Instructions for Confession are always provided for those who are nervous or have been away from the Sacrament. You can also ask the Priest to guide you through.
Based on Marian Press (Stockbridge, MA)
Have I violated the Ten Commandments?
1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have any other gods before Me.
Do I love him with all my heart the Lord who loves me and cares for me? Do I seek his presence, pray daily, and trust in Him, or have I failed to place Him first, or even betrayed Him through occult practices? (tarot cards, astrology, psychics)
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Do I revere God's name or have I taken it lightly, carelessly, or blasphemously, even wishing evil on others? Have I received him worthily in Holy Communion, or did I receive him in a state of mortal sin? (Mortal sin = grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent of the will).
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
Do I worship the Lord by taking part in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, or have I been indifferent to the Eucharist, to Christ's redeeming love, preferring earthly goods for my family and self by deliberately missing Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation? Is Sunday my day of rest?
4. Honor your father and your mother.
Have I loved, respected, and obeyed my parents who gave me life? Do I care for them when they are in need or in old age? Do I forgive them when they are at fault? In difficulties, am I patient with them?
5. You shall not kill.
Have I loved my neighbor, or have I physically harmed or hastened the death of another through violence, abortion, euthanasia, drugs, hatred, the morning-after pill, or abuse? Have I practiced ways of life that are harmful to my family and self - spiritually and physically? Do I eat or drink immoderately?
6. and 9. You shall not commit adultery; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
Have I been pure and holy in thoughts, words, and actions, or have I been unfaithful to my spouse or desirous of another? Have I been sexually active outside of marriage, or with another of the same sex? Have I indulged in pornography, masturbation, contraception, and other sexual sins? Have I acted against my conscience and led others into sexual sin?
7. and 10. You shall not steal; you shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Do I respect others' goods, or have I been envious and greedy, even taking what belongs to another? Have I neglected to return stolen goods or make equal restitution? Have I paid my debts? Have I wasted time at work, at school, or at home? Have I squandered my resources on non-essentials or on gambling? Have I failed to work for justice, or to support the poor and the Church in its mission? Have money or possessions become my god?
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Have I been honest, or have I lied, gossiped, given false testimony, ruined the good name of another, broken confidentiality, or denied the truth out of pride or hypocrisy? Have I shown mercy to others? Am I ashamed to confess a mortal sin?
Have I succumbed to one of the Seven Deadly Sins?
1. Lust 2. Gluttony 3. Greed 4. Sloth 5. Wrath 6. Envy 7.Pride
Am I obedient to the precepts of the Church?
1. To attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and rest from unnecessary work on these days.
2. To observe the days of abstinence and fasting (Ash Wednesday, Lent, Fridays in Lent, Good Friday).
3. To confess our sins to a priest, at least once a year.
4. To receive the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter season.
5. To contribute to the support of the Church.