A DETAILED CATHOLIC EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

 THE 10 COMMANDMENTS - A DETAILED CATHOLIC EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

-From online sources

A good Catholic examination of conscience can be a great help in making a new start in the life of faith. We use an examination of conscience to help call to mind our sins and failings during a period of quiet reflection before approaching the priest in Confession.

It's important for a good Catholic examination of conscience to be thorough. This will help you learn about things that you may not be aware of. It's also a chance to develop your conscience. This is a critical aid for the beginning Catholic.

To make an examination:

1 - Set aside some quiet time for reflection.

2 - Start by praying to the Holy Spirit, asking for help in making a good examination to prepare for Confession.

3 Read through the items on this list and honestly reflect on your behavior for each item.

4 - If necessary, take this list or some brief notes (keep them private!) to Confession to help you remember things.

A Catholic examination of conscience traditionally follows the outline of the Ten Commandments

(I) - “I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD. YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GOD BESIDES ME.”

1 - Have I doubted or denied God’s existence?

2 - Have I been ungrateful to God for His benefits?

3 - Am I open to God’s will?

4 - Do I rely solely on myself and not on God?

5 - Have I abandoned the Catholic Faith? Formally left the Catholic Church?

6 - Have I joined a non-Catholic church or anti-Catholic group or practiced another religion or joined a group forbidden to Catholics (Masons, communists, etc.)?

7 - Have I refused to believe any truths of the Faith or any teachings of the Church?

8 - Did I fail to profess or defend the Faith?

9 - Have I failed to go to confession at least once a year?

10 - Have I been faithful to my daily prayers?

11 - Have I practiced any superstitions? Engaged in superstitious practices?(Including horoscopes,fortune tellers, etc.). Been involved in the occult? (Seances, ouija board, worship of Satan, etc.)

12 - Am I unwilling to turn away from everything that is opposed to God’s work in my soul.

13 - Disobeyed the commandments of God or the Church?

14 - Refused to accept what God has revealed as true ?

15 - Nourished and protected my faith?

16 - Rejected everything opposed to a sound faith?

17 - Deliberately misled others about doctrine or the faith?

18 - Despaired about my salvation or the forgiveness of my sins?

19 - Presumed on God's mercy? (Committing a sin in expectation of forgiveness, or asking for forgiveness without conversion and practicing virtue.)

20 - Loved someone or something more than God (money, power, sex, ambition,etc.)?

21 - Let someone or something influence my choices more than God?

22 - Hidden a serious sin or told a lie in confession?

(II) - “YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD, YOUR GOD, IN VAIN.”

1 - Have I taken the Lord’s name in vain, for example, carelessly, in anger, or surprise?

2 - Do I speak irreverently of holy persons, places or things?

3 - Have I cursed myself or others?

4 - Did I use profanity, vulgar, suggestive or obscene speech ?

5 - Have I called down evil upon anyone or anything?

6 - Did I get angry with God and blamed God for my failings?

7 - Have I angered others so as to make them curse?

8 - Have I broken or failed to keep a vow made to God?

9 - Have I murmured or complained about God?

10 - Used the name of God in cursing or blasphemy?

11 - Spoken about the Faith, the Church, the saints, or sacred things with irreverence,hatred or defiance?

12 - Watched television or movies, or listened to music that treated God, the Church,the saints, or sacred things irreverently?

13 - Belittled others in my speech?

14 - Behaved disrespectfully in Church?

15 - Misused places or things set apart for the worship of God?

16 - Committed perjury? (Breaking an oath or lying under oath.)

(III) - “REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY.”

1 - Set time aside each day for personal prayer to God?

2 - Missed Mass on Sunday or Holy Days of Obligation (through own fault without sufficient reason)?

3 - Committed a sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament?

4 - Received a sacrament while in the state of mortal sin?

5 - Habitually come late to and/or leave early from Mass without a good reason?

6 - Shop, labor, or do business unnecessarily on Sunday or other Holy Days of Obligation?

7 - Not attend to taking my children to Mass?

8 - Knowingly eat meat on a forbidden day (or not fasting on a fast day)?

9 - Eat or drink within one hour of receiving Communion (other than medical need)?

10 - Have I been irreverent while receiving the Most Blessed Sacrament?

11 - Have I been willfully distracted during Mass?

12 - Do I distract others during Mass?

(IV) - “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.”

1 - (If still under my parents' care) Obeyed all that my parents reasonably asked of me?

2 - Neglected the needs of my parents in their old age or in their time of need?

3 - (If still in school) Obeyed the reasonable demands of my teachers?

4 - Neglected to give my children proper food, clothing, shelter, education, discipline and care (even after Confirmation)?

5 - Provided for the religious education and formation of my children for as long as they are under my care?

6 - Ensured that my children still under my care regularly frequent the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion?

7 - Educated my children in a way that corresponds to my religious convictions?

8 - Provided my children with a positive, prudent and personalized education in the Catholic teaching on human sexuality?

9 - Been to my children a good example of how to live the Catholic Faith?

10 - Prayed with and for my children?

11 - Lived in humble obedience to those who legitimately exercise authority over me?

12 - Have I broken the law in regards towards the elderly ?

13 - Have I supported or voted for a politician whose positions are opposed to the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church?

14 - Have I disobeyed, insulted, or shown disrespect to my parents or legitimate superiors?

15 - Did I neglect my duties to my husband, wife, children or parents?

16 - Did I neglect to give a good religious example to my family?

17 - Am I disrespectful, impolite, or discourteous toward my family?

18 - Have I failed to meet my children’s physical, spiritual, emotional, and educational needs?

19 - Have I disobeyed the lawful demands of my superiors, teachers, or employer?

20 - Did I fail to actively take an interest in the religious education and formation of my children?

21 - Did I cause tension and fights in my family?

22 - Did I care for my aged and infirm relatives?

(V) - “YOU SHALL NOT MURDER"

1 - Unjustly and intentionally killed a human being?

2 - Been involved in an abortion, directly or indirectly ( through advice, etc.)?

3 - Have I entertained thoughts of suicide, desired to commit suicide, or attempted suicide?

4 - Supported, promoted or encouraged the practice of assisted suicide or mercy killing?

5 - Deliberately desired to kill an innocent human being?

6 - Unjustly inflicted bodily harm an another person?

