Could there ever be a Sunday Mass for scrupulous people?

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foolishmortal

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I go to Holy Communion on Sunday, usually. I feel afraid I will be committing serious sin, but priests say I’m scrupulous. Still, I go in fear and trembling (my soul does the trembling; not the body). I hate having to make the decision. If I don’t go one Sunday, but I go the next, I don’t know if they’ll think I’m a Protestant receiving Communion. Some reasoning like that could be my being too easy on myself in reaction to pretending I just don’t want to be scrupulous (or am I pretending?). it could be human respect too. Still, if it’s scrupulosity, not receiving or going to Holy Confession could increase anxiety about whether I was properly predisposed enough for it to be valid on my part; on the other hand, not doing the latter could result in a sacrilege. I’m not sure which it is. The sin that worries me, I did the night after not having had much sleep the night before. Was I cognitive enough for doing something objectively evil? Were thought I entertained actually beyond venial? Have I calumniated or slandered others on here? Can I change all that? Is it a nervous affliction that prompts me to write angrily or am I totally wanting to do it for fun? If it’s fun, is it really anger and not malice? If someone responds to my post, would it waste their trouble not to respond? On the other hand, the forums could be a near occasion to sin.

This is why I ask about a Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Scrupulous on Sunday–at least in one parish in a city–and then I’d leave the rest to Divine Mercy and my brown scapular.
So I ask, could the priest just be the one who receives Holy Communion at a Mass for the scrupulous? Should it be done? I do laugh at myself when I read others’ worries, but it’s not funny when Sunday rolls around. Is it ok to leave the church building or go to the restroom during Holy Communion reception time?

Thanks! God bless you for this site because it probably does more good than bad! Don’t blame one ideology holder over nasty words. The person could have such a temperament from birth (though its influence can be reduced and nastiness still isn’t acceptable–a mega-mea culpa X 3 (X an uncountable number of occasions for it) on that one.
Phil
 
No. Sorry, but no.

Somebody else will come along and make cites of Church documents for you, but unless you would like to attend an EF someplace, the OF is going to have those who are eligible offered the Eucharist.
 
FoolishMortal, I have an idea how you are feeling. Going to Mass for me is not as peaceful as it was, say several years ago.

Not only am I scrupulous, but I have this problem. Whenever I go to church I feel like I see traces of the Sacred Host in the pews where I am sitting or on the floor etc. This feeling is hightened when I know that people may have received Holy Communion on the hand. It really bothers me. Often, I drive away feeling anxious that I have either stepped on or left a piece of the Host lying on the ground.

It is not easy. I can’t just “check” the piece, because I will hardly ever be able to know for sure. The more I check, the more unsure I am. When you are someone like me, you start to realise how many white particle are lying around, often indistinguishable. A couple of times I have asked a priest to check the pieces, bu they have said don’t worry about it, or that it is not a piece of Host. Its a bit embarrassing, but at least in some way I tried to do the right thing. Also, I can’t consume the pieces, because often Im in a state of mortal sin.

I have sort of made a “rule” that I have to deal with this situation. I just try to ignore the pieces I see, and I hope that they really are not pieces of the sacred Host. But, it depends on the day. Sometimes I can get through without any anxieties, other times not.

Another thing is that I “see” these pieces outside of church as well like in the car or on my clothes. I know it sounds a bit strange, but I feel so anxious that I am committing sacrilege. Often, I am more worried about being punished than actually committing sacrilege against God.
 
guidetopsychology.com/index.html

This has a section on scrupulosity. Find it via the search engine. It will go by scrupulosity or scruples–maybe both words.

I’m not the food particles one, but I question my motives. Am I being to lenient? Am I being to strict? Am I lying to myself or am I being scrupulous?
I don’t know what an EF or OF is. Thank you all for posting!
God bless you all!

I think I’m like Jack Nicholson in “As Good as it Gets”, but, instead of repeating movements, I repeat prayers due to distractibility and I have more some more social skills–a more apparent sweet spot–than his character, though usually around women and children–and an innocent enjoyment of little animals. Old Catholic movies are soothing as well. Instead of that, I argue on forums and then kick myself for enjoying it. I waste hours looking up information about things.

Oh yeah, I have issues. Still, I apologize to anyone who knows how much of a jerk I’ve been. Don’t respond to that in case I subconsciously am doing this selfishly to want anger or empathy and I get one or neither (or both?)".

I wonder if joining monks would be an escape from psycho-spiritual responsibilities or a true-spirituality-like escape from banality?

That website in the link is all about dispelling delusions. If you have any, it might find it, but will I recognize all it finds in me is what I need more sleep and less distractions to work out.
 
After reading these posts I feel so blessed not to suffer from your afflictions. And even though I don’t, the same thoughts have occurred to me but I’m not compelled to dwell on them.

I only have one thing of value to add. These compulsions and scrupulosity are truly crosses for you. Don’t forget to ‘offer it up’, uniting your sufferings with Our Lord’s. And don’t ever doubt God’s mercy.

God bless you.

