5 steps to include the CARF Foundation in your solidarity will

A joint and several will is a type of legal document in which a natural person or legal entity assigns part or all of their inheritance to an institution of the Church, a charitable cause, non-profit organization (such as the CARF Foundation), NGO or social aid institution.

Its objective is to contribute to an altruistic cause after his or her death. This type of solidarity will allows the testator to leave a legacy with social impact, ensuring that his or her assets are used to support initiatives that reflect his or her values and religious or ethical commitments.

Include the CARF Foundation in your will. is a special way to support the formation of diocesan priests and seminarians around the world, ensuring that they can continue their preparation to take the Gospel to all corners of the earth, helping to maintain the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra, as well as the seminaries and colleges where the seminarians and priests who benefit from your generosity reside. If you are considering this possibility, here we explain how to do it in five simple steps.

1) Reflect and inform yourself about institutions that make your solidarity will responsibly rendered.

Taking time to decide what to do with the goods accumulated throughout life is an act of responsibility and generosity.

Sharing this reflection with family members or people you trust will help you make the best decision. At the CARF Foundation we can advise you so that your will faithfully reflects your wishes and contributes to the universal mission of the Church.

Remember that a joint and several will does not affect the rights of your legitimate heirs, but allows a portion of your estate to go to a cause you believe in.

2) Go to the notary: what information should I bring with me to make my joint and several will?

The notary will make sure that your will be drawn up in accordance with the law and accurately reflect your wishes. To make the whole process simple, it is convenient to carry:

If you decide to include the CARF Foundation, the notary will ensure that everything is properly formalized and that your generosity translates into a real and sustained impact over the course of the year. time.

3) Keep a copy: how can I make sure that my will is accessible when needed?

Once the joint and several will has been signed, it is important that you keep a copy in a safe place and that you reports to someone of confidence about its existence and location.

You can also choose to digitalize the document, always remembering that the legally valid document will be the original signed before a notary.

4) Tell the CARF Foundation: why is it important to inform us?

Involve CARF Foundation of your decision allows we can guarantee the fulfillment of your will in the future. In addition, we can advise you on the best way to channel your charitable legacy and maximize its impact.

This communication helps us to better plan the use of resources, ensuring that your bequest or solidarity will is used effectively for the formation of diocesan priests and seminarians around the world.

5) Share your decision: who should know and why?

Telling your decision to someone you trust is key so that, when the time comes, it can be executed without difficulties. This makes it easier for your will to be carried out according to your wishes and for your generosity to translate into real opportunities for those who need it most. Talking to an executor or your family about your decision avoids confusion and helps ensure that your will is respected.

Thanks to your solidarity will, your commitment to the formation of seminarists y diocesan priests will live on, and your generosity will become a permanent legacy that will transcend time.

If you need more information or advice, we are at your disposal.

March 25, Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25, a crucial moment in the history of salvation. This feast recalls the moment when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God. Her "let it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38) represents a model of faith and total surrender to the divine will.

The meaning of the Annunciation and the incarnation of the Word

The mystery of the Annunciation is inseparable from the Incarnation, since it is the moment in which God assumes human nature. St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of the Opus DeiHe emphasized the greatness of this event, affirming that "God calls us to sanctify ourselves in ordinary life, as Mary accepted her mission with humility.

Mary, model of vocation and dedication

Our mother, the Virgin Mary, is an example for all Christians, especially for those called to the priesthood. Her trusting and unreserved response is a reflection of the disposition that all Christians must have in order to become priests. seminarian and priest should have before God's call.

The Annunciation and the defense of life

In Spain, the Episcopal Conference celebrates on March 25 the "Day of the Bishops".Day for Life"recalling the sacred value of human life from conception. In 2025, the slogan is "Embracing life, building hope," a call for the protection of life at all stages.

The commitment of priests and seminarians

For diocesan priests and future pastors supported by the CARF Foundation, this feast has a special meaning. The defense of life is part of their mission, being witnesses of the Gospel in a society that often relativizes the value of human existence.

