Guidelines

I

1. What is my attitude toward the sacrament of penance: Do I sincerely want to be purified, start afresh and deepen my friendship with God? Or is it a burden, to be endured as seldom as possible?

2. Did I forget to mention, or deliberately withhold, any serious sins in past confessions?

3. Did I fulfill the penance I was given? Did I repair any harm done to others? Have I tried to put into practice my resolution to lead a better life in keeping with the Gospel?

II

1. Is my heart set on God, so that I really love him above all else, as a child loves his father, by faithfully keeping his commandments? Or am I completely caught up in the things of this world? Do I have a right intention in what I do?

2. Do I believe firmly in God, who spoke to us through his Son? Do I wholeheartedly accept the Church’s teaching? Do I take an interest in my Christian formation by listening to the word of God, nourishing my faith with appropriate reading, taking an active part in formative activities, and avoiding whatever could endanger my faith? Have I always been strong and fearless in professing my faith in God? Do I give evidence of being a Christian both in public and in private?

3. Have I said my prayers in the morning and at night? Is my meditation a genuine conversation of mind and heart with God, or is it a purely exterior rite? Have I offered God my difficulties, sufferings, and joys? Do I turn to him in times of temptation?

4. Do I respect God’s name, or have I offended him by blasphemy, false oaths, or taking his name in vain? Have I shown disrespect for the Blessed Virgin Mary or the saints?

5. Do I sanctify Sundays and holy days of obligation by participating actively, with attention and devotion, in the celebration of the Eucharist? Have I fulfilled the precepts of yearly confession and of Communion during the Easter season?

6. Are there false gods that I worship by giving them greater attention and deeper trust than I do God: money, superstition, spiritism, or other occult practices?

7. Do I devote as much attention and effort to my growth in holiness as a Christian and my vocation to be an apostle as I do to my work or to other personal or social interests?

III

1. Do I have a genuine love for my neighbor? Do I use people for my own ends? Do I treat them as I would not want them to treat me? Have I given grave scandal by my words or actions?

2. In my family life, have I contributed to the wellbeing and happiness of the rest of the family by my patience and genuine love?

3. Do I share my possessions with the less fortunate? Do I do my best to help the weakest and most needy? Do I look down on my neighbor?

4. Does my life reflect the mission I accepted at confirmation and ratified by incorporation into Regnum Christi? Do I have apostolic zeal? Do I take an active part in the Movement’s apostolates? Do I lend a hand with my team’s activities whenever I can? Have I tried, within my means, to relieve the needs of the Church, the Movement, and the world? Have I prayed for these, especially for unity in the Church, for the missions, for the wellbeing, growth, and success of the Movement, for an increase in vocations to priesthood and consecrated life, and for peace and justice?

5. Am I generous in contributing my God-given talents (abilities, initiative, time, financial resources, professional contacts, etc.) to support Regnum Christi apostolates and the general good of the Church?

6. Do I appreciate what the salvation of a single soul means? Have I done everything possible to bring my family and acquaintances closer to God and the Church? Have I invited others to join Regnum Christi as a way to grow in the knowledge and practice of their faith, and to get involved in the Church’s evangelizing mission?

7. Am I concerned for the good and wellbeing of the local community, or do I go through life caring only for myself? Do I share to the best of my ability in the effort to promote justice, morality, harmony, and charity in human relations? Have I fulfilled my civic duties? Have I paid my taxes?

8. In my work or profession am I hardworking, just, and honest, serving society out of love for others? Have I paid my employees a fair wage? Have I kept my promises and contracts?

9. Have I given the lawful authorities due obedience and respect?

10. If I am in a position of responsibility or authority, do I use this for my own advantage or for the good of others, in a spirit of service?

11. Have I been truthful and trustworthy? Have I harmed anyone by deceit, slander, or lies, or by revealing a secret?

12. Have I harmed another’s life or limb, reputation, honor, or property? Have I had an abortion or induced someone else to have one? Have I hated anyone? Am I estranged from anybody because of quarrels, insults, snubs, resentment, or antagonism? If I have slandered somebody, have I done my best to repair the harm caused? Have I spoken badly of others, making known their faults or failings? Have I thought badly of my neighbor?

13. Have I stolen or damaged another’s property? Have I desired it unjustly or immoderately? Have I made restitution or repaired the damage?

14. If anyone has harmed me, have I been ready to make peace and to forgive out of love for Christ, or am I harboring hatred and a desire for revenge?

15. Has my selfishness caused me to omit doing something that in justice I should have done for my neighbor?

IV

1. What is the basic course that I have charted for my life? Is the hope of eternal life my inspiration? Do I strive to make progress in the spiritual life by keeping faithfully my spiritual commitments: prayer, reading, and meditation on the word of God, reception of the sacraments, monthly retreat? Am I striving to control my vices, my evil tendencies and passions, such as envy, gluttony in food and drink, laziness, greed, and anger? Have I rebelled against God by being proud or boastful? Have I despised others while overrating myself? Have I imposed my own will on others, without respecting their freedom and rights?

2. What use have I made of my time, my health and strength, and the skills God has given me? Have I used them to master my instincts and grow in perfection as God wants, or solely for my own selfish advantage? Have I been idle or lazy?

3. Have I endured the sufferings and setbacks of life patiently and calmly? Have I practiced bodily mortification so as to help “complete what is lacking in the passion of Christ?” Have I kept the precept of fasting and abstinence?

4. Have I kept my senses and my whole body pure and chaste as a temple of the Holy Spirit called to share in the glory of the resurrection, and as a sign of God’s faithful love for men and women, a sign reflected in marriage? Have I dishonored my body by fornication or adultery, impurity, unworthy expressions or thoughts, impure desires or actions? Have I indulged in reading, conversation, shows, or entertainment that offend Christian and human decency? Have I encouraged others to sin by my own indecency?

5. Have I ever gone against my conscience out of fear or hypocrisy?

6. Have I always tried to act in the true freedom of the children of God, following the law of the Spirit, or am I a slave of my passions?

For a son or daughter:

Have I been obedient to my parents, shown them respect, and helped them in their spiritual and temporal needs?

For a parent:

Am I careful to give my children a Christian upbringing, help them by good example, and exercise my authority with fairness and love? Have I been faithful to my spouse in my heart and in my dealings with others? Have I been faithful to the moral law in my marital relations?