A Wonderful Examination of Conscience for Married Persons

This is why this “examination of conscience for married persons” is so helpful!

Married people have particular considerations that are proper to their states of life.   

Let Us First Define “Examination of Conscience”

“An examination of conscience is a review of one’s past thoughts, words and actions for the purpose of ascertaining their conformity with, or deformity from, the moral law.”  Source.

An examination of conscience is vital when preparing for confession, but it is also recommended that we do a nightly examination of conscience, once we have retired for the night.

If you’d like to learn more about examinations of conscience, please listen to this brilliant sermon.

Please try the examination of conscience below and comment on whether it helped you!

An Examination of Conscience for Married Persons

Responsibilities to God

• Have I gone to Mass every Sunday?
• Have I participated at Mass or have I daydreamed or been present with a blank mind?
• Have I prayed every day (15-20 minutes)?
• Have I read the Bible?
• Have I studied the truths of our faith and allowed them to become more part of the way I think and act?
• Have I read any spiritual books or religious literature? Have I told God that I want to love him with my whole heart, mind and strength?
• Do I hold any resentments toward God?
• Have I recognized my need for Jesus and his salvation?
• Have I asked the Holy Spirit to empower me to live the Christian life, to be a proper husband/wife and parent?
• Have I been financially generous to the Church? Have I participated in parish or religious activities?
• Have I held resentments toward the Church or Church authorities? Have I forgiven them?

Confession: Its Fruitful Practice with an Examination of Conscience

Responsibilities to my spouse

• Have I cared for my spouse? 
• Have I been generous with my time?
• Have I been affectionate and loving?
• Have I told my spouse that I love him or her?
• Have I been concerned about the spiritual well-being of my spouse?
• Have I listened to my spouse?
• Have I paid attention to his or her concerns, worries, and problems?
• Have I sought these out?
• Have I allowed resentments and bitterness toward my spouse to take root in my mind? Have I nurtured these?
• Have I forgiven my spouse for the wrongs he or she has committed against me?
• Have I allowed misunderstanding, miscommunication or accidents to cause anger and mistrust?
• Have I nurtured critical and negative thoughts about my spouse?
• Have I manipulated my spouse in order to get my own way?
• Have I tried to bully or overpower my spouse?
• Have I spoken sharply or sarcastically to my spouse? Have I spoken in a demeaning or negative way?
• Have I injured my spouse through taunting and negative teasing?
• Have I called my spouse harsh names or used language that is not respectful?
• Have I physically abused my spouse?
• Have I gossiped about my spouse?
• Have I undermined the authority and dignity of my spouse through disrespect and rebelliousness?
• Have I been moody and sullen?
• Have I bickered with my spouse out of stubbornness and selfishness?
• Have I lied or been deceitful to my spouse?
• Have I misused sexuality?
• Have I used sexual relations solely for my own selfish pleasure?
• Have I been too demanding in my desire for sexual fulfillment?
• Have I been loving and physically affectionate in my sexual relations or have I used sexual relations in a way that would be demeaning or disrespectful to my spouse?
• Have I refused sexual relations out of laziness, revenge or manipulation?
• Have I refused to conceive children out of selfishness or material greed?
• Have I used artificial means of contraception?
• Have I had an abortion or encouraged others to have one?
• Have I masturbated?
• Have I flirted or fostered improper relationships with someone else, either in my mind or through words and actions?
• Have I used pornography: books, magazines or movies?
• Have I committed adultery? Have I misused alcohol or drugs?
• Have I been financially responsible?

Responsibilities to children

• Have I cared for the spiritual needs of my children? 
• Have I been a shepherd and guardian as God has appointed me?
• Have I tried to foster a Christian family where Jesus is Lord?
• Have I taught my children the Gospel and the commandments of God?
• Have I prayed with them?
• Have I been persistent and courageous in my training and teaching?
• Have I disciplined them when necessary?
• Have I been lazy and apathetic?
• Have I talked with them to find out their problems, concerns and fears?
• Have I been affectionate toward them?
• Have I hugged them and told them that I love them?
• Have I played or recreated with them?
• Have I been impatient and frustrated with them?
• Have I corrected them out of love in order to teach them what is right and good?
• Have I treated them with respect?
• Have I spoken to them in a sarcastic or demeaning way?
• Have I held resentments against them?
• Have I forgiven them?
• Have I been of one heart and mind with my spouse in the upbringing of the children? Or have I allowed disagreements and dissension to disrupt the training, educating and disciplining of our children?
• Have I undermined the role of authority in the eyes of my children by speaking negatively against God, the Church, my spouse or others who hold legitimate authority over them?
• Have I been a good Christian witness to my children in what I say and do? Or do I demand one standard for them and another for myself?
• Have I been properly generous with my children regarding money and physical and material well-being?
• Have I been miserly?
• Have I been extravagant, thus spoiling them?

Responsibilities to society

• Have I been a Christian witness to those with whom I work or associate?
• Have I spoken to anyone about the Gospel and how important it is to believe in Jesus?
• Have I held resentments and anger against those with whom I work, relatives or friends?
• Have I forgiven them?
• Have I been unethical in my business dealings?
• Have I stolen or lied?
• Have I allowed the Gospel to influence my political and social opinions?
• Have I had a proper Christian concern for the poor and needy?
• Have I paid my taxes?
• Have I fostered or nurtured hatred toward my “political” enemies, either local, national or international?
• Have I been prejudiced toward others because of race, color, religion or social status?

By Fr. Thomas Weinandy

RESOURCES

*Use coupon code BSA for 15% off TAN Books Titles.

• Confession: Its Fruitful Practice with an Examination of Conscience
• Manual for Marriage
• Examination of Conscience for Adults: A Comprehensive Examination Of Conscience Based On Twelve Virtues For The Twelve Months Of The Year”
• The Imitation of St. Joseph
• The Three Marks of Manhood: How to be Priest, Prophet and King of Your Family
• Dear Newlyweds: Pope Pius XII Speaks to Married Couples
• The Sinner’s Guide