The commitment of priests and seminarians is not only based on the defense of life from conception, but also in their pastoral work to accompany people at every stage of their lives. Their theological and spiritual formation prepares them to be guides in faith and counselors in difficult moments. Inspired by Mary's yes, they are called to be heralds of hope, promoting a culture of life and Christian love.

25 de marzo, jornada por la vida

In addition, this holiday invites them to deepen their vocation, reaffirming their commitment to evangelization and the teaching of Christian doctrine.

In times when human dignity faces multiple challenges, their witness takes on special relevance. The Annunciation is for them a reminder of their mission to be Christ's living presence in the world, transmitting the message of salvation in word and deed.

Living Mary's yes: a commitment for all Christians

The Feast of the Annunciation invites us not only to meditate on Mary's yes, but also to renew our surrender to God with trust and joy.

Mary, with her humble and courageous acceptance, teaches us that every Christian, regardless of his or her state in life, is called to give his or her own yes to God in everyday life.

For seminarians and diocesan priests it is a day of special reflection on their vocation and on their commitment to be defenders of life and faith.

However, this call is not exclusive to them. Each member of the faithful, from his or her own reality, can make Christ present in the world by his or her acts of charity, Christian witness and trust in God's providence.

The Annunciation reminds us that each of us, as part of God's people, can be an instrument in his hands, bringing hope, love and faith to those around us.

The impact of a solidarity will on the future of the Church

In life, we all seek to leave a deep and permanent mark. Beyond what we accumulate over the years, what really defines us as a person is the good we do for others. A bequest or testament of solidarity will become a meaningful way to extend your perpetual generosity beyond the ephemerality of existence..

With the Solidarity Will, we will be able to support causes that reflect our faith and beliefs, ensuring that our legacy will have a lasting impact on the Catholic Church: the integral formation of priests.

In addition, it is important to understand that a legacy or testament of solidarity is not only about leaving an economic asset, but also about transmitting values and teachings to future generations. For example, when a person decides to allocate part of his inheritance to the formation of seminarians and diocesan priests, he is investing in the future and holiness of the Church by reaching out to people around the world who will in turn form others and guide their local communities. Such decisions can inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of generosity and commitment.

legado solidario testamento fundación carf

The integral formation of seminarians and diocesan priests, and religious, becomes essential, since they are not only taught Philosophy, Canon Law, Theology or Institutional Communication of the Church, but it goes far beyond the practical skills for their ministry. It impacts their most human and spiritual realm as well as their academic and intellectual one.

With an adequate and integral formation, diocesan and religious priests will be better equipped to face the challenges of a society thirsty for light, offering support and hope to those in need regardless of their religious beliefs.

For those who share a deep faith and wish to strengthen the mission of the Church, even for all those who see the great social work that priests do around the world, including in the solidarity will a bequest or a donation in favor of the integral formation of seminarians and diocesan priests becomes a way to contribute to the consolidation of faith and the evangelization of all those who have fewer options.

The Solidarity Will becomes a powerful tool for those who wish to leave a perpetual and significant footprint; you leave assets that will end up being part of the financing of formation programs for seminarians and diocesan priests.

The legacy should be seen as an act of social justice. By allocating resources to the integral formation of priests, it is helping more people to have access to quality education within the religious sphere, which increases opportunities for those who otherwise would not be able to access it.

Finally, it is essential to remember that a solidarity will is not only limited to the life of one person, but reflects an intergenerational commitment. Through our will, we can inspire others to follow our example and foster a culture of generosity and commitment to the Church that will endure over time. This legacy, whether through material or spiritual resources, can be a focus of hope and faith for generations to come, and a constant reminder of what it means to live with purpose.

Un testamento solidario permite extender la generosidad más allá de la vida, destinando parte de la herencia a la formación de seminaristas y el sostenimiento de sacerdotes, sin perjudicar a los herederos legítimos. Es un acto de fe y amor que fortalece la misión de la Iglesia y deja un legado duradero en la evangelización y el servicio sacerdotal.

How does a joint and several will work?

