Author Topic: Confession and scrupulosity (Read 6970 times)

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #105 on:** September 05, 2021, 11:44:15 AM »

OP here, just a few questions before I go to confession and attend Mass today.

Last Sunday, before Mass started and after I did my penance, I noticed that the pew in front of me was moved a bit forward which made it harder to use the kneeler which had been occurring frequently in previous weeks so I moved it back a bit but, then realized that it might cause the same issue for the people in front. I don't think I did it to be selfish or spiteful--though that thought crossed my mind--so I moved both that pew and my pew forward as well to correct it.

Additionally, after that, when the collection was going around, I asked a family member for another dollar--suddenly I thought I might have done this to appear more righteous by contributing more than I usually do so I gave the dollar back to him so he could contribute it himself.

I was also dealing with several intrusive thoughts prior to Holy Communion, I'm not sure if I consented to them but I did pray for for them to leave my mind then said several acts of contrition before receiving. I really hope I didn't receive unworthily because of the aforementioned reasons.

Any advice on this would be helpful.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #106 on:** September 05, 2021, 11:50:51 AM »

Quote from: Änσnymσus on September 05, 2021, 11:44:15 AM

OP here, just a few questions before I go to confession and attend Mass today.

Last Sunday, before Mass started and after I did my penance, I noticed that the pew in front of me was moved a bit forward which made it harder to use the kneeler which had been occurring frequently in previous weeks so I moved it back a bit but, then realized that it might cause the same issue for the people in front. I don't think I did it to be selfish or spiteful--though that thought crossed my mind--so I moved both that pew and my pew forward as well to correct it.

Additionally, after that, when the collection was going around, I asked a family member for another dollar--suddenly I thought I might have done this to appear more righteous by contributing more than I usually do so I gave the dollar back to him so he could contribute it himself.

I was also dealing with several intrusive thoughts prior to Holy Communion, I'm not sure if I consented to them but I did pray for for them to leave my mind then said several acts of contrition before receiving. I really hope I didn't receive unworthily because of the aforementioned reasons.

Any advice on this would be helpful.

Your so scruplus!.
GAH my sins are so horrific if this is the stuff you lot are worried about .

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #107 on:** September 05, 2021, 12:19:52 PM »

OP again. Another thing that I've been racking my brain about is: is it necessary that I make a public abjuration of any past heresies or other theological errors I've publicly spoken in the past since I've privately corrected and abjured any perceived erroneous beliefs in my own mind and heart, in the sacrament of confession, as well as to those closest to me but, not on in a public forum. At least least for some of them, I'm not exactly sure if they actually are anathema or just theoretical speculations and therefore technically permissible but, regardless, I will continue to refrain from speaking about certain complex subjects that are beyond my limited scope of knowledge in the future. Is this something I should confess or is the private abjuration of any past heretical beliefs in the sacrament of confession sufficient?

Matthew · « **Reply #108 on:** September 05, 2021, 12:55:01 PM »

Quote

You're so scrupulous!.
GAH my sins are so horrific if this is the stuff you lot are worried about .

I agree!

The only thing OP left out was: "I stepped on a cross-shaped crack on the way to Mass today. Am I damned?"

I will say though: he seems to have a high opinion of himself. His (buried?) pride suggests to him that these (tiny) sins -- sins which he might very well realize are extremely tiny imperfections -- are the worst thing he needs to worry about in his spiritual life. There are probably other, graver issues in his spiritual life, which the devil is HAPPY to distract him from, by casting his attention on irrelevant minutiae like how he moves the pews during Mass.

Often times a scrupulous person is straining out a gnat, while swallowing a camel in some other department. Classic.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #109 on:** September 05, 2021, 01:17:26 PM »

Quote from: Matthew on September 05, 2021, 12:55:01 PM

I agree!

The only thing OP left out was: "I stepped on a cross-shaped crack on the way to Mass today. Am I damned?"

I will say though: he seems to have a high opinion of himself. His (buried?) pride suggests to him that these (tiny) sins -- sins which he might very well realize are extremely tiny imperfections -- are the worst thing he needs to worry about in his spiritual life. There are probably other, graver issues in his spiritual life, which the devil is HAPPY to distract him from, by casting his attention on irrelevant minutiae like how he moves the pews during Mass.

Often times a scrupulous person is straining out a gnat, while swallowing a camel in some other department. Classic.

Believe me, I'm fully recognize that I'm an imperfect sinner and am aware of all my objectively grave sins which I struggle with and that I write down when I slip up. I never fail to leave those out during confession. The things that I named are not are not the worst things I need to worry about but, I worry about them because I don't want to omit anything and make a bad confession.

With regards to the pews, it not moving them per se but rather doing so possibly being uncharitable towards those in front of me right after penance and before Communion, likewise the second issue is about self-righteousness, and the third, I worried that I consented to bad intrusive thoughts before receiving Communion. Again, it's about not wanting to omit anything.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #110 on:** September 05, 2021, 04:33:30 PM »

Quote from: Änσnymσus on September 05, 2021, 11:44:15 AM

OP here, just a few questions before I go to confession and attend Mass today.

Last Sunday, before Mass started and after I did my penance, I noticed that the pew in front of me was moved a bit forward which made it harder to use the kneeler which had been occurring frequently in previous weeks so I moved it back a bit but, then realized that it might cause the same issue for the people in front. I don't think I did it to be selfish or spiteful--though that thought crossed my mind--so I moved both that pew and my pew forward as well to correct it.

Additionally, after that, when the collection was going around, I asked a family member for another dollar--suddenly I thought I might have done this to appear more righteous by contributing more than I usually do so I gave the dollar back to him so he could contribute it himself.

