Examination of Conscience for Children

Before going to confession, set aside some quiet time to think about what sins you need to confess to Jesus. Start by praying to the Holy Spirit, asking for help in making a good preparation for Confession. Read through the items on this list to help you think about the ways in which you may have sinned. When ready, go to confession and ask Jesus for forgiveness for the sins you have committed.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

I. I am the Lord your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.

Have I . . .

• Disobeyed the commandments of God or the Church?

• Made things or money more important than God?

• Made an idol of sports or entertainment figures?

II. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Have I . . .

• Used the words “God” or “Jesus” in anger or irreverently?

• Used bad or foul language?

• Spoken about the Faith, the Church, the saints, or holy things in a bad way?

III. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

Have I . . .

• Missed Mass on a Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation?

• Made it difficult or impossible for my parents to get to church on time?

• Forgotten to pray daily?

IV. Honor your father and your mother.

Have I . . .

• Been rude or sassy to my parents?

• Disobeyed my parents?

• Complained about chores or had to be reminded about them many times?

• Been disrespectful to teachers, coaches or others in authority?

   

V. You shall not kill.

Have I . . .

• Lost patience with someone or lost my temper?

• Punched someone in anger?

• Held onto a grudge and tried to get even with someone?

• Been unwilling to forgive someone?

• Been unfair to others, especially those who are different than I am?

• Said mean things to others or teased others in mean way?

• Been a bully?

• Been cruel to a pet?

VI. You shall not commit adultery.

Have I . . .

• Treated my body and other people’s bodies with purity and respect?

• Looked at movies, TV shows, or pictures that are bad?

• Failed to avoid harmful things like drugs, tobacco, and alcohol?

VII. You shall not steal.

Have I . . .

• Taken something that belongs to someone else?

• “Forgotten” to return something that I borrowed?

• Used money badly?

   

VIII. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Have I . . .

• Cheated at school or in games?

• Copied someone else’s homework?

• Been dishonest (especially with my parents)?

• Told lies to make another person look bad?

• Told lies to make myself look good?

• Hurt someone by what I have said or done?

   

IX. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

Have I . . .

• Been jealous of the friends that someone else has?

• Been unkind to others?

   

X. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Have I . . .

• Been jealous of the things that my friends have?

• Nagged my parents into buying things because my friends have them? Helped others when they needed help?