A legacy (part) or joint and several will (complete document) is a legal document establishing that, upon death, part or all of the assets will go to a foundation or non-profit organization, in this case, for the formation of seminarians and diocesan and religious priests. This decision does not imply disprotecting the family or harming the legitimate heirs, but sharing a percentage of the inheritance with a cause that will last in time in perpetuity.

It is a simple and flexible process, which allows adjusting the terms according to the circumstances and wishes of the person. It can include financial, movable and immovable assets; an amount of money or a percentage of the total inheritance.

Reasons for a testament of solidarity in favor of the formation of priests

1. Promotion of Christian values: by supporting the formation of new priests, we contribute to the spread of fundamental values such as solidarity, compassion and service to others. These principles are essential for building more just and humane communities.

2. Strengthening of local churches: the presence of well-trained priests in a community helps to make a significant difference in the spiritual and social life of parishioners. These people, in addition to preaching the Gospel and imparting the sacraments, organize activities, provide counseling and support, and help bring people together around common causes.

3. Encourage vocations: by contributing to the formation of diocesan and religious priests, an environment can be created that encourages others to consider a life of total dedication to God for others. The visibility of committed and well-prepared priests can inspire young men to follow in their footsteps and dedicate their lives to the service of others.

4. Continuity in evangelization: Seminarians are the future of the Church. Their formation requires financial support to ensure that they are well prepared in their mission to lead and serve the community.

5. Support of priests: Many communities depend on the generosity of the faithful to support their priests, who dedicate their lives to prayer, service and teaching. But what better sustenance than that of a solid formation that has a direct impact on their local churches.

6. An act of faith and love: A legacy or testament of solidarity is a tangible manifestation of your commitment to the universal Church and all its spiritual and social work.

7. A permanent and lasting impact: although life is ephemeral and fleeting, the fruits of a well-directed gift can perpetuate and extend for generations, strengthening God's work on earth.

How to make a joint and several will

Inform yourself and reflect: think about what you would like to give up. Any contribution will have an impact in the lives of the people we help and who, in turn, help hundreds of thousands in their countries of origin. If you need more information or to resolve any questions, we offer you free legal advice and a total confidentiality.

In this process, it is critical that the person wishing to make a charitable will take the time to reflect on his or her wishes and goals. It may be helpful to create a list of the causes that are most meaningful to you and consider how your bequest can positively impact those areas in the world. In addition, it is advisable to speak with a will attorney to ensure that all provisions are clear and properly carried out.

Is a notary necessary? To ensure the legal validity of the bequest or will, and that your will is carried out in the future, it is advisable to have a notary. This not only ensures that the document is correctly drafted, but also helps to avoid possible disputes between heirs and to comply with local regulations. Don't forget correctly include the CARF Foundation's data and, above all, remember to save a copy. The identification data necessary to include the CARF Foundation in the will or solidarity bequest are:

ROMAN ACADEMIC CENTER FOUNDATION
CIF: G-79059218
Conde de Peñalver, 45. Mezzanine, Office 1
28006 Madrid

You can contact us by e-mail and send a copy to Ana at carf@fundacioncarf.org.

Consider including an update clause: Throughout life, our circumstances may change. It is advisable that a clause be included in the will that allows it to be revised and updated as necessary to reflect our current wishes.

If you finally wish to include in your solidarity will a donation or a bequest in favor of seminarians and diocesan and religious priests, please remember inform the institution. Although it is not mandatory, informing the CARF Foundation of your decision makes it easier for your wishes to be fulfilled in an efficient manner.

vocaciaones que dejan huella

Leaves an indelible mark

A testament of solidarity is a unique way to transcend and perpetuate the good work you did in life, bringing a future of hope and faith to generations to come. If you feel in your heart the desire to contribute to the mission of the Church, this is a noble and transformative path.

For more information on how to make a will in favor of the integral and ongoing formation of diocesan priests and religious, contact us at. We are here to help you fulfill your desire to leave an perpetual legacy of love and service in the Catholic Church.

How are the different types of donations tax deductible?

Taxation applied to non-profit organizations such as the CARF Foundation.

Donations made by companies or individuals to a foundation have tax benefits in the form of deductions from the tax liability of both the company and the foundation. corporate income tax as in the personal income tax (IRPF).

