Do catholics worry too much about salvation?

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Rather broad question.

In general - I would think not.

But one ought to have the right concern for remaining living in Christ…

In some - yes.

In others - they need to repent…for they are not living as they ought …they are not concerned enough!
 
This Catholic feels as St, Paul; verse below

Philippians 3: 12-14

Forward in Christ.*
12
It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity,* but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus].
13
Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,
14
I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.
 
The key phrase is “too much”.

Probably not Catholics in general but CAF veterans know there is a club of Catholics called the scrupulous whose lives are absolutely made miserable over an irrational fear of mortal sin. Their consciences have gone haywire and live in a dismal emotional, mental and spiritual state poring over. every. single. action. they. do. wondering whether they committed a mortal sin or not. And a lot of them a so hardheaded they don’t listen to the sound advice given here of seeking out a trusted confessor or spiritual director to help them.

It is a state no one should ever have to live in.

This is probably what the OP is asking about, and no, not all Catholics worry “too much” about their salvation, only to a healthy degree, such as a rational fear of sin.
 
IMO, No, at least not in general. People suffering from Scrupulosity, possibly. But since our eternal destination will be either one of everlasting joy or everlasting torment, I think it’s safe to say most people (including Catholics) don’t worry about it enough.
 
I’m not sure we should worry about it at all. Worrying is rarely a productive exercise, and I say this as someone who loooooooves to worry. 😉

But it should be something we think about often.
 
It’s all right to think from time to time about where we want to go, but most of the time we need to focus on how we are going to get there: Have faith. Love God. Love your neighbor. That sort of thing.
 
We probably don’t worry about our own salvation as much as we should, and we probably worry more about the salvation of others more than we should…I don’t mean we should not be concerned about the salvation of others, what I’m saying is, sometime we are quick to point out the shortcomings of others and say they are not as Christ like as they should be, or that they are not obedient to Church teachings.
 
pwlj_christ87 said:
in their actions ,in their judgments, in how they live?
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Your thread title does not match your questions(?)

If you are looking for a corollary to the Protestant focus/obsession with justification, then it would be a “no.” Catholics have the Sacraments and as long as we faithfully receive them, there is (should be) no worry regarding salvation or justification. We leave those worries to those who lack the Sacraments. The Sacraments are exemplified by Jesus’ words to us in **John 14:27 ** “Peace I leave you. My peace I give you”, and Saint Paul’s words in Philippians 4:7 regarding the “Peace which surpasses all understanding.”
 
GEddie said:
What would be more worthy of worrying about?

ICXC NIKA
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I agree .

Okay,(after reading pensmama87’s post) maybe it would be helpful if we could get a little more specific about what is implied by* “worrying”* , but if we’re equating concern with worry ; and salvation is defined as deliverance from sin and its consequences . . .🤷
 
po18guy said:
Your thread title does not match your questions(?)

If you are looking for a corollary to the Protestant focus/obsession with justification, then it would be a “no.” Catholics have the Sacraments and as long as we faithfully receive them, there is (should be) no worry regarding salvation or justification. We leave those worries to those who lack the Sacraments. The Sacraments are exemplified by Jesus’ words to us in **John 14:27 ** “Peace I leave you. My peace I give you”, and Saint Paul’s words in Philippians 4:7 regarding the “Peace which surpasses all understanding.”
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Yes.^^
 
Should we as Paul notes - work out our salvation with fear and trembling? - - Yes understood correctly of course. Not disordered fear but the fear of a Son and with trust and faith in Christ and his desire for us to have life now and eternally.

Should one examine their conscience and if they have a mortal sin - get to confession and be returned by Christ to true life? Yes of course.
Should one seek to always remain in Christ? - most certainly.

And then remaining “in Christ” let us live in him and with joy.

"Moreover, our radical belonging to Christ and the fact that “we are in him” must imbue in us an attitude of total trust and immense joy. In short, we must indeed exclaim with St Paul: “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8: 31). And the reply is that nothing and no one “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8: 39). Our Christian life, therefore, stands on the soundest and safest rock one can imagine. And from it we draw all our energy, precisely as the Apostle wrote: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4: 13).

Therefore, let us face our life with its joys and sorrows supported by these great sentiments that Paul offers to us. By having an experience of them we will realize how true are the words the Apostle himself wrote: “I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me”; in other words, until the Day (II Tm 1: 12) of our definitive meeting with Christ the Judge, Saviour of the world and our Saviour. "

~ Pope Benedict XVI

w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061108.html
 
pwlj_christ87 said:
in their actions ,in their judgments, in how they live?
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Some Protestants would think so, yes.

But, if I can say so charitably, I believe their opinion comes from a sort of presumption regarding their own salvation.

And, moreover, if you really compared Catholics to Protestants on this issue, I think you’d find two broad views (if we’re talking about extremes). The Catholic can sometimes get a bit obsessive about whether or not he is in a state of grace. The Protestant can sometimes obsess about whether or not they were truly saved to begin with. Both views can be unhealthy, and they can both be a form of despair.
 
Bookcat said:
No.

He said to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…not *worry *about it.
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Thanks, Bookcat! I knew I had it wrong as soon as I hit send… and it does make a difference. But if I’m working with fear and trembling, maybe I’m going to worry just a little bit. (Not really, because Jesus is helping me!)
 
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