Examination of Conscience (Continued from Last Week)

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

Do I try to keep Sunday as a day of prayer, rest, and relaxation, avoiding unnecessary work? Have I deliberately come late or left early from Mass without a good reason?

 
4. Honor your father and your mother.

 
Do I honor and respect my parents? Have I deliberately hurt my parents? Do I treat my children with love and respect? Do I support and care for the well-being of all family members? Have I neglected family duties? Do I honor and obey my lawful superiors?

5. You shall not kill.

 
Have I deliberately harmed anyone? Have I had an abortion or encouraged an abortion? Have I attempted suicide or seriously considered it? Have I abused drugs or alcohol? Have I led anyone to sin through bad example or through direct encouragement?

6. You shall not commit adultery.

 
For the married: Am I faithful to my spouse in thought and action? Have I used artificial contraception, or been sterilized? Was I married outside the Church without proper permission of the Church?

For the unmarried: Have I engaged in sexual activity with anyone of either sex?

For all: Have I deliberately viewed pornographic magazines, videos or internet websites? Have I done impure actions alone or with another? Have I used impure language or told impure jokes? Do I dress modestly?

7. You shall not steal.

 
Have I stolen or accepted stolen goods? Have I deliberately destroyed the property of others?

Have I cheated anyone of what I owe? Do I gamble excessively? Do I share what I have with the poor and the Church according to my means? Have I pirated materials: videos, music, software?

(Continued next week.  See also A Guide to Confession prepared by the Knights of Columbus.)

Father Stanley