Examination of Conscience
CONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION
1. To be in the state of grace, that is to say, to be free from any mortal sin.
2. To abstain for at least one hour before Holy Communion from any food and drink, with the exception of water and medicine.
3. To know what you are receiving and to approach the altar with devotion.
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION OR PENANCE
The Sacrament of Confession is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time, it damages communion with the Church. For this reason, conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Confession.
Five conditions must be fulfilled in order to make a good confession: an examination of conscience; sorrow for the sins; a firm desire of amendment; to tell the sins to a priest; to complete the penance that he imposes on us.
Three conditions are required for a sin to be mortal: that the matter be grave and that, in addition, it be committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.
Below we offer a help for you to make a good examination of conscience.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE BEFORE CONFESSION
How long has it been since my last good confession?
Have I voluntarily concealed any mortal sin in the past confession?
Do I have true sorrow for my sins and the desire to change?
Have I completed the penances from past confessions and repaired the injustices committed?
First Commandment: I am the Lord thy God: Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.
Have I seriously doubted some truth of faith?
Did I do it in front of others?
Have I failed to trust in the help of God?
Have I spoken irreverently about the things of God, of the Church, and its ministers?
Have I neglected prayer or the sacraments?
Am I superstitious?
Do I believe in fortune tellers, witches, amulets, or similar things?
Have I read books, magazines, or web pages that are contrary to faith or morals?
Do I seek to know more about the faith?
Have I worshipped false gods?
Do I have other “gods,” that is to say, things that occupy me more than God – money, my profession, my studies, pleasures, etc.?
Second Commandment: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Have I been irreverent with the name of God, of the Virgin Mary, or of the Saints?
Have I offended them with blasphemies (insults to God)?
Have I given false witness or witness without necessity?
Have I done it in front of others?
Have I made a vow, oath, or promise and left it unfulfilled through my own fault?
Third Commandment: Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day
Do I believe all the Catholic Church teaches?
Do I show proper docility to Church authorities, as representatives of Christ?
Do I skip Mass or arrive late on Sundays or days of obligation?
Have I worked unnecessarily on Sunday?
Have I fulfilled the precepts of the Church of confessing and receiving communion once a year?
I observed the laws of penance on the Fridays of the year?
Have I fasted and abstaining from meet on the days prescribed by the Church?
Have I received Holy Communion or another sacrament in the state of mortal sin?
Have I helped to support the Church and clergy?
Fourth Commandment: Honor thy father and mother
For children: Was I disobedient or disrespectful towards my parents and superiors?
Did I neglect to help my parents in their material and spiritual needs?
Do I ask Masses for my deceased parents?
For parents: Have I given bad example to my children?
Have I been concerned with their spiritual formation?
Have I fulfilled my duty to educate them?
Have I abused my authority toward them?
Have I tolerated scandal or moral dangers among those who live in my house?
Have I fought with my spouse?
Do I care for my spouse’s needs?
Fifth Commandment: Thou shalt not kill
Have I caused harm to the life, reputation or goods of others?
Have I consented, collaborated, or obtained an abortion, participating in this serious crime? How many times?
Do I have true love for my neighbor, or have I taken advantage of him by using him for my personal benefit?
Have I been a source of serious scandal to my neighbor with my words or actions?
Do I hold enmity, hate, or grudge against anyone?
Have I been carried away with anger?
Have I desired serious evil of my neighbor, or have I been happy at his troubles?
Sixth and Ninth Commandments: Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
Have I stained my body with some impure action? Alone or with another?
Have I placed myself in the near occasion of sin against purity?
Have I read or watched anything, or had any conversation against purity?
Have I participated in shows or entertainment contrary to Christian morals?
Have I been, in this, a cause of sin to others?
Have I amused myself with impure thoughts or memories, even though I have not carried them out?
Have I dressed immodestly?
Spouses: Am I married in the Church?
Have I been faithful to my husband/wife?
Have I used or consented to contraceptives or other unnatural methods against procreation?
Seventh and Ninth Commandments: Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
Have I stolen or aided in a robbery?
Have I returned the goods and repaired to damage committed?
Have I been fair, responsible and honest in my work?
Have I paid a just salary, fulfilled contracts?
Have I supported projects of social action that are immoral or anti-Catholic?
Am I selfish with the things I have?
Am I envious of the things others have?
Do I do whatever possible to help the poor and help in the works of the Church?
Eighth Commandment: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Have I lied?
Have I slandered (to say serious and false things about another)?
Have I made rash judgements (bad statements about another without a fair basis)?
Have I gossiped (talking without reason about the defects and faults of others)?
Have I revealed secrets without just cause?
Have I repaired the harm done by saying these things?