PS I don’t think entering a monastery offers an escape from banality, maybe the opposite.
 
foolishmortal said:
I go to Holy Communion on Sunday, usually. I feel afraid I will be committing serious sin, but priests say I’m scrupulous. Still, I go in fear and trembling (my soul does the trembling; not the body). I hate having to make the decision. If I don’t go one Sunday, but I go the next, I don’t know if they’ll think I’m a Protestant receiving Communion. Some reasoning like that could be my being too easy on myself in reaction to pretending I just don’t want to be scrupulous (or am I pretending?). it could be human respect too. Still, if it’s scrupulosity, not receiving or going to Holy Confession could increase anxiety about whether I was properly predisposed enough for it to be valid on my part; on the other hand, not doing the latter could result in a sacrilege. I’m not sure which it is. The sin that worries me, I did the night after not having had much sleep the night before. Was I cognitive enough for doing something objectively evil? Were thought I entertained actually beyond venial? Have I calumniated or slandered others on here? Can I change all that? Is it a nervous affliction that prompts me to write angrily or am I totally wanting to do it for fun? If it’s fun, is it really anger and not malice? If someone responds to my post, would it waste their trouble not to respond? On the other hand, the forums could be a near occasion to sin.

This is why I ask about a Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Scrupulous on Sunday–at least in one parish in a city–and then I’d leave the rest to Divine Mercy and my brown scapular.
So I ask, could the priest just be the one who receives Holy Communion at a Mass for the scrupulous? Should it be done? I do laugh at myself when I read others’ worries, but it’s not funny when Sunday rolls around. Is it ok to leave the church building or go to the restroom during Holy Communion reception time?

Thanks! God bless you for this site because it probably does more good than bad! Don’t blame one ideology holder over nasty words. The person could have such a temperament from birth (though its influence can be reduced and nastiness still isn’t acceptable–a mega-mea culpa X 3 (X an uncountable number of occasions for it) on that one.
Phil
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I used to suffer form the same fear but my confessor actually pointed out to me that many saints felt dryness or worry about sin at some point in the lives but that did not mean they were out of the life of grace. My humble suggestion would be that you really put forward ALL your sins to your confessor (making sure you mention everything that is worrying you, including did you have the full knowlege, etc. )If your list is too long then make an appointment with him and get it cleared. And trust his judgment.
If he tells you your worries are unjustified then discard them because the devil tries to burden us with unnecessary things when he finds that we walking along the narrow road (that’s what mine told me)

As for Communion, do not bother what other people think. Actually, to be a bit blunt, I think that they should mind their own business since there are 101 reasons why a person may choose to abstain from the Holy Communion, and it is not proper for people to speculate on others’ personal reasons which may range from serious sin to not observing the fast. I often don’t receive because I have not adequately prepared for reception. In any case, you can (or rather, should) kneel and make an act of spiritual communion. You could also, if you want, take a seat at the back.
 
EF=Extraordindary Form (Latin Mass)
OF= ordinary Form (Novus Ordo, or Mass in the venacular- English in the US, most of Canada, UK, Australia)
 
Nevermind, I guess you have that on all threads. What if someone doesn’t ask your advice? Thanks for your advice, but it was a bit cryptic? I don’t think I wrote anything about the EF, but the eligibility criteria are the same; the difference is, we are reminded of what they are from time to time at the EF. It’s great to hear it from the priest, himself. A local priest, when I was in KC, surprised me when he reminded women that sleeveless blouses can be scandalous–or something like that. God bless him! It’s nice that stuff from EWTN is in bulletins more often and the part about who can receive Holy Communion (though it does not mention how one is in the right state or falls from it), but I think it offers an excellent drive home for the priest to speak of these things, as he is the leader.

That’s all from me here. Thank you all!
 
I used to think that scrupulosity was due to all of
the rules and regulations of the RCC. “Worthy communions.”
“Good” confesssions. “Sacriledge.” “Full assent.”
“Occassions of sin.” Not.

No matter the faith - or lack thereof - scrupulosity may exist.
I once heard someone say - about their weekend golfing -
that this was not a particularly “eco-friendly” sport.
One can have no religious belief at all -and still feel
“guilty” about the “footprint” one leaves, in terms of
energy consumption.

There used to be an online site for those who
experience scrupulosity. There I found that one did not
have to be an RC, to be afflicted with scrupulosity.
Much worry over “the unpardonable sin” - and has one
commited same? Tremendous anxiety over whether
the blasphemous thoughts that appeared in one’s mind
were sinful or not. For some who are scrupulous,
the number of realities that provoke a scrupulotic reaction
seem nearly endless.

I have dealt with all of this by accepting the fact that
I am not particularly capable of determining whether
I “sin,” or not.

But, you know, God reaches out to me in this.

I’ve given up the whole go to church, receive communion.
This was literally driving me looney.
Instead, I reside in the pasture where He gives me repose.

I don’t think that the Shepherd of sheep wants one of His
sheep to be constantly tormented by “have I ?” or
“haven’t I?” Instead, He asks me to trust Him.
To trust Him for my salvation. To rest in mind and in heart,
as He takes care of the world. I feel like Tiny Tim.
I can’t “run the race” that St. Paul speaks of.
But it matters not. God picks me up and carries me
on His shoulder, toward the finish line.

Let those who are blessed and hale and hearty attend
Mass and receive communion. And let wounded sheep
be calmed in the pasture that He provides -
as His wounded sheep “…wait in joyful hope, for the coming
of their Savior…”

I have found that it is all a matter of radical trust in Him.

reen12
 
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