Show Us Your Examination!

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TimothyH

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Its amazing what a good examination can do. I think I’m doing OK until I go through the list, and then I realize how much I’ve slipped up.

So post your examination, if you have one, so that we can all get better.

Daily General Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT: “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides me.”
  • Have I performed my duties toward God reluctantly or grudgingly?
  • Did I neglect my prayer life? Did I recite my usual prayers?
  • Did I receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin or without the necessary preparation?
  • Did I violate the one-hour Eucharistic fast?
  • Did I fail to mention some grave sin in my previous confession?
  • Did I seriously believe in something superstitious or engage in a superstitious practice such as palm reading or fortune-telling?
  • Did I seriously doubt a matter of faith?
  • Did I put my faith in danger - without a good reason – by reading a book, pamphlet, or magazine that contains material contrary to Catholic faith or morals?
  • Did I endanger my faith by joining or attending meetings of organizations opposed to the Catholic faith such as non-Catholic services, Freemasonry, New Age cults or other religions? Did I take part in any of its activities?
  • Have I committed the sin of sacrilege such as profanation of a sacred person, place or thing?
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT: “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.”
  • Did I fail to try my best to fulfill the promises and resolutions that I made to God?
  • Did I take the name of God in vain? Did I make use of God’s name mockingly, jokingly, angrily, or in any other irreverent manner?
  • Did I Make use of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s name or another saint’s name mockingly, jokingly, angrily or in any other irreverent manner?
  • Have I been a sponsor in baptism or participated actively in other ceremonies outside the Catholic Church?
  • Did I tell a lie under oath?
  • Did I break public or private vows?
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.”
  • Did I miss Mass on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation?
  • Did I fail to dress appropriately for Mass?
  • Have I, without sufficient reason, arrived at Mass so late that I failed to fulfill the Sunday or holy day of obligation?
  • Did I allow myself to be distracted during Mass, by not paying attention, by looking around out of curiosity, etc?
  • Did I cause another to be distracted at Mass?
  • Have I performed any work or business activity that would inhibit the worship due to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, or the appropriate relaxation of mind and the body, on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation?
  • Did I fail to generously help the church in her necessities to the extent that I am able?
  • Did I fail to fast or abstain on a day prescribed by the Church?
**THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT: “Honor your father and your mother.”

For parents:**
  • Have I neglected to teach my children their prayers, send then to church or give them a Christian education?
  • Have I given them a bad example?
  • Have I neglected to watch over my children, to monitor their companions, the books they read, the movies and TV shows they watch?
  • Have I failed to see to it that my child made his first confession and first communion?
  • Have I failed to see to it that my children have received the sacrament of confirmation?
For children:
  • Was I disobedient toward my parents?
  • Did I neglect to help my parents when my help was needed?
  • Did I treat my parents with little affection or respect?
  • Did I react proudly when I was corrected by my parents?
  • Did I have a disordered desire for independence?
  • Did I do my chores?
For adults with parents:
  • Have I supported my parents in times of need to the extent that I am able?
  • Have I ensured that my parents are adequately cared for in terms of food, clothing and shelter?
  • Have I spoken to my parents respectfully and been tolerant of their shortcomings?
  • Have I listened to their advice patiently and humbly, with an eye toward learning from their experience?
  • Have I made an effort to visit my parents and to allow them time to visit with grandchildren?
Continued…
 