The donations that benefit from these deductions are those made to associations or institutions such as the CARF Foundation, declared of public utility and to non-governmental organizations, which meet the requirements set forth in Law 49/2002 on the tax regime for non-profit entities and tax incentives for patronage.

What are the tax deductible donations?

If we refer to Article 17 of Law 49/2002 on Patronage Incentives, which refers to deductible donations, donations and contributions, irrevocable donations and contributions, pure and simple, made in favor of entities covered by the Patronage Law, whether in cash, goods or rights, or through membership fees, provided that they do not entitle them to receive a present or future service, will be eligible for the deductions provided for. The different types of donations to non-profit entities may be:

  • One-time donations: to address a specific situation or a campaign for a specific fundraising determined. For example Donate Sacred Vessels600 euros guarantees that a seminarian about to be ordained will receive a backpack of sacred vessels to administer the sacraments wherever he may be.
  • Periodic donations: a commitment to collaborate with the foundation by donating a certain amount of money at a certain frequency. In our online donation form you can select the contribution you want to make and how often you want it to be made.
 

vasos sagrados

Tax benefits for relief in kind

Are donations in kind tax deductible? In-kind donations are those in which, instead of contributing money, the benefactor makes a contribution in goods. Most of the time these are valuable goods that the donor already counts that he will not use or enjoy, and considers that they will be more useful if he supports a noble cause with them.

Currently, the donations in kind, in favor of entities covered by Law 49/2002, such as foundations, appear in a law of varied content, Law 7/2022, of April 8, 2002, on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy. This type of donation includes goods such as watches, jewelry, paintings and works of art. The CARF Foundation guarantees a secure and professional procedure for the treatment of all donated goods: official appraisal and public auction.

The current Patronage Law, in order to encourage private efforts, helps to encourage in-kind donations at no cost to contribute to a foundation. The law states that the tax base of a property, which still has value, is zero, if the donation is for a foundation that will use it for its purposes. In addition, a 0 % VAT is applied. to deliveries of goods made as donations in kind.

The goods received by the CARF Foundation undergo a professional appraisal and will subsequently be auctioned. At the same time that an official appraisal of the Monte de Piedad CaixaBank is available, the corresponding certificate of the donation of these goods in kind can be issued. The CARF Foundation will try to improve the appraisal price through a public auction.

What about joint and several wills and legacies?

A solidarity bequest is a testamentary disposition in favor of a non-profit institution. A legacy is considered to be a specific asset (vehicles, shares, life insurance, real estate...), whereas an inheritance is a succession in which the estates of both the heir and the deceased are merged.

To make a bequest or joint and several will in favor of the CARF Foundation you only need to go to a notary and express your will to testament or bequeath all or part of the assets you own.

In the liquidation of the will, non-profit entities shall are not subject to inheritance and gift tax, and therefore solidarity bequests are tax free for the beneficiaries. The entire value of the donation will be destined to the work of the foundation.

desgravación donaciones

Patronage Law 49/2002

The Patronage Law of December 23, on the tax regime for non-profit organizations and tax incentives for patronage includes the:

  • Article 19. Deduction of the income tax liability of individuals.
  • Article 20. Deduction of the amount of income tax due companies. Tax benefits for companies (IS).

You can calculate the tax deductibility of your donation with our donation calculator.

Tax benefits for donations made by individuals

Thanks to the Law of Patronage, donations of up to 250 € have an income tax deduction of 80 %. In other words, by donating 20,83 €/month or 250 €/year, the Tax Agency will refund you 200 € in your income tax return. Donations of larger amounts have a deduction of 40 % on the quota.

Tax benefits for recurring donations

A deduction of 40 % may be applied to donations, instead of the general 35 %, provided that donations of the same or greater amount have been made to the same foundation in the two immediately preceding tax periods, thus rewarding the committed donor. The deduction has a limit of 15 % of the net taxable income.

Tax deduction for donations made by companies and partnerships

In the case of donations made by legal entities, such as corporations, the amount donated has a corporate income tax deduction of 35 % and 40 % in the case of recurring donations. In this case there is no mention of two donation brackets.

