Examination of conscience on preparation for death

1. The state of my soul before God
– Am I in a state of grace or do I live in sin without wanting to change?
– Do I go to confession with sincerity and regularity, without putting off conversion, thinking I have time?
– If I were to die tonight, would I be at peace? If not, am I determined to eliminate the cause, whatever the cost?

2. Faith in eternal life and in the judgement
– Do I truly believe that I will have to give an account of my entire life?
– Do I truly believe that Heaven and Hell are eternal?
– Do I live only for this life, forgetting that everything will pass away?
– Do I neglect preparation for eternal life by thinking only of the present one?

3. Remembrance of death and vigilance
– Do I at least occasionally think that I will have to die?
– Do I remember the teaching: “Memento mori – Remember your last end”?
– Do I seriously reflect on death at least once a month? Does this reflection change me?
– Do I live as if death were far away, forgetting that I could die even today?

4. Concrete preparation and decisions
– If I prepare seriously for important life events, do I realise that death is the most important event of my life, for which I must prepare with the utmost diligence?
– Am I preparing concretely for the encounter with God?
– Do I always put off important decisions, leaving everything for “tomorrow”?
– What will I do today to be more ready?

5. The fight against sin in the light of death
– In temptations, do I think that I could die immediately afterwards? – Does this thought help me to resist evil?
– Do I seriously fight my habitual sins?
– Do I let myself go, thinking that “it’s nothing”?
– Do I underestimate the danger of sin, knowing that whoever dies in mortal sin goes to Hell for all eternity?

6. Detachment from the world and use of time
– Does the thought of death help me to detach myself from vanities and from what distances me from God?
– Have I become too attached to the world?
– Do I live as if I were to remain here forever?
– Does the brevity of life push me to live each day well?
– Do I use the time God gives me well? Do I waste time on useless things?
– Do I try to do good every day?
– Do I put off what is important?
– Do I live without an eternal purpose?

7. Relationships, forgiveness, and charity
– Am I at peace with everyone; have I forgiven those who have wronged me, and have I asked for forgiveness when necessary?
– Do I put off reconciliation and not risk presenting myself to God with a closed heart?
– Do I do good when I can, without putting off the charity I can live today?

8. Relationship with God and hope
– Do I live in friendship with God, praying every day and entrusting myself to Him?
– Do I remember God only in times of need or live far from Him?
– Do I have peace in my heart when I think of death?
– Do I trust in His mercy and live with Christian hope, without despairing of salvation?

9. Continuous vigilance and preparation for eternity
– Do I live each day as a preparation for the encounter with God, keeping my soul ready?
– Am I ready to die at any moment? Do I keep my soul prepared?
– Do I remember God during the day or do I live as if God did not exist? Do I live vigilantly?
– Do I delude myself into thinking I always have time and live distractedly and unprepared?
– Have I also put practical matters in order, such as my will?