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not kill.”
  • Did I easily get angry or lose my temper?
  • Was I envious or jealous of others?
  • Did I injure or take the life of anyone?
  • Was I reckless in driving?
  • Was I reckless in the operation of mechanical equipment, chemicals or other potentially dangerous items?
  • Was I reckless in the use of firearms? Did I fail to keep firearms secured so that others, including children, could not access them?
  • Was I an occasion of sin for others by way of conversation; the telling of jokes which are religiously, racially or sexually offensive; dressing; inviting somebody to attend certain shows; lending of harmful books or magazines; helping someone to steal, etc? Did I try to repair the scandal done?
  • How many persons did I lead to sin? What sins were involved?
  • Did I neglect my health?
  • Did I attempt to take my life?
  • Did I get drunk or use prohibited drugs?
  • Did I eat or drink more than a sufficient amount, allowing myself to get carried away by gluttony?
  • Did I participate in any form of physical violence?
  • Did I consent to or actively take part in direct sterilization such as tubal ligation, vasectomy, etc? Do I realize that this will have a permanent effect on my married life and that I will have to answer to God for its consequences?
  • Did I consent to, advise someone about, or actively take part in an aboration? Was I aware that the Church punishes with automatic excommunication those who procure and achieve abortion? Do I realize that this is a very grave crime?
  • Did I cause harm to anyone with my words or actions?
  • Did I desire revenge or harbor enmity, hatred, or ill feelings when someone offended me?
  • Did I ask pardon whenever I offended anyone?
  • Did I insult of offensively tease others?
  • Did I quarrel with one of my brothers or sisters?
THE SIXTH AND NINTH COMMANDMENTS: “You shall not commit adultery” and “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”
  • Did I willfully entertain impure thoughts?
  • Did I consent to evil desires against the virtue of purity, even though I may not have carried them out? Were there any circumstances that aggravated the sin: affinity (relationship by marriage), consanguinity (blood relationship), either the married state or the consecration to God of a person involved?
  • Did I engage in impure conversations? Did I start them?
  • Did I look for fun in forms of entertainment that placed me in proximate occasion of sin, such as certain dances, movies, shows, or books with immoral content? Did I frequent houses of ill repute or keep bad company?
  • Did I realize that I might already have been committing a sin by placing myself in a proximate occasion of sin, such as sharing a room with a person I find sexually attractive, or being alone with such a person in circumstances that could lead to sin?
  • Did I fail to take care of those details of modesty and decency that are the safeguards of purity?
  • Did I fail, before going to a show or reading a book, to find out its moral implications, so as not to put myself in immediate danger of sinning in order to avoid distorting my conscience?
  • Did I willfully look at an indecent picture or can an immodest look upon myself or another? Did I willfully desire to commit such a sin?
  • Did I lead others to sins of impurity or immodesty? What sin?
  • Did I commit an impure act? By myself, through masturbation (which is objectively a mortal sin)? With someone else? How many times? With someone of the same or opposite sex? Were there any circumstances of relationship (such as affinity) that could have given the sin special gravity? Did this illicit relationship result in pregnancy? Did I do anything to prevent or end that pregnancy?
  • Do I have friendships that are habitual occasions of sexual sin? Am I prepared to end them?
  • In courtship, is true love my fundamental reason for wanting to be with the other person? Do I live the constant and cheerful sacrifice of not putting the person I love in danger of sinning? Do I degrade human love by confusing it with selfishness or mere pleasure?
  • Did I engage in acts such as “petting”, “necking”, passionate kisses or prolonged embraces?
For married people:
  • Did I, without serous reason, deprive my spouse of the marital right? Did I claim my own rights in a way that showed no concern for my spouse’s state of mind or health? Did I betray conjugal fidelity in desire or in deed?
  • Did I take “the pill” or use any other artificial birth-control device before or after new life had already been conceived?
  • Did I, without grave reason, with the intention of avoiding conception, make use of marriage on only those days when offspring would not likely be engendered?
  • Did I suggest to another person the use of birth-control pills or another artificial method of preventing pregnancy (like condoms)?
  • Did I have a hand in contributing to the contraceptive mentality by my advice, jokes, or attitudes?
THE SEVENTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS: “You shall not steal” and “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”
  • Did I steal? How much money or how much was the object worth? Did I give it back or at least have the intention of doing so?
  • Have I done or caused damage to another person’s property? To what extent?
  • Did I harm anyone by deception, fraud, or coercion in business contracts or transactions?
  • Did I unnecessarily spend beyond my means? Do I spend too much money because of vanity or caprice?
  • Do I give alms according to my capacity?
  • Was I envious of my neighbor’s goods?
  • Did I neglect to pay my debts?
  • Did I knowingly accept stolen goods?
  • Did I desire to steal?
  • Did I give in to laziness or love of comfort rather than diligent work or study?
  • Was I greedy? Do I have an excessively materialistic view of life?
Continued…
 
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
  • Did I tell lies? Did I repair any damage that may have resulted as a consequence of this?
  • Did I unjustly or rashly accuse others?
  • Did I sin by detraction, that is, by telling the faults of another person without necessity?
  • Did I sin by calumny, that is, by telling derogatory lies about another person?
  • Did I engage in gossip, backbiting, or tale-telling?
  • Did I reveal a secret without due cause?
If you remember other serous sins besides those indicated here, include them also in your confession.

