Featured Article: A Brief History of African American Catholics - "Slavery was a cruel social institution that corrupted the entire history of the United States. It divided the nation. It divided religion. It touched every part of the Catholic Church. In 1839, Pope Gregory XVI condemned slavery in the document Supremo Apostolatus Fastigio, but this made little impact. Catholic slaveholders did not consider slavery immoral, since the Bible did not forbid it. Many priests and religious sisters owned slaves. So did some bishops. Even some African American Catholics had slaves. A black person might purchase a slave in order to be able to marry him or her and the spouse remained, legally, a slave." | Read Full Story

Examination of Conscience
(Article: Page 2 of 7)
| Print Version | Discuss Online

Youth Article Index

We've Come This Far By Faith: St. Augustine Parish Youth Ministry About St. Lawrence Abstinence Education Notre Dame's First Black Valedictorian Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist: Two Sacred Sacraments and Blessed Acts Who Am I My life serving in the African American Catholic Community African American Young Adult Ministry is an act of Social Justice It's Time to Walk the Walk Your talents: Gifts from God and a call to action. A Purpose-Driven Life Not My Own Abstinence Saves Lives Our Forgotten Children "Prayer Changes" Pro-Life Pilgrimage If You Don't Know Where You're Going, Any Road Will Take You There Transitioning from High School to College Examination of Conscience PRE-CANA Archdiocese of New Orleans's IMANI Team

Youth Article Index

Section 1.04 What is an examination of conscience?

An examination of conscience consists of a detailed inspection or investigation of our actions and the interior motives for those actions as well as of our lack of action, i.e. the good I failed to do that I could have done, and the interior motives for that inaction. It also involves an investigation of our inclination or tendency to sin and the types of sin to which we have an affection.

It is helpful to confess not only our sins but also to reveal the motives for those sins as well.

Article II. Method of Examination

In addition to the Ten Commandments, the precepts of the Church (see below) are good lenses through which we examine ourselves.

We should examine our actions on a daily basis. It is a common practice among members of the Church to perform an examination of conscience at night before going to sleep. The nightly examination may follow the form prescribed by St. Francis De Sales. He suggests the following:

• Thank God for having kept you during the day.
• Examine how you conducted yourself throughout the day by reflecting on where, with whom, and in what work you were engaged.
• If you find you have done any good, thank God for it.
• If you have done anything wrong in thought, word, or deed, ask God for pardon and make a resolution to go to confession at the first opportunity and make careful amendment for it.
• Recommend to God's providence your body, soul, the Church, your relatives, and friends.

Another more detailed examination of conscience, borrowed from http://www.scborromeo.org/confess.htm is listed in the section following the precepts of the Catholic Church. This examination is a good preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Section 2.01 Precepts of the Catholic Church

• (a) You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
  • Do I know what the holy days of obligation are in the United States?^viii
  • Have I missed Mass on Sundays or any holy day of obligation?
  • Am I busy with activities on Sunday and holy days of obligation that do not aid in the sanctification of those days?
  • 
    
  • Examples: inordinate amount of time playing video games or watching music videos or professional sports and little attention given in preparing for Mass and not paying attention and participating during Mass
• (b) You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
  • Have I gone to confession within the last year?
  • Have I concealed serious sins from the priest in confession?
• (c) You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
  • Have I received the Eucharist during the Easter season?^ix
• (d) You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
  • Do I know the days of fasting and abstinence?^x
  • Do I know what fasting is and what abstinence is with regard to food?^xi
  • Have I fasted or abstained on these appointed days?
• (e) You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
  • Do I help the Church with her material needs according to my ability?

to top of page

We believe in Privacy! We will never sell your email address. Period!