I find myself always looking for a helpful and simple method for examining my conscience at night, and this one by St. Francis de Sales, although it is very basic, is one of the best I have found.

 

"The examination which you should make of your conscience before going to rest is very simple;

 

1. Thank God for preserving you through the day.

 

2. Examine how you have conducted yourself through the hours that are past, and for that purpose remember where you have been, with whom, and how occupied.

 

3. If you have done anything that is good, thank God for it, if you have sinned in thought, word, or deed, ask His forgiveness and make a firm purpose of amendment.

 

Afterwards commend to the divine protection your soul and body, the Church, your relations and friends: ask the Blessed Virgin, your Guardian Angel, and the Saints, to watch over you, and with God's blessing seek that rest which He has ordained for you."

 

It can be a big tendency for people to associate an examination of conscience with, "okay, let me try and think of all the bad things I have done". In St. Francis' simple method, he reminds us to be just as aware of the good we have done, and the graces we have received and thank God for them. It is also a very good practice to write down your sins in an examination of conscience journal. Being able to reference your journal, will help make your examination of conscience before confession more thorough, and much easier.

 

 

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