cheated in business or at
games? Eighth. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."
Have I told lies or injured anyone by my talk? Have I told the faults of
others without any necessity? It is not allowed to tell the faults of
others--even when you tell the truth about them--unless some good comes
of the telling. Ninth. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife." This
can come into our examination on the Sixth Commandment. Tenth. "Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods." This can come into our
examination on the Seventh Commandment.

After examining yourself on the Commandments of God, examine yourself on
the Commandments of the Church.

First. "To hear Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation." This has
been considered in the examination on the Third Commandment. Second "To
fast and abstain on the days appointed." Have I knowingly eaten meat on
Ash Wednesday or the Fridays of Lent, or not done some chosen penance on
the other Fridays of the year, or not fasted on Ash Wednesday or Good
Friday, unless I had good reason not to do so on account of poor health
or other reason? Third. "To confess at least once a year." Is it over a
year, and how much over it, since I have been to confession? Fourth. "To
receive Holy Eucharist during the Easter time." Did I go to Holy
Communion between the first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday? If not, I
have committed a mortal sin. Fifth. "To contribute to the support of our
pastors." Have I helped the church and reasonably paid my share of its
expenses--given to charity and the like, or have I made others pay for
the light, heat, and other things that cost money in the church, and
shared in their benefits without giving according to my means? Have I
kept what was given me for the church or other charity, or stolen from
the church and not stated that circumstance when I confessed that I
stole? Sixth. "Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are
related to us within the third degree of kindred, or privately without
witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times." Have I
anything to tell on this Commandment?

After examining yourself on the Commandments of God and of His Church,
examine yourself on the capital sins, especially on "Pride." Have I been
impudent and stubborn, vain about my dress, and the like? Have I
despised others simply on account of poverty or something they could not
help? "Gluttony." Have I ever taken intoxicating drink to exces