A comprehensive examination of conscience based on twelve virtues

http://www.catholicapologetics.info/thechurch/sacraments/adults.htm

The text is quite long so just posting link and this part.
Introduction

Self-examination has always been con­sidered a necessary means of progress in vir­tue. All Religious Orders and congregations have provision in their rules for at least one daily examination of conscience. While the practice is also necessary for lay people, there have been few booklets offered to them whereby a systematic examination of con­science might be made at definite times. Lists of sins may be found in prayer books and pamphlets, but frequently they lack com­pleteness, or they make no clear-cut distinc­tions between mortal and venial sin, or they make no reference to the helps and counsels that might build up virtue and prevent sin.

The object of this booklet is to initiate lay people into the practice of concentrating their efforts at self-perfection on one virtue a month. It provides a fairly complete list of mortal sins to be avoided, of venial sins to be corrected, and of helps and counsels that may be practiced. For each month a short explana­tion of the virtue to be practiced is given, an aspiration is suggested for frequent use, and a prayer is added containing sorrow for the past and resolve for the future.

The division of the obligations of the Chris­tian life into twelve virtues is not one that can be made without some degree of arbitrary ar­rangement of material. There will be overlap­ping, some repetition, and not always a strictly logical inclusion of questions under a given head. The practical purpose has been kept in mind, rather than the theoretical; an effort has been made to bring into each month reminders of some of the fundamental obliga­tions every Christian has, as these can be related to given virtues.

A warning should be given to souls who are inclined to scrupulosity. Such souls are fre­quently disturbed by reading lists of sins, because they erroneously think themselves guilty where they are not guilty at all. They should have permission of their confessor before they undertake to make a minute ex­amination of conscience, and in every doubt must obey their confessor blindly. Aside from the scrupulous, some persons may find doubts arising from certain questions because circumstances not mentioned may confuse particular issues. It is to be remembered at all times that a mortal sin is not committed unless three conditions are pre­sent, viz:

1) sufficient reflection,
2) full consent of the will, and
3) a violation of God’s law in a serious matter.
The mortal sins listed repre­sent only objectively serious matter; if one or both of the other conditions necessary for the commission of a mortal sin be lacking in a particular case, the guilt would not be incur­red. In prudent doubt, a confessor should be asked for a solution.

It is recommended that once a week during each month, the examen for that month be read carefully and thoughtfully. On some oc­casions this would be best done before confes­sion. The ejaculatory prayer of the month should be said frequently every day.