Examination of Conscience

An examination of conscience is the prayerful practice of reflecting on one's thoughts, words, actions, and omissions in light of God's law and one's duties — to identify sins and prepare for the Sacrament of Penance. The Church recommends making it daily and before every Confession (CCC 1454).

How to Make an Examination of Conscience

An examination of conscience typically involves: placing oneself in God's presence; asking the Holy Spirit for the grace to see one's sins clearly; reviewing one's life since the last Confession; measuring one's thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions against the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the precepts of the Church, and the duties of one's state in life; and identifying sins according to their kind, number, and any circumstances that change their gravity (CCC 1454).

Why It Matters

An honest examination of conscience is the prerequisite for genuine contrition. Without it, Confession becomes a vague acknowledgment of being "not perfect" rather than a specific, honest reckoning with how one has offended God. The saints recommend making it a daily habit — not to wallow in guilt, but to maintain an honest awareness of one's spiritual state before God (CCC 1454).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to confess the exact number of sins? For mortal sins, the Church requires that penitents confess the kind and number of each mortal sin to the best of their ability. For venial sins, the number is helpful but not strictly required. What matters is honesty and completeness in proportion to what one can reasonably recall (CCC 1456).