brief examination at night

Make a brief examination of conscience before going to rest at night. Two or three minutes are enough.

• Place yourself in the presence of God recognizing his strength and your weakness. Tell him: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”

• Ask your guardian angel for light to acknowledge your defects and virtues: What have I done wrong? What have I done right? What could I have done better?

• Examine your conscience with sincerity:

- Did I often consider that God is my Father? Did I offer him my work? Did I make good use of my time? Did I pray slowly and with attention?

- Did I try to make life pleasant for other people? Did I criticize anyone? Was I forgiving? Did I pray and offer some sacrifices for the Church, the Pope and for all those around me?

- Did I allow myself to be carried away by sensuality? By pride?

• Sorrow. Make an act of contrition asking our Lord’s pardon.

• Resolution. Make a specific resolution for tomorrow:

- Staying away from certain temptations.

- Avoiding some specific faults.

- Exerting special effort to practice some virtue.

- Taking advantage of occasions for improvement.

• Pray three Hail Marys to the Virgin Mary asking for the virtue of purity for yourself and your loved ones.