In addition, it is important to note that the basis of this deduction may not exceed 10 % of the taxable income for the tax period. Amounts in excess of this limit may be applied in tax periods ending in the ten years immediately following and thereafter.

How to deduct donations made to the CARF Foundation?

When you file your income tax return, or your corporate tax return if you are a company, do not forget to apply the deduction for donations made by crediting your donations. To do so, it is necessary to present the donation certificate issued by the CARF Foundation to all its donors, which in turn informs the Tax Agency so that it can include these amounts in the tax information of each person or company and in its draft tax return.

Anonymous donations cannot be deducted because the tax authorities do not know to whom the deduction should be applied. That is why it is important to make sure that you give complete information, always filling out the forms provided on the website. In this way, the foundation will be able to issue you a donation certificate acknowledging the donation made.

Bibliography:

19M, St. Joseph, work and fatherhood

These are two themes addressed by Pope Francis in the final part of his letter Patris corde (December 8, 1920) on St. Joseph. 

Since Leo XIII (cf. enc. Rerum novarum, 1891), the Church proposes St. Joseph as a model worker and patron of workers. In contemplating the figure of St. Joseph, Francis says in his letter, we can better understand the significance of the work that gives dignity, and the place of work in the plan of salvation.

On the other hand, today we should all reflect on parenthood.

The work and the plan of salvation in St. Joseph

Work," writes the Pope, "becomes a participation in the very work of salvation, an opportunity to hasten the coming of the Kingdom, to develop one's potential and qualities, placing them at the service of society and communion. Work becomes an occasion of fulfillment not only for oneself, but above all for that original nucleus of society which is the family" (Patris corde, n. 6).

Two interconnected references should be highlighted here: one is the relationship between work and family. The other is the current situation, not just the pandemic but the broader framework, which calls for review our priorities in relation to work.

Thus Francis writes: "The crisis of our time, which is an economic, social, cultural and spiritual crisis, can represent for everyone a call to rediscover the meaning, importance and necessity of work in order to give rise to a new 'normality' in which no one is excluded. St. Joseph's work reminds us that God made man himself did not disdain work. The loss of work that affects so many brothers and sisters, and which has increased in recent times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, should be a call to review our priorities" (Ibid.).

San José - El trabajo y la patermidad

In the last part of his letter, the Pope stops to consider that Joseph knew how to be a father "in the shadow" (he quotes the book by the Polish Jan Dobraczyński, La sombra del Padre, 1977, published in Spanish by Palabra, Madrid 2015).

The shadow of Father St. Joseph

Thinking about this "shadow of the father" or the one in which the father is, we can consider that our postmodern culture experiences the wounds caused by a rebellion against fatherhood, explicable if we take into account many pretensions of fatherhood that were not or did not know how to be what they should be; but a rebellion against fatherhood is unacceptable in itself, because it is an essential part of our humanity and we all need it. Today, in fact, we need, everywhere, fathers, to go back to the father.

In the society of our timeFrancis observes, children often seem to have no father. And he adds that the Church also needs fathers, in the literal sense, good fathers, but also in a broader sense, spiritual parents of others (cf. 1 Cor 4:15; Gal 4:19).

What does it mean to be a parent?

The Pope explains in a suggestive way: "To be a father means to introduce the child into the experience of life, into reality. Not to hold him, not to imprison him, not to possess him, but to make him capable of choosing, of being free, of going out" (n. 7). And he thinks that the word "most chaste" that the Christian tradition places next to Joseph expresses this "..." (n. 7). logic of freedom that every parent should have in order to to love in a truly free way.

Francis notes that St. Joseph would not consider all this primarily as a "self-sacrifice," which could give rise to a certain frustration, but simply as a gift of self, as the fruit of trust. That is why St. Joseph's silence does not give rise to complaints but to gestures of trust.

"The missionary spirit of the Church is nothing more than the impulse to communicate the joy that has been given to us," Address to the Roman Curia, December 22, 2008.

