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The Examen: An Examination of Conscience
Form 1 (Short Form)
For use daily by individuals at at the end of the day, before bed, in penitential seasons, or in preparation for making Confession.
1. Remember that you are in the presence of God. Ask God for help in your prayer.
2. Recall two or three things that happened today for which you are grateful. Thank God for them.
3. Review your day from start to finish, noticing where you experienced God’s presence, big and small events alike.
4. Notice where you sinned or did something you regret. Ask for forgiveness. Pray for those you may have harmed or offended., and ask about seeking forgiveness.
5. Ask for God’s grace and strength for the following day.
From a card found at Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, NY. 2022. Not other information found thereupon.
Form 2 (Longer Form)
A Self-Examination based upon Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book examen for use at the close of the day, in preparation for Confession, or in penitential times or seasons.
Before self-examination say this prayer:
O Holy Spirit, Source of all light, Spirit of wisdom, of understanding and of knowledge,
come to my assistance and enable me to make a good confession. Enlighten me, and help me now to know my sins as one day I shall be forced to recognize them before Your judgment seat. Bring to mind the evil which I have done and the good which I have neglected. Permit me not to be blinded by self-love. Grant me, moreover, heartfelt sorrow for my transgressions, knowing how deeply they have wounded the loving heart of my Heavenly Father; and help me to make a good confession that all stain of guilt may be washed away in the Precious Blood of my Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Thinking of yourself as God’s child, search out in your memory of this day where you have strayed into wickedness rather than your loving Father. Do not be in a hurry, and do not frustrate yourself because you cannot remember everything. Be honest with God and with yourself; this is all God asks of you. Do not fret about your sins. Remember, you are trying to recall them in order that you may be forgiven, not that you may be condemned.
As Holy Scripture says, “A broken and contrite heart, O Lord, shalt thou not despise.”
1. PRIDE
HAVE I BEEN PRIDEFUL? Pride is putting self in the place of God as the center and objective of our life, or of some department thereof. It is the refusal to recognize our status as creatures, dependent on God for our existence, and placed by him in a specific relationship to the rest of his creation.
Have I been irreverent? Irreverence is deliberate neglect of the worship of God every Sunday in God’s church, or being content with a perfunctory participation in it. It is disregard of other Holy Days or of additional opportunities for giving God honor. Failure to thank God or to express our gratitude adequately. It is also disrespect for God or holy things by deliberately treating them, in thought, word or deed, in a profane, contemptuous or overfamiliar manner. Irreverence may be use of holy things for personal advantage, or the attempt to bribe or placate God by religious practices or promises.
Have I had wrongful sentimentality? Sentimentality is being satisfied with pious feelings and beautiful ceremonies without striving to obey God’s will.
Have I been presumptuous? Presumption is dependence on self rather than on God, with the consequent neglect of the means of grace – sacraments and prayer. It is dispensation of ourselves from ordinary duties on the grounds that we are superior persons and satisfaction or complacency over our spiritual achievements.
Presumption is refusal to avoid, when possible, immediate occasions of temptation and the preference for own ideas, customs, schemes or techniques. It is foolish optimism.
Presumption is also failure to recognize our job as a divine vocation, or to offer our work to God. It is unwillingness to surrender to abide in Christ, to let him act in and through us. Failure to offer God regularly in intercession the persons or causes that have, or should enlist our interest and support.
Have I been distrustful? Distrust is refusal to recognize God’s wisdom, providence and love. It is worry, anxiety, misgivings, scrupulosity, or perfectionism. Distrust attempts to discern or control the future by spiritualism, astrology, fortunetelling or the like. It often leads to faith in magic or superstition.
Have I been over-sensitive? Over-sensitivity creates expectations that others will dislike, reject, or mistreat us; over-readiness so to interpret their attitude, or quickness to take offense. It gives rise to unfounded suspicions. It can make us timid in accepting responsibility, or cowardly in facing difficulty or suffering. Over-sensitivity can cause us to surrender to feelings of depression, gloom, pessimism, discouragement, self-pity, or fear of death, instead of fighting to be brave, cheerful and hopeful.
