Now to examine oneself is to ask oneself questions about our sins-all our sins; about our acts, our words, our thoughts.

It is good to do this very often: every night before we lie down to rest, when we say our evening prayers. It will not take much time. It may be done briefly after this sort :—

A SHORT FORM OF SELF-EXAMINATION.

1) Have I tried to please God to-day, and in what? Have I said my prayers and carefully? (3) Have I said, or done, or thought, anything wickedly? (4) Have I guarded against my besetting sin? (5) Have I borne my Cross in whatever way it may (6) Have I been mindful of the Presence of God?

"Nor let sweet sleep upon thine eyes descend
Till thou hast judged its deeds at each day's end."

have come?

But what is good to be done at all times is necessary to be done at this time, that is, before receiving the Holy Communion. Therefore now your examination should be more at length and more thorough, after the form following in the next page.

"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross daily and follow Me."

S. Luke ix. 23.

A LONGER FORM OF SELF-EXAMINATION.

I

Kneel down, make the sign of the Cross, and say:

N the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the-
Holy Ghost.

"TRY me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart: prove me, and examine my thoughts. Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me and lead me in the way everlasting."

Since I was last at the Holy Sacrament :

Have I been mindful of God's presence-in my prayers; in my work; in my amusements; when I have been in company; and when I have been alone?

Have I thought oftentimes of the blessedness of Heaven, and the glory of the life to come; and of the misery of the condemned at the Day of Judgment?

Have I thought of my death; the joy of a happy death; the sorrow of an unprepared for and sudden death?

Have I thought much of Christ, and His great love to me; and have I denied myself for His sake, and for His sake done good to others?

Have I been ashamed to confess Christ, or ashamed of my Religion ?

The Preparation.

Have I said regularly and devoutly my morning and evening prayers, and guarded against wandering thoughts? Have I prayed at other times?

Have I attended the services of the Church on the Lord's Day, as far as I have been able, regularly, especially when the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated? Have I worshipped God there heartily? Have I behaved reverently and humbly, not lounging or staring about, or being thoughtless?

Have I kept Holy Days and Fast Days when and as able?

Have I been at a place of worship opposed to the Church, and thus made myself guilty of the sin of schism or division ?

Have I taken God's Name in vain, or sworn? Have I spoken lightly of God's Word, or His Church, or His Sacraments, or His Priests or Ministers, or sacred things?

Have I been obedient to those in authority over me, to my Father and Mother, to my parish Priest, to my Master or Mistress and have I shown due respect to my betters, and to aged persons?

Have I been humble, gentle, amiable, and obliging; or have I been in a passion, or sullen, or ill-natured, or teasing, or irritable; or am I living in malice or hatred with any one?

Have I indulged in impure thoughts, or joined in loose conversation, or talked lightly of the sins of others, or been guilty of any immodest or unclean action?

Have I been vain or proud of my person or my dress, or boasted of anything I have done, or sang my own praise ?

Have I given way to excess in eating or drinking or pleasure seeking?

Have I acted dishonestly? Have I taken anything not my own, and kept it? Have I cheated in my dealings? Have I tried to pay my just debts?

Have I tried to make satisfaction to any one whom I hurt by word or deed?

may have

Have I been idle, and wasted my time?

Have I indulged in speaking evil of others, or in scandal or gossip? Have I thrown blame on another to spare myself? Have I without just cause ascribed bad motives to others, or been uncharitable or suspicious?

Have I told a lie, or been deceitful?

Have I been covetous or grasping?

Have I been patient under trials, or under provocation, or under ill-usage, or in losses, or in sickness?

Have I been watchful against my besetting sin?

Have I kept the resolutions made at my last Communion?

Mark carefully where you have erred. Confess your sin or sins plainly. Try to feel sorry. Seek earnestly God's pardon. Here is a

I

FORM OF CONFESSION.

CONFESS to God the Father Almighty, to His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and to God the Holy Ghost, and before the whole Company of Heaven, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, my own fault, my grievous fault.

Here name, one by one, in what particulars you have sinned; and then add:

Wherefore I pray God the Father Almighty, His Only-Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Ghost, to have mercy upon me, and to forgive me. Amen.