Catholic Mission

 

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Lord, Jesus, enlighten my heart, that I may see myself as you see me, a child of the God, noble in dignity yet burdened by sin. Help me to know my sins and to lay them at the foot of your cross, so that by your holy blood you may wash me clean. Amen.

  • Do I love God with my whole heart?  Or am I more concerned about the things of this world?  Do I allow my faith in Christ to be the center of my life?
  • Do I trust the Church?  Have I been strong and fearless in professing my Catholic Faith?  Have I supported and defended the Church?
  • Do I show reverence for God's name?
  • Do I participate in Mass on Sundays and holy days?  Is my participation attentive and prayerful?
  • Do I prayerfully prepare to receive the sacrament of Eucharist?  Do I receive communion as a means of grace-filled union with Christ, or only out of habit or convention?  Have I received Communion unworthily, i.e. in the state of mortal sin?
  • Did I confess my serious sins within the past year, and receive Communion during the Easter season?
  • Are there false gods in my life which I worship by giving them greater attention and deeper trust than I give to God, e.g. money, power, pleasure, peer approval, superstition?  Are decisions in my life prompted by greed?
  • Do I have a genuine love of people, or do I use them simply as a means to an end?  Do I show my love by respectful interaction and thoughtful courtesy?
  • Do I fulfill my duties to parents and family?  Do I show my love and respect for members of my family?  Do I appreciate them sufficiently?
  • Have I been respectful, obedient and cooperative to those who have legitimate authority over me or some part of my life?
  • If I am a student, have I been  dutiful in my work?  Have I studied according to my abilities?  Have I been respectful of my teachers and other students?  Do I make a positive contribution at school?
  • Have I been truthful and honest?  Have I been deceptive or unnecessarily secretive?  Have I broken a trust?  Have I spoken honestly and respectfully of others?
  • Have I respected all human life?  Have I allowed anger, hatred or bitterness to interfere in my relationships?  Have I abused alcohol or any other substance?  Have I driven recklessly, or endangered my life or others' lives in any way?
  • Do I take proper care of my body, and give due attention to my physical health?
  • Have I participated in abortion in any way?  Have I in any way encouraged or approved abortion?  Do I defend the dignity of all human life, or do I minimize the value of some people?
  • Have I stolen property of others?  Have I practiced the self-discipline appropriate to my state in life?  Have I avoided lust by practicing sexual modesty and chastity in my choice of TV, movies, internet, clothing, dance, etc.?  Have I refrained from sexual activity outside of marriage?
  • Do I avoid the persons, places or situations which are "near occasions of sin?"
  • Do I willingly accept the sufferings which come my way as a means of sharing in the Cross of Christ?  Or do I grumble and resent any inconvenience?  Am I lazy?
  • Do I compromise my faith in Jesus by going along with the sinful ways of the world?
  • Do I strive to give good example to others?  Do I encourage them to make right choices?
  • Do I remain humble, even when I have done something well?  Am I arrogant?
  • Do I admit mistakes when I make them, and seek forgiveness promptly?  Am I quick to forgive those who have offended me or do I hold grudges?
  • Have I been grateful to God and others for their kindness and generosity to me?
  • Is my concern for the poor and less fortunate only superficial, or do I actually take time and find ways to assist them?
  • Do I focus too much time/ energy/ attention on my personal concerns, and not enough on the concerns of others?  Am I envious or resentful of the good fortune of others?
  • Do I really strive to grow closer to Christ?  To follow him more faithfully?  To surrender my life to him?
  • Do I pray daily?  Do I give prayer the priority that it deserves?  Is part of my daily prayer an examination of conscience?  Do I pray for the needs of others, or remain enclosed in my own personal concerns?
  • Do I make use of the Sacrament of Penance as often as I should?
  
 
 

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