Have I been disobedient? Disobedience is rejection of God’s known will in favor of our own interests or pleasures. Disobedience of the legitimate (and therefore divinely ordained) laws, regulations or authority of the church, state, parents, teachers, etc.; or slow and reluctant obedience. It is also the failure to fulfill our responsibilities or consider the best interests of those under our charge, when we are placed in authority. Disobedience is the refusal to learn God’s nature or will as revealed in Holy Scripture, expounded in instructions or expert advice, or discernible through prayer, meditation or the reading of religious books. It is absorption in our own affairs, leaving little time, energy or interest for the things of God.
Have I violated any confidence? A violation of confidence is the breaking of legitimate promises or contracts. Irresponsibility. Treachery. Unnecessary disappointment of another, or the causing of shame or anxiety to those who love us.
Have I been impenitent? Impenitence is the refusal to search out and face up to our sins, or to confess them or admit them before God. Disregard of our sins or pretense that we are better than we are. It is self-justification or discounting our sins as insignificant, natural or inevitable. It leads to self-righteous comparison of ourselves with others. Impenitence is also the refusal to accept just punishment or to make due reparation when possible. It is deceit or lying to escape the consequences of our sins, or allowing another to suffer the blame for our faults. It leads to overcompensation or attempts at self-reform or self-vengeance, to avoid surrender to God in humble penitence. And it leads to shame (hurt pride): sorrow for ourselves because our sins make us less respectable than we like to think we are, or because we fear punishment or injury to our reputation, rather than sorrow for what sin is in the eyes of God. It is refusal to admit that we were in the wrong or to apologize; refusal to accept forgiveness from God or others; and doubt that God can forgive our sins, or failure to use the means of getting assurance of his forgiveness when we need it.
Impenitence ultimately makes us unwilling to forgive ourselves.
Have I been vane? Vanity is crediting to ourselves rather than to God our talents, abilities, insights, accomplishments, good works. It is refusal to admit indebtedness to others, or adequately to express gratitude for their help. It leads to hypocrisy.
Vanity is also the pretense to virtues we do not possess; false humility; and harsh judgment on others for faults we excuse in ourselves. It causes boasting, exaggeration, drawing attention to ourselves by talking too much, by claiming ability, wisdom, experience, or influence we do not have, or by eccentric or ostentatious behavior. Vanity leads to undue concern over, or expenditure of time, money, or energy on looks, dress, surroundings, etc., in order to impress others; or deliberate slovenliness for the same purpose.
Vanity is seeking, desiring or relishing flattery or compliments.
Have I been arrogant? Arrogance is insisting that others conform to our wishes, recognize our leadership, accept our own estimate of our worth. It causes us to be overbearing, argumentative, opinionated, obstinate.
Have I been snobbish? Snobbery is pride of race, family, position, personality, education, skill, achievements or possessions.
2. ANGER
HAVE I BEEN ANGRY? Anger is open rebellion against God or our fellow creatures. Its purpose and desire is to eliminate any obstacle to our self-seeking, to retaliate against any threat to our security, to avenge insult or injury to our person.
Have I harbored resentment? Resentment is refusal to discern, accept or fulfill God’s vocation. It is dissatisfaction with the talents, abilities, or opportunities God has given us. It is unwillingness to face up to difficulties or sacrifices. Resentment leads to unjustified rebellion or complaint at the circumstances of our lives. It seeks escape from reality or the attempt to force our own will upon reality. Resentment leads us to transfer the blame for our maladjustment to God, to our parents, to society, or to other individuals. It leads to the hatred of God, or antisocial behavior. It creates cynicism, annoyance at the contrariness of things, and profanity or grumbling.
