Examination of Conscience
There are many forms of an Examination of Conscience may undertake, but all of them should focus the penitent (the one going to Confession) on their life since the last time they went to Confession. The form given here is fairly common - they are questions that a penitent is to ask herself/himself to remind themselves of how Catholics are supposed to act and what might have been sinful behavior that needs to be forgiven. It is based on the Two Great Commandments given by Jesus - love of God and love of neighbor.
God’s 1st Commandment
“You shall love the Lord your God will ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, with ALL your mind and with ALL your strength.”
Is God first in my life?
Do I put other things first, like…Spending or earning money;
Obtaining more and more possessions without ever being satisfied?
Am I absorbed in excessive activities, constant entertainment and winning in competition at all costs?
Do I pray every day?
Do I ask God for pardon and for the grace to be the best that I can be every day?
Do I ignore God unless I need something?
Do I make any effort to know Jesus and to follow His ways?
Do I always have reverence for God?
Do I correct others for using God’s Name in vain?
Do I show respect for God’s Word in the Holy Bible?
Do I show respect for the teachings of Jesus Christ’s Holy Catholic Church?
Do I show respect for His priests?
Do I worship God at HOLY MASS?
Do I participate at Holy Mass?
Do I distract others so they cannot participate at Holy Mass?
God’s 2nd Commandment
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Do I honor and obey my parents and those in authority over me?
Do I care that God demands of me obedience to my parents?
Do I argue and fight with my parents?
Do I try to bring joy to my parents?
Do I disobey my parents and teachers . . . am I sorry?
Do I ask for their forgiveness?
Do I disrespect or ignore my parents or other family members?
Do I treat my brothers and sisters unkindly … do I set a good example for them?
Do I obey the laws and regulations of my school and community?
Do I respect and love others as children of GOD?
Do I refuse to be kind to “certain” people?
Do I pick and choose who I will be nice to?
Do I exclude others or put them down because I think they are different or inferior to me?
Do I respect the property and rights of others?
Do I cooperate and share with others?
Am I willing to work together with others to do GOOD things?
Am I unwilling to be a “team player?”
Do I respect and love myself as a child of God?
Do I neglect my health by eating the wrong foods or too much or too little?
Do I take foolish and unsafe risks in my activities?
Do I respect God’s gift of sexuality?
Do I abuse it as just a source of pleasure?Do I use other persons as objects of pleasure?
Do I look at images of sexuality that are in magazines, internet and movies?
Do I make the most of the gifts that God has given me?
Do I waste my time (internet, TV, cell phone, etc.) instead of developing and practicing my God-given talents?
Do I respect and protect the gifts of Creation?
Do I pollute or destroy the beauty of nature?
Do I tell the truth?
Do I cheat?
Do I hurt others by gossip?
Do I tell secrets that others do not have a right to know?
Do I work for justice?
Do I refuse to share some of my time, money or talents to help the poor and suffering?
Do I try to correct the wrongs done to others when I can?
Am I happy and thankful for the gifts God has given me?
Do I feel jealous of others who seem to have more or different gifts?
Do I show the joy of Jesus in my life?