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?
|