Dear Parishioners,

• We have a lot of confession times available in the various churches of the deanery this week. In order to help you make a good confession, I am including a short examination of conscience. Feel free to look it over before you go to confession. Sometimes we can easily forget that something is a sin. So, an examination of conscience is an easy way to check ourselves.

Hope you’re having a Holy Advent! God bless!

Examination of Conscience

• When was my last good Confession? Did I receive Communion or other sacraments while in the state of mortal sin? Did I intentionally fail to confess some mortal sin in my previous Confession?
• Did I willfully and seriously doubt my faith, or put myself in danger of losing it by reading literature hostile to Catholic teachings or by getting involved with non-Catholic sects? Did I engage in superstitious activities: palm reading, fortune telling?
• Did I take the name of God in vain? Did I curse or take a false oath? Did I use bad language?
• Did I miss Mass on a Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation through my own fault, without any serious reason? Did I fast and abstain on the prescribed days?
• Did I disobey my parents or lawful superiors in important matters?
• Was I selfish in how I treated others, especially my spouse, my brothers and sisters, my relatives, or my friends? Did I hatefully, quarrel with anyone, or desire revenge? Did I refuse to forgive? Did I cause physical injury or even death? Did I get drunk? Did I take illicit drugs? Did I consent to, advise, or actively take part in an abortion?
• Did I willfully look at indecent pictures or watch immoral movies? Did I read immoral books or magazines? Did I engage in impure jokes or conversations? Did I willfully entertain impure thoughts or feelings? Did I commit impure acts, alone or with others? Did I take contraceptive or abortifacient pills, or use other artificial means in order to prevent conception?
• Did I steal or damage another’s property? How much? Have I made reparation for the damages done? Have I been honest in my business relations?
• Did I tell lies? Did I sin by slander? By detraction telling unknown grave faults of others without necessity? Did I judge others rashly in serious matters? Have I tried to make restitution for any damage of reputation that I have caused?

(From the Handbook of Prayers. Edited by Fr. Jim Socias)

God bless!

Father Carter