Did I commit a mortal sin/perjury?

[coffee_kat]

This might sound really, really silly, but I struggle with scrupulousness and am not sure if I committed a mortal sin/perjury. My family has this method to test if one of us is being honest; we check if someone is telling a lie by making them answer us in front of a holy picture or holding a rosary- the idea being that we have to stay honest before God. So today I needed my brother to do me a favor, and lying, I handed him my scapular and said “remember, you promised me that you’d do X!” And probably just to make me leave him alone, he said yes. As I was making him agree with me I realized suddenly that this could be a serious sin, but I still lied and made him answer me. I just went to confession before doing this, and feel terrible! Does this sound serious enough to be a mortal sin? I am pretty scrupulous so I really don’t know. Thank you!

 

[DeniseNY]

sound really, really silly, but I struggle with scrupulousness and am not sure if I committed a mortal sin/perjury. My family has this method to test if one of us is being honest; we check if someone is telling a lie by making them answer us in front of a holy picture or holding a rosary- the idea being that we have to stay honest before God.

I’m kind of stuck on this.

 

[TheLittleLady]

My family has this method to test if one of us is being honest; we check if someone is telling a lie by making them answer us in front of a holy picture or holding a rosary

This is a bad idea. How about we just all decide that lying is a sin and that it is wrong to lie to each other?

 

[Thascius]

James 5 12
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No,” that you may not incur condemnation.

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

Yeah, using religious items as props to make sure someone isn’t lying strikes me as weird. How about you just agree not to lie, and then trust your family?

 

[coffee_kat]

It’s more something us kids do, probably not the best but who didn’t do silly things or make strange ‘rules’ with their siblings? My question still remains though- is this serious enough to need confession?

 

[Canvas]

As a scrupulant myself, I recommend ending the practice of using sacramentals in this way. It seems like it is bound to lead to even more scrupulosity. It just creates situations that can become “triggering” situations.

Like the person above said, follow the Bible and “let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.”

As to your question, best ask a Priest who is in a better position to evaluate the situation.

If you are scrupulous, please DO NOT ask questions about “is this a sin” on this forum. It is not a good idea and it can make your scrupulosity worse.

Take any questions to a Priest. If you are scrupulous, you should find a Confessor you trust, and try to confess only to that Priest. And follow his instructions to the letter. Take your questions and fears to him and to him only.

 

[YoungCatholicGuy]

Decide to say it in confession and not do it again. Make an act of contrition now. Do say it in confession.

The Catechism does say under the first Commandment, Misuse of blessed objects or holy images, is a mortal sin if it gravely abuses such objects, because that would abuse who the objects represent.
Your family shouldn’t be forcing each other to ‘swear under Heaven that they are being honest while holding a religious object.’
The bible says: ‘Do not swear by anything on earth, for it is God’s footstool, Nor swear by anything in Heaven, for it is God’s Throne. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.’

Maybe kindly tell your Mom this, say you read it and want to know what she thinks of it