Examination

Rev. Miller - Hope (February)

A monthly examination of conscience for February, focused on Hope.

44 questions in total

Source: Examen for Laymen, Rev. Donald F. Miller, C.Ss.R., Catechetical Guild, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1942. A comprehensive examination of conscience based on twelve virtues for the twelve months of the year.

Mortal SinsGrave matters that may be mortal sin when joined to full knowledge and deliberate consent.19 questions

Have I denied the necessity of God's help to attain my salvation, believing that I could win heaven by my own efforts alone?

Have I said or seriously thought that God was too merciful to condemn anyone to hell, and that, therefore, despite my serious sins, I would surely be saved?

Have I continued in a habit of mortal sin because I believed that some day I would certainly have the grace to repent and be forgiven?

Have I committed a mortal sin just because I expected God to forgive me in confession afterwards?

Have I said or thought that prayer was not necessary for one who made up his mind to be good?

Have I neglected saying any prayer whatsoever for as long as a month at a time?

Have I refused to pray in a grave temptation because I did not want God to help me overcome it?

Have I deliberately entered a serious and unnecessary occasion of sin, thinking that God would miraculously preserve me from sin or graciously forgive me if I fell?

Have I induced others to commit a sin by telling them that God would forgive them afterward?

Have I said that I did not believe in eternal hell?

Have I said or thought that it was impossible for me to overcome a certain passion or sinful habit?

Have I believed that because my sins in the past were so numerous or so terrible, I could not expect God to forgive me?

Have I quit going to Mass or praying because of the thought, "It doesn't do any good"?

Have I seriously complained that God sent me more trials than it was possible for me to bear?

Have I stopped praying for the grace to avoid sin and save my soul because God did not grant me a certain material favor for which I prayed?

Have I given up trying to overcome interior temptation because God would not take the temptation away?

Have I encouraged others to commit sins of impurity because "they could not stop committing them anyway"?

Have I used poverty as a reason for committing certain serious sins, because I did not believe that God could give me any material aid?

Have I scoffed at the joys of heaven, saying I would prefer to have heaven here on earth?

Venial SinsMatters commonly examined as venial sins or lesser faults.15 questions

Have I brooded over my past sins, giving in half-voluntarily to the fear that they might not be forgiven?

Have I permitted discouragement to take possession of my heart because of my frequent faults or my lack of progress in virtue?

Have I permitted myself to worry excessively over material setbacks and difficulties, as if God did not know them and could not help me?

Have I been morose, melancholy, gloomy, in the presence of others, thus making them uncomfortable and unhappy?

Have I been overanxious in regard to my health, over-fearful lest some terrible disease might be contracted?

Have I complained against God for not preventing the sins of others, which injured me in some way?

Have I deliberately neglected easy opportunities for prayer and devotion, which would have made me stronger in virtue?

Have I neglected prayer entirely for days at a time?

Have I given in to unreasonable fear of death and of God's judgment?

Have I said that I was content to avoid hell, but would not try to avoid or shorten my purgatory?

Have I been slothful about trying to acquire the habit of praying in serious temptation?

Have I neglected practicing any devotion to the Mother of God, though saints and theologians tell us her help is morally necessary for all?

Have I neglected receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion only because I could not feel any profit from them?

Have I given up prayer when prayer seemed difficult and uninviting?

Have I become so preoccupied working for money or a reputation, or my family, that I did not give myself time to pray or think of doing anything for heaven?

Helps and CounselsCounsels for growth in virtue and preparation for confession.10 questions

Have I prayed for the grace of a firmer and stronger hope of eternal happiness?

Have I read or meditated about the happiness that God has in store for those who are faithful to Him?

Have I tried to increase my hope of heaven by thinking now and then of the pains of hell, and determining to escape them?

Have I strengthened my hope of God's help by gazing at or thinking of the crucifix, which reminds us that, since Christ died for us, there is nothing we need that He will refuse us?

Have I prayed every morning and evening and during the day, knowing that every prayer would be heard and would make easier my salvation?

Have I frequently received Holy Communion, which is called the pledge of immortality?

Have I willingly accepted sorrows and trials as reminders that we must suffer on earth to earn heaven?

Have I practiced daily devotion to the Mother of God, with childlike confidence that she would help me?

Have I trusted in God's grace and at the same time determined to work for my salvation as if it depended on my efforts alone?

After a fault, have I joined an act of sorrow to an act of hope that God would give me the grace not to fall again?