A Catholic Examination of Conscience

Senior, Divorced Mother with Both Minor And Adult Children

In preparing for confession, please read through the examination questions and explanations thoughtfully, reflecting on each point and honestly identifying where you've fallen short of God's call in your life. You may click and remove any irrelevant ones as you proceed. Take mental note of any serious sins that require confession, focusing on being thorough but not scrupulous, then use these insights to make a complete and sincere confession to your priest.

Updated: December 3, 2024

Read Time: 5 minutes

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Merciless

Have you ever condemned others through your words in ways that are hurtful or damaging to their reputation, relationships, or self-esteem?

Condemning others is a sin of mercilessness because it places oneself in God's role as judge and denies others the same mercy and forgiveness that God extends to all of us.

Callousness

Have you failed to provide means for others, such as your family or friends, by omission?

As part of the corporal works of mercy, we're called to be merciful and compassionate to those in distress.

Theft

Have you failed to make amends for debts owed to others?

Intentionally failing to pay debts is sinful because it violates both the seventh commandment against theft and the principle of justice that requires honoring our commitments to others.

Have you failed to pay debts owed to others in your life, such as financial obligations or promises made?

Intentionally failing to pay debts is sinful because it violates both the seventh commandment against theft and the principle of justice that requires honoring our commitments to others.

Have I failed to provide for others in their time of need, thereby depriving them of debts owed to me?

Intentionally failing to pay debts is sinful because it violates both the seventh commandment against theft and the principle of justice that requires honoring our commitments to others.

Have I stolen something from others through my deeds?

While not stealing yourself, this sin still participates in breaking the seventh commandment and shows disregard for others' rightful property and dignity.

Have you, by your deeds, helped others to steal?

While not stealing yourself, this sin still participates in breaking the seventh commandment and shows disregard for others' rightful property and dignity.

Have you ever stolen anything?

Theft disrespects the human dignity and property rights of others, breaks trust within communities, and demonstrates both greed and a lack of trust in God's providence.

Have you stolen anything from your family members or friends?

Theft disrespects the human dignity and property rights of others, breaks trust within communities, and demonstrates both greed and a lack of trust in God's providence.

Condoning

Have you permitted your child to experience hardships due to omission of necessary support?

Permitting a child to continue in error by avoiding difficult conversations is sinful because it neglects our God-given parental duty to guide and form our children's moral and spiritual development, placing our own comfort above their eternal wellbeing.

Do you condone funeral expenses being covered by others through deeds?

Failing to advocate for proper burial of human remains is considered sinful as the Church teaches that the body is sacred and deserves reverent burial, with scattering or keeping remains being contrary to the dignity of the human body and resurrection belief.

Have you permitted your child to engage in any deeds that could potentially lead them down a path of condoning harmful behaviors or attitudes?

Parents have to protect their children's well-being, guarding them from harmful elements that could damage their faith or lead them into sin.

Have you ever permitted your child to condone something through their deeds?

Parents have to protect their children's well-being, guarding them from harmful elements that could damage their faith or lead them into sin.

Uncharity

Have you prioritized interests of others ahead of their own needs, through thoughts?

This is considered sinful because excessive self-focus and selfishness violates Christ's command to love our neighbors as ourselves and contradicts the Christian call to practice charity, compassion, and self-sacrifice for others.

Do you prioritize thoughts against others through interests, especially when considering their well-being in your daily decisions?

This is considered sinful because excessive self-focus and selfishness violates Christ's command to love our neighbors as ourselves and contradicts the Christian call to practice charity, compassion, and self-sacrifice for others.

Have you prioritized interests over relationships and neglected to give sufficient time and attention to loved ones in your life?

This is considered sinful because excessive self-focus and selfishness violates Christ's command to love our neighbors as ourselves and contradicts the Christian call to practice charity, compassion, and self-sacrifice for others.

Have you lost patience with others through your words?

Losing patience with others fails to reflect God's infinite patience with us and violates Christ's command to love our neighbor, instead allowing anger and frustration to override charity and kindness.

Have you lost patience with others through hurtful words?

Losing patience with others fails to reflect God's infinite patience with us and violates Christ's command to love our neighbor, instead allowing anger and frustration to override charity and kindness.

Have you helped others who are struggling, when they needed your support?

Refusing to help those in need violates Jesus's direct command to love our neighbor and practice the works of mercy, as illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Have you helped others?

Refusing to help those in need violates Jesus's direct command to love our neighbor and practice the works of mercy, as illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Have I shown compassion in my deeds towards others?

Failing to help those in need violates Christ's direct command to love our neighbor and care for the poor, effectively refusing to recognize Jesus Himself in the suffering of others.

