Examination of Conscience

5 min

Preparation

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Petition for Light

Come, Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium,

et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.

Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.

Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur.

And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Et renovabis faciem terrae.

Let us pray. O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit

didst instruct the hearts of the faithful,

grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things,

and evermore to rejoice in His consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Oremus. Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti,

da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere,

et de eius semper consolatione gaudere.

Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Examination

Gratitude

Look back over the day with grateful eyes. Do not begin with failures; begin with gifts. What moments of beauty, kindness, or grace can you identify? Name three things for which you are genuinely thankful. Offer thanks to God for each one.

What graces from today?

Petition for Light

Humbly ask the Holy Spirit to give you clarity about yourself. You are not judging yourself alone — God is gently illuminating your soul with His mercy. Pray: 'Come, Holy Spirit. Show me my heart as You see it.'

Review of the Day

Walk through the day gently, from morning to now. Notice where you sensed God's presence and responded to His grace. Notice where you resisted, where you were unkind, impatient, selfish, or dishonest. Pay attention to your feelings throughout — they are often the key to understanding your heart.

Sorrow

Name honestly the moments where you fell short — in thought, word, deed, or omission. Do not wallow in guilt or minimize the truth. Bring these moments to God with sorrow, not despair. His mercy is greater than any failure. Say simply: 'Lord, I am sorry. Forgive me.'

Hope & Resolution

With confidence in God's grace — not in your own willpower — look forward to tomorrow. Choose one area where you will act differently, and ask God for the grace to do it. Close with an Act of Contrition and place tomorrow in His hands.

One concrete resolution for tomorrow.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,

and I detest all my sins, because of Thy just punishments,

but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,

Who art all-good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,

to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

Amen.

Deus meus, ex toto corde pænitet me omnium meorum peccatorum,

æque detestor, quia peccando, non solum pœnas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum,

sed præsertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris.

Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante Tua gratia, de cetero me non peccaturum

peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum.

Amen.