THE CONFESSION OF THE CRUSADER: (continued from last issue)

Commandments of God

First Commandment: Prayer and holy things.-How many times have I neglected my morning or evening prayers? Have I said them badly? How many times have I said badly grace before and after meals? My decade of the beads? Have I thought of other things? Turned my head? Laughed or talked especially in church? How many times have I been lazy in learning my Catechism? In listening to the explanation of it? To sermons?

Second Commandment: Oaths, blasphemy, sacrilege.-How many times have I pronounced the name of God without respect? Have I made a bad confession or a bad Communion?

Third Commandment: Sunday, Mass, work. -How many times have I missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days through my own fault? Have I arrived late, even after the Credo? How many times have I heard Mass in a careless way?  Have I worked on Sundays?

Fourth Commandment: Parents, superiors. -How many times have I disobeyed my parents, or my teachers? Answered back? Answered rudely? Murmured? Sulked? Have I caused them grief?

Fifth Commandment: Hate, quarrelling, anger, scandal. -How many times have I been angry? Said unkind words? Have I struck anyone? How many times have I wished evil to another? Have I rejoiced in his misfortune? Have I been saddened at his happiness?  Have I given bad advice or bad example?

Sixth and Ninth Commandments: Thoughts, desires, looks, words, actions, bad and indecent reading. -How often have I taken wilful pleasure in bad thoughts and imaginations? Have I consented to bad desires? Have I read bad books, magazines or newspapers? Looked at sinful things?  How many times have I sung bad songs? Have I listened with pleasure to bad conversations? Have I taken part in them? How many times have I attended bad movies? Taken part in improper dances?  How many times have I been guilty of improper actions, either alone or with others?

Seven and Tenth Commandments: Stealing and desire to steal. -How many times have I stolen or desired to steal? How many times have I caused damage? Have I kept objects lent to me or objects which I found?

Eighth Commandment: Lying, slander, calumny. -How many times have I told lies? Exaggerated? Sought to deceive? How many times have I spoken ill of another?

To be continued…