From sacrifice to self-giving

Here is a further explanation of the relationship between sacrifice and generosity for lovein a perspective that could be called Christian humanism or Christian Christian anthropology:

"The world needs fathers; it rejects masters, that is: it rejects those who want to use the possession of others to fill their own emptiness; it rejects those who confuse authority with authoritarianism, service with servility, confrontation with oppression, charity with assistance, force with destruction. Every true vocation is born of the gift of self, which is the maturation of simple sacrifice".

In order to take advantage of this argument, in our opinion, it is convenient to keep in mind the rather negative and impoverishing meaning that the word "sacrifice" has in the street today. For example, when we say: "If there is no other choice, we will make a sacrifice to achieve this...". Or when we express that we don't like something or that person we don't like, but "making a sacrifice" we can bear it.

This can be seen as a result of the de-Christianization of cultureFrom a Christian perspective, sacrifice does not primarily have this sad, negative or defeatist connotation, but on the contrary: it is something worthwhile, because behind it lies life and joy. However, no mother or father who does what they have to do thinks that they are doing it "out of sacrifice", or doing a favor with a lot of effort on their part, because "there is no other way".

By losing the Christian perspective (i.e., the faith that Christ triumphed on the cross, and therefore the cross is a source of serenityToday the word "sacrifice" has a sad and insufficient ring to it. The Pope expresses it well when he proposes overcoming the "merely human logic of sacrifice. In fact, sacrifice, without the full meaning given to it by the Christian perspective, is oppressive and self-destructive.

In fact, in connection with the generosity that all parenting requiresThe Pope adds something that illuminates the road map of ecclesial vocations: "When a vocation, whether in married, celibate or virginal life, does not reach the maturity of self-giving, stopping only at the logic of sacrifice, then instead of becoming a sign of the beauty and joy of love, it runs the risk of expressing unhappiness, sadness and frustration.

And this can be seen in relation to the true meaning of Christian freedom, which overcomes not only the sacrificial mentality of the Old Testament, but also the temptation of a "voluntaristic moralism".

Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI, has explained this well

On various occasions, regarding the passage of Rom 12:1 (on "spiritual worship"). It is a mistake to want to be saved, purified or redeemed by one's own efforts. The message of the Gospel proposes to learn to live day by day the offreshening of one's own life in union with Christin the Church and on the center of the Eucharist (cf. specifically General Audience, January 7, 2009).

This seems to us to illuminate what Francis' letter says, formulated in terms that can be accepted by anyone, not just a Christian, while at the same time setting out on the path towards the fullness of what is Christian: parenthood must be open to the new spaces of children's freedom. Certainly this supposes the concern of the father and the mother to form the children in freedom and responsibility.

It is worth transcribing this paragraph, located almost at the end of the letter: "Every child always carries with him a mystery, something unknown that can only be revealed with the help of a parent who respects his freedom. A father who is aware that he completes his educational action and fully lives his paternity only when he has become 'useless', when he sees that the child has achieved autonomy and walks alone along the paths of life, when he puts himself in the situation of Joseph, who always knew that the Child was not his own, but had simply been entrusted to his care".

Don Ramiro Pellitero Iglesias, Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra.

Published in Church and new evangelization.

5 keys to a good examination of conscience for Confession

To seek a remedy for our faults is a task of love. That is why we must take advantage of a very necessary and indispensable means, which is the examination of conscience. Bishop Javier Echevarría.

What is the examination of conscience for?

The purpose of the examination is not to be anguished with the faults but to recognize them with sincerity and trust in God to then go to the sacrament of confession, knowing that we will be forgiven. The whole process moves in the infinite mercy of God manifested in Jesus Christ.

We see our faults in relation to:

  • Ten commandments.
  • Seven deadly sins.
  • Character defects.
  • Gifts that God has given us to serve Him.
  • The responsibilities of our vocation.

Examination of conscience is a bridge to confession

At times, it is our own life that seems to go astray as a result of wrong decisions or simply our personal weaknesses. We Christians are fortunate in that we have the possibility of starting over. That possibility exists thanks to the goodness of being able to turn to the sacrament of Forgiveness, to reach the certainty that God forgives us and encourages us to start again.