Have I been pugnacioius? Pugnacity is the attack upon another in anger. It is murder in deed or desire. It is combativeness or nursing of grudges. It leads to injury to another by striking, cursing or insulting them; or by damaging their reputation or property; to quarrelsomeness, bickering, contradiction, nagging, rudeness, or snubbing.
Have I sought or desired retaliation? Retaliation is vengeance for wrongs real or imagined, or the plotting thereof. It is harsh or excessive punishment; hostility, sullenness, or rash judgment. Retaliation is the refusal to forgive, or to offer or accept reconciliation. It leads to the unwillingness to love, to do good to, or to pray for enemies; to boycotting or ostracizing another for selfish reasons. It delights in spoiling others’ pleasure by uncooperativeness or disdain, because we have not got our way, or because we feel out of sorts or superior.
3. ENVY
HAVE I BEEN ENVIOUS? Envy is dissatisfaction with our place in God’s order of creation, manifested in begrudging his gifts and vocations to others.
Have I been jealous? Jealousy is offense at the talents, success or good fortune of others. Selfish or unnecessary rivalry or competition. Pleasure at others’ difficulties or distress. Jealousy leads to belittling others.
Have I been malicious? Malice is ill-will, false accusations, slander, or backbiting. It is reading false motives into others’ behavior and initiation, collection or retailing of gossip. Malice arouses, fosters or organizes antagonism against others. It leads to unnecessary criticism, even when true, and the deliberate annoyance of others, to teasing or bullying them.
Have I been contemptuous? Contempt is the scorn of another’s virtue, ability, shortcomings, or failings. Contempt leads to prejudice against those we consider inferior, or who consider us inferior, or who seem to threaten our security or position. Contempt ridicules persons, institutions or ideals.
4. COVETOUSNESS
HAVE I BEEN COVETOUS? Covetousness is the refusal to respect the integrity of other creatures, expressed in the inordinate accumulation of material things; in the use of other persons for our personal advantage; or in the quest for status, power or security at their expense.
Have I harbored inordinate ambition? Inordinate ambitions is the pursuit of status, power, influence, reputation, or possessions at the expense of the moral law, of other obligations, or of the rights of others. It is ruthless or unfair competition, and the putting of self or family first. It leads us to conformity to standards we recognize as wrong or inadequate in order to get ahead. It causes intrigue or conspiracy for self-advancement.
Have I dominated others? Domination is seeking to use or possess others. It is the over protection of children; refusal to correct or punish lest we lose their affection; insistence that they conform to our ideal for them contrary to their own God-given vocation. Domination imposes our will on others by force, guile, whining, or refusal to cooperate. It is expressed in over-readiness to advise or command and the abuse of authority. It is patronizing, pauperizing, putting others under a debt of gratitude, or considering ourselves ill-used when others’ affection or compliance is not for sale. Domination leads to the sycophantic respect of persons, to favoritism, partiality, flattery, fawning, or bribery to win support or affection. It leads to refusal to uphold the truth to fulfill duties, to perform good acts, or to defend those wrongfully attacked, because we fear criticism or ridicule, or because we seek to gain the favor or approval of others. Domination Leads, tempts or encourages another to sin.
Have I been avaricious? Avarice is the inordinate pursuit of wealth or material things. It leads to theft, dishonesty, misrepresentation, or sharing in stolen goods. Avarice is cheating in business, taxes, school or games. It is making worldly success the goal of our life or the standard for judging others.
Have I been prodigalous? Prodigality is the waste of natural resources or personal possessions. It is extravagance or living beyond our income, to impress others or to maintain status. It leads to the failure to pay debts, to gambling more than we can afford to lose, or to win unearned profits. It also leads to unnecessary borrowing or carelessness with others’ money. It is the expenditure on self of what is needed for the welfare of others.
Have I been penurious? Penuriousness is undue protection of wealth or security, selfish insistence on vested interests or on claimed rights. Penury is the refusal to support or help those who have a claim on us, to sponging on others. It is stinginess and the failure to give due proportion of our income to Church and charity, or to give our time and energy to good works. Penury is the failure to pay pledges promised to charities, to others, or to the Church, when able to do so.
