An examen is a tool to help prepare to make a good Confession. To stay close to Christ, it is good to go to Confession at least once a month.
Sins against the First Commandment:
against faith…
voluntary doubt unbelief heresy
apostasy schism
against hope…
despairing of salvation presumption of salvation
against charity…
ingratitude to God religious indifference
lukewarmness pride sloth
against religion…
superstition idolatry setting conditions with God
magic, sorcery polytheism failure to study one’s faith
taking Holy Communion with serious sin on one’s conscience
…against the Second Commandment:
cursing blasphemy
perjury false oaths/promises
…against the Third Commandment:
missing Mass on Sunday without a serious reason
gluttony
unnecessary work on Sundays or forcing someone to work Sunday
missing Mass on a Holy Day of obligation (1/1, 8/15, 11/1, 12/8, 12/25)
failing to do Penance on Fridays, eating meat on Friday in Lent
failing to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wed., Good Fri.
failing to go to Confession and Holy Communion at least every year
failing to support the Church financially
…against the Fourth Commandment:
disrespect of parents ingratitude to parents
failure to assist parents
…against the Fifth Commandment:
intentional homicide abortion endangering others/self
using illegal drugs euthanasia suicide
excessive drinking kidnapping sterilization
disrespect for the dead vengeful anger hatred
causing scandal
…against the Sixth Commandment:
lust masturbation sex outside marriage rape
pornography prostitution homosexual acts adultery
divorce incest separation without a just cause
artificial insemination in vitro fertilization
attempting marriage outside the Church
selfishly avoiding pregnancy in marriage, arficial contraception
…against the Seventh Commandment:
theft corruption forgery paying unjust wages cheating
fraud vandalism tax evasion unjust contracts or slapdash work
intemperate gambling contempt for the poor
…against the Eighth Commandment:
lying breaking confidences rash judgment of others
gossip slander flattery boasting
intemperate use of communications media (t.v., internet)
…against the Ninth Commandment:
intentional impure thoughts immodest dress, speech, behavior
…against the Tenth Commandment
greed/avarice envy