7 - Unjustly threatened another person with bodily harm?

8 - Verbally or emotionally abused another person?

9 - Hated another person, or wished him evil?

10 - Been prejudiced, or unjustly discriminated against others because of their race, color, nationality, sex or religion?

11 - Joined a hate group?

12 - Purposely provoked another by teasing or nagging? Have I spread gloom through my words and actions?

13 - Recklessly endangered my life or health, or that of another, by my actions?

14 - Driven recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs?

15 - Abused alcohol tobacco or other drugs?

16 - Sold or given drugs to others to use for non-therapeutic purposes?

17 - Over-eaten?

18 - Encouraged others to sin by giving scandal? Have I led others into sin

19 - Helped another to commit a mortal sin (through advice, them somewhere, etc.?)

20 - Caused serious injury or death by criminal neglect?

21 - Indulged in serious anger?

22 - Refused to control my temper?

23 - Been mean to, quarreled with, or willfully hurt someone? Have I used harsh or abusive language toward others?

24 - Been unforgiving to others, when mercy or pardon was requested? Is there anyone with whom I refuse to speak, or against whom I bear a grudge?

25 - Sought revenge or hoped something bad would happen to someone? Do I deliberately harbor unkind and revengeful thoughts about others? Have I taken revenge?

26 - Delighted to see someone else get hurt or suffer? Have I taken pleasure in anyone’s misfortunes?

27 - Treated animals cruelly, causing them to suffer or die needlessly?

28 - Used artificial contraception or birth control?

29 - Have I failed to help someone in danger or in need?

30 - Have I wished evil on anyone?

(VI) - “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY”

1 - Practiced the virtue of chastity?

2 - Given in to lust? (The desire for sexual pleasure unrelated to spousal love in marriage.)

3 - Used an artificial means of birth control?

4 - Refused to be open to conception, without just cause? (Catechism, 2368)

5 - Participated in immoral techniques for in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination?

6 - Sterilized my sex organs for contraceptive purposes?

7 - Deprived my spouse of the marital right, without just cause?

8 - Claimed my own marital right without concern for my spouse?

9 - Deliberately caused male climax outside of normal sexual intercourse? (Catechism, 2366)

10 - Willfully entertained impure thoughts?

11 - Purchased, viewed, or made use of pornography?

12 - Watched movies and television that involve sex and nudity?

13 - Listened to music or jokes that are harmful to purity?

14 - Committed adultery? (Sexual relations with someone who is married, or with someone other than my spouse.)

15 - Committed incest? (Sexual relations with a relative or in-law.)

16 - Committed fornication? (Sexual relations with someone of the opposite sex when neither of us is married.)

17 - Engaged in homosexual activity? (Sexual activity with someone of the same sex.)

18 - Committed rape?

19 - Masturbated? (Deliberate stimulation of one's own sexual organs for sexual pleasure.)

19 - Engaged in sexual foreplay (petting) reserved for marriage?

20 - Preyed upon children or youth for my sexual pleasure?

21 - Engaged in unnatural sexual activities?

22 - Engaged in prostitution, or paid for the services of a Prostitute?

23 - Seduced someone, or allowed myself to be seduced?

24 - Made uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances toward another?

25 - Purposely dressed immodestly?

(VII) - “YOU SHALL NOT STEAL.”

1- Stolen? (Take something that doesn't belong to me against the reasonable will of the owner.) Have I accepted or bought stolen property?

2 - Envied others on account of their possessions?

3 - Tried to live in a spirit of Gospel poverty and simplicity?

4 - Given generously to others in need?

5 - Considered that God has provided me with money so that I might use it to benefit others, as well as for my own legitimate needs?

6 - Freed myself from a consumer mentality?

7 - Practiced the works of mercy? Have I refused or neglected to help anyone in urgent need?

8 - Deliberately defaced, destroyed or lost another's property?

9 - Cheated on a test, taxes, sports, games, or in business? Am I dishonest in my business dealings?

10 - Squandered money in compulsive gambling?

11 - Make a false claim to an insurance company?

12 - Paid my employees a living wage, or failed to give a full day's work for a full day's pay? Have I cheated my employees of their wages?

13 - Failed to honor my part of a contract? Have I cheated my employer of an honest day’s work?

14 - Failed to make good on a debt?

15 - Overcharge someone, especially to take advantage of another's hardship or ignorance?

16 - Misused natural resources.

17 - Have I failed to make restitution for what I stole.

18 - Have I helped someone steal?

19 - Have I borrowed without permission? Have I failed to return things borrowed?

(VIII) “YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGBOR.”

1 - Have I lied deliberately?

2 - Have I deliberately misled or deceived anyone?

3 - Perjured myself under oath?

4 - Did I gossip or reveal others’ faults or sins?

5 - Committed detraction? (Destroying a person's reputation by telling others about his faults for no good reason.)

6 - Committed slander or calumny? (Telling lies about another person in order to destroy his reputation.)

7 - Committed libel? (Writing lies about another person in order to destroy his reputation.)

8 - Been guilty of rash judgment? (Assuming the worst of another person based on circumstantial evidence.)

9 - Failed to make reparation for a lie I told, or for harm done to a person's reputation?

10 - Failed to speak out in defense of the Catholic Faith, the Church, or of another person? Have I failed to prevent the defamation of another’s character?

11 - Betrayed another's confidence through speech?

12 - Have I failed to keep promises or oaths?

13 - Have I signed false documents?

14 - Have I failed to keep promises or oaths?

15 - Have I revealed secrets and betrayed trust?

16 - Have a failed to forgive someone or held a grudge?

17 - Did I fail to keep secret what should be confidential?

18 - Have I disclosed another’s sins without serious reason?

(IX) “YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR'S WIFE”

1 - Did I commit impure acts with another – fornication (premarital sex) or adultery (sex with a married person)?

2 - Did I commit impure acts by myself (masturbation)?

3 - Do I engage in homosexual acts?

4 - Have I refused my spouse the marriage right without good reason?

5 - Am I dating someone who is civilly divorced but still bound by a valid marriage?

6 - Did I marry or advise anyone to marry outside the Catholic Church?

7 - Have I willfully entertained impure thoughts or desires?

8 - Did I respect all members of the opposite sex, or have I objectified them?

9 - Have I read, listened to, viewed, or spoken of impure things?

