The Way of Darkness (Sin) : The Way of Light (Holiness) : Examination of Conscience

for Adults and Teens

The Seven Capital Sins The Seven Capital Virtues The Beatitudes
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1. Pride: Preoccupation with one’s own 1. Humility: Acknowledgment of truth about 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the RS
excellence or misery. God, oneself and others. Kingdom of Heaven. E

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2. Avarice/Greed: Disordered desire for 2. Generosity: Doing actions for the benefit of 2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the
possessions; setting our hearts on material others; selflessness. land.

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things; selfishness. 3. Chastity: Proper integration of sexuality 3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be
3. Lust: Disordered desire for or inordinate within the human person according to the comforted.
enjoyment of sexual pleasure. mind of God and one’s state in life. 4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for justice; 1808
4. Anger: Uncontrolled emotion which results in 4. Meekness: Gentleness of spirit that gives for they shall be filled. The Ten Commandments
desire for revenge; holding resentment. power of self-possession; governs anger. 5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain I. I am the Lord Thy God. Thou shall not have
5. Gluttony: Putting the pleasures of the body 5. Temperance: Moderation of the desire for mercy. strange gods before Me.
(food, drink, makeup, Internet, TV, etc.) over pleasure. 6. Blessed are the pure of heart; for they shall see II. Thou shall not take the Name of the Lord thy
the goods of the soul. 6. Brotherly Love: Desire for the true good of God. God in vain.
6. Envy: Sadness at the good of another. one’s neighbor, which leads one to act rightly 7. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be III. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
7. Sloth: Bodily or Spiritual laziness or neglect. toward him. called the children of God.
IV. Honor thy father and thy mother.
7. Diligence: Consistency in doing what is right. 8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for
V. Thou shall not kill.
justice’s sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of
Sins Against the Theological Virtues Heaven. VI. Thou shall not commit adultery.
1. Presumption on God’s Mercy. The Theological Virtues 9. Blessed are you when people revile you and VII. Thou shall not steal.
2. Despair of God’s Mercy. Faith, Hope and, Charity. persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against VIII. Thou shall not bear false witness.
3. Resisting and/or Attacking the known truth. you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, IX. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
4. Envy at another’s spiritual good. The Cardinal Virtues for your reward will be great in heaven. X. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
5. Obstinacy in sin. Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude.
6. Final impenitence (refusal to repent). Three Eminent Good Works to Overcome The Two Greatest Commandments
The Corporal Works of Mercy our Sinfulness I. You shall love the Lord your God with your
Sins Crying to Heaven To feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. whole heart, with your whole soul and with
1. Willful murder. all your mind.
clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the
2. Sodomy. II. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
homeless, visit the sick and bury the dead. The Evangelical Counsels
3. Oppression of the poor.
4. Defrauding laborers of their wages. Chastity, Poverty and Obedience. The Precepts of the Church
The Spiritual Works of Mercy 1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy
To admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, Days of Obligation and rest from servile labor.
Being an Accessory to Another’s Sin counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, 2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
1. By counsel. bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries and Imprimi Potest: 3. You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at
2. By command. pray for the living and the dead. least during the Easter Season.
3. By consent. Very Rev. David M. Wilton, CPM
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence
4. By provocation.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Superior General of the Fathers of Mercy established by the Church.
5. By praise or flattery.
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, April 12, 2015 5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the
6. By concealment. Church.
7. By partaking. Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Divine Mercy Sunday
8. By silence. Prayer Before Confession
9. By defense of the sinful action. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that I may clearly
(Gal. 5:22-23) The Fathers Of Mercy know my sins. Move my heart that I may be sincerely
The Works of the Flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, 806 Shaker Museum Road sorry for them, honestly confess them and firmly resolve
Immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, to amend my life. Spirit of Wisdom, grant me to see
Auburn, KY 42206 the malice of sin and my ingratitude toward You, the
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of Self-Control and Chastity. (270) 542-4146 all-loving God. Spirit of Fortitude, help me to make
fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, whatever sacrifice is needed to avoid sin in the future.
www.fathersofmercy.com
occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies. Amen.
 How to go to Confession
Examination of Conscience 1. The priest will greet you.
Did I deny or doubt God’s existence? Did I contribute to anyone’s abandoning of the Have I made restitution for stolen goods? 2. The penitent says: “Bless me, Father,
Catholic Faith? for I have sinned.” You then say
Did I refuse to believe God’s revelation? Did I deliberately fail to fulfill my contracts or how long it has been since your last
Was I impatient, angry, envious, unkind, to pay my bills? Did I give or accept bribes? Confession.
Did I believe in (or use) horoscopes, fortune proud, jealous, revengeful, hateful toward
telling, good luck charms, tarot cards, Ouija Did I rashly gamble or speculate or deprive 3. The penitent tells the priest his sins and
others or lazy? briefly answers any relevant questions.
boards or reincarnation? my family of the necessities of life?
Did I give bad example, abuse drugs, drink 4. The priest will give you some advice
Did I deny that I was a Catholic? alcohol to excess, fight or quarrel? Did I tell lies? Deliberately in order to deceive and will assign you a penance.
or injure others?
Did I abandon the Catholic Faith for any Did I physically injure or kill anyone? 5. The penitent will next pray the Act of
period of time? Did I commit perjury? Contrition (see prayer below).
Have I had an abortion, or advised or 6. The priest then gives the penitent
Did I despair of or presume on God’s mercy? supported an abortion? Did I vote in accordance with a properly
informed conscience, in a way consistent with absolution.
Did I neglect prayer for a long time? Did I participate in or approve of the grave the teachings of the Church, in regard to the 7. The priest will then say: “Give thanks
Did I fail to pray daily? evil known as “mercy killing” or euthanasia? sanctity of marriage and of human life issues? to the Lord, for He is good.”
8. The penitent responds: “His mercy
Did I blaspheme God or take God’s Name in Did I attempt suicide or physically harm Was I uncharitable in thought, word or deed? endures for ever.” The priest will then
vain, curse or break an oath or vow? myself?
Did I gossip or reveal the faults or sins of dismiss you.
Did I miss Mass on a Sunday or on a Holy Did I willfully entertain impure thoughts and others?
Day of Obligation through my own fault? desires? Act of Contrition
Did I fail to keep secrets that I should have
Am I always reverent in the presence of the Did I dress immodestly or provocatively? kept? O my God, I am heartily sorry for having
Most Blessed Sacrament? Did I use impure or suggestive words? Did I eat meat knowingly on the Fridays offended Thee and I detest all my sins
during Lent or on Ash Wednesday? because I dread the loss of Heaven and the
Was I inattentive at Mass? Did I tell impure stories or listen to them? pains of hell. But most of all, because they
Did I arrive at Mass late? Did I fast as required on Ash Wednesday and offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and
Did I deliberately look at impure television, Good Friday?
internet, plays, pictures or movies? deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve,
Did I leave Mass early?
Did I fail to receive Holy Communion during with the help of Thy grace, to confess my
Did I do unnecessary servile work on Sunday? Did I deliberately read impure material? the Easter Season? sins, to do penance and to amend my life.
Did I perform impure acts by myself Amen.
Did I disobey or disrespect my parents or Did I fail to confess my sins at least once a
legitimate superiors? (masturbation) or with another (adultery, year?
fornication or sodomy)? Prayer After Confession
Did I neglect my duties to my husband, wife, Did I receive Holy Communion in the state of Almighty and Merciful God, Whose mercy
children or parents? Did I marry or advise another to marry outside mortal sin?
of the Church? is boundless and everlasting and of Whose
Did I fail to actively take an interest in the Did I receive Holy Communion without goodness the riches are infinite, I thank You
religious education and formation of my Did I abuse my marriage rights? fasting for one hour or more from food and because You have so graciously pardoned all
children? Was I unfaithful to my marriage vows? drink? (water and medicine are permitted) my sins and restored Your Heavenly favor.
Have I failed to educate myself concerning the I am awed by Your divine compassion and
Have I kept company with someone else’s Did I make a bad Confession by deliberately the incomprehensible love of Your Son,
teachings of the Church? spouse? not telling all the mortal sins I had committed? which has led Him to institute so gentle and
Did I give a full day’s work in return for a full Did I practice artificial birth control or was Did I fail to contribute to the support of the powerful a remedy for sins. In union with
day’s pay? I or my spouse permanently sterilized (tubal Church? all the gratitude that has ever ascended to
Did I give a fair wage to my employee(s)? ligation or vasectomy)? You from truly penitent hearts, I proclaim
Have I forgiven those who have hurt or Your merciful praises on behalf of all in
Did I give scandal by what I said or did, Did I steal, cheat, help or encourage others to harmed me or my loved ones?
Heaven, on earth and in purgatory, for ever
especially to the young? steal, cheat, or keep stolen goods? and ever. Amen.