How to make a good examination of conscience

In the first place, the examination is made before God, listening to his voice in the conscience of each one of us.

Cómo se puede hacer un examen de conciencia confesión
Recommendations of Bishop Javier Echevarría in 2016.

Take a few minutes for a daily soul-searching session.

After that, it only takes a few minutes of daily reflection to look with the soul at the light of God. As St. Josemaría explained, it only takes a few minutes before giving oneself to nightly rest, but with daily constancy.

Ask for the Holy Spirit's help

But there are punctual moments, for example, the examination of conscience for confession, where it will be convenient to proceed more carefully. And in all cases, it is convenient to invoke the Holy Spirit, so that he may grant us his light.

Ending with an act of pain and a purpose for improvement.

Finally, it is not just a matter of enumerating sins but of discovering the wrong attitude of the heart and with sorrow for our sins, making a firm resolution not to commit them again. It is important to end with an act of sorrow and a concrete resolution for the following day. There are always areas in which we are weaker and require special attention, but if we understand that Christ is the measure, we will see that in everything we have much to grow.

The examination of conscience proposed by Pope Francis

Moreover, during Lent 2015, Pope Francis presented the faithful in St. Peter's Square with a special booklet entitled. "Custodian of the heart". It contains important resources for the journey towards Holy Week. It can be downloaded from the link above.

Among these resources is an examination of conscience of 30 questions posed by the Pope to make a good confession, as well as a brief explanation on why to go to the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Questions for a good examination of conscience

We offer a series of questions directed by St. Josemaría Escrivá, which can help in the examination of conscience prior to confession. This version is intended for adults.

Thou shalt love God above all things....

  • Do I believe all that God has revealed and that the Catholic Church teaches us? Have I doubted or denied the truths of the Catholic faith?
  • Do I reluctantly do the things that refer to God? Do I remember the Lord throughout the day? Do I pray at any time during the day?
  • Have I received the Lord in Holy Communion while having some grave sin on my conscience? Have I kept silent in confession out of shame about some mortal sin?
  • Have I blasphemed, have I sworn unnecessarily or untruthfully, have I practiced superstition or spiritism?
  • Have I missed Mass on Sundays or feast days? Have I observed the days of fasting and abstinence?

... and your neighbor as yourself.

  • Do I show respect and affection to my family members, am I attentive and help in the care of my parents or relatives if they need it, am I kind to strangers and do I lack that kindness in family life, am I patient, do I have patience, do I show respect and affection to my family members, am I kind to strangers and do I lack that kindness in family life, am I patient?
  • Do I allow my work to take up time and energies that belong to my family or friends? If I am married, have I strengthened my spouse's authority, avoiding reprimanding, contradicting or arguing with him/her in front of the children?
  • Do I respect human life? Have I cooperated or encouraged anyone to abort, destroy embryos, euthanize or any other means that threatens the life of human beings?
  • Do I wish others well, or do I harbor hatred and make critical judgments? Have I been verbally or physically violent in family, work or other settings? Have I set a bad example to those around me? Do I correct them angrily or unfairly?
  • Have I tried to take care of my health? Have I drunk alcohol to excess? Have I taken drugs? Have I risked my life unjustifiably (by driving, entertainment, etc.)?
  • Have I watched pornographic videos or websites? Do I incite others to do evil?
  • Do I live in chastity? Have I committed impure acts with myself or with others? Have I indulged in impure thoughts, desires or sensations? Do I live with someone as if we were married without being married?
  • If I am married, have I cared for marital fidelity? Do I try to love my spouse above anyone else? Do I put my marriage and my children first? Am I open to new lives?
  • Have I taken money or things that are not mine, and if so, have I made restitution or reparations?
  • Do I try to fulfill my professional duties, am I honest, have I cheated others: overcharging, purposely offering a defective service?
  • Have I spent money for my personal comfort or luxury, forgetting my responsibilities to others and to the Church? Have I neglected the poor or the needy? Am I fulfilling my duties as a citizen?
  • Have I told lies? have I repaired any damage that may have followed? have I, without just cause, discovered serious faults in others? have I spoken or thought ill of others? have I slandered? have I slandered?

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