10 - Have I worn revealing or immodest clothing?

11 - Have I succumbed occasions of impurity?

(X) “YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR'S GOODS”

1 - Am I greedy or selfish?

2 - Am I envious of someone’s possessions, talents, or blessings?

3 - Do I indulge in self-pity?

4 - Am I proud, vain, or desire to be praised?

5 - Have I exaggerated my success?

6 - Have I minimized or made excuses for my failures?

7 - Have I measured my charity by what others have given, rather than my ability to give?

All reaction

3

List of Mortal Sins Every Catholic Should Know

List of Mortal Sins Every Catholic Should Know

“Amen, amen, I say to you: If any man keep my word, he shall not see death forever.”
—John 8:51

The Distinction between two types of sin

All sin is an offense against God and a rejection of his perfect love and justice. Yet, Jesus makes a distinction between two types of sins. We call the most serious and grave sins, mortal sins. Mortal sins destroy the grace of God in the heart of the sinner. By their very grave nature, a mortal sin cuts our relationship off from God and turns man away from his creator. St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews tell us that “if we sin willfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26). The second type of sin, venial sin, that of less grave matter, does not cut us off from Christ. However, venial sin does weaken grace in the soul and damages our relationship with God. A person who frequently indulges in venial sin is very likely to collapse into mortal sin if they persist in their evil ways.

So what kind of Sins are Mortal?

In order for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions:
1. Mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
2. Mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
3. Mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner

This means that mortal sins cannot be done “accidentally.” A person who commits a mortal sin is one who knows that their sin is wrong, but still deliberately commits the sin anyway. This means that mortal sins are “premeditated” by the sinner and thus are truly a rejection of God’s law and love.

The first condition, that a mortal sin is of grave matter, means that certain premeditated offenses against God are more severe than others. We know that some sins are graver than others (e.g. it is a graver sin to murder someone than to lie to someone). St. John tells us, “If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life.

A thorough listing and description of grave sins:

The First Commandment, “You shall Worship the Lord Your God and Him only Shall You Serve”

Idolatry—Idolatry is the worship, veneration or belief in false gods. Because it is a direct rejection of God, it is a grave sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Idolatry includes worship of images (This does not mean that we cannot venerate religious images. Veneration of images such as a crucifix is veneration of the person depicted, and not the actual image in and of itself.)

Divination, magic and sorcery—This is a grave sin which includes attempting to command the powers of the occult, control or speak to demons or spirits (especially Satan), attempting to divine the future, and the use of magic charms (CCC 2116). Deuteronomy 18:10-11 speaks against this grave sin.

Sacrilege—The sin of sacrilege is a grave sin that consists of profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and liturgical actions of the Church as well as things consecrated to God (CCC 2120).

Atheism—Because atheistic humanism falsely seeks man and human glory and rejects God, atheism is a grave sin (CCC 2125). It is a sin against the virtue of religion. St. Paul tells us, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unholiness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice” (Romans 1:18).

The Second Commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”

Blasphemy—This grave sin is the uttering of hatred, reproach, defiance or speaking ill of God. Blasphemy against the Church, the saints and sacred things is also a grave sin (CCC 2148). It fails to give love and respect to our Creator. St. James speaks against sinners who “blaspheme the good name that is invoked upon you” (James 2:7).

Perjury and False Oaths—Those who take an oath in the name of the Lord and fail to keep it, or break the oath at a later date, show a grave lack of respect for the Lord of all speech (CCC 2152). Pledging oneself to commit an evil deed is also sinful. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks against sinners who give false oaths (Matthew 5:33-34).

The Third Commandment, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy”

Deliberate failure of the Sunday obligation—The Christian Sunday (the Lord’s Day) celebrates the new life of the world born in Christ’s Resurrection. All humans have a duty, to praise God and give him thanks. Thus all Christians are bound to participate in the Mass, and must partake of the Eucharist at least on holy days of obligation. Deliberate failure to do this constitutes a grave sin (CCC 2181).

The Fourth Commandment, “Honor thy father and mother.”

This commandment obliges the faithful to show respect for their parents — as children and adults. Children must obey their parents, and adults must respect and see to the care of their parents, when they become old and infirm.

The Fifth Commandment, “You shall not kill”

Murder (intentional homicide)—Direct and intentional killing is gravely sinful (CCC 2268). It is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance, much like the murder of Abel at the hands of Cain. Indirect homicide can also be of grave nature (such as refusing to help a person in danger). However, the Church teaches that self-defense is permissible for the preservation of a one’s life. If the attacker is mortally wounded or killed, then the death of the attacker is not a sin. Those who use unnecessary aggression in self-defense can sin mortally, if the attacker is killed or gravely injured.

Abortion—Human life begins at conception in the mother’s womb. For God tells us, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew thee, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Jeremiah 1:5). Abortion is therefore murder. The oldest Christian book (besides parts of the Bible) is the Didache, a book composed by the twelve apostles or their disciples. The Didache proclaims the ancient teaching of the Catholic Church, “You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish” (Didache 2,2). All Catholics who procure a completed abortion or participate in execution of an abortion are automatically excommunicated from the Catholic Church (CCC 2272 and CIC Canon 1314).

Euthanasia—The direct killing of the sick, handicapped, or dying, regardless of motive, is a grave sin. The will and action taken to cause a person’s death is an act of murder (CCC 2277). Those who are suffering and are nearing death must be allowed to die (or recover, which is sometimes a possibility) naturally. Administration of painkillers is permissible, provided the drugs are not willed as an end or a means to precipitate death. “Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of ‘overzealous treatment” (CCC 2278). In this case death is not willed, but is merely accepted as inevitable and cannot be impeded.

Suicide—Suicide is murder of the self. It is contrary to the love of God, self, family, friends and neighbors (CCC 2281). It is of especially grave nature, if it is intended to set an example for others to follow. Voluntary cooperation in a suicide is also contrary to the moral law. However, the responsibility of and gravity of suicide can be diminished in the cases of grave psychological disturbances, anguish, grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture. But this does not make it morally permissible, and it is the judgement of God that will measure the gravity or responsibility of the sin.

