How to Make an Examination of Conscience Before Confession

The Importance of an Examination of Conscience

As we journey through Lent we are invited to prepare our hearts to more fully receive the powerful grace poured out through the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus on Easter Sunday. One of the most transformative tools we can utilize in our efforts to reconcile our hearts with the heart of Jesus, is the Examination of Conscience. This practice allows us to reflect on our lives in light of God’s love, identifying areas where we’ve fallen short. The examination of conscience gives us a greater self-awareness, which enables us to more fully receive His transformative redemption glory in the deepest places of our brokenness.

Lent and the Call to Penance

Lent is a time for introspection and reconciliation. Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we draw closer to Christ. These outward actions are but fruit of an inward change—a prodigal heart that has given up it’s wandering ways and decided to come back home to the Father.

Central to this renewal is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a profound encounter with God’s mercy. To make a good confession, we must first take time for a sincere Examination of Conscience.

What is an Examination of Conscience?

An Examination of Conscience is a prayerful reflection on our thoughts, words, actions, and omissions. It involves asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas in our lives where we’ve failed to love God, others, and ourselves. Confession is not about shame—an examination of conscience is not merely chastising ourselves for not being good enough. Confession is about a sincere recognition of all the places in which we are still in need of the mercy and love of God. In allowing divine light to shine on our weaknesses and failures, we allow God’s healing mercy to wash over us and make all things new.

Why Make an Examination of Conscience?

The Examination of Conscience is a tool for transformation. It prepares us to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation with honesty, humility, and a desire to grow in holiness. This Lent, and especially during this Jubilee year, it’s an invitation to return to the loving arms of God, who is always ready to forgive.

St. John Paul II once said, “Confession is an act of honesty and courage—an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.” Let this Lenten season be a time of courage for you—a time to embrace God’s mercy and walk in His grace.

Step by Step: How to make an Examination of Conscience

1. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

2. Reflect on your life through the lens of the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, or sacred scripture. You can also utilize the Examination of Conscience playlist, available for free on Tabella.

3. Acknowledge areas where you’ve sinned or turned away from God.

4. Express contrition and ask God for forgiveness and strength to change.

5. Go to confession and receive forgiveness for your sins.

Reconciliation in the Jubilee Year

This Lent is particularly special as we celebrate a Jubilee year, a time in which the entire Church seeks to render its heart more fully unto the Lord. A Jubilee year is an extraordinary opportunity to experience God’s mercy. The Jubilee year calls us to mend our relationships, both with God and our neighbor. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is at the heart of this renewal. Many churches remain open continuously during this time, offering more opportunities to confess and receive God’s healing grace. Take advantages of these additional opportunities to receive the mercy of God.

Take the First Step

This Lent, we encourage you to begin with an Examination of Conscience. Take time in prayerful reflection, ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and prepare your heart for a life-changing confession.

Find resources and prayers for your Examination of Conscience on Tabella, and let this Jubilee year be your invitation to encounter the boundless mercy of God.

Start your journey today—experience God’s healing love through reconciliation.