Catholic Examination of Conscience by the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses at Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17) and confirmed by Jesus as the path of eternal life (Matthew 19:17-19), are the most ancient and universal framework for Catholic moral self-examination. The Catechism treats them at length (CCC 2052-2557) and the great Catholic confessional tradition is built upon them.
This examination is the framework version: a concise question or two per commandment, suitable for an experienced Catholic who wants a brief, structured review. Those seeking more detailed prompts may use the ‘Examination of Conscience for Adults’ on this site.
1. I am the Lord your God: you shall have no strange gods before me.
The first commandment governs faith, hope, charity, and the absolute priority of God.
- Have I given God daily prayer, weekly Mass, and the first place in my heart?
- Have I doubted or denied the faith, dabbled in the occult, or made any creature an idol?
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Reverence for God's name, for sacred persons, places, and things.
- Have I used God's, Jesus', or Mary's name irreverently, or sworn falsely?
- Have I broken vows or treated sacred things with disrespect?
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
The Sabbath obligation: Mass and rest from servile work on Sundays and Holy Days.
- Have I missed Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation through my own fault?
- Have I made the Lord's Day a true day of worship, rest, and family?
4. Honour your father and your mother.
Duties to parents, family, civil and ecclesiastical authority.
- Have I honoured my parents (or, as a parent, my children) in word and deed?
- Have I been a citizen of integrity and a faithful member of the Church?
5. You shall not kill.
The protection of human life from conception to natural death.
- Have I procured, assisted in, or supported abortion, euthanasia, or any unjust killing?
- Have I held hatred, refused forgiveness, harmed others physically or verbally, or harmed my own life by reckless behaviour?
6. You shall not commit adultery.
Marital fidelity and the right ordering of sexuality.
- Have I been unfaithful in body or in heart to my spouse or to the call to chastity in my state of life?
- Have I committed sins against chastity — by act, image, thought, or speech?
7. You shall not steal.
Justice in possessions and economic life.
- Have I taken, kept, or damaged what belongs to another, or cheated in business, school, or taxes?
- Have I made restitution where I owe it?
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
Truthfulness and protection of others' reputations.
- Have I lied, gossiped, slandered, or judged others rashly?
- Have I made amends for damage I have done to anyone's good name?
9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
The interior disposition of chastity — purity of mind and heart.
- Have I consented to impure thoughts, fantasies, or desires?
- Have I deliberately put myself in occasions of sin against chastity?
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's goods.
The interior disposition of contentment — freedom from greed and envy.
- Have I been envious of what others have — wealth, status, looks, success?
- Have I been greedy, attached to possessions, or unwilling to share?
Ready to confess?
After your examination, pray an Act of Contrition, then make your confession. Our guide to how to go to confession walks through the rite step by step. Need to find a parish? Find confession times near you.
Primary sources