Scandal—Scandal is an attitude or behavior that leads another to do evil. If someone is deliberately lead into a grave offense, that person’s tempter commits a grave sin (CCC 2284 and 2285). Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Drug abuse—Drug abuse does grave damage to health and life and is a grave offense. Only legitimate therapeutic use is acceptable (CCC 2290).
Gluttony—Gluttony is an excessive love for food, and is a disordered passion for wordly appetites. Because it is contrary to the virtue of temperance, it can constitute a grave sin. Gluttony is also a capital sin (CCC 1866, 2290)

Alcohol Abuse—Alcohol abuse can also be excessively dangerous and harmful to the body, and sometimes to neighbors (CCC 2290).. Because it is also contrary to temperance and is a disordered passion, it is a grave sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Terrorism—Terrorism that threatens, wounds and kills indiscriminately is of grave matter (CCC 2297). Other forms of bodily violence (kidnapping, hostage taking, non-medical amputations, mutilations and sterilization) are also contrary to the moral law.

Extreme Anger—”Anger is a desire for revenge. If anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin (CCC 2302). Christ speaks against anger saying, “Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement (Matthew 5:22).”

Hatred—Hatred of a neighbor is to deliberately wish him evil, and is thus a grave sin (CCC 2303 and Galatians 5:19-20).

Extortion—Extortion is to obtain something from another by coercion or intimidation. It is an act of violence and theft, and is condemned by 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

The Sixth Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery”

Adultery—Adultery is marital infidelity. A married person who has sexual relations with anyone but their lawful spouse, even transient sexual relations, commits adultery (CCC 2380).

Divorce—The grave sin of divorce condemns those who divorce and remarry (Matthew 5:32) and those who divorce in the civil sense (except by grave dispensation). Hence divorce between two baptized Christians is a mortal sin (CCC 2384).

Fornication—Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman and is a grave sin (CCC 2353). St. Paul condemns fornication in his epistle 1 Corinthians 6:18. All aspects of intimate contact associated with the marriage act also constitute fornication for Jesus said, “I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 9:28). If lustful looks are adulterous, how much worse is lustful physical contact?

Pornography—Pornography is the display of intimate real or simulated sexual acts to a third party. Because it removes the marriage act from within the sacramental sanctity of marriage, and perverts sex, it is gravely contrary to charity (CCC 2354). The display of pornography to children and other parties is especially gravely sinful because it is gravely scandalous.

Prostitution—Prostitution reduces a person to an instrument of sexual pleasure and lust. It is gravely contrary to charity and chastity and defiles the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. However, destitution, blackmail or social pressure can reduce the gravity of the sin. Still, prostitution is always a sin (CCC 2355).

Rape—A person who commits rape violates the respect, freedom, physical and moral integrity of the victim. It is a brutal crime of violence that can physically and psychologically scar a person for life. It is thus a grave sin (CCC 2356).

Homosexual acts—Although it remains to be determined if homosexuality is a genetic, social or personal stigma, homosexual acts are condemned by God and can NEVER be approved by the Church (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Genesis 19:1-29, Romans 1:24-27 and CCC 2357). If homosexuals are born with the condition, then they are called to live a life of Christian purity and chastity for the greater love of Christ. Such people can experience a life of trial, which all others must treat with compassion and sensitivity.

Incest—”Incest is intimate relations between relatives or in-laws within a degree that prohibits marriage between them” (CCC 2388). St. Paul condemns incest in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:1,4-5).

Masturbation—”Masturbation is the deliberate stimulation of the sexual organs in order to derive sexual pleasure” (CCC 2352). The Church teaches that sex has two main purposes that must be sought in the marriage act: sex is for reproduction of children within a valid marriage, and it is a loving, unifying act between husband and wife. Masturbation violates both aspects of the natural law and is thus a grave sin.

The Seventh Commandment—”You shall not steal”

Theft—All persons have a right to lawful private property obtained by legitimate work, inheritance or gift. To violate a person’s right to property by theft is a grave sin, especially if the loss of the property will severely hurt the victim (CCC 2408). The gravity of theft is determined by the harm it does to the victim. A poor beggar who steals a loaf of bread commits a less grave sin than a rich man who steals the savings of a destitute person. St. Paul tells us that thieves shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Cheating –A cheater defrauds his victim of their property. It is morally of grave matter unless the damage to the victim is unusually light (CCC 2413).

Defrauding a worker of his wages—This is one of the sins that cry to heaven for vengeance. Defrauding a worker of his wages withholds and impedes his ability to sustain basic needs for himself and his family. It is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance (CCC 1867).

Unfair wagers—Unfair wagers in games of chance are of grave matter if they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others (CCC 2413).

Taking advantage of the poor—The economic or social exploitation of the poor for profit harms the dignity and natural rights of the victim. It is a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance (CCC 1867).

The Eighth Commandment—”You shall not bear false witness against your neighbors”

False witness and perjury—False witness is a public statement in court contrary to the truth. Perjury is false witness under oath. Both acts are gravely sinful when they condemn the innocent, exonerate the guilty or increase punishment of the accused. They are of grave matter because they contradict justice (CCC 2476).

Adulation—Adulation is verbal speech or an attitude that encourages or confirms another in malicious acts and perverse conduct. It is a grave sin if it makes one an accomplice in another’s vices or grave sins (CCC 2480).

Lying—Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. It is gravely sinful when it significantly degrades the truth. The gravity of this sin is measured by the truth it perverts, the circumstances, intentions of the liar and harm done to the victims (CCC 2484). Lying is a sin that originates from the devil, Satan, who is “the father of all lies” (John 8:44).

The Ninth Commandment—”You shall not covet…your neighbor’s wife”

Lust—Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. It is disordered because sexual pleasure must not be isolated from its true, natural place: within the Sacrament of Matrimony that is ordered to procreation of children and a unifying love between husband and wife (CCC 2351). Lust, a sin and vice of the flesh, is often a difficult vice to overcome. Human weakness of will and lack of conformity to God is a result of the fall of mankind that causes a disorder between soul and body (called concupiscence) which is often manifested in lust. Yet, lust is a sin that can be overcome through prayer and grace through the Christian sacraments. Christ wills that we overcome lust and replace it with Christian love and purity of heart (Matthew 9:28). “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

The Tenth Commandment—”You shall not covet…anything that is your neighbors”

Avarice—Avarice is greed and the desire to amass earthly goods without limit. It is a passion for riches and luxury. Those who seek temporal happiness at the expense of spiritual duties, risk the grave sin of avarice. Avarice is one of the deadly vices (CCC 2536).

