Penance (Reconciliation)
Examination of conscience,
based on the Ten Commandments
I am the Lord your God: You shall not have strange gods before me.
Have I treated people, events or things as more important than God?
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Have my words, actively or passively, put down God, the Church or people?
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday vigil) and on holy days of obligation? On Sunday, the Lord’s Day, do I avoid, when possible, work that impedes worship of God, joy in his day and proper relaxation of mind and body? Do I look for ways to spend time with family or in service to others?
Honor your father and your mother.
Do I show my parents due respect? Do I seek to maintain or restore good communication with them when possible? Do I criticize them for lacking skills I think they should have?
You shall not kill.
Have I harmed another through physical, verbal or emotional means, including gossip or manipulation of any kind?
You shall not steal.
Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another?
You shall not commit adultery.
Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself?
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Have I gossiped, told lies or embellished stories at the expense of another?
You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse.
Have I honored my spouse with my full affection and exclusive love?
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
Am I content with my own means and needs, or do I compare myself to others unnecessarily?
Act of Contrition examples
These Act of Contrition examples, provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, are excerpted from the Church's Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92.
Act of Contrition (traditional)
O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended you,
and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments,
but most of all because they offend you, my God,
who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to sin no more
and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Amen.
Act of Contrition (alternate)
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.
Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
You can find additional samples of the Act of Contrition on the Vatican News website