Am I being scrupulous?

[MrsMeganMc]

I don’t know what it is - but ever since I have come back to the church a month or so ago - I just really love going to confession. It is kinda funny to me because I really disliked going before - I guess I now understand the sacrament more - and therefore I appreciate it more!

Well, as one would assume, my confessions to date have been pretty big - so to speak - I had a “need” to go.

But now I don’t have this “need” to go anymore, at least not at this moment.

I would still like to go as I think it is a good way to continue to strive for a more holy life and obtain strength to combat the common venial sins that we all deal with on a day to day basis - but I am afraid that if I go to confession often (i.e. 1-2 times per month) with only venial sins to talk about - that I may be acting out of scrupulosity.

My understanding of being scrupulous is someone who is constantly worried about the correct form, getting things right all of the time, confessing past sins over and over - and if they do not then God does not forgive him/her or it is a sin, etc.

I am most definitely NOT like that.

But would be going to frequent confessions for non-mortal sins fall into that scrupulous category?

I guess this is somewhat relevant right now as I will have the opportunity to go on Friday night - I just went on Monday. But I definitely have things that I could confess…and like I said before - I just like going!

Thoughts?

 

[Cristiano]

Probably you should be aiming to get in touch with a priest for spiritual direction. Confession is the first step in spiritual direction because it helps us to turn away from evil behaviors. However, the next and more exciting step is how to improve our relationship with God and with His creation. Talk to a priest about the idea of spiritual direction, it would also help you with your possible scrupulosity.

 

[MrsMeganMc]

Probably you should be aiming to get in touch with a priest for spiritual direction. Confession is the first step in spiritual direction because it helps us to turn away from evil behaviors. However, the next and more exciting step is how to improve our relationship with God and with His creation. Talk to a priest about the idea of spiritual direction, it would also help you with your possible scrupulosity.

Thank you - this is good advice.

I do really want to look more into spiritual direction.

I should also say that I had never even heard of the term scrupulous until CAF…and I have often heard others say that they enjoy a monthly confession.

But I have also heard of some priests telling penitents that they are being scrupulous by going to confession too often.

I suppose that really lies in the hands of who you are confessing to and their view on the sacrament.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

As with anything, the sacraments can be abused. While confession is, indeed, a wonderful sacrament it should not be abused. Going to confession every other week may be useful, but most people find that once a month is sufficient.

As has already been suggested, you might want to find a spiritual director since it appears that you are, in part, using confession for that purpose. In fact, you may find it useful to have your confessor as your spiritual director. Note, however, that a spiritual director does not have to be a priest – any trained person (lay person including nuns, deacon, or priest) may be able to serve in that function. Note that finding a good spiritual director is something that may require several attempts – and you may move from one person to another as you spiritual journey develops.

Good luck!

Deacon Ed

 

[MrsMeganMc]

As with anything, the sacraments can be abused. While confession is, indeed, a wonderful sacrament it should not be abused. Going to confession every other week may be useful, but most people find that once a month is sufficient.

Wow - I never would have thought that I was abusing the sacrament…

What would make this practice abusive?

 

[dcrowmik]

But now I don’t have this “need” to go anymore, at least not at this moment.

I would still like to go as I think it is a good way to continue to strive for a more holy life and obtain strength to combat the common venial sins that we all deal with on a day to day basis - but I am afraid that if I go to confession often (i.e. 1-2 times per month) with only venial sins to talk about - that I may be acting out of scrupulosity.

All of us sin and I would confidently guess that all of us sin in some way or another every day. While it is true that each time you receive Holy Communion your venial sins are wiped out, I feel it is still a good practice to confess more than once per month.

As long as one goes to confession each week or every other week with a true sense of humility in asking for God’s forgiveness and with a purpose that confession is itself a means to strengthen the soul against sin, then go often.

Wash your soul constantly, make it as pure and stainless as possible here on earth so that you spend as little time as possible washing those stains away in the pain of Purgatory.

 

[MrsMeganMc]

All of us sin and I would confidently guess that all of us sin in some way or another every day. While it is true that each time you receive Holy Communion your venial sins are wiped out, I feel it is still a good practice to confess more than once per month.

As long as one goes to confession each week or every other week with a true sense of humility in asking for God’s forgiveness and with a purpose that confession is itself a means to strengthen the soul against sin, then go often.

Wash your soul constantly, make it as pure and stainless as possible here on earth so that you spend as little time as possible washing those stains away in the pain of Purgatory.

Thank you for your advice

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Wow - I never would have thought that I was abusing the sacrament…

What would make this practice abusive?

Placing more value in the aesthetics surrounding reception or celebration of the Sacraments, over its true purpose.

Some people do this with the Mass. They place more importance in the music and beauty of the Church, than Christ in the Sacrament.

I’m not saying this is your case, but it happens to some people.

Jim

 

[MrsMeganMc]

Placing more value in the aesthetics surrounding reception or celebration of the Sacraments, over its true purpose.

Some people do this with the Mass. They place more importance in the music and beauty of the Church, than Christ in the Sacrament.

Jim

I guess I fail to see how I could be abusing the sacrament then…

Or maybe I am missing the point.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I guess I fail to see how I could be abusing the sacrament then…

Or maybe I am missing the point.

You missed my point because I edited my original post before you got to see the final version.

As I said;

I’m not saying this is your case, but it happens to some people.

Hope this helps.

God Bless
Jim

 

[MrsMeganMc]

You missed my point because I edited my original post before you got to see the final version.

As I said;

I’m not saying this is your case, but it happens to some people.

Hope this helps.

God Bless
Jim

Oops - I was too quick with the reply

Thank you!

 

[Simon_X]

Hi Mrs Megan,

I think it’s really great that you love and appreciate this Sacrament so much! If only more folks in the Church would go more often, what a great world we would have.

Not much to add, but you might also consider adding a Eucharistic hour of adoration perhaps? Maybe daily or more frequent Mass? These are also ways to draw ourselves closer to our Lord, and of course, holiness…

God Bless