Youth Resources

SIGN OF THE CROSS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

OUR FATHER
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen

GLORY BE
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

HAIL HOLY QUEEN
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

FATIMA PRAYER
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.

MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Written by the Archdiocese fo Milwaukee

This examination of conscience is designed as a group reflection to help teens prepare themselves for individual confession and absolution. It can be used in a communal celebration of the sacrament (Rite 2), as preparation for individual reconciliation (Rite 1), or during a penitential prayer service. It is particularly suited to a retreat setting or day of reflection. The examination of conscience may be read aloud by a retreat director, a priest or another reader while participants silently reflect.

Although designed for use in a communal setting, a copy can be provided to individuals for remote preparation for the sacrament, for individual confession apart from a group, or for private prayer.

Many examinations of conscience are based on either the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes. This Examination of Conscience for High School Youth reflects on one’s relationships with God, other people and oneself; but you will find that much of it is rooted in the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes.

Preparing for the sacrament of reconciliation is often misunderstood. People frequently view it as a laundry list of mistakes they have made instead of an opportunity to talk about what is troubling their hearts, about who they are and the changes they would like to make in their lives. The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers us that chance to speak and pray with someone who can help us with this task.

The following are questions to help you examine your conscience. Be honest. Ask yourself, “What do I do well?” “What do I want to change about myself?” and “How do I want God to transform me?”

My relationship towards God
How do I pray?
• Out of fear
• Out of need
• Out of desire for personal gain
• Out of my personal relationship and respect for God
• I don’t pray

How do I attend Mass?
• Out of habit
• Bitterly because I feel I have to
• Out of fear
• Open to the experience, when it fits my schedule
• Regularly, with respect for the Eucharist
• As a part of the community
• I don’t attend Mass

How do I use God’s name?
• To swear
• To express anger
• Out of respect and love

How do I treat all of God’s creation?
• I respect other people equally regardless of race, religion, or economic status
• I see all life as sacred even the unborn
• I am wasteful with the earth’s resources
• My relationship with God is separate from everything else and has no impact on how I see or treat the world around me

My relationship towards other people
How do I treat my family?
• Help when they are in need, even when it is not convenient for me
• Tease and push around my siblings
• Tell my parents where I am going and whom I am hanging out with
• Believe that family comes first
• Fight with or ignore members of my family and make no effort to try to make peace with them
• Forgive them when I feel they've hurt me

How do I treat other people’s sexuality?
• I use crude language and jokes
• I use people for my own physical pleasure
• I see sex as something to be shared by any two people who think they love each other, even outside of marriage
• I see sex as a gift from God and something that should be saved for marriage

How do I treat my teachers?
• I am rude
• I don’t do my homework
• I am disruptive in class
• I do all my work and show respect
• I am bored and don’t pay attention

How do I treat people that I don’t know?
• Cheat or lie to get what I need
• Honor and follow through on all the promises and commitments I have made
• Kind and courteous
• I don’t care because I’ll never see them again
• Share what I have with others

How do I treat my friends?
• With love and respect
• Use them to gain popularity or gifts
• Make fun of them behind their backs
• Accept and understand their differences
• Forgive them when they hurt me
• Compliment and encourage them  

My relationship towards myself
How do I see myself?
• Created in the image and likeness of God
• I focus only on what I don’t like about myself How do I treat myself?
• Misuse drugs, tobacco or alcohol
• Disrespect my sexuality
• Cause physical damage to my body
• I take care of my physical, emotional and spiritual well-being

How seriously do I take my education?
• Blow off my studies
• Complete my assignments
• Participate in class and school activities

How do I make choices?
• Because everyone is doing it
• It’s the easiest way out of the situation
• I want to be popular
• My relationship with God tells me it’s the right thing to do

Summary Reflection
Now that you have reflected on your relationship toward God, toward other people, and toward yourself - ask yourself:
• For what do I seek forgiveness?
• How do I want God to transform me?
• What will I confess and ask God's forgiveness and grace to change?

Lord Jesus, 
Allow me to have a spirit of reverence and openness as I prepare to encounter you in this Mass. Help me to remove any distractions and allow me to focus only on you and what you have to give me at this time. Open my ears that I may hear your Word and allow it to take root in my life. Open my mouth that I may proclaim your praise and worship you. Prepare my body and soul to encounter and receive your Body and Blood in the Eucharist and allow me to be inspired to share your love to all I encounter as I depart from this celebration.
Amen.

Lord Jesus,
Grant me the grace to know and understand your will for my life. Allow me to put aside my own dreams and desires so as to conform myself to your plans and aspirations that you have for me. Grant me a trusting heart that I may discern the vocational call you have for me and grant me obedience that I may adhere to that call. I ask this prayer through the intercession of your Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph who are true models of faith and obedience.
Amen.

Lord Jesus,
Purify my heart and mind that I may see and recognize the true beauty and dignity of all people as well as the true dignity and beauty of myself. Grant me strength, especially in times of temptation, that I may remain steadfast in the call to remain a pure and chaste person. Allow your grace to be upon me as well as all who struggle with impurity, that we may persevere in all of our struggles and temptations. I ask this through the intercession of your Blessed Mother and the most chaste heart of St. Joseph.
Amen.

Lord Jesus, 
Instill in me an attitude of assertiveness and enlighten my mind as I continue in my studies and my desires to be a good student. let me see the example of humility that you yourself exemplified in your humanity as you took on the limitedness of human nature requiring the ability to learn and to be a student. Give me obedience so that I may trust my teachers and parents so that I may accomplish your will in my studies.
Amen.

By St. Thomas Aquinas

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born: an obscurity of sin and ignorance. Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.

Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. 

Point out the beginning, direct my progress, and help in the completion. I ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

​​​​​​​Amen.

​Lord Jesus,
Grant me a spirit of perseverance that I may be focused in my studies. Allow me to prepare myself to the best of my abilities so that I may perform as well as I am able to on my exams. Enlighten my mind and send your Spirit to be with me as I take my tests and allow your will to be done. i ask this through the intercession of St. Joseph of Cupertino, the patron saint of exams.
Amen.