Examination

Rev. Miller - Temperance (September)

A monthly examination of conscience for September, focused on Temperance.

24 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.9 questions

Have I, as a physician, nurse or attendant, deliberately given medicine or food to a sick person, which I knew would bring about their death?

Have I drunk intoxicating liquor to the extent that I lost control of my senses?

Have I sold intoxicating liquor to one whom I knew to be on the verge of intoxication?

Have I made my family suffer grave privation by spending most of my income on drink?

Have I knowingly broken my fast and then received Holy Communion?

Have I broken the law of abstinence by deliberately eating meat on a Friday or some other day of abstinence, unless excused or dispensed?

Have I without a reason of health or hard work or without a dispensation, broken the law of fast by taking more than one full meal on a day of fast?

Have I used drugs or narcotics, not under a doctor's orders, but for the sake of losing consciousness or with the danger of becoming an addict?

Have I, without serious reason, given drugs to others whom I knew to be in danger of becoming addicts?

Venial SinsMatters commonly examined as venial sins or lesser faults.10 questions

Have I semi-deliberately made myself indisposed by overeating?

Have I given in to gluttony by nibbling almost every hour of the day?

Have I been indiscreet in not obeying the advice of a doctor as to my choice of foods?

Have I eaten slightly more than was permitted on days of fast when I had no excuse or dispensation?

Have I taken more intoxicating liquor than was good for me, even though I did not become actually drunk?

Have I run the risk of either harming my health or becoming an addict of drink by taking some form of alcohol too frequently?

Have I spent more than I could rightly afford on intoxicating beverages?

Have I jested about drunkenness and so lessened others' hatred of it as a grave sin?

Have I encouraged others to drink more than was good for them?

Have I broken a promise or pledge not to drink intoxicating liquor for a certain period of time?

Helps and CounselsCounsels for growth in virtue and preparation for confession.5 questions

Have I practiced any mortification of taste either by denying myself certain foods or by not eating at certain times?

Have I meditated on the thirst of our Lord on the Cross, that I might be inspired to share his suffering for my sins?

Have I tried to use my influence over friends and acquaintances to prevent any kind of over-indulgence in alcohol?

Have I prayed before and after meals, both to show gratitude to God for His gifts and to ask for strength not to misuse them?

Have I realized that intemperance in eating or drinking easily leads to intemperance in the form of lust?