The examination of conscience (thinking honestly about your life and admitting your sinfulness) is the first step in celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation (going to confession).
The following list will assist you in your examination of conscience, It is not a complete list of sins but are good examples of the types of things we should consider when preparing to ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness.
1) Is God first in my life or do I put myself, money, material things, success, power, honor, prestige or other worldly things before God ?Do I own my possessions or do they own me?
2) Do I make time to pray the rosary and read the Bible every day?
3) Do I go to mass on Sunday or do I make excuses and not go?
4) Do I go to confession every month as Mary, the Mother of God has asked us to do?
5) Do I provide a witness of faith to everyone I meet, especially those who are fallen away or alienated from the Catholic Church, those who have no faith and people of non-Christian religions?
6) Do I share my time, financial blessings and talent with the community. especially the Church and the less fortunate?
7) Do I set aside a reasonable amount of time every week or month to volunteer?
8) Do I treat all people with the respect they deserve as children of God, especially those of other races, ethnic groups, languages and religions? Am I racist or prejudiced against certain people or cultures?
9) Do I forgive from the heart as the gospel says or do I remain bitter and resentful and harbor grudges?
10) “Why do you notice the splinter in your neighbor’s eye but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” Lk 6:41-42 Do I judge others while ignoring my own sins, faults, mistakes and weaknesses?
11) Would Christ approve of my relationships with my family and friends? Am I the kind of spouse and parent I should be or do I put myself first? Am I the kind of son/daughter that Jesus wants me to be or am I selfish and fall to the temptation to disobey and disrespect my parents and teachers?
12) Do I fight and argue instead of trying to resolve my differences with others peacefully by talking things out? Am I doing my best to promote gospel values such as respect for life, peace and justice?
13) Do I have a controlling personality? Does everything always have to be done my way?
14) If I am single do I violate God’s moral law by engaging in sexual activity in my thoughts, with myself or others, be they of the opposite or same sex? Do I support the pornography industry by using and especially buying it? Have I used artificial birth control instead of Natural Family Planning? Do I dress modestly?(Fatima.org – Modesty in Dress)
15) Adultery: If I am married have I had sexual activity with someone other than my spouse? If I am single have I had sexual activity with someone else’s spouse?
16) Have I damaged someone’s reputation by malicious speech or gossip? Have I used God’s name in vain?
17) Am I a person of integrity who always speaks the truth or do I lie or speak half truths?Do I abuse myself through the sinful use of alcohol, drugs, lack of exercise or insufficient rest and recreation? Do I observe the sabbath – a day of rest and worship – every week?
18) Am I honest about my debts and prioritize them in my budget so I can pay them in a timely manner?