I was also dealing with several intrusive thoughts prior to Holy Communion, I'm not sure if I consented to them but I did pray for for them to leave my mind then said several acts of contrition before receiving. I really hope I didn't receive unworthily because of the aforementioned reasons.

Any advice on this would be helpful.

Quote

Believe me, I'm fully recognize that I'm an imperfect sinner and am aware of all my objectively grave sins which I struggle with and that I write down when I slip up. I never fail to leave those out during confession. The things that I named are not are not the worst things I need to worry about but, I worry about them because I don't want to omit anything and make a bad confession.

With regards to the pews, it not moving them per se but rather doing so possibly being uncharitable towards those in front of me right after penance and before Communion, likewise the second issue is about self-righteousness, and the third, I worried that I consented to bad intrusive thoughts before receiving Communion. Again, it's about not wanting to omit anything.

You're doing OK O.P. The fact that you are so uncertain about the matters that you listed means that you did not commit a mortal sin.
I know that you are bothered by these anxieties. Something that I have found helpful is to thank God for these troubles (especially when you do not feel like it and do not understand how they could be for the good). When these thoughts come just pray something like: "thank you for allowing this, Father, because I know that it is for the best". Simple trust and confidence will take you to God more quickly and perfectly than anything else.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #111 on:** September 05, 2021, 04:35:32 PM »

Quote from: Änσnymσus on September 05, 2021, 12:19:52 PM

OP again. Another thing that I've been racking my brain about is: is it necessary that I make a public abjuration of any past heresies or other theological errors I've publicly spoken in the past since I've privately corrected and abjured any perceived erroneous beliefs in my own mind and heart, in the sacrament of confession, as well as to those closest to me but, not on in a public forum.

What you have done is, in most cases, sufficient. A formal public adjuration might be called for if you are a widely known public figure or cleric who has clearly taught heresy. I would consult you confessor and abide by his judgement in the matter.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #112 on:** September 05, 2021, 04:38:49 PM »

https://archive.org/details/wayofinteriorpea00lehe/page/n5/mode/2up

This was posted above. After an initial reading it appears to be really good and worth the time.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #113 on:** September 15, 2021, 07:15:19 AM »

Quote from: Änσnymσus on July 17, 2021, 10:58:44 PM

The former. At some times I think I'll remember a sin, forget to write it down and remember it later. This is only one formulation or species of this, but the point is... I am concerned that I am intentionally pushing sins out of my mind. Whether that confession is invalidated or not by this is not necessarily the problem at hand even. I try to write down all sins on paper and keep this for later but I'm not always in a position in which I can just whip out the notepad. I also think I potentially conceal sins from myself. Even doing a nightly examination of conscious I doubt I am doing this well enough. Ever since I converted and was made aware of the concept of mortal sin etc about a year and a half ago I am just in constant torture and I have to avoid confirmation and the Eucharist until I am clear. I know my priest will probably tell me something like the original poster so I intentionally avoid conversations with the priest or anyone else just so people figure I'm the quiet type that just takes my family to Mass and goes home.
Thanks so much again for responding. You have no clue how much you are helping me. Thank God for getting me on this forum so I could have this conversation.

This poster here. I'm overcoming scrupulosity with God's grace He has given me. Thank you everyone who interceded for me and posted moral manuals and gave advice. I am making real spiritual progress: it took a serious and complete abandonment to Jesus. Really meaning the words and thinking about them nightly before my examination - "I believe, I adore, I trust, I love thee" was a huge component in overcoming this. Never give up.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #114 on:** September 15, 2021, 01:48:14 PM »

Quote from: Änσnymσus on September 15, 2021, 07:15:19 AM

This poster here. I'm overcoming scrupulosity with God's grace He has given me. Thank you everyone who interceded for me and posted moral manuals and gave advice. I am making real spiritual progress: it took a serious and complete abandonment to Jesus. Really meaning the words and thinking about them nightly before my examination - "I believe, I adore, I trust, I love thee" was a huge component in overcoming this. Never give up.

Thank you for sharing this. It is an example and an encouragement for us all.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #115 on:** November 22, 2021, 07:06:27 PM »

Need prayers badly. I keep having problems with repetitive blasphemous thoughts and they are getting sneakier and will add themselves into my normal thinking or if something nerves me I start having attacks. For example, I will be thinking of a person and I will imagine them saying "___ damn" or something horrible. Please pray for me to have a tender conscious. Sometimes I can't even tell if I consent to things or not and I don't want to start despairing.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #116 on:** November 22, 2021, 07:12:45 PM »

Ladislaus · « **Reply #117 on:** November 22, 2021, 08:51:33 PM »

Quote from: Änσnymσus on November 22, 2021, 07:06:27 PM

Need prayers badly. I keep having problems with repetitive blasphemous thoughts and they are getting sneakier and will add themselves into my normal thinking or if something nerves me I start having attacks. For example, I will be thinking of a person and I will imagine them saying "___ damn" or something horrible. Please pray for me to have a tender conscious. Sometimes I can't even tell if I consent to things or not and I don't want to start despairing.

Is this OP? This is a perfect example about how your scrupulosity causes you to obsess over these thoughts. In rehashing them you are re-subjecting yourself to the temptation. It’s actually your scrupulosity causing the thoughts to become more persistent. Most of the stuff you mention are not even worthy matter for confession much less grave sin. People asking why some spend fifteen minutes in the confessional can see the answer right here.

Scrupulosity is rooted in pride.

Your priest needs to order you to stop confessing anything that you could not swear before God to be a mortal sin, and you need to humbly submit.

Author Topic: Confession and scrupulosity (Read 6970 times)

Änσnymσus

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Matthew

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