Examination of Conscience on the Commandments of God and the Church

All the commandments of the Church may be comprised in those of God, and they are treated here with the seven capital sins in one general examination. Do not neglect to consider the circumstances which alter the grievousness of the sin, nor the various ways in which we become accessory to the sins of others.

FIRST COMMANDMENT, WITH THE THIRD AND FOURTH COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH.

[This commandment enjoins the worship of God by faith, hope, and charity, and by proper acts of outward religious worship; and forbids all that is contrary to these virtues, or any omission of the religious duties which the Church enjoins.]

Sins against Faith.

By thought.—Have we consented or wilfully entertained thoughts or doubts against any truth of religion— refused to believe it—curiously sought to fathom any mystery?

By words.—Communicated our doubts to others—openly refused our belief to a point of faith—or ridiculed the belief of the Church?

By actions.—Exposed ourselves to lose the faith by listening to free-thinkers, enemies of the Church, persons in error, or reading works against the truths of Catholicity—have we given such books to others—been ashamed of our religion—denied it?

By omission.—Neglected to be instructed in the doctrines and precepts of the faith—been ignorant of what is absolutely necessary for salvation—or of what is necessary for approaching the sacraments?

Sins against Hope.

By thought.—Have we despaired of God's mercy, by giving up all endeavors to amend, or presumed on his goodness by deferring our repentance—have we failed in submission to Providence in the events of life—attributed success to our own talents?

By word.—Manifested thoughts of discouragement, presumption, or despair—murmured against Providence—led others to such thoughts?

By actions.—Resisted inspirations of the Holy Ghost, especially those that were clear and frequent—exposed ourselves to mortal sin—boasted of our talents?

By omission.—Not had recourse to God in temptation?

Sins more especially against Charity.

By thought.—Consented to thoughts of disgust or hatred to God?

By word.—Spoken blasphemously, boasted of sin—condemned others for observing the law of God, or prevented them from doing good?

By actions.—Lived in forgetfulness of God, and in disregard of our salvation—violated God's law through human respect, preferring the creature to the Creator?

By omission.—Omitted a good work through human respect—habitually neglected to offer and refer all our thoughts, words, and deeds to God?

Sins against the virtue of Religion and the Divine Worship.

By thought.—Voluntary distractions in prayer, whether of obligation or not—despised relics, holy pictures, the rites, and other things approved by the Church—taken pleasure in irreligious acts—put faith in dreams—resolved to neglect the yearly confession and Easter communion?

By words.—Spoken with contempt of holy things, or any religious object entitled to respect—ridiculed the Divine worship or its ceremonies?

By actions.—Profaned the sacraments—been irreverent in holy places—been guilty of superstition by using in our devotions unauthorized practices, or putting our confidence in things which have no virtue in themselves or by the institution of the Church of God—consulted fortune-tellers—made rash vows?

By omissions.—Omitted to adore God daily, to pray to him morning and evening, to thank him for his favors—omitted the obligatory annual confession and Easter communion—omitted to approach the sacrament of penance after falling into sin—neglected the fasts and abstinences of obligation—omitted to make frequent acts of faith, hope, and charity, for it is a sin to pass days and weeks and months without making them?

SECOND COMMANDMENT.

[This commandment ordains honor and respect to the holy name of God, his Saints, and holy things in general, and forbids irreverence to them, cursing, swearing.]

In thought.—Have you intended to swear falsely?

By words.—Blasphemed God, the Blessed Virgin, or the Saints—pronounced the name of our Lord without respect—used words of the Scriptures in jest—sworn unnecessarily or falsely or in doubtful matters—sworn to be revenged or commit any other sin, (such an oath is a sin, and the keeping of it is another)—promised with an oath, without intending to fulfil it—affirmed with imprecations what we knew to be false or doubtful?

By actions.—Induced any one to swear falsely, or been the cause of others' blasphemy?

By omissions.—Not accomplished vows, or done it ill and late.

THIRD COMMANDMENT OF GOD—FIRST AND SECOND COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH.

[The duties enjoined by these Commandments relate to the sanctification of the Sunday and holidays of obligation by hearing Mass and doing good works, such as hearing sermons, reading good books. They forbid all neglect of hearing Mass, except when prevented by illness or other just impediment, and especially all misspending of the day in worldly or sinful amusements. They also enjoin the observance of the fasts and abstinences ordained by the Church.]

In thought.—Resolved not to hear Mass or to work on Sundays and holidays of obligation—been voluntarily distracted during a Mass of obligation, especially during the more solemn parts—neglected to hear a second Mass when the first has not been properly heard—resolved not to observe the fasts or abstinences of the Church?

In words.—Talked from levity or any worse motive during Mass or any other office of the Church?

