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Examinations of conscience

11 examinations of conscience from Catholic prayer books and manuals printed between 1861 and 1925, transcribed as they were printed by Manualist Press, a small Catholic publisher, for anyone preparing for confession or a nightly examen.

Texts
11
Years
1861–1925
Source pages
347

Choose by the time you have

Short nightly examens, general preparations for confession, and longer methods for a retreat or for study. Each reading keeps the spelling and phrasing of its source.

These are historical texts. They reflect the language and pastoral practice of their time. If you need help with confession or scrupulosity, speak with a priest.

Reading estimates use a reflective pace of 100 words per minute.

Brief

Up to ten minutes. Nightly examens and short preparations for confession.

  1. The Purgatorian Consoler

    A brief nightly examination.

    1868 About 3 min Source pages 18

  2. The Roman Hymnal

    A compact examination arranged by the commandments of God and the Church.

    1884 About 2 min Source pages 5; [unnumbered]; 26-30

  3. Abridged Catechism of Christian Doctrine

    A short examination from a catechism written for children.

    1901 About 2 min Source pages XV-XVII; 42-43

  4. Manual of the Purgatorian Society

    An evening examination with a separate confession examination.

    1924 About 9 min Source pages 82; 86-90

Fuller

Eleven to thirty minutes. General examinations with more room for reflection.

  1. Theory and Practice of the Confessional

    A pastoral and theological treatment of the examination.

    1905 About 24 min Source pages 215-221

  2. The Manual of the Holy Catholic Church

    A general checklist for preparation for confession.

    1906 About 23 min Source pages 129-134

  3. With God - A Book of Prayers and Reflections

    A general confession examination.

    1911 About 11 min Source pages 384-388

  4. Blessed Be God - A Complete Catholic Prayer Book

    A compact examination covering commandments, precepts, capital sins, and works of mercy.

    1925 About 11 min Source pages 21-25

Extended

More than thirty minutes. Longer methods, special subjects, and full treatments of the practice.

  1. Practice of Christian and Religious Perfection, vol. 1

    A full treatise on the practice of examining the conscience.

    1861 About 2 hr 50 min Source pages 348-385

  2. Ascetic Library, vol. 4 - Examination of Conscience upon Special Subjects

    A complete volume of examinations on particular subjects.

    1870 About 10 hr 45 min Source pages 1-250

  3. The Sodalist's Vade Mecum

    An examination prepared for members of a sodality.

    1896 About 33 min Source pages 53-69

Free to read and share

The editions in this collection were published from 1844 through 1925 and are in the public domain in the United States. Manualist Press provides these transcriptions without charge.

Public-domain information from the U.S. Copyright Office

From the catalogue

Three of our books

On prayer, on virtue, and on a father's duties.

  1. Prayer

    Its Necessity, Its Power, Its Conditions

    • By Father Ferreol Girardey, C.Ss.R.

    1916 · Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover

  2. Solid Virtue

    A Treatise on Christian Perfection

    • By Father Aloysius Bellécius, S.J.

    1914 · Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover

  3. The Christian Father

    What He Should Be, and What He Should Do

    • By Bishop Franz Wilhelm Cramer

    1883 · Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover