The Four Steps of Lectio Divina

1. Lectio (Reading): Read a short passage of Scripture slowly and attentively. Listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you.
2. Meditatio (Meditation): Reflect on the word or phrase. What does it mean? How does it connect to your life? Ponder it in your heart.
3. Oratio (Prayer): Respond to God in prayer. Speak to Him from your heart about what you have read and meditated on. This can be a prayer of praise, thanksgiving, repentance, or petition.
4. Contemplatio (Contemplation): Rest silently in God's presence. Let go of your own thoughts and simply be with Him, allowing Him to work in your soul.

Recommendation: Pray with one of the daily readings

Use today's Gospel as the scripture passage for Lectio Divina. The official USCCB daily readings page updates each day with the Church's lectionary readings.

This section will guide you through a prayerful review of your day.

I. What is an Examination of Conscience?

An examination of conscience is a prayerful self-reflection on our thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions, measured against God’s commandments and the teaching of the Church. Its purpose is to:

• Recognize sins and faults honestly.
• Acknowledge God’s mercy and our need for repentance.
• Prepare the soul to make a good Confession.
• Form the conscience over time to be more sensitive to sin and more responsive to grace.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” — Psalm 139:23

II. Why is it Important?

• For Confession — A good confession requires that we know and confess our mortal sins by kind and number, and it is helped by remembering venial sins as well.
• For Growth in Holiness — Even outside of Confession, regular examination fosters humility, self-awareness, and a desire for virtue.
• To Form the Conscience — By examining our lives in light of the Gospel, our conscience becomes better aligned with God’s will.

III. When and How Often?

• Before Confession — A thorough examination should be done before every sacramental confession.
• Daily (Brief) — A short version at the end of the day, sometimes called an examen.
• Retreats or Spiritual Checkpoints — A deeper examination before retreats, spiritual direction, or big life decisions.

IV. Dispositions for a Good Examination

• Prayerful Attitude — Begin with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for light and honesty.
• Honesty — Avoid self-justification. Call sins what they are.
• Hope in God’s Mercy — Avoid despair; focus on Christ’s saving love.
• Resolve to Amend — A sincere desire to avoid sin and its occasions.

V. Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Pray for Light

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see yourself as God sees you.
"Lord, help me to see my sins clearly and to know Your infinite mercy."

Step 2: Review Your Life

Use a framework such as:

• The Ten Commandments
• The Precepts of the Church
• The Beatitudes
• The Seven Deadly Sins
• Your State in Life Duties

Examination by the Ten Commandments

1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before Me.

• Have I loved God above all things?
• Have I trusted in superstition, astrology, occult practices?
• Have I been faithful in prayer?
• Have I made idols of money, pleasure, or success?

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

• Have I used God’s name disrespectfully or in anger?
• Have I spoken irreverently of holy things?
• Have I broken vows or promises made to God?

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

• Have I missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days without serious reason?
• Have I been inattentive or distracted at Mass?
• Have I done unnecessary work instead of resting in God?

4. Honor your father and your mother.

• Have I disrespected or disobeyed my parents?
• As a parent, have I failed to guide my children toward God?
• Have I failed in obedience to lawful authority?

5. You shall not kill.

• Have I harbored hatred, resentment, or revenge?
• Have I injured someone physically or spiritually?
• Have I been reckless with my health or others’?
• Have I supported abortion, euthanasia, or assisted suicide?
• Have I engaged in gossip or detraction?

6. You shall not commit adultery.

• Have I engaged in sexual activity outside marriage?
• Have I viewed pornography or entertained lustful thoughts?
• Have I been faithful to my spouse in thought and action?
• Have I respected the dignity of my own body and others’?

7. You shall not steal.

• Have I taken what is not mine?
• Have I cheated in business, school, or games?
• Have I wasted time or resources?
• Have I failed in generosity?

8. You shall not bear false witness.

• Have I lied or been deceitful?
• Have I spoken falsely about others?
• Have I withheld the truth when obligated to speak?

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

• Have I been envious of another’s spouse or relationship?
• Have I entertained impure desires?

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

• Have I been jealous of what others have?
• Have I been greedy or discontent?
• Have I trusted in possessions rather than God?

Step 3: Acknowledge Sins and Their Gravity

Mortal Sin — Grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent (CCC 1857–1859). Must be confessed in kind and number.
Venial Sin — Lesser matter or without full consent. Still worth confessing for spiritual growth.

Step 4: Make an Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

VI. Tips for a Fruitful Examination

• Keep a spiritual journal to note recurring sins and patterns.
• Regularly read Scripture and the Catechism to form your conscience.
• Ask a trusted confessor for guidance.
• Let the examination lead to gratitude for God’s mercy, not scrupulosity.

VII. Quick Daily Mini-Examen (5 minutes)

1. Place yourself in God’s presence.
2. Thank Him for the day’s blessings.
3. Ask the Holy Spirit for light.
4. Review the day briefly — thoughts, words, deeds, omissions.
5. Express sorrow, make a resolution, and pray an Act of Contrition.

The Works of Mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in their bodily and spiritual needs. Rooted in Scripture and Tradition, they are concrete ways to live out Christ’s command to love God and love our neighbor (cf. Matthew 25:31–46, Galatians 6:1–2).

Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit the imprisoned
• Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

• Instruct the ignorant
• Counsel the doubtful
• Admonish the sinner
• Bear wrongs patiently
• Forgive offenses willingly
• Comfort the afflicted
• Pray for the living and the dead

1. Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation – Participate in the Eucharist and refrain from unnecessary servile work on these days.
2. Confess your sins at least once a year – Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation to be reconciled with God and the Church.
3. Receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter season – Share in the Paschal mystery by receiving Christ’s Body and Blood.
4. Observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church – Unite yourself with Christ’s sacrifice through penance and self-denial.
5. Help to provide for the needs of the Church – Support the Church’s mission through your time, talents, and financial contributions.

1. Fasting – Reducing the amount of food consumed as a form of prayer and sacrifice, especially on days appointed by the Church.
2. Abstinence – Refraining from certain foods (traditionally meat) as an act of penance and solidarity with the poor.
3. Almsgiving – Giving to those in need, supporting charitable causes, and practicing generosity as a remedy for selfishness.
4. Prayer – Setting aside extra time for prayer, devotions, or meditation to draw closer to God.
5. Acts of Self-Denial – Voluntarily giving up comforts, pleasures, or entertainment to grow in virtue and discipline.
6. Reconciliation – Regularly receiving the Sacrament of Penance to be cleansed from sin and strengthened against temptation.
7. Works of Mercy – Performing corporal and spiritual acts of service as a concrete expression of repentance and love.

1. Daily Prayer – Setting aside dedicated time each day for personal and communal prayer to deepen one’s relationship with God.
2. Daily Scripture Reading – Reading and meditating on the Word of God to be nourished by truth and guided by divine wisdom.
3. Frequent Reception of the Sacraments – Regular participation in the Eucharist and Reconciliation to receive grace and spiritual strength.
4. Acts of Kindness – Performing intentional good deeds for others to grow in charity and compassion.
5. Fasting from Distractions – Limiting entertainment, technology, or other distractions to create more space for God.
6. Silence and Reflection – Setting aside quiet time to listen to God, examine one’s conscience, and discern His will.
7. Spiritual Reading – Studying the lives of saints, Church teaching, and theological works to inspire and form the soul.

1. Respect for Human Life – Defending the dignity of every person from conception to natural death through pro-life witness and advocacy.
2. Care for Creation – Practicing environmental stewardship and using resources responsibly in light of God’s creation mandate.
3. Preferential Option for the Poor – Serving and advocating for those in poverty or marginalized in society.
4. Solidarity – Standing with others, especially the vulnerable, in a spirit of unity and shared responsibility.
5. Promotion of Peace – Working to resolve conflicts, promote reconciliation, and foster harmony between peoples.
6. Economic Justice – Supporting fair wages, ethical business practices, and economic systems that respect human dignity.
7. Participation in Public Life – Engaging in civic duties, informed voting, and community service in light of Catholic values.

1. Observing the Liturgical Year – Celebrating seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time with their unique prayers and traditions.
2. Honoring Feast Days – Marking solemnities and memorials of Christ, Our Lady, and the saints through prayer, special meals, or devotions.
3. Keeping Days of Fasting and Abstinence – Participating in the Church’s penitential days to unite with Christ’s sacrifice.
4. Using Sacramentals – Incorporating blessed objects such as holy water, medals, scapulars, and crucifixes into daily life as reminders of God’s grace.
5. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours – Joining the universal prayer of the Church throughout the day.
6. Family and Home Devotions – Creating a domestic church with practices like a home altar, family rosary, and seasonal decorations.
7. Blessing Meals and Milestones – Offering prayers of gratitude before eating and marking life events with the Church’s blessings.