Catholic Examination of Conscience

Catholic Examination of Conscience for Teens

This examination is written for Catholic teenagers preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It covers the situations and choices that are especially common in the teen years — friendships, screens, family, school, dating, and choices about what to put first in life.

Before you begin, pray briefly for honesty and courage. Don't be afraid: every priest has heard every kind of sin many times. He cannot and will not ever repeat what you say (this is the absolute Seal of Confession, binding under penalty of automatic excommunication for any priest who breaks it). What he wants is to give you the peace and grace of Christ's forgiveness.

1. God first

Have I made God a real priority in my life — or just something I do at Mass sometimes?

Do I pray every day, even just for a few minutes?
Have I taken God's name in vain, used Jesus' or Mary's name as a curse word?
Have I been embarrassed of my Catholic faith in front of friends?
Have I made fun of religion, the Church, or priests?
Have I been involved in horoscopes, tarot, ouija boards, or anything occult?
Have I missed Mass on Sunday or a Holy Day through my own fault?
Have I been disrespectful or distracted during Mass — phone, talking, mocking?
Have I received Holy Communion when I knew I should have gone to confession first?

2. Family

The Fourth Commandment is real — and harder than the others sometimes, because parents and siblings are right there every day.

Have I been disrespectful to my parents — eye-rolling, talking back, slamming doors, ignoring them?
Have I lied to my parents, snuck out, or done things I knew they had forbidden?
Have I been mean to a sibling — verbally, physically, on purpose?
Have I refused to help around the house when asked?
Have I taken family for granted, or used the family home as a hotel?
Have I been a bad example to younger siblings?

3. Friends and others

How have I treated the people around me — at school, online, on a team, at work?

Have I bullied someone, in person or online?
Have I spread rumours or gossip?
Have I joined in mocking, excluding, or laughing at someone who didn't deserve it?
Have I held a grudge or refused to forgive someone?
Have I lied to or about a friend?
Have I made racist, sexist, or cruel jokes?
Have I been a fake friend — using someone for what they could give me?
Have I stood by silently while someone was being mistreated?

4. Screens, internet, and what I look at

The Sixth and Ninth Commandments cover not just what we do but what we look at and dwell on.

Have I viewed pornography?
Have I sent or shared nude or sexual images of myself or others (sexting)?
Have I looked at things online that I knew were wrong — sexual content, violence for entertainment, content that makes me hate myself or others?
Have I masturbated?
Have I let my mind dwell on impure thoughts or fantasies?
Have I spent way too much time on screens — phone, games, social media — to the neglect of prayer, family, school, or sleep?
Have I cheated, lied, or hurt someone through what I posted or sent online?

5. Dating and dignity

Chastity is a virtue that lets us love rightly — it's not just a list of don'ts. It's about treating every person as someone Christ died for.

Have I crossed physical boundaries with a boyfriend or girlfriend that I knew were wrong?
Have I had sex outside of marriage?
Have I used another person — body or emotions — for my own pleasure or ego?
Have I dressed deliberately to provoke lust in others?
Have I treated my body as a possession rather than as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)?
Have I treated members of the opposite sex (or same sex) as objects rather than as persons made in God's image?

6. Honesty, school, work

The Seventh and Eighth Commandments cover lying, stealing, and how we treat what isn't ours.

Have I cheated on tests, homework, or essays — including by using AI to do my work?
Have I plagiarised?
Have I stolen anything — even small things?
Have I lied to teachers, coaches, employers?
Have I damaged property and not made amends?
Have I been lazy, refusing to do my best at school or work?
Have I treated teachers, coaches, or employers with disrespect?

7. Self and substances

The Fifth Commandment includes care for my own life and body.

Have I used drugs, vaped, or drunk alcohol underage?
Have I driven under the influence or while distracted?
Have I harmed myself — cutting, eating disorders, deliberate risk-taking?
Have I despaired or had thoughts of suicide and not told a trusted adult?
Have I treated my body as something disposable, instead of as God's gift to be cared for?
Have I been so wrapped up in my own image that I forgot about others' needs?

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