Envy—Envy, another capital sin, is sadness at the sight of another’s goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself. Envy can lead to grave consequences and can harm neighbors. If envy leads to grave harm to a neighbor, it is surely a grave sin.

Offenses Against Faith
Voluntary doubt of faith—Voluntary doubt of faith is disregarding the revealed truth of God and his Church (CCC 2088). Those who do this risk spiritual blindness and loss of faith.

Incredulity, heresy, apostasy, schism—Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or willful refusal to assent to it. Heresy is obstinate post-baptismal denial of a truth that must be believed with divine and catholic faith. Apostasy is total repudiation of the Christian faith. Schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or communion with the members of the Church (CCC 2089). These sins strain or break the bonds of unity with the offender and the Catholic Church.

Offenses Against Hope
Despair in hope—Those who despair in hope, cease to hope in salvation from God or help in attaining forgiveness of sin (CCC 2090). Christian hope sustains a believer’s faith and dependence on God, and should not be neglected or rejected.

Presumption—The Church teaches of two types of sinful presumption: the presumption that man can save himself without help from God and the presumption that God’s power or his mercy will merit him forgiveness without repentance and conversion (CCC 2092).

Offenses Against Charity

Indifference—This grave sin entails neglect or refusal on divine charity (a.k.a. divine love). Those who sin in indifference fail to consider the goodness of charity, and deny its power (CCC 2094).

Ingratitude—An ungrateful sinner fails or refuses to acknowledge and return the love and charity of God (CCC 2094).

Lukewarmness—Lukewarmness is negligence in response to God’s charity. It can also mean the refusal to give oneself to the prompting of charity (CCC 2094).

Acedia (spiritual sloth)—Spiritual sloth, a capital sin, is the refusal of joy that comes from God. An sinner who indulges in acedia may even be repelled by divine goodness (CCC 2094).

Hatred of God—This grave sin is born of pride and is contrary to the love of God. A sinner who hates God willfully rejects him. Hatred of God refuses to acknowledge and praise God’s goodness and obedience (CCC 2094).

Of course we must realize that this is certainly not a complete list of sins. The sins that are listed above are those of grave matter that can become mortal sins if they are done willfully and with full knowledge of their nature. Other sins are of venial nature, and are less grave than the ones listed above.

What is venial sin?

As stated before, venial sin is a sin of lesser matter than grave sin. It can also be a sin of grave matter in which the sinner did not fully consent to the sin or did not have knowledge that his actions where sinful. Venial sins will not destroy grace in the soul, and will not directly cause a person who dies in the state of venial sin to lose the promise of heaven. Yet, venial sin weakens a person’s will to avoid evil and thus may indirectly lead to mortal sin. Regardless, all sin is an offense against God and should be avoided.

All sins can be forgiven
A person who repents of their sin, intends to live a new life of grace, and receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be forgiven of all their sins (mortal sins in particular must be confessed in the Sacrament). Our sins can be forgiven, because Jesus Christ paid for the price of human sin by dying on the cross for the redemption of humanity. Jesus Christ, true man and true God, was the perfect sacrifice for human sin and as a result saved those who are baptized, repent and believe in him.

Because a baptized Christian can still sin, Christ instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus gave the power to forgive sins in his name to the Church. He told his apostles, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:22–23). This means that the apostles and their successors, the priests and bishops of the Catholic Church, can forgive sins in Jesus’ name.

It is vitally important that Catholics confess sins on a regular basis, especially if we are in the state of mortal sin. A person who dies in mortal sin cannot enter the kingdom of heaven and is doomed to eternal suffering in hell. Even when we have not committed mortal sin, we are still obliged to confess our sins at least once a year. Christ, in perfect love, laid down his life so that we may be forgiven of our sins. The sacrifice of the cross should not be neglected or taken for granted. Jesus died for the life of the world and is thus the light of the world. “He that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12)

CTTO

If you are seeking for Deliverance from Evil Spirits, read this...

 

SPIRITUAL DELIVERANCE and EXORCISM

1. Go to confession
2. Stop occultism and superstition
3. Attend mass
4. Devotion to a saint
5. Adoration
6. Pray the rosary as a family together everyday

The exorcist priest before administering the rite to you, would suggest that you do the above mentioned suggestions first. Aside from a psychiatric evaluation to determine if what you are complaining is praeternatural or psychological.
Confession is more powerful than exorcisms because confession is a sacrament while exorcisms is a mere rite.
Also, please erase in your mind that meeting an exorcist and administering the exorcisms rite over would end your demonic obsession-possession in an instant.
These things require frequent repetition of the exorcism rite. And the exorcist would require you to do your homework for spiritual work like those suggested above (confession, mass, adoration, prayers, mediation, fasting, devotion).
If your scenario is severe, then expect the devil to have stronger hold of you and wont give up easily.
Also, If an exorcist priest refuses to administer the exorcism rite over you, Pls Dont go to spiritual healer or occultists.

Eucharistic Miracles- The Real Presence Science Confirms

 

The Grave Danger of Receiving the Eucharist Unworthily
“Whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying.” (I Cor. 11:27-30)

Dear Lord may the veil of unbelief be removed from all unbelievers in The Real Presence & especially those receiving The Blessed Sacrament when they are not in a state of grace. Amen ♱♱♱

 THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS THAT SCIENCE CONFIRMS

CTTO  
Dr. Ricardo Castañon Gomez is not well-known to many Catholics. But he should be.
Atheist Richard Dawkins has apparently never heard of Dr. Ricardo Castañon Gomez either. Dawkins tweeted recently that Catholic belief in the Eucharist is madness. Had Dawkins heard of Gomez and the results of Gomez’s scientific investigations into the Eucharistic Miracles of Argentina and Tixtla, Mexico, he might not have tweeted his tweet!
Dr. Gomez is a scientist. He’s also a former atheist. He became a Catholic after leading his first scientific investigation to examine what appeared to be a bleeding consecrated host. Recently he led a second investigation. Both investigations, as far as I’m concerned, provide proof of the Real Presence in the Eucharist.

Eucharistic Miracles

Dr. Gomez led the scientific investigation into the 1996 Eucharistic Miracle in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also led the investigation into the 2006 Eucharistic Miracle in Tixtla, Mexico.
In both instances, consecrated hosts appeared to be bleeding. In both instances samples taken from the hosts proved to be blood and living human tissue. And in both instances the tissue was living muscle tissue from an inflamed human heart. Also in both instances, the blood was type AB.
These findings match the findings of a 1971 scientific investigation into the 8th Century Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano. What’s more, the AB blood type in all three cases matches the AB blood type found on the Shroud of Turin.

And even more recently, in 2013, in Legnica, Poland, samples taken from a consecrated host that appeared to be bleeding were also scientifically examined. The tests once again showed that the samples were of inflamed heart muscle.
So in four separate scientific investigations, in four different countries, samples of consecrated hosts that appeared to be bleeding have been scientifically examined. And in all four instances scientists said the samples were living human heart muscle tissue. If this does not prove the Real Presence in the Eucharist, I don’t know what would.

In 2004, eight years after the host in Argentina was first found to be bleeding, Dr. Gomez brought another sample of the host to Dr. Frederick Zugibe. Zugibe was then one of the United States’ most prominent forensics experts. Gomez asked him to examine the sample, but Gomez did not tell Zugibe anything about the sample.

Dr. Zugibe told Dr. Gomez that the sample he examined was that of living muscle tissue from a human heart. Zugibe also said the tissue came from a person whose heart had been severely traumatized.

Dr. Zugibe was amazed when Dr. Gomez informed him that the sample had been obtained eight years earlier. Zugibe told Gomez that the cells were still living when he examined them. He asked Gomez to explain how this could be so when the sample was eight years old. Gomez then told Zugibe that the sample was from a Consecrated Host. Zugibe’s amazement turned to astonishment.

Also, in the samples taken from the hosts in both Lanciano and Argentina, live white blood cells were present. Yet white blood cells ‘die’ within a few hours after being exposed to air. The Lanciano blood samples were over 1,200 years old

To me these miracles show that what the Catholic Church teaches on Transubstantiation and the Eucharist is true. And no other religion on earth can say that science has proven what it teaches is true.

But atheists like Dawkins think Catholics are mad to believe in the Real Presence. Practitioners of other religions may think Catholics are crazy as well. And even members of other Christian denominations might think Catholics are crazy to believe in Transubstantiation.

But every Catholic should know that we are receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist when we receive Communion. Yet as the July 2019 Pew research revealed, many Catholics also do not believe in the Real Presence.

If only more people knew what science has to say about the Eucharist!

As Catholics, we believe in the Real Presence, whereby Jesus Christ is made literally present in a consecrated Host through transubstantiation.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.'” – John 6:53-54

Since its earliest inception, many have been intensely skeptical of the Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence. However, over the centuries there have been many reports and accounts of the Host miraculously turning into physical flesh and blood. When studies were performed on these miraculous Hosts, along with relics of Christ, an astonishing discovery was made – the same blood type was found every time – type AB+.

The earliest recorded event of a consecrated Host miraculously turning into physical flesh and blood dates back to the 8th century in the city of Lanciano, Italy. Called the Miracle of Lanciano, a monk was skeptical about the Real Presence and transubstantiation. When he celebrated Mass and said the Words of Consecration with doubt in his soul and heart, before the monks eyes he saw the the Host changed into living flesh and the wine change into coagulated blood.

In 1971, scientists performed a study on these relics which had been perfectly preserved throughout the ages. The Host was human heart tissue with the blood typeAB+, the rarest of all. The blood was found to have no preservatives, and also was blood type AB+.

Another miraculous occurrence took place in 1996, when a women in Buenos Aires found a desecrated Host in a candle holder in her parish church. She turned the Host into her priest who went to dissolve it into water per Canon Law. When the priest went to do so, the Host turned into flesh and blood. 3 years later, the Bishop of Buenos Aires sent the host to the US for testing. The results came back the same – human heart tissue with blood type AB+. At the time, the Bishop of Buenos Aires was Jorge Bergoglio – Pope Francis.

Additional tests of trace amounts of blood on the Shroud of Turin along with traces from the Shroud of Oviedo (the cloth wrapped around Christs face shortly after his death) also were shown to be of blood type AB, lending credence to the evidence that Christs blood type was AB, and Hosts literally turn into His flesh and blood when consecrated.

Amazing coincidence or proof? Blood type AB+ is the universal recipient for blood transfusions, and all tested Hosts were found to be heart tissue. As we know, Christ will receive anyone into His heart who is willing.
Ccto

Do this before going to Confession

 

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

WITH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH.

FIRST COMMANDMENT: I AM THE LORD THY GOD; THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.

Sins contrary to the First Commandment are the following: neglect of prayer; ingratitude toward God; spiritual sloth; hatred of God or of the Catholic Church; tempting God (explicitly or implicitly, e.g. by exposing one’s self to danger ofsoul, life, or health without grave cause); not behaving reverently when in church (e.g. not genuflecting to the Blessed Sacrament when entering or leaving the church, etc.); excessive attraction to things/creatures (e.g. over-affection to animals, sports fanatic, having movie star /music/TV idols, love for money, pleasure or power); idolatry (worshiping false gods such as giving honor to a creature in place of God (e.g. Satan, science, ancestors, country); superstition (ascribing powers to a created thing which it does not have); hypnotism (without sufficient cause); divination (communication with Satan, demons, the dead or other false practices in order to discover the unknown, consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, fortune telling); attaching undue importance to dreams, omens or lots; all practices of magic or sorcery (e.g. witchcraft, voodoo); wearing charms; playing with Ouija boards or rotating tables; spiritism (talking with the spirits); sacrilege (profaning or treating unworthily the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, and other liturgical actions, as well as religious persons, blessed things such as sacred vessels or statues, or places consecrated to God); sacrilege by receiving a sacrament, especially the Holy Eucharist, in the state of mortal sin; simony (buying or selling of spiritual things); profane or superstitious use of blessed objects (sometimes done in order to remain in sin); practical materialism (one believes he needs and desires only material things); atheistic humanism (falsely considers man to be an end in himself, and the sole maker with supreme control of his own history); atheism in general (rejects, denies or doubts the existence of God, either in theory or practice, i.e. ignoring Him in the daily living of our lives); agnosticism (postulates the existence 2 of a transcendent being which is incapable of revealing itself, and about which nothing can be said or makes no judgment about God’s existence declaring it impossible to prove or even to affirm or deny).

