Examination of Conscience before the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Immediate preparation: Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins. We might go to a quiet place, preferably before the tabernacle, to pray – only God can illuminate our reality and give us the means to respond to His Grace.

Only God forgives sins, but He entrusted the exercise of the power of absolution to the apostolic ministry – priests – which he charged with the “ministry of reconciliation.”

Examination of conscience for adults:

• Have I abandoned or rejected my faith? Have I nourished and protected my faith? Have I been ashamed of it? Is there any aspect which I do not accept?
• Have I taken the name of God in vain? Have I engaged in superstitious practices? (Incl. horoscopes, fortune tellers, spiritism, etc.) Have I respected people, sacred places and things?
• Have I missed Mass on Sunday or Holy Days (through own fault without enough reason)?
• Have I received a sacrament while having a serious sin on my conscience? Have I received it without gratefulness or the corresponding reverence?
• Have I been impatient, jealous or angry?
• Have I been resentful and unwilling to forgive?
• Have I been violent towards others, physically or verbally?
• Have I cooperated or encouraged anyone to abort or destroy embryos? Have I supported, promoted or encouraged the practice of assisted suicide or mercy killing?
• Have I lied or gossiped? Have I committed slander or calumny? (Telling lies about another person in order to destroy his reputation.) Have I been guilty of rash judgment? (Assuming the worst of another person based on circumstantial evidence.) Have I belittled others?
• Have I abused alcohol or other drugs?
• Have I read pornographic literature or looked at pornographic pictures, shows or movies? Have I wilfully entertained impure thoughts or actions against myself or others? Do I live with someone as if we were married but are not?
• If I’m married, do I try to love my spouse above anyone else? Do I put my marriage first? What about my kids? Do I have an open attitude to new lives?
• Do I allow my work to take up time and energy which should be given to family and friends?
• Have I been arrogant or selfish in thought or action? Have I neglected the poor or needy? Have I spent money on my comfort or personal luxury forgetting my responsibilities towards others and the Church?
• Have I lied or cheated? Have I been honest and diligent at work? Have I robbed or deceived someone at work?
• Have I been lazy? Have I preferred by personal comfort over service to others?
• Have I neglected my responsibility of drawing others to God through my example and words?

Examination of conscience for young people:

• Have I abandoned or rejected my faith? Have I nourished and protected my faith? Have I been ashamed of it?
• Have I taken the name of God in vain? Have I engaged in superstitious practices? (Incl. horoscopes, fortune tellers, spiritism, etc.) Have I respected people, sacred places and things?
• Have I missed Mass on Sunday or Holy Days (through own fault without enough reason)? Have I forgotten God by not praying?
• Have I received a sacrament while having a serious sin on my conscience? Have I received it without gratefulness or the corresponding reverence?
• Have I helped very little at home? Have I treated my parents with scarce affection?
• Have I been impatient, jealous or angry? Have I been resentful and unwilling to forgive? Have I hated someone or misjudged them?
• Have I neglected my student duties? Have I been lazy? Have I treated my teachers or other seniors with disrespect?
• Have I got into fights? Have I hurt someone with insults or by talking badly about them? Have I revealed any secrets or said things just to harm others?
• Have I said or had impure thoughts? Have I done them with myself or others? Have I read pornographic literature or looked at pornographic pictures, shows or movies?
• Have I lied to justify myself, harm others or give myself more importance?
• Have I robbed or deceived someone? Have I reunited something on purpose?
• Have I been envious of others for what they have or for the good results in their work? Do I put my heart into having things?
• Have I helped or encourage others to do evil?
• Have I abused alcohol or other drugs?
• Have I been arrogant or selfish in thought or action?
• Have I been lazy? Have I preferred by personal comfort over service to others?
• Have I neglected my responsibility of drawing others to God through my example and words?

Examination of conscience for children:

• Have I said my prayers?
• Have I been to Mass on Sundays?
• Have I taken the name of God in vain?
• Have I voluntarily been distracted at Mass or in church?
• Have I been helpful in household chores?
• Have I been selfish, or have I treated my parents, brothers and sisters with affection?
• Have I been obedient and respectful to my parents and teachers?
• Have I shared my toys and things with others?
• Have I been impatient? Have I got angry at others?
• Have I been arrogant, stubborn or rebellious to get my own way?
• Do I waste time in class?
• Have I done by homework as best I can? Have I cheated in exams?
• Have I got into fights?
• Have I hurt anyone by talking badly of them?
• Have I told lies?
• Have I stolen anything? Have I ruined something which was not mine, on purpose?
• Have I given a good example?
• Have I encouraged others to do bad things?
• Have I been selfish in my thoughts or actions?
• Have I been jealous of others?
• Have I excluded anyone from my games?
• Have I prayed for others and helped them to get nearer to God?

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