Examination of Conscience on the Means to Holiness

1. The purpose of life and the desire for holiness
– Is the true purpose of my life to become a saint (only saints enter Heaven)?
– Does my life show that I am a disciple of Christ?
– Do I have clear priorities (God, family, work) and do I live them faithfully?
– Do I live superficially, without a true direction?
– Do I live with eternal life in mind?
– Do I interpret what I do in the light of eternity?

2. Prayer and relationship with God
– Do I dedicate time every day to be with God in prayer?
– Do I pray with my heart, praising, giving thanks, and asking for forgiveness?
– Do I pray only to ask or, worse, to demand?
– Do I know how to be silent before God to listen to Him?
– Do I intercede for my family, for the Church, for the world?
– Do I ask God to help me know myself?

3. Confession
– Do I go to confession regularly and with sincerity and repentance?
– Do I prepare well with an examination of conscience?
– Do I have a regular confessor who helps me to grow?
– Do I avoid occasions of sin (environments, habits, company)?
– Do I see concrete changes in my life from one confession to the next?

4. Eucharist
– Do I participate in Mass with faith and attention?
– Do I prepare well for Communion and thank the Lord after receiving Him?
– Do I receive Communion out of habit, without it bearing fruit in my life?

5. Word of God and formation
– Do I read and meditate on the Word of God?
– Do I deepen my faith with the Bible, the Catechism, and good reading?
– Do I put into practice what I hear, or do I remain stagnant without growing?

6. Spiritual struggle and conversion
– Do I fight my flaws with commitment and try to avoid sin and its occasions?
– Do I get back up after falling, without getting used to sin?
– Do I postpone conversion?
– Do I make excuses instead of changing?

7. The Cross and sacrifice
– Do I accept difficulties and sufferings as part of my Christian life and also as an opportunity for growth?
– Do I unite my hardships with those of Christ, offering Him my sufferings, illnesses, etc.?
– Do I reject the cross by always seeking the easiest way?
– Do I ask God for the grace to love the cross?

8. Relationships lived in Christ
– Are my relationships sincere, pure and respectful?
– Do I live my relationships in the light of the Lord?
– Do I know how to forgive when I am offended and seek reconciliation with those with whom I have unresolved issues?
– Am I willing to serve others for the love of God, not just to feel good?

9. Family life and duties of one’s state in life
– Do I contribute to creating a climate of love and faith in my family?
– Do I faithfully fulfil my duties as a father, mother, son/daughter or consecrated person?
– Do I work with honesty and not neglect my daily responsibilities?

10. Apostolate and witness
– Do I bring others to the Lord with my life and with my words, when appropriate?
– Do I hide my faith for fear of the judgement of others?

11. Concrete charity and works of mercy
– Am I close to the poor, the sick and foreigners, seeing them as brothers and sisters in Christ?
– Do I know how to console, correct with charity, and give good counsel?
– Do I not hold back when it comes to donating or participating in the works of the Church?
– Do I not show preference based on appearance or likeability?

12. Use of time and the presence of God
– Do I use my time well, making space for important things — prayer, family, work?
– Do I remember God during the day and offer Him my actions, even the smallest ones?
– Do I separate faith from concrete life, not believing that holiness also comes through small things lived well?
– Do I try to do everything for the love of God?

10. Apostolate and witness
– Do I bring others to the Lord with my life and with my words, when appropriate?
– Do I hide my faith for fear of the judgement of others?