Seven Deadly Sins Examination of Conscience

PRIDE Jesus, help me overcome the sin of pride. More than any

sin, pride – putting myself ahead of you and others –

keeps me far from you.

• Have I refused to admit my own weaknesses?

• Have I dwelt on the failings of others?

• Have I judged others, in my thoughts or

words?

• Have I ranked myself better than others?

• Have I refused to learn from others?

• Have I been stubborn? Refused to admit I was

wrong? Refused to accept that another per-

son had a better idea?

• Have I been arrogant?

• Have I neglected to use the talents that God

has given me?

• Have I lied or exaggerated to make myself

look good?

• Have I wasted undue time and money on

clothes and appearance?

LUST God, sexual temptation is everywhere. Please give me the

grace to overcome the sin of lust and impurity. Give me

your eyes, give me your heart so I no longer see people as

objects but as deserving of love.

• Have I viewed other people as mere sexual

objects rather than as persons to be loved?

• Have I looked at pornography?

• Have I entertained impure thoughts?

• Have I masturbated?

• Have I engaged in sexual activity with another

person?

SLOTH Father, at times I can be so lazy, so distracted. Help me to

overcome the sin of sloth. I need your help not only in

living up to my responsibilities at school and with my fam-

ily, but I need your help in actively seeking You.

• Have I sought God above all else, or have I put

other priorities ahead of him?

• Have I got so caught up in the things of this

world that I’ve forgotten God?

• Have I risked losing my faith by bad company,

bad reading, cowardice, or pride?

• Have I trusted God, especially in times of diffi-

culty?

• Have I attended Mass each and every Sunday?

• Do I seek to grow in my relationship with God

by praying everyday?

• Have I entertained distractions in prayer, or

failed to give God due concentration in prayer

or in the Mass?

• Have I taken the Lord’s name in vain? Or used

other foul language?

• Have I been lazy in helping others?

• Have I been more focused on myself than on

the needs of others?

• Have I wasted time needlessly? Especially

with TV or the internet?

St. Croix Catholic Youth Ministry - www.SCCYM.org

Adapted from “Examination of Conscience based on the 7 Deadly Sins” by Fr. Dylan James

ENVY Lord Jesus, it is so easy to become jealous of what others

have. Help me overcome the sin of envy so that I am satis-

fied with what you have given me and I use it for your

glory.

• Have I envied or been jealous of the abilities,

talents, ideas, appearance, intelligence,

clothes, possessions, money, friends, family,

of another?

• Have I damaged the reputation of another

person by my words, attitude, or looks?

• Have I repeated accusations that might not be

true? Have I exaggerated?

• Have I failed to defend the reputation of oth-

ers?

• Have I failed to keep secrets?

GLUTTONY God, help me overcome the sin of gluttony and over-

indulgence. I need your Spirit to help me grow in self-

control.

• Have I eaten more than I need?

• Have I drunk alcohol excessively?

• Have I eaten greedily and with little consid-

eration for the presence and needs of those

at table with me?

• Have I always fasted an hour before receiving

Holy Communion at Mass?

GREED Holy Spirit, we live in a world that tells us that happiness

can be bought. Help me overcome the sin of greed and

materialism. Help me to realize that nothing in this world

can fulfill my hearts desires like you can.

• Have I been overly concerned about my own

comfort and well-being?

• Have I been resentful of my lack of money?

• Have I been generous in giving? Have I given

with a cheerful heart?

• Have I cheated or stolen?

• Have I used people for my own ends and ad-

vantage?

• Have I wasted money?

ANGER Heavenly Father, I need your help to overcome my anger,

my frustration, my resentment. When I am hurt, and

when I am wronged. Help me forgive.

• Have I been resentful, held grudges?

• Have I nurtured imaginary angry conversa-

tions?

• Have I been slow to forgive?

• Have I lost my temper?

• Have I been impatient with people, family,

events, sufferings, sicknesses?

“The life of each and every one of us has been written. The crucifix is my autobiography. The blood is the ink. The nails the pen. The skin the parchment. On every line of that body

I can trace my life. In the crown of thorns I can read my pride. In the hands that are dug with nails, I can read avarice and greed. In the flesh hanging from him like purple rags, I

can ready my lust. In feet that are fettered, I can find the times that I ran away and would not let him follow. Any sin you can think of is written there.”

---- A A A ARCHBISHOPRCHBISHOPRCHBISHOPRCHBISHOP F F F FULTONULTONULTONULTON S S S SHEENHEENHEENHEEN

“If you were the only person on earth, Christ would have still suffered and died for you.” ----SSSSTTTT. A. A. A. AUGUSTINEUGUSTINEUGUSTINEUGUSTINE