Examination Of Conscience

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

Are we required to do an Examination of Conscience? If so, how long should we spend and do we need to use a traditional Examination? I tend to just reflect on my week for 10 to 15 minutes. My problem is that sometimes I'll forget 2 to 4 mortal sins. I feel that if I used a more traditional method this wouldn't be the case. Well maybe not with one sin that's very habitual. I tend to think about confessing it when I do it and then forget about it. That drives me crazy; I've wanted to confess it for at least a month (I'm not embarrassed I've confess worse). So this brings me to another question: am I doing something wrong? If so, any advice?

[Brother Adam]

Any time you go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation it presupposes that you have made an examination of conscience. You would have nothing to confess if you haven't examined your conscience, what matters is how well you have examined it. An examination might be as simple as remembering a sin that should be confessed, or more properly, using a traditional list of questions to examine your conscience. Examining our conscience is an important and necessary part of of the order of a good confession. Sins that are accidentally forgotten are still forgiven. Intentionally with holding a sin is a sin itself and invalidates the Sacrament.