Examination of Conscience

[Lorenzo]

"To those who have been far away from the sacrament of Reconciliation and forgiving love, I make this appeal: Come back to this source of grace; do not be afraid! Christ himself is waiting for you. He will heal you, and you will be at peace with God!"1



The basic requirement for a good Confession is to have the intention of returning to God like the Prodigal son and of acknowledging our sins with true sorrow before his representative, the priest.

[Lorenzo]

Examine your conscience. Recall your sins. Calmly ask yourself what you have done with full knowledge and full consent against God's Commandments.

[Lorenzo]

The First Commandment




    Have I performed my duties toward God reluctantly or grudgingly?

    Did I neglect my prayer life? Did I recite my usual prayers?

    Did I receive Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin or without the necessary preparation?

    Did I violate the one-hour Eucharistic fast?

    Did I fail to mention some grave sin in my previous confessions?

    Did I seriously believe in something superstitious or engage in a superstitious practice (palm-reading or fortune telling for instance)?

    Did I seriously doubt a matter of Faith?

    Did I put my faith in danger-without a good reason-by reading a book, pamphlet, or magazine that contains material contrary to Catholic faith or morals?

    Did I endanger my faith by joining or attending meetings of organizations opposed to the Catholic faith (non-catholic services, the Communist Party, Freemasonry, "new age" cults, or other religions)? Did I take part in one of its activities?

    Have I committed the sin of sacrilege (profanation of a sacred person, place or thing)?

[Lorenzo]

The Second Commandment


    Did I fail to try my best to fulfill the promises and resolutions that I made to God?

    Did I take the name of God in vain? Did I make use of God's name mockingly, jokingly, angrily, or in any other irreverent manner?

    Did I make use of the Blessed Virgin Mary's name or another saint's name mockingly, jokingly, angrily, or in any other irreverent manner?

    Have I been a sponsor in Baptism or participate actively in other ceremonies outside the Catholic Church?

    Did I tell a lie under oath?

    Did I break (private or public) vows?

[Lorenzo]

The Third Commandment



    Did I miss Mass on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation?

    Did I fail to dress appropriately for Mass?

    Have I, without sufficient reason, arrived at Mass so late that I failed to fulfill the Sunday or holy Day of obligation?

    Did I allow myself to be distracted during Mass, by not paying attention, looking around out of curiosity, etc.?

    Did I cause another to be distracted?

    Have I performed any work or business activity that would inhibit the worship due to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, or the appropriate relaxation of mind and body, on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation?

    Did I fail to generously help the Church in her necessities to the extent that I am able?

    Did I fail to fast or abstain on a day prescribed by the Church?

[Lorenzo]

(to be continued)