Outline for the Examination of Conscience

Do I approach the Sacrament of Penance with a sincere desire of purification, conversion, renewal of life and a more intimate friendship with God, or rather do I consider it a burden, which only rarely am I disposed to take upon myself?

Have I deliberately forgotten or withheld serious sins in my past confession or in past confessions?

Have I carried out the penance that I received? Have I repaired the wrongs I committed? Have I tried to put into practice the resolutions made to amend my life according to the Gospel?

Is my heart really directed to God; can I say that I truly love Him above all things and with filial love by faithfully observing His commandments? Do I let myself be too absorbed by temporal affairs? Do I always have a right intention when I act?

Is my faith firmly fixed in God who has spoken his word to us in His Son? Have I firmly adhered to the teachings of the Church? Do I have my Christian formation at heart, by listening to the word of God, taking part in catechesis, avoiding everything that could undermine my faith? Have I always professed my faith in God and in the Church courageously and fearlessly? Did I show myself a Christian in private and public life?

Do I pray in the morning and evening? Is my prayer a real conversation, heart to heart, with God, or is it only an empty exterior practice? Did I succeed in offering to God my occupations, my joys and sorrows? Do I turn to Him with confidence in times of temptation?

Do I have reverence and love for the holy name of God, or did I offend Him by blasphemy, false oaths, taking His name in vain? Was I irreverent towards our Lady and the Saints?

Do I sanctify the Lord’s day and the feasts of the Church, by taking part through active attentive and devout participation in liturgical celebrations, above all in Holy Mass? Did I avoid doing unnecessary work on holydays? Did I observe the precept of at least annual confession and communion at Easter time?

Do I have «other gods», namely expressions or matters I take interest in or which I trust more than God, for example: riches, superstitions, spiritism and other forms of magic?

Have I listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit? I ask forgiveness for all the times I have not wanted to listen to the Spirit, preferring to listen to myself.

Do I really love my neighbour, or do I abuse my brothers, using them for my interests and treating them as I would not like to be treated? Did I scandalize others by my words or actions?

In my family, do I contribute to the good and serenity of others by my patience and true love? Did I have the courage to be a seeker of peace among my brothers, friends and relatives? For individual members of the family: For children. Was I obedient to my parents, did I respect and honour them? Do I help them in their spiritual and material needs? Do I dedicate myself to studies in school? Do I respect those in authority? Do I give good example in every situation? For parents. Have I been duly concerned about the Christian education of my children? Do I give them good example? Do I support and direct them with my authority? For spouses. Have I always been faithful in my affections and actions? Was I understanding in times of unrest?

Do I know how to give of my own, without petty selfishness, to one who is poorer than I? As far as it depends on me, do I defend the oppressed and help those in need? Or do I treat my neighbour, especially the poor, weak, the elderly, the marginalized, immigrants with sufficiency or with hardness? Have I had the courage to recognise the infinite dignity of every human life? Have I been complicit in and/or directly committed abuses of conscience, power and sexual abuse? Have I used the ministry of priesthood or religious life to commit these terrible sins? Have I recognised or defended the dignity of women? Have I given doctrinal justification for inhuman treatment? Have I been an obstacle to a synodal Church? Have I turned my authority into power? I ask forgiveness when I have failed to recognise the rights and dignity of every human being, when I have discriminated against them and exploited them. I ask forgiveness for all the times I have stolen hope, love and identity from the younger generations. I ask forgiveness for my indifference to the tragedies of our world.

Am I aware of the mission entrusted to me? Have I participated in the apostolate and charitable works of the Church, in the initiatives and life of the parish? Have I prayed and offered my contribution to the needs of the Church and the world, e.g. for the unity of the Church, for the evangelisation of peoples, for the establishment of justice and peace?

Do I have at heart the welfare and prosperity of the community where I live or do I take care only of my personal interests? Do I participate, as far as I can, in initiatives which promote justice, public morality, harmony, works of charity? Have I fulfilled my civil obligations? Have I paid my taxes regularly? Have I committed sins against creation? I ask forgiveness for all the times I have contributed to turning creation from a garden into a desert.

Am I just, committed, honest at work, willing to give my service for the common good? Do I give a just wage to the workers and all under my care? Do I observe contracts and keep my promises?

Do I give to legitimate authority the obedience and respect due to them?

If I have some task or carry out positions of authority do I look out only for my advantage or do I dedicate myself for the good of others, in a spirit of service?

Was I truthful and faithful, or have I caused harm to others by lies, calumny, detraction, rash judgments, violation of secrets?

Did I make an attempt on the life and physical integrity of my neighbour, did I offend his honour, did I damage his goods? Did I procure or counsel an abortion? Did I keep silent in situations where I could have encouraged others to good? In my married life was I respectful of the teachings of the Church regarding the openness and respect for life? Did I act contrary to my physical integrity (for example: sterilization)? Have I always been faithful, even in thought? Have I nurtured hatred? Have I been quarrelsome? Did I utter insults and offensive words, inciting divisions and hard feelings? Did I shamefully and selfishly fail to testify to the innocence of my neighbour? When driving a car or using other means of transportation did I put my life or the lives of others in danger?

Did I steal? Did I unjustly desire the goods of others? Did I damage my neighbour in his belongings? Did I return what I took and did I repair any damage caused?

If I have been wronged, did I show willingness to reconcile and forgive for Christ's sake, or do I nurture hatred in my heart and the desire for revenge?

What is the fundamental orientation of my life? Do I take courage from the hope of eternal life? Did I strive to revitalize my spiritual life by prayer, reading and meditation of the Word of God, participation in the sacraments? Was I quick and decisive in suppressing vices, subjugating passions and perverse inclinations? Did I respond to the reasons for envy, did I dominate my gluttony? Was I presumptuous and proud; did I presume so to affirm myself as to scorn others and prefer myself to them? Did I impose my will on others, trampling their freedom and ignoring their rights?

How have I used my time, my energy, the gifts I have received from God as the «talents of the Gospel»? Do I use all these means to grow each day in the perfection of the spiritual life and in the service of neighbour? Have I been listless and lazy? How do I use the internet and other means of social communication?

Do I endure the sufferings and trials of life patiently and in a spirit of faith? Do I try to practice mortification, to make up all that is lacking from the sufferings of Christ? Do I observe the law of fast and abstinence?

Did I keep myself pure and my body chaste, in my state in life, being mindful that it is the temple of the Holy Spirit, destined for the resurrection and glory? Have I guarded my senses and did I avoid soiling my spirit and body with evil thoughts and desires, unworthy words and actions? Did I indulge in readings, conversations, shows, entertainments in contrast with human and Christian honesty? Has my behaviour been a scandal to others?

Did I act against my conscience because of fear or hypocrisy?

Did I try to behave always and in everything with the true freedom of the sons of God and according to the law of the Spirit, or did I let myself be enslaved by my passions?

Did I omit doing a good that was possible for me to realize?