An Examination of Conscience is a prayerful review of our thoughts, words, and actions in light of God’s commandments and the teachings of the Church. It helps us recognize where we have fallen short, so we can receive God’s mercy with sincerity and humility.

Confession is not about shame, but about freedom — freedom from sin and freedom to live more fully as a beloved child of God.

How to Make an Examination of Conscience

1. Begin with prayer – Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and reveal your sins honestly.

2. Reflect on your life – Use the guide below to examine your conscience.

3. Be honest and thorough – Confess all serious (mortal) sins and bring even small (venial) sins to Christ for healing.

4. Trust in God’s mercy – Remember that no sin is greater than His love.

A Guide by the Ten Commandments

(Adapted for personal prayer before Confession)

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

• Do I put God first in my life?

• Have I trusted in superstitions, horoscopes, or fortune-telling?

• Do I spend time each day in prayer?

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

• Have I used God’s name carelessly or disrespectfully?

• Have I used foul language or cursed others?

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

• Do I attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation?

• Have I kept Sunday as a day of rest and prayer?

4. Honor your father and your mother.

• Do I respect my parents and family members?

• Have I been obedient to rightful authority (teachers, employers, civil leaders)?

5. You shall not kill.

• Have I harmed others through anger, hatred, or gossip?

• Have I respected the dignity of every human life?

• Have I abused my body with alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy habits?

6. You shall not commit adultery.

• Have I been faithful to my spouse in thought and action?

• Have I engaged in impure thoughts, actions, or pornography?

7. You shall not steal.

• Have I taken what is not mine?

• Have I cheated in school, work, or business?

• Do I share generously with those in need?

8. You shall not bear false witness.

• Have I lied or deceived others?

• Have I gossiped or damaged another person’s reputation?

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

• Have I respected the dignity of others in thought and desire?

• Have I treated people as objects rather than persons?

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

• Am I content with what I have?

• Do I struggle with jealousy, envy, or greed?

Act of Contrition

Before receiving absolution, pray sincerely:

"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."

Resources

• Edmonton Archdiocese – “Examine Your Conscience”

• CCCB – Celebrating Reconciliation: Resources for Going to Confession