HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION
1. Begin with these or similar words: “Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been ____weeks since my last confess. These are my sins.”
2. Mention your sins as briefly as possible. Remember that you are talking to Jesus.
3. The priest will give you a penance (something to do as a sign of gratitude for being forgiven). Then the priest will ask you to say an act of contrition (printed below).
4. The priest will say the words of absolution (prayer of forgiveness). Remember that at this time Jesus is talking directly to you and granting you his own divine forgiveness.
5. After confession, you may wish to spend time in Church praying.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
—————————————–-——————————LOVE OF GOD————————–—–————-————————————
· Who is God for me? Does He have the most important place in my life?
· What place does God occupy in my life? Do I truly love God with all my heart, or do I live concerned only with material things, work, business, riches?
· Do I pray every day and do I seek to bring my family members to pray also? Do I faithfully participate at Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation, or do I miss Holy Mass without a valid reason?
· Do I respect other people’s property? Did I refuse without a good reason, to give or to lend?
· Do I offer up, consecrate, to God my work, study and sickness? In difficulties do I turn to God for help with faith and perseverance, or do I consult “mediums” and the occult?
—–——–———–————————————————LOVE OF NEIGHBOR————–——————————————————
· Am I selfish? Am I proud? Am I jealous? Do I dislike or hate someone?
· Do I think enough of those who are less fortunate?
· Do I forgive those who sin against me?
· Do I share with those who are worse off than I am, do I give to the poor? Or am I greedy and egotistical, always wanting the best for me?
· Am I honest at work, fair on the job and in business? Do I pay just wages and taxes? Do I take what is not mine? Do I harm others? Do I mislead others? Do I make rash judgments, criticize, swear, bear grudges or nourish hate against somebody?
· Am I obedient to my parents, do I respect them?
· As father or mother: am I a good parent? Do I love my children?
· As husband or wife: are we faithful to each other and do we love each other with all our hearts? Do we accept children as gifts of God, or do we try to eliminate them through abortion? Have we ever advised someone to abort or collaborated in one?
————–———————————————————-LOVE YOURSELF—————–———————————–————————
· Do I use the gift of time well?
· What are the priorities in my life?
· Do I try to live in the presence of God, doing my best to please him, or do I live as if God does not exitst? Do I go to confession when I need to be reconciled to God? Do I receive Holy Communion worthily?
· As I am a temple of the Holy Spirit, do I maintain my senses and body pure and chaste?
· In driving motor vehicles, do I drive well?
· Do I over-drink and overeat? Do I take drugs that are harmful to health, or do I contribute to others taking harmful drugs?
· Do I swear or take God’s name in vain? Is my attitude/way of dressing appropriate? Do I take pleasure in watching immoral films, TV programs, or photographs? With my lack of decency, have I led others to sin?