Help in overcoming scrupulosity

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PractCath

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Hi guys, I need some serious help in overcoming scrupulosity. It has been depressing me quite a bit. An incident would be something such as this:

I went for confessional one Saturday afternoon. After confessing my sins and during the time when the priest was offering advice for the aforementioned, I suddenly recalled that I have yet to confess a venial sin. I performed the act of contrition and the after receiving absolution from the priest. I could hold on no longer; I told the priest that I had fogotten to confess that venial sin. The kind priest then patiently advises me and I left the confessional thereafter.

Then shortly after I felt guilty over the issue that I should inform him of the venial sin immediately after recalling it but at that point, I thought I shouldn’t interrupt him. I too also feel imense guilt about telling him that “I forgot to mention and wishes to confess” about that venial sin. I don’t know whether I have lie to the priest or not. I am so confuse.

There appears to be 2 thoughts running in my mind. At one point, it seems that I truly did forget to mention that sin till I recall it after during the time the priest advises me. Another thought seems to accuse me of lying to the priest (as I told the priest that “I forgot”).

I feel so upset that it’s affecting me badly and this somehow affected my daily life. I would never want to lie to the priest and to God. This has always been in my mind day and night. I don’t know whether I have sinned or not. It’s tormenting.

I sincerely ask for help and prayers in this issue as it seems that I don’t know what is right or wrong anymore.
 
this advice comes from the classic spiritual writers. If you don’t believe me read Fr. Groeschel, Fr. Thomas Dubay, St. Francis deSales or St. John of the Cross. Find one priest as your regular confessor. Tell him of this problem. Follow his advice on how often to confess, what to confess, what penance to follow, and what spiritual practices to follow. Ask him to find a spiritual director for you who is familiar with this problem. Do NOT under any circumstances second-guess the priest, discuss your confession experiences or sins with third parties, particularly on an anonymous internet forum, or in any other context. You can do great damage to yourself this way.
 
Your problem sounds almost exactly where I was at at age 21. Annie is quite right in what she advises. I leanrned very quickly not to second guess my regular (same each time) confessor. You are in my prayers. Dick
 
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