Bulldog Catholic<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\nA good Catholic examination of conscience can be a great help in making a new start in the life of faith.<\/p>\n
We use an examination of conscience to help call to mind our sins and failings during a period of quiet reflection before approaching the Priest in Confession.<\/p>\n
It’s important for a good Catholic examination of conscience to be thorough. This will help you to consider what sins you are guilty of and make you aware of sins you might not realize as sins. It’s also a chance to develop your conscience. This is a critical aid for any Catholic.
\nTo make an examination:
\n\u2022 Set aside some quiet time for reflection.
\n\u2022 Start by praying to the Holy Spirit, asking for help in making a good examination to prepare for Confession.
\n\u2022 Read through the matters of this list and honestly reflect on your behavior for each.
\n\u2022 You may want to take this list or some brief notes (in secrecy to avoid scandal) to Confession to help you remember things.
\n\u2022 Remember that a mortal sin is committed when :<\/p>\n
1. Full Knowledge that the act (thought, word or omission) was contrary to God\u2019s will (sinful) is possessed by the offender;
\n2. Full Consent (with intentionality; i.e., not forced) is held by the one committing the sin;
\n3. Grave Matter (anything under the Ten Commandments and the Precepts of the Church) is the circumstances of the sin. Not to belabor the point, but, there is a difference in grave matter between stealing $10 from a friend and stealing $10,000 from an orphanage. If any of these three conditions are not met the sin is to be known as venial. It is a very good idea to confess venial sins as well, since these sins, like all sin, offend God Who deserves all of our love. Confessing venial sins helps us to be more sensitive to God and more faithful in our love to Him.<\/p>\n
If all three conditions are met the sin is known as mortal.<\/p>\n
Remember, ALL mortal sins must be confessed according to the kind (what type of sin) and the number of times committed for a valid confession. If one willingly withholds and conceals a sin in confession it is a sacrilege (which is another mortal sin), and it invalidates the absolution. Do not worry! Do not be afraid! Jesus wants you to tell him your sins with honesty and courageousness that he may remove the hurt from your heart and soul. Do
\nnot further steep yourself in sin by concealing sins in confession.
\nAlso, it should be noted, the priest is bound under pain of grievous mortal sin and excommunication, if he ever reveals anything said in the confessional. No matter how grievous the sin, do not be afraid. Admit your failings openly and God will grant you His sweet gift of forgiveness.<\/p>\n
The Ten Commandments
\nFirst Commandment
\nI am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Reserved or harbored hatred for God?
\n\u2022 Disobeyed the commandments of God or the Church?
\n\u2022 Refused to accept what God has revealed as true, or what the Catholic Church proclaims for belief?
\n\u2022 Denied the existence of God?
\n\u2022 Neglected to nourish and protect my faith?
\n\u2022 Neglected to reject everything opposed to a sound faith?
\n\u2022 Deliberately misled others about doctrine or the faith?
\n\u2022 Rejected the Catholic faith, joined another Christian denomination, or joined or practiced another religion?
\n\u2022 Joined a group forbidden to Catholics (Masons, communists, etc.)?
\n\u2022 Despaired about my salvation or the forgiveness of my sins?
\n\u2022 Presumed God’s mercy? (Committing a sin in expectation of
\nforgiveness, or asking for forgiveness without interior conversion and practicing virtue.)
\n\u2022 Loved someone or something more than God (money, power, sex,
\nambition, etc.)?
\n\u2022 Let someone or something influence my choices more than God?
\n\u2022 Engaged in superstitious practices? (Incl. horoscopes, fortune tellers, etc.)
\n\u2022 Been involved in the occult or occult practices? (S\u00e9ances, Ouija board, worship of Satan, etc.)
\n\u2022 Formally attempted to leave the Catholic Church?
\n\u2022 Hidden a serious sin or told a lie in Confession?
\nSecond Commandment
\nYou shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Used the name of God in cursing or blasphemy?
\n\u2022 Failed to keep vows, promises, or resolutions that I have made to
\nGod? [specify in the confessional which one; the Priest has authority to remove the obligations of promises and resolutions if they are too rash or unjust]
\n\u2022 Spoken about the Faith, the Church, the saints, or sacred things with irreverence, hatred or defiance?
