To confess, the text continues, it is necessary to begin “by listening to the voice of God” followed by “examination of conscience, repentance and the purpose of amendment, the invocation of divine mercy that is freely granted to us through absolution, the confession of sins to the priest, the satisfaction or fulfillment of the imposed penance, and finally, with the praise of God through a renewed life”.
The examination of conscience for a good confession
Here are the 30 questions proposed by Pope Francis to make a good confession:
in relation to God
1. Do I only turn to God in case of need?
2. Do I regularly attend Mass on Sundays and holidays?
3. Do I start and end my day with prayer?
4. Do I blaspheme in vain the name of God, of the Virgin, of the saints?
5. Have I been ashamed to declare myself as a Catholic?
6. What do I do to grow spiritually, how do I do it, when do I do it?
7. Do I rebel against God’s designs?
8. Do I expect Him to do my will?
in relation to the neighbor
9. Do I know how to forgive, do I understand, do I help my neighbor?
10. Do I judge ruthlessly both in thought and in words?
11. Have I slandered, stolen, despised the humble and the defenseless?
12. Am I envious, angry, or biased?
13. Am I ashamed of my brothers, do I worry about the poor and the sick?
14. Am I honest and fair with everyone or do I feed the throwaway culture?
15. Do I incite others to do evil?
16. Do I observe the conjugal and family morality taught by the Gospel?
17. How do I fulfill my responsibility in the education of my children?
18. Do I honor my parents?
19. Have I rejected the newly conceived life?
20. Have I collaborated to do it?
21. Do I respect the environment?
in relation to ourselves
22. Am I a bit worldly and a bit of a believer?
23. Do I eat, drink, smoke or party excessively?
24. Do I worry too much about my physical health, about my assets?
25. How do I use my time?
26. Am I lazy?
27. Do I like to be served?
28. Do I love and cultivate purity of heart, of thoughts, of actions?
29. Do I nurture revenge, feed grudges?
30. Am I merciful, humble, and a peacemaker?
