• Do I take the time to think of God during the day and talk with Him in my own way? Do I pray each day? Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God? Am I faithful to God’s commandments? Did I take the name of God in vain?
• Do I make a sincere effort to participate at Mass on a regular basis or do I find convenient excuses not to come to Church? Do I pray and attend Mass only out of a sense of obligation? Have I made good use of the gifts God has given me?
• Am I too attached to the things I possess? Do I hold on tightly to my own views and ideas? Am I unwilling to really hear others when they speak? Do I talk too much about myself and not really listen to what others have to say? Do I always have to be the center of attention?
• Do I take the time and effort required to understand others who do not think the same way I do, or do I just ignore them? Do I work too hard and for too long, neglecting my family and health?
• Have I refused to console those who are in trouble, those who need my support or those who are lonely? Am I selfish with my feelings?
• Am I harsh in my judgment of others? Am I closed to those who want or need my presence, especially those who are different than I am?
• Have I refused to forgive those who have hurt me? Do I continue to hold on to old hurts and refuse to move forward in a relationship?
• Do I treat myself with respect and reverence? Have I mistreated my own body through improper use of food, drugs, alcohol or sex?
• Do I try to dominate others, using little tricks to have my way? Am I manipulative?
• Do I willingly share what I have with others, especially with my own family or have I been selfish? Do I respond to the needs of others in my family? Do I honor my spouse with my full affection and exclusive love?
• Am I respectful of others? Of the poor? Of members of other races and cultures? Have I been responsive to the needs of the poor and respected the dignity of others?
• Am I honest in my business dealings, in my payments of debts, in my shopping habits?
• Have I excused myself from guilt because “everyone is doing it”? Have I hurt another person by damaging a reputation by gossiping or sharing half-truths?
• Am I jealous of the success and achievements of others? Am I jealous of other people’s talents or good looks?
• Have I become comfortable with my sins, repeating the same ones over and over and not making a sincere effort to change my lifestyle and break the habits?

1. Start with the sign of the cross and tell the priest how long it’s been since you last went to confession. If it’s been a while, that’s okay, just let the priest know.
2. Name all of the sins that come to mind based on your examination of conscience.
3. Listen to the advice the priest gives you based on your confession. 
4. Remember the penance he gives you, which is to be completed after your confession.
5. Pray the Act of Contrition. Be attentive as the priest prays the Prayer of Absolution. Respond, “Amen”, and rejoice in knowing that your sins are completely forgiven.
6. The priest will conclude with, “Your sins are forgiven, go in peace”, or similar words. Respond, “Thanks be to God!”

General Absolution is a form of sacramental forgiveness that can only be used in extreme emergencies - such as the threat of war, danger of death, or an imminent disaster like a plane crash. In these urgent situations, a priest may offer absolution to everyone present by saying, “I absolve you of your sins. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” However, once the emergency has passed, each person is still required to make a personal confession of those sins to a priest individually.

This reflects the Church’s deep respect for the grace and healing found in individual confession. In the personal encounter with Christ through the priest, we not only receive forgiveness but also the opportunity to grow in self-awareness, peace, and spiritual renewal.