In deeds.—Worked, or made others work on Sundays or holidays without absolute necessity—bought or sold not of necessity—neglected to sanctify such days by prayer and good works—spent them in vain amusements—in sinful excesses—prevented others from hearing Mass and sanctifying the day?

By omission.—Neglected to watch that those under our care fulfilled their duty on Sundays and holidays—omitted to hear Mass on such days, or heard only a part of a Mass—habitually heard only a low Mass when we might attend the high Mass and sermon—omitted to sanctify the day, especially when unable to hear Mass?

FOURTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD AND FIFTH COMMANDMENT OF THE CHURCH.

[These commandments comprise our duties towards our parents and to all our superiors, civil and spiritual, and is violated by disobedience, disrespect, rebellion against lawful authority, neglect to assist our parents, &c. They also include the duties of parents and superiors to those under their care. Under this head come all our domestic relations, as parent and child, master or mistress, and servant or apprentice, teacher and pupil, &c.]

In thought.—Hated father or mother—desired their death or injury—judged them rashly or despised their inferiority—entertained such feelings towards any superior, temporal or spiritual?

In word.—Spoken ill of them—cursed, threatened, or insulted them—done so to superiors or other persons in the family—to our pastors?

In deeds.—Showed disrespect—struck or attempted to strike them—disobeyed them in important matters—caused in them anger or blasphemy—taken their property without their permission—neglected to execute their last will, or obeyed them in forbidden things—showed contempt for civil or ecclesiastical superiors ?—If parents: punished children not for their good or from love, but from anger and a spirit of revenge—forced them against their will into marriage or the religious state—not left them free in the choice of their state of life—given them bad example—ordered them to do what was contrary to the law of God, or prevented their fulfilling the duties of their religion?

By omission.—Not assisted parents when in need, whether in sickness or in health—promised marriage without consulting them, or married against their just opposition—neglected to contribute according to our means to the support of our pastor ?—If a father: not given what was necessary to wife and family—neglected the instruction, especially the religious instruction, of your children—not corrected them when in fault—neglected to watch over their company, associations, reading, &c.—prevented their settling suitably in life?

[Let each here examine his duty as child, pupil, apprentice, servant, &c.]

FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

[This commandment, which forbids taking away the life of the body by wilful murder, and of the soul by scandal, or causing any one to fall into mortal sin—also quarrelling, revenge, bad example, hatred—includes the principal duties prescribed by the great precept of fraternal charity, or loving our neighbor as ourselves.]

In thought.—Had aversion or hatred for our neighbor, desired revenge or his misfortune—rejoiced at his reverses—envied him—maintained feelings of enmity—been impatient in trouble, or desired death?

In words.—Counselled or approved revenge—insulted or slandered any one—harshly dismissed the poor—caused disunion and enmity by reports true or false, and to what extent ?—neglected to repair the evil?

In deeds.—Exposed one's self unnecessarily or sinfully to danger of death, as by duelling—injured health by excess of any kind—deprived one's self of absolute necessaries from avarice—revenged injuries—given way to anger or impatience—struck or wounded any one—caused the death of any one—done any act from which death would be likely to result—caused or attempted abortion—given death to our neighbor's soul by leading him into sin, in any of the ways by which we may be accessory—neglected the baptism of our children?

By omission.—Not given good advice when able—not pardoned an enemy, or when in wrong asked pardon—refused to aid a neighbor by alms or otherwise—why?

SIXTH AND NINTH COMMANDMENTS, AND SIXTH COMMANDMENT OF THE CHURCH.

[I. These commandments ordain, first, that those united in marriage should love and respect each other, support each other's failings, and devote themselves harmoniously to the great object of the sacrament of matrimony, the bringing up their children in the love and fear of God, a duty already treated of.

II. These commandments forbid, in the married, all violation of the marriage-bed, and, in all, every sin in thought, word, or deed, against that sovereign purity of soul and body which our holy religion enjoins upon us. They not only forbid adultery, fornication, and every sin of impurity with ourselves and others, but also require us to seek the virtue of purity and chastity in its highest perfection.]

I. Duty of Husband and Wife.

In thought.—Courted danger by thoughts which could alienate from our lawful spouse—been unfaithful in thought or desire—entertained feelings of anger, hatred—intended to deceive?

In word.—Been unreserved in speech, so as to excite jealousy—spoken unkindly—had harsh and angry disputes?

In deed.—Married secretly, or when any impediment existed—not been united by a lawful pastor—not prepared for the sacrament—been unfaithful—(if a husband) treated my wife harshly or with neglect—deprived her of necessary or proper apparel, &c.—exposed her to danger—(if a wife) been wanting in submission—dressed extravagantly or with evil motives—maintained acquaintances without the husband's knowledge—abandoned each other—refused to be reconciled?

