Lent is a time of reflection and spiritual renewal in the Christian liturgical calendar. During these weeks, the faithful are invited to undertake a profound examination of conscience to prepare themselves adequately for the celebration of Easter. The Vatican, through its Office for the Discipline of Liturgical Celebrations, offers a detailed guide for this examination of conscience, which focuses on three fundamental aspects: love of God, love of neighbor, and the pursuit of spiritual perfection.

Love of God

1. The Heart’s Orientation Towards God : Is my heart truly oriented towards God? Can I say that I love Him above all things and with a child’s love, faithfully observing His commandments? Do I allow myself to be overly absorbed by worldly things? Is my intention always right when I act?

2. Strength of Faith : Is my faith in God, who has spoken to us through his Son, firm? Have I fully embraced the doctrine of the Church? Have I nurtured my Christian formation by listening to the word of God, participating in catechesis, and avoiding anything that might endanger my faith? Have I always professed my faith in God and the Church with courage and without fear? Have I tried to demonstrate that I am a Christian in my private and public life?

3. Prayer Life : Have I prayed morning and night? And is my prayer a true heart-to-heart conversation with God, or is it merely an empty external practice? Have I offered my work, my joys, and my sorrows to God? Do I turn to Him with confidence even in times of temptation?

4. Reverence for the Name of God : Do I have reverence and love for the holy name of God, or have I offended it with blasphemy, false oaths, or taking its name in vain? Have I been disrespectful to the Virgin Mary and the Saints?

5. Sanctification of the Lord’s Day : Do I sanctify the Lord’s Day and the feasts of the Church by participating actively, attentively, and devoutly in liturgical celebrations, and especially in Holy Mass? Have I avoided unnecessary work on holy days? Have I observed the precept of at least annual confession and Easter communion?

6. Avoiding Idolatry : Are there “other gods” for me, that is, expressions or things that interest me or that I trust more than God, for example: wealth, superstitions, spiritualism and other forms of magic?

Love of Neighbor

1. Abuse and Fair Treatment : Do I truly love my neighbor, or do I abuse my brothers and sisters, using them for my own interests and treating them in a way I wouldn’t want done to me? Have I caused scandal with my words or actions?

2. Family Life : In my family, have I contributed with patience and true love to the well-being and serenity of others?

   • For children : Have I been obedient to my parents, respected and honored them? Have I helped with their spiritual and material needs? Have I tried hard in school? Have I respected authority figures? Have I set a good example in every situation?

   • For parents : Have I been concerned about my children’s Christian education? Have I set a good example? Have I supported and guided them with my authority?

   • For spouses : Have I always been faithful in my affections and actions? Have I been understanding in times of anxiety?

3. Generosity and Helping the Needy : Do I know how to give of what I have, without petty selfishness, to those poorer than myself? Do I, within my power, defend the oppressed and help those in need? Or do I treat my neighbor, especially the poor, the weak, the elderly, the marginalized, and immigrants, with condescension or harshness?

4. Community Participation : Am I aware of the mission entrusted to me? Have I participated in the Church’s apostolic and charitable works, in parish initiatives and life? Have I prayed and offered my contribution to the needs of the Church and the world, for example, for Church unity, for the evangelization of peoples, for the establishment of justice and peace?

5. Civic Engagement : Do I consider the well-being and prosperity of the human community in which I live, or am I only concerned with my personal interests? Do I participate, to the extent possible, in initiatives that promote justice, public morality, harmony, and charitable works? Have I fulfilled my civic duties? Have I paid my taxes regularly?

6. Justice and Honesty at Work : Am I fair, committed, and honest at work, willing to serve the common good? Have I treated workers and all subordinates fairly? Have I honored contracts and kept my promises?

7. Obedience to Authorities : Have I given the legitimate authorities the obedience and respect due?

8. Leadership and Service : If I hold a position or perform managerial functions, do I only care about my own benefit or do I strive for the good of others, in a spirit of service?

9. Truthfulness and Fidelity : Have I practiced truth and fidelity, or have I caused harm to others through lies, slander, detractions, rash judgments, and violations of secrets?

10. Respect for Life and Physical Integrity : Have I threatened the life and physical integrity of my neighbor, offended their honor, or damaged their property? Have I procured or advised abortion? Have I remained silent in situations where I could have encouraged good? In married life, am I respectful of the Church’s teaching on openness to life and respect for it? Have I acted against my physical integrity (for example, by sterilizing myself)? Have I always been faithful in my mind as well? Have I harbored hatred? Have I been quarrelsome? Have I uttered insults and offensive words, fomenting strife and resentment? Have I culpably and selfishly failed to bear witness to the innocence of my neighbor? When driving a car or using other means of transport, have I endangered my life or the lives of others?

11. Honesty and Restitution : Have I stolen? Have I unjustly coveted the property of others? Have I harmed my neighbor’s property? Have I returned what I have taken and repaired the damage caused?

12. Forgiveness and Reconciliation : If I have been wronged, have I shown myself willing to reconcile and forgive for the love of Christ, or do I harbor hatred and a desire for revenge in my heart?

The Quest for Spiritual Improvement

1. Fundamental Orientation of Life : What is the fundamental orientation of my life? Do I take heart in the hope of eternal life? Have I tried to revive my spiritual life through prayer, reading and meditating on the Word of God, and participating in the sacraments? Have I practiced mortification? Have I been willing and determined to eradicate vices and subdue passions and perverse inclinations? Have I reacted to feelings of envy and mastered gluttony? Have I been presumptuous and arrogant, striving so hard to assert myself that I have despised others and preferred myself to them? Have I imposed my will on others, violating their freedom and neglecting their rights?

2. Use of Time and Talents : How have I used my time, my strength, and the gifts I have received from God, such as the “talents of the Gospel”? Do I use all these means to grow each day in the perfection of my spiritual life and in service to others? Have I been inactive and lazy? How do I use the internet and other forms of social media?

3. Patience and Mortification : Have I patiently endured, in a spirit of faith, the pains and trials of life? How have I tried to practice mortification, to complete what is lacking in the Passion of Christ? Have I observed the law of fasting and abstinence?

4. Purity and Chastity : Have I kept my body pure and chaste in my state of life, remembering that it is a temple of the Holy Spirit, destined for resurrection and glory? Have I guarded my senses and avoided defiling myself in spirit and body with evil thoughts and desires, with unworthy words and actions? Have I indulged in readings, speeches, shows, or amusements that contradict human and Christian honesty? Have I been a scandal to others through my behavior?

5. Acting Against Conscience : Have I acted against my conscience, out of fear or hypocrisy?

6. Freedom of the Children of God : Have I tried to behave in everything and always in the true freedom of the children of God and according to the law of the Spirit, or have I allowed myself to be enslaved by my passions?

7. Omission of Good : Have I omitted a good that was possible for me to perform?

This examination of conscience provided by the Vatican is an invaluable tool for those who wish to deepen their relationship with God and others during Lent. By reflecting on these questions, the faithful can better prepare for the celebration of Easter and live a fuller and more meaningful life in communion with God and their neighbor.