Have you shown compassion in your deeds towards others?

Failing to help those in need violates Christ's direct command to love our neighbor and care for the poor, effectively refusing to recognize Jesus Himself in the suffering of others.

Have you shown compassion to others through your deeds?

Failing to help those in need violates Christ's direct command to love our neighbor and care for the poor, effectively refusing to recognize Jesus Himself in the suffering of others.

Retaliation

Do you entertain thoughts of retaliation against others, even in your mind?

Entertaining thoughts of revenge is sinful because it rejects Christ's teaching of forgiveness and love of enemies, choosing instead to harbor malice and a desire for personal retaliation rather than leaving justice to God.

Lust

Have you ever interacted with pornography while thinking about yourself?

Interacting with pornography reduces human beings to mere objects for personal gratification, violating their inherent dignity and worth as children of God.

Have you ever interacted with pornography during times of loneliness, stress, or boredom?

Interacting with pornography reduces human beings to mere objects for personal gratification, violating their inherent dignity and worth as children of God.

Have you used your thoughts to engage in pornography?

Interacting with pornography reduces human beings to mere objects for personal gratification, violating their inherent dignity and worth as children of God.

Have you had lustful acts in your deeds towards others?

While our sexual nature is a gift, using it to indulge in sensual pleasures is sinful as it's ordered for a particular purpose within marriage.

Have you had lustful acts through your deeds against others?

While our sexual nature is a gift, using it to indulge in sensual pleasures is sinful as it's ordered for a particular purpose within marriage.

Have you had lustful acts with someone through your deeds, causing harm to others?

While our sexual nature is a gift, using it to indulge in sensual pleasures is sinful as it's ordered for a particular purpose within marriage.

Imprudence

Have you spent time thinking about your future goals without taking concrete steps to achieve them?

Wasteful pursuits squander the precious time God has given us for meaningful spiritual growth and service to others.

Vanity

Do you obsess over appearence in your thoughts, especially when considering how others perceive you?

Excessive focus on physical appearance reflects vanity and can indicate a lack of trust in God's creation of you as inherently worthy.

Do I obsess over my appearance, thinking vain thoughts about how others perceive me?

Excessive focus on physical appearance reflects vanity and can indicate a lack of trust in God's creation of you as inherently worthy.

Do you obsess over your appearence in front of others, particularly in retirement, and let it consume your thoughts?

Excessive focus on physical appearance reflects vanity and can indicate a lack of trust in God's creation of you as inherently worthy.

Sensuality

Do you desire worldly experiences at the expense of your own spiritual growth?

Prioritizing worldly pleasures and experiences over spiritual development is considered sinful as it violates the First Commandment by placing temporal desires above one's eternal relationship with God.

Have you prioritized pleasures over your relationships?

This sin makes idol of physical or emotional gratification, turning what should be a gift from God into the primary focus of one's life, displacing God as the center and highest good.

Have you engaged in masturbation?

While our sexual nature is a gift, using it for self-indulgence in sensual pleasures is sinful as it's ordered for a particular purpose within marriage.

Murder

Have you intentionally murdered others through deeds?

The taking of one's life intentionally violates the fifth commandment and takes away the precious gift of life that was granted by God.

False Witness

Have I used my words to slander another, causing them hurt or damage through my spoken words?

Slander deliberately damages another person's reputation through false statements, violating both the Eighth Commandment against bearing false witness and Christ's command to love our neighbor.

Have I by my deeds deceived others?

Deceiving others is a form of bearing false witness, damages trust between people, and breaks down human relationships that should reflect God's truth and love.

Have you deceived others through your actions?

Deceiving others is a form of bearing false witness, damages trust between people, and breaks down human relationships that should reflect God's truth and love.

Have I deceived others by giving false witness through my deeds?

Deceiving others is a form of bearing false witness, damages trust between people, and breaks down human relationships that should reflect God's truth and love.

Have you misrepresented the truth about your experiences, plans, relationships, or goals to others through your words?

Bearing false witness puts one's desires over truth, justice, and love of God.

Have I misrepresented others through words, thereby leading them to believe something that was not true?

Bearing false witness puts one's desires over truth, justice, and love of God.

Have you misrepresented others by your words?

Bearing false witness puts one's desires over truth, justice, and love of God.

Sloth

Have I omitted doing something to nurture my spiritual growth, which has resulted in child?

Parents have the duty to be the first teachers of faith to their children, as promised in their child's baptism and outlined in Church teaching as the fundamental responsibility of Christian parenthood.

Blasphemy

Have you ever used swear words to blaspheme God in front of others?