By omission.—Neglected to retain the affection of each other—not prayed for each other—not sought to maintain each other in God's service—neglected the care of your children, if God has blessed you with any—neglected your household duties (if a wife), or to support the family (if a husband)?

II. Sins against Purity.

We shall not enter into details on this subject. It is a pitch which defiles. Those who sin against these two commandments, know it well: those who do not, should never learn. One thing is certain, there is nothing light in this matter—it is almost impossible to sin only venially. It is a pest which infests the whole being. If attacked, we must examine all our faculties, memory, understanding, and will; all the senses, hearing, sight, and touch; sound our thoughts, words, and actions; our very dreams, to know whether we have consented on waking, or caused them voluntarily; see whether we have caused or taken pleasure in irregular sensations; examine whether we have led others to sin by letters, messages, presents, songs, indecent actions or bad example; exposed one's self to sin by permitting dangerous or forbidden pleasures. We must examine whether we have dressed with bad intentions or contrary to decency—gone to church with evil intentions—omitted to pray when violently tempted. It is necessary to state the condition of the person with whom we have sinned or desired to sin—that is, whether married or not, bound by vows or not—and also our own.

We must also state whether the sin is habitual or not.

SEVENTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS.

[These commandments forbid us to covet or take our neighbor's goods without his permission, and include all modes of taking, however indirect; great care is necessary in examining in this particular, inasmuch as sins against it can be forgiven only on restitution being made, except where the party is wholly unable to do so, and then the restitution is only suspended. This commandment also forbids avarice, or an inordinate love of earthly temporal things.]

In thought.—Desired or wished to take another's property, to cheat him, not pay him, or restore him his property—avariciously desired wealth or other property?

In words.—Gained by falsehood or false oaths—counselled or approved any wrong done our neighbor?

In deeds.—Taken another's property by fraud or violence—how much—with or without the design of taking more—from a poor person—from a church—been avaricious—hoarded up property—been in any way accessory to a theft—defrauded the State of its rights—appropriated an article found without making any endeavor to find the owner?

Cheated in any way in trade—by false weights or measures, and selling inferior goods by imposing on the ignorant—passed bad money—profited by a person's necessity to get an exorbitant price—bought things stolen—bought of such as had no right to sell—combined with others to run up prices—combined with others to extort higher wages from masters, or to give lower wages to persons in employ?

Made illegal contracts—defrauded government by overcharges, or the public by fraudulent failures?

Aided others to recover money not justly due?

Exacted payment for services not rendered?

Gambled away the property of our families, or spent it in carousing, amusements, or associations of any kind.

Given money to bribe judges or jurors in our favor—or to obtain office—or accepted bribes?

By omission.—Omitted to do the duties for which we were employed—neglected to pay our servants, workmen, &c., or kept back their wages—paid them in such a way that they were losers—not paid our debts—lived so extravagantly that we could not, and neglected to retrench—not prevented a loss to our neighbors when we could—neglected to give alms and aid the poor according to our means—refused to aid works of charity when able—neglected to make restitution, or made it only after long delay—how long?

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.

[This commandment forbids all perjury and false swearing, all lies, falsehood, and equivocation. It also embraces every sin against charity, whether by detraction, rash judgment, suspicion, ill-natured reports, or insinuation, want of kindness, or forbearance, and a violation of the clear and positive rule of charity, which points out every one's duty on this head, viz. to act, speak, and even think of others, as we wish they should think, act, and speak of us.]

In thought.—Suspected or misjudged our neighbor unreasonably?

In word.—Manifested our suspicions or rash judgments to others—revealed secrets confided to us—lied with or without detriment to our neighbor—calumniated him, that is, spoken evil of him falsely—made known his faults—to how many—taken pleasure in hearing him calumniated or slandered—drawn conversation to it?

In deed.—Made false accusations to superiors or the authorities—sworn falsely, either in court or elsewhere—induced others to give false testimony and commit perjury—given money to carry on frauds at elections, and so induce perjury—aided such frauds in any way, excused or justified them?

Forged documents, stolen or destroyed records to injure others?

By omission.—Have you taken the oaths of the Freemasons, Odd-fellows, or any other society, condemned by the Church—neglected to stop calumny or slander when we could or were bound to do so by our station—not given all the honor due them—not repaired the evil caused our neighbor by our sins in these particulars?

Duties of our State of Life.

What are they—have we fulfilled them day by day—in what respect especially have we transgressed?

Have we lived without really thinking of God and our duties as Christians—made no effort to advance in virtue?

[Observe that every matter noted in this examen does not constitute a mortal sin, but such only as are a violation of God's law in a grievous matter, with full advertence and a deliberation of the will. Observe, too, that a sin is not less grievous because habitual, or done without attention to it at the moment: on the contrary, habit renders it more grievous, if, with a firm will, we do not struggle against it, and use the means prescribed.]