5. GLUTTONY
HAVE I BEEN GLUTTONOUS? is the overindulgence of natural appetites for food and drink, and by extension the inordinate quest for pleasure or comfort.
Have I been intemperate? Intemperance is the overindulgence in food, drink, smoking, or other physical pleasures. It can also be fastidiousness, fussiness, demanding excessively high standards, or dilettantism or the condemnation of some material things or pleasures as evil in themselves, attempting to prohibit their use rather than their abuse.
Have I shown a lack of discipline? The lack of discipline is the negligence in keeping the days of fasting or abstinence, or failure to use other needed means of self-discipline. It is neglect of bodily health – not getting sufficient rest, recreation, exercise or wholesome nourishment. It can be the failure to use or to cooperate with available medical care when ill. It can lead to the use of sickness as a means of escape from responsibilities.
6. LUST
HAVE I BEEN LUSTFUL? Lust is the misuse of sex our our bodies for personal gratification, debasing it from the holy purpose for which God has given it to us. Lust is unchastity, the violation of the purity of singleness or of marriage. Lust breaks the Church’s marriage laws and leads to the lack of consideration for one’s partner or spouse or to the marital relationship. It degrades sexual relationship. Lust can lead to the refusal to fulfill the purpose of Holy Matrimony in the bringing forth and giving adequate care to children, or to take our full share in the relational responsibilities or domestic work. Lust is unfaithfulness to one’s spouse or celibacy by sexual indulgence in thought or act, either alone or with others.
Have I been immodest? Immodesty is the purposeful stimulation of sexual desire in others by word, dress, or actions; or in one’s self by reading, pictures, or fantasies and by collecting or recounting erotic or prurient stories.
Have I been prudish? Prudery is the fear of sex or condemnation of it as evil in itself. It is the refusal to seek adequate sexual instruction or the attempt to prevent others from obtaining it. It leads to the stimulation of excessive and harmful curiosity by undue secrecy. It is the repression of the good and proper expressions of our sexual nature.
Have I been cruel? Cruelty is the deliberate infliction of pain, mental or physical. It is the delight or choice to torment animals, children, or others. It is abuse of any kind done to others. It is the desire or delight in causing or seeing pain.
7. SLOTH
HAVE I BEEN SLOTHFUL? Sloth is the refusal to respond to our opportunities for growth, service or sacrifice.
Have I been lazy? Laziness is indolence in performing spiritual, mental or physical duties, or neglect of family, business or social obligations or courtesies. It is procrastination of disliked tasks, or our own busyness or triviality to avoid more important commitments. Laziness devotes excessive time to rest, recreation, amusement, entertainment, or the like. It is the waste of employer’s time, or doing shoddy or inadequate work.
Have I been indifferent? Indifference is unconcern over injustice to others, especially that caused by currently accepted social standards; or unmindfulness of the suffering of the world. Failure to become adequately informed on both sides of contemporary issues or on the Christian principles involved. It is neglect of duties to state or community and the failure to provide adequately for, or to treat justly those in our employ. Indifference is the ignoring of needy, lonely or unpopular persons in our own or the parish family, or in the neighborhood; or unwillingness to minister to them. It can lead to insufficient attention to the religious and other needs of our family, and to failure to fulfill our obligation of Christian missionary witness. We can also be indifferent by not taking a full and informed part in making the church’s unity and holiness a manifest reality on earth.
Prayer After Self-Examination
Lord Jesus Christ, you bore our condemnation on the cross; give me a heart that is broken for the wrong I have done, the harm I have caused others, the good I have not done, and most of all, that I have turned away from you. For these, and for any sins I cannot now remember, and for any failure to recognize and acknowledge my sins, I truly and humbly repent and ask mercy. Give me sorrow for all my sins and trust in your forgiveness. Amen.
Based on the Examination of Conscience in Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book, Holy Cross Publications, pp. 120-132
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