Making a good Confession

1. A careful and sincere examination of conscience since your last confession;

2. Contrition (repentance), which includes the determination to avoid the occasions of sin;

3. Confession of sins to the priest, with humility and honesty;

4. Satisfaction - carrying out the penance prescribed to repair the damage caused by sin.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

The relationship with God:

Do I exclude God from my life?
Do I neglect my daily prayers or say them badly?
Have I used God's name in anger or carelessly?
Have I missed Mass on a Sunday or Holyday of Obligation?
Have I received Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin?
Do I observe the one hour fast before receiving Communion?
Do I abstain from meat or perform some other act of penance on Fridays?

The relationship with other people:

Have I been impatient, angry or jealous?
Have I taken part in, or encouraged, an abortion?
Have I physically harmed anyone?
Have I been drunk, used drugs, or given a bad example to others?
Have I driven carelessly so as to endanger my life or that of other people?
Have I placed myself in danger of sin by reading or looking at what was indecent or pornographic?
Have I sinned against the virtue of purity by myself (masturbation)?
Have I sinned against the virtue of purity with others (fornication, adultery, homosexual acts)?
Have I been dishonest by stealing or cheating?
Have I been lazy at my work or at home?
Have I been uncharitable or unkind in thought, word, or deed?
Have I told lies?
Am I greedy or selfish?
Do I judge others?

For adults:

Do I pray for my husband or wife?
Have I been faithful to my marriage vows in thought and action?
Am I critical of my spouse, putting them down in public or in private?
Do I make an effort to foster and show my love and affection for my spouse?
Am I too proud to say 'Sorry' whenever there has been disagreement?
Do I mistreat my spouse?
Have we used artificial means of birth control in order to prevent having children?
Have I neglected to teach my children their prayers?
Have I set my children a bad example by not bringing them to Mass?
Do I watch over the books they read and the television and videos they watch?
Am I over strict or over negligent with my children?
Do I help my children grow to maturity?

For youths:

Have I been disobedient or rude to my parents or teachers?
Do I treat my parents with affection and respect?
If I live away from home, do I keep in touch with my parents?
Do I quarrel with my brothers or sisters or other members of my family?
Do I forgive them?
Do I study hard at school or college?
Am I grateful for the sacrifices my parents have made for me?
Am I careful to set my friends a good example, especially in matters of moral issues?

* * * * * *

THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION

* reconciliation with God and therefore the forgiveness of sins;
* reconciliation with the Church;
* recovery, if it has been lost, of the state of grace;
* remission of the eternal punishment merited by mortal sins;
* remission, at least in part, of the temporal punishment which is the consequence of sin;
* peace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation;
* an increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of Christian living.

PRAYER BEFORE CONFESSION

Come Holy Spirit into my soul,
Enlighten my mind that I may know the sins I ought to confess,
and grant me Your grace to confess them fully,
humbly and with contrite heart.
Help me to firmly resolve not to commit them again.
be forever united with yours in eternal love. Amen.

CONFESSIONS in our church: