USCCB examination framework

Select Examination Guide

Ten Commandments

Review your love of God and neighbor through the commandments and the duties they reveal.

Opening prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that I may know my sins. Move my heart that I may be truly sorry for them. Help me to make a good confession and amend my life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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First Commandment

“I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.”

Exodus 20:2–5 · CCC 2084–2141

Give God first place through faith, hope, worship, prayer, and trust.

Have I denied or doubted God’s existence, his loving providence, or the truths revealed through the Catholic Church?

Moral Guidance & Context

Grave matter note: Heresy, apostasy, or an obstinate rejection of Catholic dogma can involve grave matter. A sincere struggle or question is not the same as willful rejection.

Pastoral reflection: Were my doubts sincere struggles brought to prayer and honest inquiry, or did I knowingly and willfully reject the faith?

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I placed money, career, ambition, pleasure, technology, popularity, or power before God?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Give God first place through faith, hope, worship, prayer, and trust. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I engaged in superstitious practices, consulted horoscopes, fortune tellers, tarot cards, mediums, witchcraft, or the occult?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Give God first place through faith, hope, worship, prayer, and trust. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I neglected daily prayer, Scripture reading, or gratitude to God for his blessings?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Give God first place through faith, hope, worship, prayer, and trust. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I despaired of God’s mercy—or presumed upon his forgiveness by deliberately sinning while expecting easy mercy?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Give God first place through faith, hope, worship, prayer, and trust. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I received Holy Communion while conscious of unconfessed mortal sin?

Moral Guidance & Context

Grave matter note: The Church teaches that a person conscious of grave sin should receive sacramental absolution before Holy Communion, except in the limited circumstances described in canon law and the Catechism.

Pastoral reflection: Consider what you knew at the time and whether you freely chose to receive. Bring uncertainty directly to the priest.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Second Commandment

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”

Exodus 20:7 · CCC 2142–2167

Honor God’s name and all that is sacred with truth and reverence.

Have I used the holy name of God, Jesus Christ, Mary, or the saints casually in anger, surprise, jest, or vulgarity?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor God’s name and all that is sacred with truth and reverence. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I cursed anyone or called down evil upon another person?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor God’s name and all that is sacred with truth and reverence. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I sworn false oaths, committed perjury, or broken solemn promises made to God or before the altar?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor God’s name and all that is sacred with truth and reverence. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I spoken with disrespect or contempt about holy things, the Church, the sacraments, or consecrated persons?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor God’s name and all that is sacred with truth and reverence. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Third Commandment

“Remember to keep holy the LORD’s Day.”

Exodus 20:8–11 · CCC 2168–2195

Keep the Lord’s Day through worship, rest, family life, and works of mercy.

Have I missed Holy Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation without a serious, excusing reason such as illness or urgent care for another?

Moral Guidance & Context

Grave matter note: Deliberately missing the Sunday or holy-day Mass obligation without a serious reason is grave matter.

Pastoral reflection: Distinguish a free choice from illness, inability, lack of access, caregiving, or another serious reason. Ask a priest when uncertain.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Did I arrive late to Mass or leave early through carelessness or lack of reverence?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Keep the Lord’s Day through worship, rest, family life, and works of mercy. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I engaged in unnecessary work on Sunday that hindered worship, family life, works of mercy, or proper rest?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Keep the Lord’s Day through worship, rest, family life, and works of mercy. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I neglected the required days of fasting and abstinence, including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, without an excusing reason?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Keep the Lord’s Day through worship, rest, family life, and works of mercy. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Fourth Commandment

“Honor your father and your mother.”

Exodus 20:12 · CCC 2196–2257

Honor family bonds and legitimate authority while fulfilling the duties of your state in life.

Have I shown disrespect, contempt, stubborn disobedience, or verbal cruelty toward my parents or guardians?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor family bonds and legitimate authority while fulfilling the duties of your state in life. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I neglected the material, emotional, or spiritual needs of elderly, sick, or lonely parents or family members?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor family bonds and legitimate authority while fulfilling the duties of your state in life. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

As a parent, have I neglected my children’s Christian education, physical care, or spiritual formation—or given them a harmful example?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor family bonds and legitimate authority while fulfilling the duties of your state in life. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I failed to respect legitimate authority and just laws, or neglected civic duties and the common good?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Honor family bonds and legitimate authority while fulfilling the duties of your state in life. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Fifth Commandment

“You shall not kill.”

Exodus 20:13 · CCC 2258–2330

Protect human life, bodily integrity, peace, and the dignity of every person.

Have I procured, participated in, encouraged, or financed an abortion—or supported assisted suicide or euthanasia?

Moral Guidance & Context

Grave matter note: Direct abortion, euthanasia, and deliberate cooperation in them involve grave matter. Individual culpability can depend on knowledge, freedom, pressure, and circumstances.

Pastoral reflection: Bring this to the priest without fear. God’s mercy is greater than every sin, and the Church desires healing and reconciliation.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I harbored hatred, deep bitterness, malice, or a desire for revenge against another person?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Protect human life, bodily integrity, peace, and the dignity of every person. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I physically assaulted, bullied, abused, or verbally injured anyone through insults and mockery?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Protect human life, bodily integrity, peace, and the dignity of every person. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I harmed my health or endangered life through excessive drinking, drug abuse, severe overeating, reckless driving, or another dangerous choice?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Protect human life, bodily integrity, peace, and the dignity of every person. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I led another person into sin through bad example, encouragement, or persuasion?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Protect human life, bodily integrity, peace, and the dignity of every person. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I refused forgiveness or reconciliation when it was reasonably and safely possible?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Protect human life, bodily integrity, peace, and the dignity of every person. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Sixth Commandment

“You shall not commit adultery.”

Exodus 20:14 · CCC 2331–2400

Live chastity according to your state in life and respect the dignity and purposes of sexuality.

Have I engaged in sexual relations outside a valid marriage, including fornication or adultery?

Moral Guidance & Context

Grave matter note: Sexual acts outside marriage involve grave matter. Personal culpability also requires sufficient knowledge and deliberate consent.

Pastoral reflection: Consider the choices made, the dignity of the other person, patterns or pressures involved, and the next faithful step toward chastity.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I viewed pornography in videos, publications, websites, apps, or social media?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Live chastity according to your state in life and respect the dignity and purposes of sexuality. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I engaged in masturbation or solitary impure sexual actions?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Live chastity according to your state in life and respect the dignity and purposes of sexuality. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I engaged in impure conversations, crude jokes, or provocative entertainment without guarding my senses?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Live chastity according to your state in life and respect the dignity and purposes of sexuality. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

As a married person, have I used artificial contraception or deliberately frustrated the unitive and procreative purposes of the marital act?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Live chastity according to your state in life and respect the dignity and purposes of sexuality. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Seventh Commandment

“You shall not steal.”

Exodus 20:15 · CCC 2401–2463

Respect property, labor, contracts, creation, and the universal destination of goods.

Have I taken property, money, goods, digital files, or copyrighted material belonging to another without permission?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Respect property, labor, contracts, creation, and the universal destination of goods. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I cheated in business, falsified records, wasted an employer’s time, or failed to give honest work for my wage?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Respect property, labor, contracts, creation, and the universal destination of goods. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I failed to pay just debts or taxes, or unjustly delayed payment owed to workers and creditors?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Respect property, labor, contracts, creation, and the universal destination of goods. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I refused to share my abundance with people in need and the Church according to my means?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Respect property, labor, contracts, creation, and the universal destination of goods. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I damaged or carelessly ruined public or private property without offering restitution?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Respect property, labor, contracts, creation, and the universal destination of goods. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Eighth Commandment

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Exodus 20:16 · CCC 2464–2513

Speak truth with charity and protect the reputation, privacy, and confidence of others.

Have I lied, deceived, or exaggerated to protect myself, manipulate a situation, or mislead another person?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Speak truth with charity and protect the reputation, privacy, and confidence of others. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I committed detraction by revealing another person’s faults without a valid reason to someone who did not know them?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Speak truth with charity and protect the reputation, privacy, and confidence of others. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I committed calumny or slander by spreading falsehoods or exaggerations that harmed another person’s reputation?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Speak truth with charity and protect the reputation, privacy, and confidence of others. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I gossiped, judged rashly, assumed bad motives, or spread unverified accusations online?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Speak truth with charity and protect the reputation, privacy, and confidence of others. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I betrayed a confidence or broken a secret entrusted to me in friendship or professional duty?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Speak truth with charity and protect the reputation, privacy, and confidence of others. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Ninth Commandment

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”

Exodus 20:17 · CCC 2514–2533

Cultivate purity of heart, modesty, and faithful boundaries in thought and relationship.

Have I willfully dwelt on lustful thoughts or sexual fantasies, or looked at another person with lust?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Cultivate purity of heart, modesty, and faithful boundaries in thought and relationship. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I fostered inappropriate emotional intimacy or flirtation with someone who is married, or while I am married?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Cultivate purity of heart, modesty, and faithful boundaries in thought and relationship. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I neglected modesty in dress, speech, behavior, or gaze in a way that devalued interior purity or another person’s dignity?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Cultivate purity of heart, modesty, and faithful boundaries in thought and relationship. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Tenth Commandment

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”

Exodus 20:17 · CCC 2534–2557

Practice gratitude, simplicity, generosity, and freedom from envy and greed.

Have I been envious or bitter over the success, talents, wealth, or happiness of others?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Practice gratitude, simplicity, generosity, and freedom from envy and greed. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I lived with greed, materialism, or constant dissatisfaction, craving possessions while neglecting spiritual treasure?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Practice gratitude, simplicity, generosity, and freedom from envy and greed. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Have I wished misfortune, financial ruin, or failure upon others so that I might benefit or feel superior?

Moral Guidance & Context

Pastoral reflection: Bring this honestly to prayer. Practice gratitude, simplicity, generosity, and freedom from envy and greed. Consider its frequency, circumstances, effects, and the concrete change God may be asking of you.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. When uncertain, bring the matter simply to a priest.

Personal reflection

Select Examination Guide

First Commandment

Second Commandment

Third Commandment

Fourth Commandment

Fifth Commandment

Sixth Commandment

Seventh Commandment

Eighth Commandment

Ninth Commandment

Tenth Commandment

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