Advent

In this spirit, let us examine our consciences to see where we might have disappointed our Lord. 

 The 10 Commandments are our guide. In the 10 Commandments, God has told us what we are

to do and what we are not to do to live healthy and holy lives.

I. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.

 Do I give time every day to God in prayer?

Do I put my trust in superstitions, good luck charms, rather than God alone?

Have I disobeyed any Church teaching or pretended I was not Catholic?

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?

Have I used foul or ugly language? Have I wished evil on another?

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

 Have I missed Mass on Sunday or any holy day of obligation?

Do I arrive at church late or leave early?

Do I try to be reverent and pay attention during Mass?

Do I avoid unnecessary work on Sunday?

Do I make Sunday a day of prayer or rest?

IV. Honor your father and your mother.

 Do I respect and obey my parents?

Have I dishonored or mistreated them by my words or actions?

Am I willing to help around the house or must I be nagged a hundred times?

Do I try to get along with my brothers and sisters?

Am I a tattletale or bully?

Do I give a good example, especially to younger siblings?

Do I respect others in authority: priests, nuns, police, old people, baby-sitters?

V. You shall not kill.

 Do I beat up others or hurt their bodies?

Do I say cruel things, or make fun of others to hurt their feelings?

Do I say mean things about others behind their backs?

Have I stopped speaking to anyone?

Do I encourage others to do bad things?

Do I try to love all people, born and unborn, old and young, pretty and ugly?

VI. You shall not commit adultery.

 Do I treat my body and other people's bodies with care and respect?

Do I look at television shows, movies, or pictures that are bad?

Am I modest in my speech and the clothes I wear?

VII. You shall not steal.

 Have I taken things that were not mine from a store or another person?

Have I destroyed or misused another person's property for fun?

Do I return things that I borrow? In good condition?

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

 Am I honest in my school work?

Do I tell lies or exaggerate to make myself look good?

Do I tell lies to protect myself from punishment?

Do I tell lies or exaggerate to make another person look bad or get them in trouble?

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

 Do I allow my parents to spend time with one another, or do I get jealous and want them to pay

attention only to me?

Do I get mad when I have to share my friends?

Are there kids I will not play with or am mean to because they look different or are different?

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

 Am I jealous or envious of the things or abilities that others have?

Do I beg my parents for things my friends or other children have?

Am I thankful to God and my parents for what they have given me?

Do I share the things I have with my family, friends and poor people?

AN ACT OF CONTRITION


Oh my God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
And failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.