\n\u2022 Watched television or movies, or listened to music that treated God, the Church, the saints, or sacred things irreverently?
\n\u2022 Used vulgar, suggestive or obscene speech?
\n\u2022 Belittled others in my speech?
\n\u2022 Behaved disrespectfully in the church building (e.g., talking
\nimmoderately in church before, during, after holy Mass)?
\n\u2022 Misused places or things set apart for the worship of God?
\n\u2022 Committed perjury? (Breaking an oath or lying under oath.)
\n\u2022 Blamed God for my failings?
\nThird Commandment
\nRemember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Missed Mass on Sunday or Holy Days (through own fault w\/o sufficient reason)?
\n\u2022 Neglected to set time aside each day for personal prayer to God?
\n\u2022 Committed a sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament (thrown Him
\naway; brought Him home; treated Him carelessly, etc.)?
\n\u2022 Received any sacrament while in the state of mortal sin?
\n\u2022 Habitually come late to and\/or leave early from Mass?
\n\u2022 Shop, labor, practice sports or do business unnecessarily on Sunday or other Holy Days of Obligation?
\n\u2022 Not attended to taking my children to Mass?
\n\u2022 Not provided proper instruction in the Faith to my children?
\n\u2022 Knowingly eaten meat on a forbidden day (or not fasted on a fast
\nday)?
\n\u2022 Eaten or drunken within one hour of receiving Communion (other than medical need)?
\nFourth Commandment
\nHonor your father and your mother.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 (If still under my parents’ care) Obeyed all that my parents reasonably asked of me?
\n\u2022 Shown disregard for my parents wishes, displayed contempt of their demands, and\/or disdained their very being?
\n\u2022 Neglected the needs of my parents in their old age or in their time of need?
\n\u2022 Harbored hatred for my parents?
\n\u2022 Brought shame on them?
\n\u2022 (If still in school) Obeyed the reasonable demands of my teachers?
\n\u2022 Disrespected my teachers?
\n\u2022 (If I have children) Neglected to give my children proper food,
\nclothing, shelter, education, discipline and care (even after
\nConfirmation)?
\n\u2022 Provided for the religious education and formation of my children for as long as they are under my care?
\n\u2022 Ensured that my children still under my care regularly frequent the
\nsacraments of Penance and Holy Communion?
\n\u2022 Educated my children in a way that corresponds to Catholic religious disciplines?
\n\u2022 Provided my children with a positive, prudent and personalized
\neducation in the Catholic teaching on human sexuality?
\n\u2022 Been to my children a good example of how to live the Catholic Faith?
\n\u2022 Prayed with and for my children?
\n\u2022 (for everyone) Lived in humble obedience to those who legitimately
\nexercise authority over me?
\n\u2022 Broken any just law?
\n\u2022 Supported or voted for a politician whose positions are opposed to the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church?
\n\u2022 Failed to pray for the deceased members of my family . . . the Poor
\nSouls of Purgatory included?
\nFifth Commandment
\nYou shall not murder.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Unjustly and intentionally killed a human being (murder)?
\n\u2022 Have I been guilty, through negligence and\/or lacking of intention, of the death of another (killing)?
\n\u2022 Been involved in an abortion, directly or indirectly (through advice,
\nencouragement, providing money, or facilitating it in any other way)?
\n\u2022 Seriously considered or attempted suicide?
\n\u2022 Supported, promoted, or encouraged the practice of assisted suicide or mercy killing(euthanasia)?
\n\u2022 Deliberately desired to kill an innocent human being?
\n\u2022 Unjustly inflicted bodily harm on another person?
\n\u2022 Unjustly threatened another person with bodily harm?
\n\u2022 Verbally or emotionally abused another person?
\n\u2022 Gossiped, slandered, detracted, calumniated?
\n\u2022 Hated another person, or wished him\/her evil?
\n\u2022 Been prejudiced, or unjustly discriminated against others because of their race, color, nationality, sex or religion?
\n\u2022 Joined a hate group?
\n\u2022 Purposely provoked another by teasing or nagging?
\n\u2022 Recklessly endangered my life or health, or that of another, by my
\nactions?
