worry and anxiety by my attitude, behavior, 
  moods, etc.? 
  V.  Thou shalt not 
  kill. 
  Did I consent, recommend, advise, approve, 
  support or have an abortion?  Did I realize that there is an 
  excommunication for anyone who procures an abortion?  Did I actively or 
  passively cooperate with an act of euthanasia whereby ordinary means 
  were stopped or means taken to directly end the life of an elderly or 
  sick person?  Have I committed an act of violence or abuse (physical, 
  sexual, emotional or verbal)?  Have I endangered the lives of others by 
  reckless driving or by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol?  
  Do I show contempt for my body by neglecting to take care of my own 
  health?  Have I been mean or unjust to anyone?  Have I held a grudge or 
  sought revenge against someone who wronged me?  Do I point out others’ 
  faults and mistakes while ignoring my own?  Do I complain more than I 
  compliment?  Am I ungrateful for what other people do for me?  Do I tear 
  people down rather than encourage them?  Am I prejudiced against people 
  because of their color, language or ethnic-religious background? 
  VI.  Thou shalt 
  not commit adultery. 
  IX.  Thou shalt 
  not covet thy neighbor’s wife. 
  Did I have any sex before or outside of 
  marriage?  Do I view pornographic material (magazines, videos, internet, 
  hot-lines)?  Have I gone to massage parlors or adult book stores?  Did I 
  commit the sins of masturbation and/or artificial contraception?  Have I 
  not avoided the occasions of sin (persons or places) which would tempt 
  me to be unfaithful to my spouse or to my own chastity?  Do I encourage 
  and entertain impure thoughts and desires?  Do I tell or listen to dirty 
  jokes?  Have I committed fornication or adultery? 
  VII.  Thou shalt 
  not steal. 
  X.  Thou shalt not 
  covet thy neighbor’s goods. 
  Have I stolen any object, committed any 
  shoplifting or cheated anyone of their money?  Did I knowingly deceive 
  someone in business or commit fraud?  Have I shown disrespect or even 
  contempt for other people’s property?  Have I done any acts of 
  vandalism?  Am I greedy or envious of another’s goods?  Do I let 
  financial and material concerns or the desire for comfort override my 
  duty to God, to Church, to my family or my own spiritual well-being? 
  VIII.  Thou shalt 
  not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 
  Have I told a lie in order to deceive 
  someone?  Have I told the truth with the purpose and intention of 
  ruining someone’s reputation (sin of detraction)?  Have I told a lie or 
  spread rumors which may ruin someone’s reputation (sin of calumny or 
  slander)?  Did I commit perjury by false swearing an oath on the Bible?  
  Am I a busybody or do I love to spread gossip and secrets about others? 
    Do I love to hear bad news about my enemies? 
 
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