Articles

Examination of Conscience Using the Beatitudes

Examination of Conscience Using the Beatitudes

Looking for a different way to examine your conscience? Using the Beatitudes is a wonderful tool to see how we are not living up to the Lord's standards. "Am I gentle with others or am I harsh?" "Do I truly yearn for God's Will to be done, in my life and in all things?" " Do I love purity and honesty?" These probing questions and more are in this beautiful examination.

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Church Documents

Catechism Of The Catholic Church

Presenter
Publisher
The Catholic Church
Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Confession: paragraphs 1420-1498

Examinations

A Guided Examination of Conscience

This Examination of Conscience is a wonderful tool that can be used every time you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One good word of advice: Make sure you pray before you prepare.
Presenter
Publisher
Father Mark-Mary
Ascension Press

Fr Mark-Mary walks you through the Ten Commandments in a way which enables you to go deeper into your examination before going to Confession. The questions he asks are helpful to anyone who desires to more thoroughly prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Testimonies

Confession Changed Me

Confession changed the life of several people who were away from the Sacrament for many years.
Presenter
Publisher
Joseph Pronechen
NC Register

Joseph Pronechen collects stories about several people who returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after being away for many years. Beautiful testimonies! There is so much joy in their return to God.

Videos

Most Common Problems I See in Confession (and how to fix!)

Learn the importance of making a good Confession and how to improve your Confessions.
Presenter
Publisher
Fr. Casey Cole OFM
Breaking in the Habit

It is evident in this video that Fr. Casey Cole has a great love for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One of his disappointments is that some who come to to Confession have not been given proper formation in how to make a good Confession.

Because the confessional is not always conducive for instruction on "How to make a proper Confession", Fr. Casey has created Tik Tok videos featuring seven different common ways people can misuse the sacrament.

The videos are exaggerated scenarios where Fr. Casey plays the priest hearing Confession and the penitent individual. What is most clearly expressed in this video is Fr. Casey's deep love and respect for those coming to Confession and his hope that all who come to the sacrament can experience God's amazing love for them.

Key Takeaways

  • Fr. Casey desires to "teach" and "form" individuals in the proper use of the Sacrament of Confession

Some ways people do not use the sacrament properly:

  • List - Individuals can come to Confession with a long list of sins without much evidence of contrition for any of them.
  • Burying the Lede - There are some who hurriedly squeeze a serious sin between two venial sins without giving an indication that there's a difference between the two.
  • Confessing everything as mortal - Not all sins are serious. It is important to know the difference between the two.
  • Scrupulosity - The frequent, habitual use of Confession is usually an indication of a mental health issue. The CCC #1393 and 1394 show how our sins are expiated through our reception of the Eucharist at mass. This may not be enough for those who suffer from obsessive, compulsive disorder, but it may give some comfort to them.
  • Vagueness - Confessing that you have broken commandments 1, 5 and 8 is not enough information for the priest to understand what you are struggling with.
  • Naming other's sins - Confession is about your relationship with God. It is not meant to be a time to discuss the faults of others.
  • The Rambler - Confession is not the time to discuss theological questions or sorting out how you feel about things. It is always about confessing the ways in which you've failed to love God.
  • Welcome Home - It it clearly shown how much having someone return to the Sacrament of Confession means to Fr. Casey in this last short Tik Tok video. True contrition is a joy to see.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Did any of the videos make you think of the way you go to Confession?
  2. Were you convicted by any of the videos?
  3. Will viewing these videos help you think about how you approach the sacrament the next time you go?
  4. Can you sense how Fr. Casey feels about the Sacrament of Confession?
Articles

Examination of Conscience Using the Beatitudes

Presenter
Publisher
Clumsy Theosis

Looking for a different way to examine your conscience? Using the Beatitudes is a wonderful tool to see how we are not living up to the Lord's standards. "Am I gentle with others or am I harsh?" "Do I truly yearn for God's Will to be done, in my life and in all things?" " Do I love purity and honesty?" These probing questions and more are in this beautiful examination.

Videos

Going to Confession for the First Time in a Long Time

Fr. Mike Schmitz gives encouraging advice to those who have been away from the Sacrament of Confession.
Presenter
Publisher
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Ascension Presents

Fr. Mike Schmitz always presents an uplifting, approachable explanation about particulars of the Faith. In this video he gives great advice to those who, for one reason or other, have not gone to Confession for a while.

How do you remember the sins you've committed ten years ago? By using an examination of conscience, you can see where you have failed to love God. Where and how did you say "no" to Him over the course of the time you've been away?

Sin breaks our relationship with God. Confession is the opportunity to restore that bond. Just as you would say you're sorry to someone you've injured, telling God you are sorry for offending Him repairs the damage you have incurred.

Key Takeaways

  • The Holy Spirit convicts us of what we have done wrong if we give Him the time and space to listen to His voice.
  • A good Examination of Conscience is a necessary tool to determine how we have missed the mark of loving God as we should.
  • If you unintentionally forget to mention a mortal sin in Confession, that sin is forgiven, but you should mention it the next time you go to Confession.
  • Confession is always about restoring our relationship with God. We should try to remove every impediment which stands in the way of loving Him.
  • Fr. Schmitz has co-authored a book "Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation"

Questions for Reflection

  1. Is there something that is keeping you from Confession?
  2. Are you willing to prepare yourself properly to receive the sacrament ?
  3. Does examining your conscience seem overwhelming, scary, intimidating, or painful?