-Tim-
 
Thanks for that, Tim - is that ever thorough! 👍

I use the St. Joseph one, which is very similar to yours, but not as detailed.

Here’s one for kids between the ages of ten and thirteen:

An Examination of Conscience for Tweens
  1. You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. (The First Commandment teaches us to put God first in our lives)
How do I spend my time each day? Do I remember that God loves me? Do I remember to give thanks to God for all that I have received? Do I try to love the people God has placed in my life? Do I have my priorities in order? Do I pray?
  1. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (The second commandment teaches us to speak carefully, to respect the power of of our words, and to say only what we mean to say.)
Do I pay attention to the way my words affect others? Do I misuse God’s name to express anger or frustration? Do I make promises in God’s name and then break them? Do I say hurtful things to others when I am angry or upset? Do I pay attention to the words I use and the impact they have on others? Do I put down other people?
  1. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (The third commandment teaches us to take time to worship God regularly and frequently.)
Do I take time each week to pray and to worship God? Do I take part in Mass on a regular basis, at least every Sunday? Do I remember that my strength comes from God, and that without God I can do nothing? Do I take time to relax and appreciate all that God has given me? Do I make time to get to know my family and my friends better?
  1. Honour your father and your mother (The fourth commandment teaches us to appreciate our parents)
Do I show respect for my parents, and for all who take care of me? Am I too critical of my parents? Do I do things to upset my parents on purpose?
  1. You shall not kill. (The fifth commandment teaches us to appreciate life)
Do I value all people? Do I do things to undermine the value of other people? Do I do things that harm the life I have been given? Do I take good care of myself? Do I encourage other people to take good care of themselves?
  1. You shall not commit adultery (The sixth commandment teaches us to keep our promises, and to protect our sexuality)
Do I value and respect my sexuality? Do I try to develop healthy relationships and avoid relationships where people are treated like things? Do I express my sexuality in appropriate ways? Do I respect the relationship God has set up between sexual intimacy and marriage?
  1. You shall not steal (The seventh commandment teaches us to respect private property and the rights of others)
Do I consider the needs and rights of others every time I take or use anything? Do I respect public property and the property of other people? Do I take more than I need? Do I share generously? Do I do the best work that I am able to give? Does my lifestyle make life harder for other people?
  1. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (The eighth commandment teaches us always to speak the truth and never to say more than is necessary)
Am I a truthful person? Do I try to mislead other people? Do I say things just to hurt other people? Do I gossip? Do I let gossip influence my opinions of other people?

You shall not covet your neighbor’s partner (The ninth commandment teaches us to avoid inappropriate relationships)

Do I think of other people as whole people, or as just a body, or just a mind? Do I let myself be convinced by some media that a person’s value is based on appearance, strength, or intelligence? Do I remember that all people are created in the image of God?
  1. You shall not covet your neighbor’s things. (The tenth commandment teaches us to find happiness where we are)
Do I let greed or envy take over my thoughts? Do I let others suffer so I can have more? Do I think my own wants are more important than other people’s? Do I remember that it is who I am, not what I own, that is really important?

Lord, help us to examine our lives honestly. Help us to see the things that keep us from being the people you created us to be, and give us the desire and the courage to change.
 

My daily one is pretty short- it’s in the evening prayer section of my book. I use a longer one based on the virtues/vices for going to confession. I like these two better than ones based on the commandments, because they’re a little more open ended and thought-provoking.​

Have I tried to live this day mindful of the presence of God? Have I tried in all things to do His will? Have I murmured or been impatient with the reverses or the difficulties I have met?

Have I been guilty of any act or word contrary to truth, honesty, or purity?

Have I given way to pride, envy, or hatred? Have I spoken of the faults of other? Have I hurt anyone’s feelings by my words or actions? Have I encouraged those who were speaking of the faults of others?

Have I been seriously trying today to lead a holy life- by avoiding sin, loving God, and by being concerned for all with whom I come in contact? Do I live selfishly, as though the people with whom I come in contact did not matter to me?

Am I concerned over the salvation of the souls of those around me? Am I willing to inconvenience myself to help others? Am I kind only to my friends, or do I also help my enemies?
 
The ones for kids and the 4th Commandment, I would include:

Giving due honor and obedience to parents, adult family members, teachers, those in authority, etc that they encounter no matter if its a daily basis or a few times a month.

Completing all homework/study/revision without complaint when requested by a parent, guardian and/or educator and better yet without constantly having to be asked to do so.

