How can I stop doubting the validity of my confession?

[veryworried6277]

So I went to confession yesterday to confess something I thought (at the time) may have been of grave matter. I realise now that it was most likely a venial sin, however I keep doubting my sincerity.

As soon as I realised what I had done may have been of grave matter I planned to go to confession the next morning. Is the fact that I didn’t want to receive Jesus in the state of mortal sin and the fact that I don’t want to fall into the same sin again enough for imperfect contrition?

 

[CB_Catholic]

So I went to confession yesterday to confess something I thought (at the time) may have been of grave matter. I realise now that it was most likely a venial sin, however I keep doubting my sincerity.

As soon as I realised what I had done may have been of grave matter I planned to go to confession the next morning. Is the fact that I didn’t want to receive Jesus in the state of mortal sin and the fact that I don’t want to fall into the same sin again enough for imperfect contrition?

You were absolved of that sin–case closed. The statement that you “keep doubting” is a clue that you may be suffering from scrupulosity, which is seen as a form of OCD. OCD is sometimes called the “doubting disease”. If this is a persistent problem, it really needs addressed, as it can ruin your life and make you miserable mentally and spiritually. You should talk to a priest about this.

I of course don’t know you, but what you have asked is very typical of a person suffering from scrupulosity. Forgive me if I am wrong.

 

[Ron_Conte]

So I went to confession yesterday to confess something I thought (at the time) may have been of grave matter. I realise now that it was most likely a venial sin, however I keep doubting my sincerity.

As soon as I realised what I had done may have been of grave matter I planned to go to confession the next morning. Is the fact that I didn’t want to receive Jesus in the state of mortal sin and the fact that I don’t want to fall into the same sin again enough for imperfect contrition?

In order to be in a state of actual mortal sin, you have to commit an act that is gravely immoral, with full knowledge that it is gravely immoral, and with full deliberation. So if you aren’t sure if it is grave and think it might be venial, it is not an actual mortal sin. Only actual mortal sin deprives the soul of the state of grace and requires confession to return the soul to grace.

The fact that you don’t want to receive Jesus while you are in a state of actual mortal sin indicates perfect contrition. The fact that you don’t want to fall into the same sin again could be imperfect contrition, or even perfect contrition if the motivation for avoiding the same sin is love of God.

You should go to confession on a regular basis, perhaps once or twice a month. You don’t need to go to confession in cases of doubt, where your sin could not have been actual mortal sin because you did not have full knowledge that an act was gravely immoral. Doubt generally indicates that the knowledge was not full. In cases of doubt, just say an act of perfect contrition and perhaps some other prayers, and go to confession when you regularly would go.

 

[Ron_Conte]

You were absolved of that sin–case closed. The statement that you “keep doubting” is a clue that you may be suffering from scrupulosity, which is seen as a form of OCD. OCD is sometimes called the “doubting disease”. If this is a persistent problem, it really needs addressed, as it can ruin your life and make you miserable mentally and spiritually. You should talk to a priest about this.

I of course don’t know you, but what you have asked is very typical of a person suffering from scrupulosity. Forgive me if I am wrong.

It is not true that moral scruples (scrupulosity) is the same as OCD. Also, it is wrong for you to give a poster in this discussion group a medical diagnosis.

Yes, talk to your confessor.

 

[veryworried6277]

You were absolved of that sin–case closed. The statement that you “keep doubting” is a clue that you may be suffering from scrupulosity, which is seen as a form of OCD. OCD is sometimes called the “doubting disease”. If this is a persistent problem, it really needs addressed, as it can ruin your life and make you miserable mentally and spiritually. You should talk to a priest about this.

I of course don’t know you, but what you have asked is very typical of a person suffering from scrupulosity. Forgive me if I am wrong.

Yes, I believe I have been sufferring from scrupulosity lately as I’m questioning each move I make as to whther it’s a sin or not, and going to confession once or twice a week etc.

I believe it is God’s way of testing my faith. Hopefully I will overcome this soon, however if I don’t I will get help as you suggested.

 

[TomD123]

Yes, I believe I have been sufferring from scrupulosity lately as I’m questioning each move I make as to whther it’s a sin or not, and going to confession once or twice a week etc.

I believe it is God’s way of testing my faith. Hopefully I will overcome this soon, however if I don’t I will get help as you suggested.

As another poster said, OCD and scrupulosity are certainly related, I cannot diagnose you of course but they are related for sure.

To overcome scrupulosity, it is important to TRUST in God’s mercy. Learn the Divine Mercy Devotion. Immerse yourself in God’s mercy.

Then follow these steps:

1 Take no notice whatever of your doubts (ignore them) - Treat as absolutely null and void all laws which are doubtful
2 Regard as doubtful all laws which are not as certain as 2+2=4…Therefore,
3 Do without fear whatever at first sight and without examination you do not know to be certainly sinful
4 Do not consider yourself obliged to confess a sin if you have the LEAST doubt whether it is mortal or not
5 Do not mention in confession a mortal sin which was perhaps confessed before nor repeat a confession which was perhaps bad or invalid.

This is a paraphrase of the moral theology book “To settle your conscience” By Rev. Cass Kucharek.

Hope this is helpful

 

[Cristiano]

…You should go to confession on a regular basis, perhaps once or twice a month…

Frequent confession, the gift that people love to ignore.

 

[CB_Catholic]

It is not true that moral scruples (scrupulosity) is the same as OCD. Also, it is wrong for you to give a poster in this discussion group a medical diagnosis.

Yes, talk to your confessor.

For the record, I did not say scrupulosity is the same as OCD, I gave one brief explanation of it, and I did not give a medical diagnosis. I merely stated the possibility of scrupulosity and told the poster to seek help if it was a persistent problem.

Please do not read things into answers that are not there, and I am not going to argue the moral scruples point with you.