Have I been generous in giving to others? Have I used people for my own ends and advantage?

reflecting on Christs Suffering and Passion on the Has my conversation been focussed on my own Cross pleasure, or on others? by Fr Dylan James Has my humour been insensitive to others? My Family: The Cross exemplifies every virtue (St Thomas Have I been more focussed on myself than on the Aquinas) How do our lives compare with what Christ has shown needs of others? Have I spent time with my family? How have I us? manifested my concern for them? Have I been 5 STEPS FOR A GOOD CONFESSION forgiving and tolerant of them? Have I scandalized 1. Examine your conscience -recall the sins that you them by a bad or lazy example? have committed since your last good confession. Punctuality and Discipline: 2. Be sincerely sorry for your sins. Have I wasted other peoples time by being late? 3. Confess your sins to the priest. Have I sinned against God and the congregation by 4. Make certain that you confess all your mortal sins being late for Mass? and the number of them. 5. After confession, do the penance the priest gives to Christ forgave His murderers, even as He hung on you. the Cross, saying, Father, forgive them(Lk 23:34) ACT OF CONTRITION Have I been slow to forgive others? O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Have I harboured resentment, grudges, and hatred in You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss my thoughts? of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all Have I nurtured imaginary angry conversations? because they offend You, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the Have I lost my temper? help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, Have I borne hated for another? Gossip: and to amend my life. Amen. Have I judged others in my thoughts? Have I damaged the reputation of another person by Sins of omission: In what I have done, and in what I have failed to do- my words, attitude, or looks? Have I repeated accusations that might not be true? sins of omission may be more serious than sins of Have I exaggerated? commission Have I failed to defend the reputation of others? e.g.Have I omitted to say my prayers? or, Have I omitted to look for and respond to the needs Have I failed to keep secrets? Lies: Have I lied or exaggerated? of family? Thought: In thought, word, and deed Christ did the will of the Father, saying, Not my e.g. Even if I did not gossip in word, did I judge will by Yours be done(Lk 22:42) someone in my thoughts? Have I sought God and His will above all else, or have Each area of my life should be considered: e.g. My family, my friends, my work, my prayer, those I put other priorities ahead of him? (e.g. friendships, ambition, comfort and ease) I work and live with etc. Have I got so caught up in the things of this world Christ loved us on the Cross: Greater love than this that Ive forgotten God? has no one than to lay down his life for his friends(Jn Have I risked losing my faith/piety by bad company, bad reading, cowardice, or pride? 15:13) How have I failed to love? Christ was patient on the Cross, bearing it for our sakes Christ put our needs before His own, that we How have I carried my cross? might be saved Have I been willing to suffer in my service of others? Each of you must think of others needs before your Have I grumbled and complained? C.f. Do everything own(Phil 2:4) without grumbling or arguing(Phil 2:14) Have I been attentive to the needs of my neighbour, Have I been impatient with people, family, events, and the needs of my family? sufferings, sicknesses? Have I been lazy in helping others?

An Examination of Conscience

Christ trusted in the Father, even as He died on the Cross, saying, Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit(Lk 23:46) Have I trusted God, especially in times of difficulty?

Have I neglected to seek Confession before Holy Communion? Have I taken the Lords name in vain? Or used other foul language?

Christ allowed Himself to be mocked by the soldiers, spat upon, and publically striped of his Christ despised earthly riches, becoming poor clothes for our sake (2 Cor 8 :9) Have I been overly concerned about what others think Have I ranked money and riches too highly? Have I been overly concerned about my own comfort of me? Have I allowed this to motivate my actions? Have I lied or exaggerated to make myself look good? and well-being? Have I wasted undue time and money on clothes and Have I been resentful of my lack of money? Have I cheated, stolen, or failed to pay my bills on time? appearance? Have I wasted money? Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death Have I envied or been jealous of the abilities, talents, ideas, good-looks, intelligence, clothes, possessions, on a cross(Phil 2:8) money, friends, family, of others? Have I been content with my lowly position, or have I resented the role that Christ asks of me? Christ despised earthly pleasures that He might Have I refused to admit my own weaknesses? Have I dwelt on the failings of others? give Himself in love for us Have I been overly attached to pleasures of food or sex? Have I judged others, in my thoughts or words? Have I ranked myself better than others? Have I eaten more than I need? Have I refused to learn from others? To how serious an extent? Do I despise others of different race, class or culture? Have I spent excessive money on food? Have I been stubborn? Refused to admit I was wrong? Have I drunk alcohol excessively? Refused to accept that another person had a better idea? Have driven after drinking? Have I eaten greedily and with little consideration for Have I been arrogant? Have I held others in contempt? those at table with me? Pusillanimity false humility: Have I given money to help the hungry? Have I neglected to use the talents that God has given Have I regularly practiced fasting and self-denial, me? especially on Fridays? Christ endured all things upon the Cross, Have I abstained from meat on Fridays? Have I persevered in the work God asks of me? Have I always fasted an hour before receiving Holy Have I made good use of my time, or have I wasted Communion at Mass? time needlessly? E.g. TV or internet? Whoever looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart Have I planned good use of relaxation and recreation, knowing that I need to rest well? (Mt 5:28) Have I gone to sleep on time? Have I viewed other people as mere sexual objects rather than as persons to be loved? Pornography: On internet? or TV? Have I entertained impure thoughts? Impure Acts: Alone, or with another? Christ prayed, even as He hung on the Cross Have I neglected to say my daily prayers? Have I entertained distractions in prayer? Have I attended Mass each and every Sunday? Have I done unnecessary servile work on a Sunday, or bought or sold things on a Sunday? Have I made a prayerful preparation before Mass and a good thanksgiving after Mass? Have I received Holy Communion while in a state of serious sin?