The ones for adults with the 4th Commandment:

Giving due honor and obedience to employers, and doing what they ask as long as it is not unethical / immoral / illegal.

Assisting parents when they are in need of help especially in old age, illness and/or injury incapacitates them with things like errands, etc
 
I don’t go through a formal examination of conscience. At the beginning of compline I just go over my day and note anything that I feel has offended God. I also bring to mind all the things I have done that please God., which keeps it balanced. I note things I want to confess in my journal and then when I do go to confession I have it all there.
 
I can’t. I’m too lazy. 😃

Years ago I took a few online examinations and mixed and matched to create one for my children. They are teens now and we all still use it. Sins is sins, and being crabby with your co-workers is more or less the same thing as kicking your brother under the table. Of course, I do look at the seriousness/graveness of my actions in a different way than my 10yr olds or my teens.
 
TimothyH said:
Its amazing what a good examination can do. I think I’m doing OK until I go through the list, and then I realize how much I’ve slipped up.

So post your examination, if you have one, so that we can all get better.

Daily General Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT: “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides me.”
  • Have I performed my duties toward God reluctantly or grudgingly?
  • Did I neglect my prayer life? Did I recite my usual prayers?
  • Did I receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin or without the necessary preparation?
  • Did I violate the one-hour Eucharistic fast?
  • Did I fail to mention some grave sin in my previous confession?
  • Did I seriously believe in something superstitious or engage in a superstitious practice such as palm reading or fortune-telling?
  • Did I seriously doubt a matter of faith?
  • Did I put my faith in danger - without a good reason – by reading a book, pamphlet, or magazine that contains material contrary to Catholic faith or morals?
  • Did I endanger my faith by joining or attending meetings of organizations opposed to the Catholic faith such as non-Catholic services, Freemasonry, New Age cults or other religions? Did I take part in any of its activities?
  • Have I committed the sin of sacrilege such as profanation of a sacred person, place or thing?
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT: “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.”
  • Did I fail to try my best to fulfill the promises and resolutions that I made to God?
  • Did I take the name of God in vain? Did I make use of God’s name mockingly, jokingly, angrily, or in any other irreverent manner?
  • Did I Make use of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s name or another saint’s name mockingly, jokingly, angrily or in any other irreverent manner?
  • Have I been a sponsor in baptism or participated actively in other ceremonies outside the Catholic Church?
  • Did I tell a lie under oath?
  • Did I break public or private vows?
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.”
  • Did I miss Mass on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation?
  • Did I fail to dress appropriately for Mass?
  • Have I, without sufficient reason, arrived at Mass so late that I failed to fulfill the Sunday or holy day of obligation?
  • Did I allow myself to be distracted during Mass, by not paying attention, by looking around out of curiosity, etc?
  • Did I cause another to be distracted at Mass?
  • Have I performed any work or business activity that would inhibit the worship due to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, or the appropriate relaxation of mind and the body, on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation?
  • Did I fail to generously help the church in her necessities to the extent that I am able?
  • Did I fail to fast or abstain on a day prescribed by the Church?
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT: “Honor your father and your mother.”

For parents:
  • Have I neglected to teach my children their prayers, send then to church or give them a Christian education?
  • Have I given them a bad example?
  • Have I neglected to watch over my children, to monitor their companions, the books they read, the movies and TV shows they watch?
  • Have I failed to see to it that my child made his first confession and first communion?
  • Have I failed to see to it that my children have received the sacrament of confirmation?
For children:
  • Was I disobedient toward my parents?
  • Did I neglect to help my parents when my help was needed?
  • Did I treat my parents with little affection or respect?
  • Did I react proudly when I was corrected by my parents?
  • Did I have a disordered desire for independence?
  • Did I do my chores?
For adults with parents:
  • Have I supported my parents in times of need to the extent that I am able?
  • Have I ensured that my parents are adequately cared for in terms of food, clothing and shelter?
  • Have I spoken to my parents respectfully and been tolerant of their shortcomings?
  • Have I listened to their advice patiently and humbly, with an eye toward learning from th
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++I believe you are making a grave ;mistake and you are going to end up in scrupulosity; just tell the priests what is on your mind, bringing a laundry is no ADVISED. If you are not sure pf ehatever sin, than lookk it up otherswise this whole episode is going to be scrupulous for you.
JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

jr
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