\n\u2022 Driven recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs?
\n\u2022 Abused alcohol or other drugs?
\n\u2022 Sold or given drugs to others to use for non-therapeutic purposes?
\n\u2022 Used tobacco immoderately?
\n\u2022 Over-eaten?
\n\u2022 Encouraged others to sin by giving scandal?
\n\u2022 Helped another to commit a mortal sin (through advice, driving them somewhere, dressing and\/or acting immodestly, etc.)?
\n\u2022 Caused serious injury of another by criminal neglect?
\n\u2022 Indulged in unjust anger?
\n\u2022 Refused to control my temper?
\n\u2022 Been fateful to, quarreled with, or willfully hurt someone?
\n\u2022 Been unforgiving of others, especially when mercy or pardon was
\nrequested?
\n\u2022 Sought revenge or hoped something bad would happen to someone?
\n\u2022 Delighted to see someone else get hurt or suffer?
\n\u2022 Treated animals cruelly, causing them to suffer or die needlessly?
\nSixth & Ninth Commandments
\nYou shall not commit adultery.
\nYou shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Neglected to practice and grow in the virtue of chastity?
\n\u2022 Given in to lust? (The desire for sexual pleasure unrelated to spousal love in marriage.)
\n\u2022 Used an artificial means of birth control (including withdrawal)?
\n\u2022 Refused to be open to conception, without just cause? (Catechism,
\n2368)
\n\u2022 Participated in immoral techniques such as in vitro fertilization or
\nartificial insemination?
\n\u2022 Sterilized my sex organs for contraceptive purposes?
\n\u2022 Deprived my spouse of the marital right, without just cause?
\n\u2022 Claimed my own marital right without concern for my spouse?
\n\u2022 Deliberately caused male climax outside of normal sexual intercourse? Masturbated? (Deliberate stimulation of one’s own sexual organs for sexual pleasure outside of the conjugal act.) (Catechism, 2366)
\n\u2022 Willfully entertained impure thoughts?
\n\u2022 Purchased, viewed, or made use of pornography?
\n\u2022 Watched or promoted movies and television that involve sex and
\nnudity?
\n\u2022 Listened to music or jokes that are harmful to purity? Read books that are immoral?
\n\u2022 Committed adultery? (Sexual relations with someone who is married, or with someone other than my spouse.)
\n\u2022 Committed incest? (Sexual relations with a relative closer than the
\nthird-degree or an in-law.)
\n\u2022 Committed fornication? (Sexual relations with someone of the opposite
\nsex when the two are not married to one another or any others.)
\n\u2022 Engaged in homosexual activity? (Sexual activity with someone of the same sex)
\n\u2022 Committed rape?
\n\u2022 Engaged in sexual foreplay (e.g., \u201cpetting\u201d, or excessive touching)
\nreserved for marriage?
\n\u2022 Preyed upon children or youth for my sexual pleasure (pedophilia)?
\n\u2022 Engaged in unnatural sexual activities (anything that is not inherently natural to the sexual act; e.g., sex toys, even in the context of marriage)?
\n\u2022 Engaged in prostitution, or paid for the services of a prostitute?
\n\u2022 Seduced someone, or allowed myself to be seduced?
\n\u2022 Made uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances toward another?
\n\u2022 Purposely dressed immodestly?
\nSeventh & Tenth Commandments
\nYou shall not steal.
\nYou shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Stolen? (Taken something that doesn’t belong to me against the
\nreasonable will of the owner.)
\n\u2022 Envied others on account of their possessions?
\n\u2022 Neglected to live in a spirit of Gospel poverty and simplicity?
\n\u2022 Neglected to give generously to others in need?
\n\u2022 Not considered that God has provided me with money so that I might use it to benefit others, as well as for my own legitimate needs?
\n\u2022 Allowed myself to be conformed to a consumer mentality (buy, buy
\nbuy, throw away, waste, spend, spend, spend?
\n\u2022 Neglected to practice the corporal works of mercy?
\n\u2022 Deliberately defaced, destroyed or lost another’s property?
\n\u2022 Cheated on a test, taxes, sports, games, or in business?
\n\u2022 Squandered money in compulsive gambling?