Sins against Faith: Wilful doubt of any article of faith; deliberate ignorance of the truths of faith which ought to be known; neglect of instructing oneself in the faith according to one’s state in life; rash credulity (e.g. giving credence to private revelation too easily or believing in a private revelations which has been condemned by the lawful Church authorities); apostasy; heresy; indifferentism (to believe that one religion is as good as another, and that all religions are equally true and pleasing to God, or that one is free to accept or reject any or all religions); reading or circulating books or writings against the Catholic belief or practice in such wise as to jeopardize one’s faith; to remain silent when asked about one’s faith; engaging is schismatic or heretical worship; joining or supporting masonic groups or other forbidden societies.

Sins against Hope: despair of God’s mercy (to give up all hope of salvation, and the means necessary to be saved) or want of confidence in the power of His Grace to support us in trouble or temptation; no desire to possess eternal happiness in heaven or after this earthly life; presumption (to hope for salvation without help from God or to assume God’s forgiveness without conversion, or to hope to obtain heavenly glory without merit); presuming on God’s mercy or on the supposed efficacy of certain pious practices, in order to continue in sin; refusing any dependence on God.


Sins against Charity: not making an act of charity at regular intervals during life especially during times of necessity; egoism (one cares only about himself, praises himself, selfish, enjoys receiving praise) wilfully rebellious thoughts against God; boasting of sin; violatingGod’s law, or omitting good works through human respect.

SECOND COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN

Sins contrary to the Second Commandment: dishonoring of God by profane or disrespectful use of the Name of God, or of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints; blasphemy (speech or gestures that have contempt for or insult to God, Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary or the saints); perjury (to promise something under oath with no intention of keeping it, or breaking a promise made under oath); taking false or unnecessary oaths (to call on God to be witness to a lie); breaking vows or promises to God; talking during Mass and in a Church without sufficient reason or to the distraction of others.

THIRD COMMANDMENT: REMEMBER THAT THOU SHALT KEEP HOLY THE LORD’S DAY

Sins contrary to the Third Commandment: omission of prayer and divine worship, all unnecessary servile work, and whatever hinders the keeping of the Lord’s Day holy; engaging in unnecessary commerce, i.e. buying and selling on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

FOURTH COMMANDMENT HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER

Sins contrary to the Fourth Commandment: 

For Parents: Hating their children; cursing them; giving scandal to them by cursing, drinking, etc.; allowing them to grow up in ignorance, idleness or sin; showing habitual partiality without cause; deferring a child’s baptism; neglecting to watch over their bodily health, their 4 religious instruction, the company they keep, the books they read, etc.; failing to correct them when needful; being harsh or cruel in correction; sending children to Protestant and other dangerous schools; neglect of directing them to attend Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days and to frequent reception of the Sacraments. 

For Children: All manner of anger or hatred against parents and other lawful superiors; provoking them to anger; grieving them; insulting them; neglecting them in their necessity; contempt or disobedience to their lawful commands. 

Husbands and wives: Ill-usage (i.e. using them without consideration for their own welfare and without regard to charity); putting obstacles to the fulfilment of religious duties; want of gentleness and consideration in regard to each other’s faults; unreasonable jealousy; neglect of household duties; sulkiness; injurious words; neglect of attempting to secure means of supporting the family due to laziness or timidity. 

For Employers: not allowing one’s employees reasonable time for religious duties and instruction; giving bad example to them or allowing others to do so; withholding their lawful wages; not caring for them in sickness; dismissing them arbitrarily and without cause; imposing unreasonable policies. 

For Employees: disrespect to employers; want of obedience in matters wherein one has bound oneself to obey (e.g. by fulfilling a contract); waste of time; neglect of work; waste of employer’s property by dishonesty, carelessness or neglect; violating company policies without sufficient reason. 

For Professionals and Civil Servants: culpable lack of the knowledge relating to duties of office or profession; neglect in discharging those duties; injustice or partiality; exorbitant fees (this sin may also be included under the Seventh Commandment). 

For Teachers: neglecting the progress of those confided to their care; unjust, indiscreet or excessive punishment; partiality; bad example; loose or false maxims (i.e. teaching them things which are untrue as being true) 

Students: disrespect; disobedience; stubbornness; idleness; waste of time; giving in to idle distractions (e.g. partying and undue recreating) 

For All: contempt for the laws of State and country as well as of the Church; disobedience to lawful authority; breaking of civil laws.

FIFTH COMMANDMENT THOU SHALT NOT KILL

Sins against the Fifth commandment include: murder; performing an abortion; having an abortion, aiding in someone procuring an abortion (the penitent should know that having, causing or aiding in an abortion causing one to be excommunicated); euthanasia; withholding ordinary means to a dying or terminally ill patient; suicide; attempts of suicide, seriousthoughts about committing suicide; fighting; quarreling anger; hatred; desires of revenge; human torture; gluttony (excessive eating or drinking); drunkenness; abuse of alcohol, medicine or drugs; endangering other people’s lives (e.g. by drinking and driving, by driving too fast, etc.); risking one’s own life or limb without a sufficient reason (e.g. daredevil stunts, Russian roulette, etc.); carelessness in leaving about poisons, dangerous drugs, weapons, etc.; mutilation of the body, such as castration, vasectomy, tubal ligation, hysterectomy (without sufficient medical cause); immoral scientific research and its applications; bad example or scandal; disrespect for the dying or the dead; not trying to avoid war; showing aversion or contempt for others; refusing to speak to them when addressed; ignoring offers of reconciliation especially between relatives; cherishing an unforgiving spirit; raillery and ridicule; insults; irritating words and actions; sadness at another’s prosperity; rejoicing over another’s misfortune; envy at attention shown to others; tyrannical behavior; inducing others to sin by word or example; injury to health by over-indulgence; giving drink to others knowing they will abuse it; taking contraceptive pills which may or may not be an abortifacient; use of prophylactic or barrier methods to avoid pregnancy; using licit means of avoiding conception while fostering a contraceptive mentality; direct sterilization; causing unnecessary suffering or death to animals.

