Examination of Conscience

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23

An Examination of Conscience is a prayerful review of one’s thoughts, words, and actions in light of God’s commandments and the teachings of the Church. It prepares the soul for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and helps foster a deeper awareness of our relationship with God and others.

Before You Begin

Find a quiet place. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you reflect honestly and humbly. You may begin with a short prayer, such as:

“Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my heart that I may know my sins and the mercy of God. Amen.”

Reflect on the Ten Commandments

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before Me.

  • Do I truly put God first in my life?
  • Have I been involved with the occult, astrology, horoscopes, or other forms of superstition?
  • Have I relied on money, work, or relationships more than on God?

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

  • Have I used God’s name disrespectfully or in anger?
  • Have I cursed, sworn falsely, or spoken blasphemously?

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

  • Have I deliberately missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation?
  • Do I make Sunday a day of rest and family, as God intended?

4. Honor your father and your mother.

  • Have I disrespected or disobeyed my parents or lawful authorities?
  • Do I pray for and support my family members?

5. You shall not kill.

  • Have I harmed others through anger, hatred, or abuse?
  • Have I participated in or supported abortion, euthanasia, or violence?
  • Have I held grudges or refused to forgive?

6. You shall not commit adultery.

  • Have I been unfaithful in thought or action?
  • Have I engaged in impure acts or viewed pornography?
  • Do I treat my body and others’ bodies with respect and purity?

7. You shall not steal.

  • Have I taken what does not belong to me?
  • Have I cheated in business, school, or taxes?
  • Have I used time or resources wastefully or dishonestly?

8. You shall not bear false witness.

  • Have I lied, gossiped, or spoken negatively about others?
  • Have I damaged anyone’s reputation or encouraged dishonesty?

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

  • Have I entertained impure thoughts or fantasies?
  • Have I respected the dignity of others in my thoughts and conversations?

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

  • Have I been jealous of others’ possessions or success?
  • Am I thankful for what I have?

Other Areas to Reflect On

  • My prayer life: Do I spend time in prayer daily?
  • Use of time: Do I waste time or neglect responsibilities?
  • Charity: Do I help those in need or ignore their struggles?
  • Church life: Am I active in the Church community? Do I support it?

Act of Contrition

Before going to Confession, you may want to pray the Act of Contrition to express your sorrow:

“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.”

Bring your examination and your heart to the priest, and trust in God’s mercy. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” (1 John 1:9)

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