Before You Begin
This guide, adapted specifically for high school students, helps you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation by examining some of the most common grave (mortal) sins connected to the Seven Deadly Sins.
(If you notice any errors or important omissions in the list below, feel free to contact me.)
In Catholic teaching, a sin is mortal when three conditions are present:
- It involves serious matter
- I know it is seriously wrong
- I freely choose to do it
If any of the sins below apply to you as mortal sins, you must confess them by saying two things:
WHAT you did + HOW MANY times
For example:
“I watched pornography five times.”
“I missed Sunday Mass three times on purpose.”
Step-By-Step Guide for Confession
1. Begin
Make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [for example, four months / one year] since my last confession.”
2. Confess Your Sins
Try your best to say what you did and how many times since your last confession, especially all mortal sins. In Catholic teaching, a sin is mortal when three conditions are present:
- It involves serious matter
- I know it is seriously wrong
- I freely choose to do it
For example: “I cheated on my homework five times.”
If you deliberately withhold a mortal sin (for example, missing Sunday Mass on purpose), the confession is invalid. So do not hold back—try your best to confess everything honestly.
Remember: Confession is the time to take out all the trash from your soul. The priest is like the garbage man for God. His job is to take away everything you bring so that God can remove it completely.
So hold nothing back and give God everything.
Use this examination of conscience to confess any sins that apply.
Examination of Conscience
PRIDE – Putting myself before God
I deliberately missed Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation (Dec. 25, Jan. 1) ___ times.
I received Holy Communion while knowing I was in mortal sin ___ times.
I used God’s name or Jesus’ name in a disrespectful or blasphemous way ___ times.
I mocked God, the Church, or sacred things ___ times.
I took part in superstition or occult practices (tarot, astrology, Ouija boards, etc.) ___ times.
I lied to my parents, teachers, or others ___ times.
I spoke disrespectfully to my parents, teachers, or other authorities ___ times.
LUST – Using sexuality outside of God’s plan
I deliberately entertained lustful thoughts or fantasies ___ times.
I watched pornography ___ times.
I masturbated ___ times.
I sent or received sexually explicit photos or messages ___ times.
I engaged in sexual activity (masturbation, sexual touching, oral sex, or intercourse) with another ___ times.
I dressed, spoke, or behaved in a way intended to provoke sexual attention ___ times.
ANGER – Letting anger lead me to harm others
I physically hurt someone out of anger ___ times.
I bullied, threatened, or verbally abused someone ___ times.
I insulted, mocked, or humiliated someone ___ times.
I wished serious harm on someone or held onto hatred instead of forgiving ___ times.
AVARICE – Putting money or possessions above what is right
I stole money, valuables, or items from a person, store, school, or family ___ times.
I cheated on schoolwork, tests, or assignments ___ times.
I illegally downloaded or pirated games, movies, music, or software ___ times.
GLUTTONY – Abusing food, drink, or substances
I drank alcohol with the intention of getting drunk ___ times.
I used marijuana or drugs with the intention of getting high ___ times.
I vaped, used drugs, or abused substances in a way that harmed my health or seriously impaired my judgment ___ times.
I rode in a car with someone I knew was drunk or high ___ times.
I pressured someone else to drink, vape, or use drugs ___ times.
I over-indulged in food, energy drinks, or substances in a way that seriously harmed my health, school life, or relationships ___ times.
ENVY – Resenting another person’s success
I spread gossip, rumors, or lies about someone ___ times.
I shared embarrassing photos, messages, or screenshots to hurt someone ___ times.
I tried to damage someone’s friendships, reputation, or opportunities ___ times.
I took pleasure in someone else’s failure or suffering out of jealousy ___ times.
SLOTH – Neglecting God and my responsibilities
I avoided going to Confession for more than a year ___ times.
I neglected prayer and learning about my faith ___ times.
I neglected my responsibilities (schoolwork, family life, chores) because of laziness, gaming, or constant scrolling ___ times.
I wasted time on my phone, gaming, or social media instead of doing what I should ___ times.
3. When You Finish Confessing
Say:
“For these sins and for any sins I may have forgotten, I am truly sorry.”
4. Listen to the Priest
The priest may offer advice, ask questions for clarity, and give you a penance (such as prayers or acts of charity) to help repair the harm of sin and grow in virtue. He may then invite you to pray the Act of Contrition, unless you prayed it already as a group prior to.
5. 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.”
6. Receive Absolution
The priest prays the words of forgiveness in Christ’s name:
“I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Make the Sign of the Cross and respond:
Amen.
7. Dismissal and Penance
The priest may say:
“Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.”
Respond:
Thanks be to God.
Leave the confessional and complete your penance as soon as possible—ideally right away in the church.
Prodigal Catholic 
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