confession Resources

PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Holy Ghost, come in Thy mercy, enlighten my mind and strengthen my will, that I may know my sins, humbly confess them, and sincerely amend my life. Mary, my mother, refuge of sinners, assist me in thy intercession, Holy Angels and Saints of God, pray for me. (Roman Missal)

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

1. I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD: THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.
My faith – Have I denied it? Doubted it? Endangered it by reading anti-Catholic literature? Murmured against God? Despaired of his mercy? Taken part in or visited places of false worship? Spoken disrespectfully of holy persons or things? Neglected daily prayers? Been given to superstition or consulted fortune tellers?

2. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN.
Have I taken the Name of God in vain? Taken oaths unnecessarily or lied under oath? Blasphemed?

3. REMEMBER TO KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY.
Have I missed Sunday Mass deliberately or kept others from Mass? Been late? Inattentive? Done unnecessary servile work in Sundays or Holy days of Obligation?

4. HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER.
Have I disobeyed parents? Angered, insulted or distressed them? Refused to help them when in need? Neglected them? Stirred up others against them?
Have I angered, distressed or insulted wife (husband)? Unjustly accused her (him)? Neglected to support family? To correct children? To instruct them in their Faith? Given bad example?

5. THOU SHALT NOT KILL.
Have I deliberately caused another’s death? Wished harm to another? Angered, quarreled, fought, hated or held a grudge? Caused others to commit sin? Been guilty of abortion by advice, act or consent?

6. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.
9. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S WIFE.
It is necessary to mention whether you are single or married and whether any thoughts, words, or acts against these commandments concerned a single or married person or relative. Was it that I: took pleasure in impure thoughts? Went to immodest places of amusement? Kept or looked at immodest pictures? Showed them to others? Sang or enjoyed immodest songs? Dances? Read immodest literature? Was immodest in my looks? Had impure desires? Committed impure acts? (State what kind and if alone or with another.) Guilty of contraception? Any other types of impurity must be mentioned.

7. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
10. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S GOODS.
Was it that I: Stole or desired to possess unjustly the goods of another? Destroyed property of others? Defrauded insurance companies? Took employer’s goods? Wasted time for which I was paid? Gave incorrect weight or measure? Neglected or delayed to pay bills or just debts? Deferred payment of wages? Defrauded employees? Injured others’ rights to goods or employment?

8. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR.
Was it that I was guilty of lying, tale bearing, trouble making, or malicious gossip? Listened to gossip? Injured others by lies? Revealed hidden faults of others? Neglected reparation for these sins?

COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH
Did I neglect my Easter Duty or annual Confession? Attempted marriage in opposition to Church laws ? Failed to tithe and support Church when able? Deliberately ate meat on Friday or day of complete abstinence? Ate meat more than once on a day of partial abstinence? Deliberatively ate more than one full meal on a fast day (if over 21)?

SEVEN CAPITAL SINS
Was I proud, vain, unduly desirous of money or worldly possessions, lazy or idle, guilty of gluttony or drunkenness, slothful about religious obligations?

RESPONSIBLE FOR SINS OF OTHERS
Example, Advice, Command, Approval, Flattery, Silence, Taking part in sin of another, hiding it or defending it?

MY LAST CONFESSION
How long ago? Did I perform the penance? Did I conceal any mortal sin? Am I truly sorry for all my sins?

ACT OF CONTRITION

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because I have offended Thee Who art so good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.