Catholics for centuries have found it profitable to examine their consciences in light of the Ten Commandments. Penitents are encouraged to expand on them in their prayerful review of their conduct.
First Commandment: “I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before Me.” (Ex 20:2,3)
- Have I really loved God above all things or have I made other things — money, clothes, sports, TV, music, pleasure, peer approval, or a famous celebrity — more important than God?
- Have I made time for God each day in prayer? Do I pray only when I need something or do I also seek to praise and thank Him, too?
- Have I made a serious effort to get to know my faith well, since my relationship with God is supposed to be the most important thing in my life?
- Have I endangered my faith in God by superstitious or evil practices, like witchcraft, wicca, ouija boards, fortune tellers and so on?
- Am I wholehearted in accepting and following God’s teaching or do I only pick and choose only the parts of His message that please me?
- Do I believe the false idea that one religion is just as true and good as another?
- Have I denied my faith before others? Have I been willing to affirm, defend and practice my faith before others and not just in private?
Second Commandment: “You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Ex 20:7)
- Do I love and have reverence for God’s Name?
- Have I used God’s name carelessly, in anger or in surprise?
- Have I called down evil on anyone?
- Have I used foul language?
- Do I try my best to fulfill the promises and resolutions that I have made toward God, especially those of my Baptism and Confirmation?
- Have I shown disrespect for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints, the Church and those who have consecrated their lives to God?
Third Commandment: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day.” (Ex 20:8)
- Did I miss Mass on Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation through my own fault?
- Have I really prayed and paid attention during Holy Mass or have I just gone through the motions? Do I participate at Mass by singing and praying the responses, or do I sit as a spectator wanting to be entertained? Do I pay attention to the Word of God and try to apply it to my life?
- Have I arrived at Mass late due to carelessness or left early without a serious reason?
- Have I kept the Eucharistic fast before Holy Mass?
- Have I received Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin?
- Did I do work on Sunday that was not necessary? Have I used Sunday just as part of the “weekend” or as a day for acts of love toward God, my family and those in need?
Fourth Commandment: “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12)
- Have I failed to be grateful and to thank my parents for the sacrifices they have made for me?
- Have I disobeyed my parents or those in authority (principals, teachers, coaches, police, etc.)?
- Have I disrespected my family members or treated them poorly, by insulting, mocking, ridiculing or yelling at them?
- Do I listen to my parents’ reasoning when they say “no” to me? Do I try to bring happiness and peace to my family or do I cause tension and division?
- Do I offer to help out around the house?
- Do I make time to visit my elderly relatives and those in poor health?
- Have I ignored or avoided my old friends in order to be part of the popular crowd?
Fifth Commandment: “You shall not kill.” (Ex 20:13)
- Have I physically harmed someone or tried to do so?
- Have I been violent in my words or actions?
- Have I intentionally cut or harmed my body, forgetting that it is meant to be a Temple of God?
- Have I done drugs, allowed myself to become intoxicated or done other things that will damage my health? Have I sold or distributed illegal drugs?
- Have I put others down to feel better about myself?
- Have I caused another to sin?
- Have I held grudges or tried to get even with others? Have I hated or failed to forgive someone?
- Do I get angry easily and lose my temper? Do I act rudely, impolitely or arrogantly toward others?
- Did I attempt suicide or entertain thoughts of taking my life?
- Have I harmed animals, littered or been destructive to the environment?
- Did I have an abortion, or encourage or help someone else to have one?
Sixth & Ninth Commandments: “You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex 20:14); “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.” (Ex 20:17)
- Have I remained chaste and pure in mind and body, as God asks of me?
- Do I understand and appreciate the gift of my sexuality and desire to save the gift of myself for marriage?
- Did I deliberately look at pornographic TV programs, websites, videos, pictures, or movies?
- Have I fondled or kissed another person lustfully? Have I treated others, in my deeds or thoughts, as sex objects?
- Did I commit impure acts with myself (masturbation) or with others through adultery (sex with a married person), fornication (premarital sex) or homosexual activity?
- Have I been an occasion of sin for others by acting or dressing in a way to make them lustful?
- Do I have a reverence for the institution of marriage as God made it, a union by God of one man and one woman?
Seventh & Tenth Commandments: “You shall not steal.” (Ex 20:15); “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.” (Ex 20:17)
- Have I been greedy or jealous of things others have? Do I resent their popularity or success?
- Have I nagged my parents into buying things my friends have, or complained when they did not purchase something for me?
- Did I shoplift, steal or take things that didn’t belong to me? Did I receive stolen goods? Have I returned or made restitution for things I have stolen?
- Did I damage others’ property without owning up to it and repairing it?
- Have I played fairly? Have I cheated at school or in games?
- Have I “forgotten” to return something I borrowed? • Have I wasted time, goods or food?
- Do I generously share what I have with the needy? • Do I use the money I have responsibly?
- Am I generous in supporting the mission of the Church? Do I participate with my time, talents and treasure in the apostolic and charitable works of my parish community?
Eighth Commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16)
- Have I lied?
- Have I kept my promises?
- Did I break a secret or a confidence?
- Have I injured another’s reputation by lying about them (calumny) or have I hurt others by revealing true hidden faults about them (detraction)?
- Have I gossiped or passed on rumors?
- Have I judged others?
- Did I insult or tease others with the intention of hurting them?
Other Sins
- Have I helped others when they’ve needed it?
- Did I intentionally refuse to mention some grave sin in my previous confessions?
Source: Fr. Roger Landry, Diocese of Fall River | Used with permission