\n\u2022 Make a false claim to an insurance company?
\n\u2022 Paid my employees a living wage, or failed to give a full day’s work for a full day’s pay?
\n\u2022 Failed to honor my part of a contract?
\n\u2022 Failed to make good on a debt?
\n\u2022 Overcharge someone, especially to take advantage of another’s
\nhardship or ignorance?
\n\u2022 Misused natural resources?
\nEighth Commandment
\nYou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Lied?
\n\u2022 Knowingly and willfully deceived another?
\n\u2022 Perjured myself under oath?
\n\u2022 Gossiped?
\n\u2022 Committed detraction? (Destroying a person’s reputation by telling
\nothers about his faults for no good reason.)
\n\u2022 Committed slander or calumny? (Telling lies about another person in order to destroy his reputation.)
\n\u2022 Committed libel? (Writing lies about another person in order to destroy his reputation. Libel is in substance different from slander because the written word has a longer “life” of damage)
\n\u2022 Been guilty of rash judgment? (Assuming the worst of another person based on circumstantial evidence.)
\n\u2022 Failed to make reparation for a lie I told, or for harm done to a
\nperson’s reputation?
\n\u2022 Failed to speak out in defense of the Catholic Faith, the Church, or of another person?
\n\u2022 Betrayed another’s confidence through speech, deed, or in writing?
\nThe Precepts of the Church
\nFirst Precept of the Church
\nYou shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and rest from servile labor.
\n\u2022 (see Third Commandment above)
\nSecond Precept of the Church
\nYou shall confess your sins (to a Priest) at least once a year.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Made a good Confession of my mortal sins at least once a year?
\n\u2022 Purposely omitted telling my mortal sins in my last Confession?
\n\u2022 Neglected to perform the penance I was given?
\n\u2022 Neglected to make reparation for any harm I have done to others?
\nThird Precept of the Church
\nYou shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least once during the Easter season.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Neglected to fulfill my Easter duty to receive Holy Communion at least once between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday?
\n\u2022 Received Holy Communion while in the state of mortal sin?
\n\u2022 Failed to fast for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion?
\n\u2022 Received Holy Communion more than twice in one day?
\nFourth Precept of the Church
\nYou shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Neglected to do penance every Friday of the year, if not abstaining
\nfrom meat?
\n\u2022 Neglected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent (if I am 14 years of age and\/or older)?
\n\u2022 Neglected to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (if I am between the ages of 18 and 59)?
\n\u2022 Participated in diversions on days of penance (e.g., attended crawfish boils and fish fries, ballgames, movies, shopping on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday)?
\n\u2022 Neglected to spend time in prayer, do spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and practice self-denial?
\nFifth Precept of the Church
\nYou shall contribute to the support of the Church.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Neglected to contribute a just amount of my time, talents and money to support my parish and the work of the Church?
\n\u2022 Neglected to support the Church by not trying to become a saint or by not striving to make sincere progress each day in sanctity?
\nAn Additional Precept of the Church
\nYou shall observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage.
\nHave I…
\n\u2022 Been living in an invalid and\/or illicit marriage according to the laws of the Catholic Church?
\n\u2022 Abandoned my spouse and\/or family by separation or divorce?
\n\u2022 Kept company with someone whom I cannot marry in the Catholic
\nChurch?
\n\u2022 Given scandal by living with a member of the opposite sex without the benefit of a marriage blessed by the Catholic Church?
\n\u2022 Entered into marriage with more than one person at the same time?
\n\u2022 Failed to embrace the teachings given by the Catholic Church, which are supported by the Natural Law: that marriage can only exist between one man and one woman, and that no other union (i.e., between members of the same sex) can be a valid natural and\/or sacramental marriage? [If one holds that same sex unions can be valid marriages he must recant and repent before he can make a valid confession.]
\n\u2022 Supported pro same-sex union politicians?
\n\u2022 Publicly proclaimed that the Church’s teaching on marriage is wrong and as such taught others to reject it?<\/p>\n
<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
From the U.S. Bishops: Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself\u00a0with an examination of conscience, which\u00a0involves reflecting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1500],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-45339","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-devotion","7":"entry"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45339\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritdaily.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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