A Catholic Examination of Conscience

Senior, Separated Mother with 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: 4 minutes

Lukewarmness

Am I lukewarm in my thoughts towards Myself?

Lukewarmness in spiritual growth is sinful because one essentially chooses comfort and mediocrity over the transformative love God offers, which Jesus specifically warned against in Revelation 3:16.

Merciless

Have I ever condemned others mercilessly with my words?

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.

Have you condemned others through your words, mercilessly criticizing them for their age-related behaviors, values, or lifestyle choices?

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.

Have you ever condemned others through words, treating them with merciless disdain?

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 I failed to provide adequate means for others, especially those in my community and family, through deliberate omission of assistance?

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

Disobedience

Have you rejected unity with others through thoughts of disobedience?

Rejecting Church unity due to frustration with individuals is sinful because it confuses the Church's divine nature and eternal truths with the human imperfections of its members, while also violating Christ's prayer "that they may all be one."

Have you ever used Church language to mock others?

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.

Theft

Have you failed to address debts owed to others through omission?

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 helped others steal things through your 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 stolen anything from others through your deeds?

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 ever stolen something from others through your deeds?

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.

False Witness

Have I misrepresent others through words in my daily life?

This is considered sinful because deliberately deceiving others for personal gain violates the eighth commandment against bearing false witness and breaks trust in human relationships while failing to reflect Christian virtues of honesty and integrity.

Have I, through my words, caused another to be slandered?

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 spoken against others, using my words to slander them?

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 you deceived others through your 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 deceived others through your 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 deceived others by deceiving them through your 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 truth by your words against others?

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

Have you misrepresented others through words?

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

Have you misrepresented others through words?

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

Uncharity

Have I, in my thoughts, failed to prioritize others' interests?

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 with adult children?

Do I prioritize thoughts that show disrespect towards others, especially when interacting with my adult children, family members, or friends?

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 in your life by omission?

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 to others through my deeds, particularly towards those in need?

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 by deeds to 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.

Have you been lukewarm in your thoughts towards God, when considering doing something with technology that could be used for good or bad?

We tend to sin by failing in effort to know and love God while exerting other efforts on worldly things.

Have you ever had thoughts that you were being lukewarm in your commitment to God?

We tend to sin by failing in effort to know and love God while exerting other efforts on worldly things.

Have you failed to show reverence in your daily interactions, perhaps through omission of kindness or understanding towards others?

This sin is in failing to show proper reverence demonstrates a lack of faith, respect, and proper worship due to God.

Lust

Have you interacted with pornography through thoughts?

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

Have you interacted with pornography in your thoughts?

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

Have you interacted with pornography through impure thoughts?

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

Have you committed acts of lust through deeds with 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 acts against chastity in your deeds with 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 acts of lust against others through your deeds?

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

Do you have spent time thinking about your imprudence in allowing excessive thoughts?

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

Vanity

Do you obsess over your appearence in front of social media, thinking it will improve your self-image?

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

Murder

Have you by your deeds caused others to be murdered?

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

Condoning

Have you ever condoned funeral expenses, 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.

Do you permit your child to have their own way when it's wrong, even if it means going along with 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.

Do you permit yourself to tolerate unjust treatment of children, even if it is by others?

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 permitted your child to make decisions that contradict the teachings of the Church?

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

Effeminacy

Have you remained indifferent to teachings that foster effeminacy, a sin against others?

While it is a hardship and uncomfortable, we should not display softtness, but rather be witnesses to the Truth.

Impenitence

Have you clung to thoughts that make it difficult for you to be genuinely sorry for your sins when prompted?

Impenitence is sinful because refusing to repent is a prideful rejection of God's mercy.

Resent

Have you denied others forgiveness by using hurtful words?

Refusing to forgive others is sinful because it contradicts Jesus's direct command to forgive and His example of mercy, while also blocking God's forgiveness of our own sins.

Have I, through resentful thoughts about God, abandoned my faith in His love and guidance?

This sin represents a deliberate rejection of God's revealed truth and the covenant relationship established through baptism, breaking the promise to remain faithful to Christ and His Church.

Ambition

Have you let your desire for status influence your relationships with others, particularly adult children and grandchildren?

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.

Have you let ambition in your desires for material possessions, recognition, or power influence your decisions regarding maintaining a healthy weight and body composition?

Oppression

Have I mistreated others through my deeds?

It's a sin to execute an unjust and cruel exercise of power or authority over others instead of respecting the God-given dignity of every human person.

Envy

Have you felt envy towards others in your thoughts?

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 felt envy towards others because of their accomplishments in the digital realm?

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.

Gluttony

Have you overindulged in eating, drinking, or other sensual pleasures at your own expense?

This sin of gluttony demonstrates an inordinate attachment to worldly pleasures and rejects the call to temperance.

Gossip

Have I taken pleasure in spreading scandalous words about others through my conversations?

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

Infidelity

Have you broken your marriage vow through deeds, committing infidelity?

Fidelity in marriage is viewed as a sacred covenant made before God - not just a contract between people, thus breaking vows is seen as a betrayal of both divine and human trust.

Sensuality

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.

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.

Have you ever 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.

Impurity

Have you dressed in any way that might be considered immodest, doing so?

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

Have you dressed yourself in ways that are not modest for your age?

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

Have you used your way to commit impurity through deeds involving your self, especially in moments of dressing?

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

Adultery

Have you entertained thoughts about committing adultery against your spouse, even if it was just in your imagination?

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.

Apostasy

Have you ever rejected God's guidance in your thoughts regarding what it means to age gracefully?

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 ever rejected God's teachings by harboring thoughts of apostasy?

Blasphemy

Have you ever spoken words that blasphemed God?

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.