SIXTH COMMANDMENT THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Sins against the Sixth Commandment are the following: impurity and immodesty in words, looks, and actions, whether alone or with others, telling and listening to dirty jokes; wearing immodest clothing; buying, renting or watching indecent movies, television or books (pornography as well as books which contain impurity); masturbation; fornication (sometimes called premarital sex); prostitution; sodomy (homosexual practices); adultery; divorce; polygamy; incest; sexual abuse; rape; prolonged and sensual kissing; petting or foreplay outside the context of marriage and within the context of marriage not ordering foreplay to the consummation of the natural conjugal act; immodest dancing; dating without taking the necessary precautions to safeguard purity or one’s faith.

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT THOU SHALT NOT STEAL

Sins against the Seventh Commandment are: stealing; petty thefts (e.g. taking things from one’s place of employment to which one is not entitled or taking money from a family member without his permission); cheating; plagiarizing; breaking copyright regulations, (e.g. photocopying without permission); keeping borrowed or lost objects without making a reasonable attempt to restore the other’s property; possession of ill-gotten goods; counseling or commanding someone to do injury to another person or to his goods; careless or malicious injury to the property of others; concealment of fraud, theft or damage when in duty bound to give the information; tax evasion by not paying just taxes; business fraud; dishonesty in politics, business, etc.; not paying just debts atscheduled time and neglecting to make reasonable efforts and sacrifices in this matter, e.g. by gradually laying up the amount required; not making reparation or compensation to someone suffering from unjust damages; forcing up prices by taking advantage of the ignorance or hardship of another; usury (lending money at high interest rates to someone in financial difficulty); speculation in which one  contrives to manipulate the price of goods artificially in order to gain an advantage to the detriment of others; corruption in which one influences the judgment of those who must decide in legal matters; accepting bribes; appropriation and use for private purposes of the common goods of an enterprise; work poorly done; paying unjust wages or defrauding an employee of due benefits; forgery of checks and invoices; bouncing checks knowing that there is not enough funds to cover them; excessive expenses and waste; not keeping promises or contract agreements (if the commitments were morally just); gambling and betting (if they deprive someone of basic living needs for himself or others); excessive unnecessary waste of goods, resources, money or funds.

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR

Sins contrary to the Eighth Commandment are: lying; boasting; bragging; flattery; hypocrisy; exaggerating; irony; sarcasm; unjust injury to another’s good name either by revealing true and hidden faults (detraction); telling false defects (slander or calumny), talebearing, or spreading rumors; to criticize others, to listen with pleasure to others being criticized; gossiping; unjustly dishonoring another person in his presence (contumely); rash judgment (firmly believing, without sufficient reason, that someone has some moral defect); revealing secrets; publishing discreditable secrets about others, even if true; refusing or delaying to restore the good name one has blackened; baseless accusations; groundless suspicions; rash judgments of others in our own mind.

NINTH COMMANDMENT THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S WIFE

The Ninth Commandment forbids all those impure thoughts and desires which we take deliberate pleasure in so thinking, or we willingly consent to it whenever these unchaste thoughts or passions come into our mind. The penitent should keep in mind that any sin listed under the sixth commandment in which one willing or deliberately entertains may have the same degree of gravity, i.e. either mortal or venial sin.

TENTH COMMANDMENT THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S GOODS

The Tenth Commandment forbids the following: envy (desire another goods); jealousy (a zealous vigilance in keeping a good enjoyed by oneself from others); greed and the desire to have material goods without limit (avarice); the desire to become rich at all costs; businesses or professions who hope for unfavorable circumstances for others so that they may personally profit from it; envious of someone else’s success, talents, temporal or spiritual goods; the desire to commit injustice by harming someone in order to get his temporal goods.

THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

Besides the Ten Commandments of God, the faithful are also bound to follow the Precepts of the Church. The power for making these laws comes from Jesus Christ, and includes everything necessary for the government of the Church and for the direction of the faithful in order that they may attain their eternal salvation.

FIRST PRECEPT TO ASSIST AT HOLY MASS ON ALL SUNDAYS AND HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION

There are Six Holy days of obligation: 1) Christmas Day (December 25) 2) The Circumcision (January 1) 3) Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter) 4) The Assumption (August 15) 5)All Saints Day (November 1) 6)The Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) The Church obliges us to abstain from servile work on Holy Days of Obligation, just as on Sundays, as far as we are able. Catholics who must work on Holy Days are obliged to attend Holy Mass unless excused by a 9 reasonable grave cause. One may violate this precept by not attending Mass on the prescribed days or by arriving late to Mass without sufficient reason.

SECOND PRECEPT TO FAST, ABSTAIN AND DO PENANCE ON PRESCRIBED DAYS

The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their 14th year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their age of majority (18), until the beginning of their 60th year. Fasting means to eat less food than one normally eats. On days of fasting, we are allowed only one full meal and two smaller meals together are less than one full meal; days of fasting are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On days of abstinence, we are forbidden to eat flesh-meat; days of abstinence are: all of the Fridays of the year. In the United States, some form of penance or prayers may be done in place of the abstinence for those Fridays of the year outside of Lent. The permitted substitute penance could be: saying a Rosary, Stations of the Cross, visiting the sick or imprisoned, etc.

THIRD PRECEPT TO CONFESS OUR MORTAL SINS AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR

The Church urges us to go to the great Sacrament of Confession frequently, but only actually commands us to go at least once a year in order to warn those people who may have presumption on the mercy of God, which is a sin against the Holy Ghost. Parents must prepare their children for Confession when the children learn to distinguish right from wrong. (i.e.) at about 7 years of age). The obligation to confess once a year is only binding on those who have committed a mortal sin and have not confessed for at least one year.

FOURTH PRECEPT TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION DURING EASTER SEASON.

The Easter Season begins on the First Sunday of Lent and ends on Trinity Sunday. However, after receiving our First Holy Communion, it is 10 strongly recommended to receive this great Sacrament frequently during our lifetime (everyday if possible as recommended by Pope St. Pius X).

FIFTH PRECEPT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUPPORT OF YOUR PASTOR

This precept requires each to provide for the material needs of the Church according to his means.

SIXTH PRECEPT TO OBSERVE THE LAWS OF THE CHURCH CONCERNING MARRIAGE.

Have I entered into marriage or aided any one else to do so without permission from the Church to marry or before a State official or a Protestant minister; or without dispensation within the forbidden degrees of kindred; or with any other known impediment?