This sin violates the Second Commandment by treating God's holy name with disrespect rather than reverence.

Have you ever used swear words when discussing God's love, mercy, or grace in your relationships, especially with family members?

This sin violates the Second Commandment by treating God's holy name with disrespect rather than reverence.

Have you ever used words against God, such as blasphemy?

This is sinful as using God's holy name carelessly or disrespectfully shows contempt for His divine nature and fails to give proper honor to the sacred name of God, which should only be used in prayer, worship, or respectful discussion.

Have you ever spoken against God in your conversations with others about your personal struggles and experiences?

This is sinful as using God's holy name carelessly or disrespectfully shows contempt for His divine nature and fails to give proper honor to the sacred name of God, which should only be used in prayer, worship, or respectful discussion.

Disobedience

Have you ever mock Church teachings to others through your words?

Mocking the church shows contempt for Christ's established institution on earth, disrespects the Body of Christ, and undermines the Church's divine authority as guided by the Holy Spirit.

Have you used words to mock your fellow church members?

Mocking the church shows contempt for Christ's established institution on earth, disrespects the Body of Christ, and undermines the Church's divine authority as guided by the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever mocked your Church leaders through words, particularly when they are guiding you on matters of faith or morals?

Mocking the church shows contempt for Christ's established institution on earth, disrespects the Body of Christ, and undermines the Church's divine authority as guided by the Holy Spirit.

Have you dishonored your mother by deeds, whether first time doing so or habitually?

Respecting parental authority helps maintain proper order in families and society, and that parents deserve honor for their role in giving life, nurturing, and forming their children in faith and virtue.

Ambition

Have you let the desire for power influence your thoughts about improving relationships with others?

inordinate ambition and the obsession with power corrupts the soul by placing our desire to dominate and control above God's authority, turning us away from humble service and toward prideful self-exaltation.

Envy

Have you ever felt envy towards others, thinking about their relationships, career success, or personal achievements?

Envy leads us to have discontent for another's possessions so we won't feel the pain of comparison or perceived lack in our own lives.

Have you ever felt envy towards others' achievements in their personal growth, learning, and self-care pursuits?

Envy leads us to have discontent for another's possessions so we won't feel the pain of comparison or perceived lack in our own lives.

When have you felt others envying your accomplishments in retirement or feeling envious of yours?

Envy leads us to have discontent for another's possessions so we won't feel the pain of comparison or perceived lack in our own lives.

Gossip

Have I taken pleasure in speaking ill of others through words?

Gossip violates human dignity and charity by harming others' reputations for our own entertainment or pride.

Impurity

Have you ever way dressed yourself in impurity by deeds?

Wearing attire that's exceptionally revealing or indecent violates chastity and beckons sins from others.

Have I entertained lustful thoughts about someone other than my spouse, which could potentially lead to sinful desires?

This sin undermines the sacred bond of marriage by treating another person as an object of desire rather than respecting their dignity and commitment to their spouse.

Violence

Have I entertained sinful thoughts against others through my relationships and interactions, possibly involving adulterous desires or temptations?

This sin undermines the sacred bond of marriage by treating another person as an object of desire rather than respecting their dignity and commitment to their spouse.

Vainglory

Have I used words to distance myself from others, such as family members, friends, or community, through boasting about my accomplishments or possessions, in a way that made them feel less important or valued?

This is a public betrayal of Jesus' teaching that "whoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven," effectively choosing human respect over fidelity to God.

Have you used words to distance yourself from others, thinking that your own accomplishments are more important than theirs?

This is a public betrayal of Jesus' teaching that "whoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven," effectively choosing human respect over fidelity to God.

Autonomy

Have you ever doubted existence and autonomy?

Deliberately entertaining doubts about God's existence is a sin against faith because it questions the most fundamental truth of our faith and shows a lack of trust in God's clear self-revelation through creation, scripture, and the Church's teachings.

Do you rely on your own abilities when making decisions, rather than seeking God's guidance in your thoughts?

Pride is self-reliance repeats Lucifer's original sin of wanting independence from God and fails to acknowledge our complete dependence on divine grace.

Apostasy

Have you rejected God's teachings through thoughts that denied your faith in Him?

Denying God's existence after having been baptized apostasy is one of the gravest sins possible because it is declaring the Author of Life and Source of all being to be non-existent, which directly contradicts both reason and divine revelation.

Have you rejected God's teachings in your thoughts about growing older and what it means to age?

Denying God's existence after having been baptized apostasy is one of the gravest sins possible because it is declaring the Author of Life and Source of all being to be non-existent, which directly contradicts both reason and divine revelation.