I think it is important that you say a heartfelt act of contrition (as somebbody put so nicely) if you can’t go to confession right away.
But don’t scruple over what is heart-felt!!! Have you read this booklet by father Doyle I ocne pointed out to you? He speaks about that there
I am not sure if it is better to say an act of contrition as it is pre-phrased, or in one’s own words say one is sorry? Maybe somebody else has better advice here. The most important thing is I guess to eman it from your heart: That you regret it and really want to change and not do it again
(sounds from your posts that you do indeed regret it
)))) )
I have read quite a bit of it, thank you for that link! I’ve been trying to meditate on what he’s saying, but I’m just scared. Sometimes I don’t know what’s a conviction from the Holy Spirit or my scrupulous conscious. A good friend of mine (devout Catholic) told me “Faith is a gamble,” And I’ve noticed that. I’ve read about other world religions and they all claim they’re right and those who are wrong go to Gehenna, and that’s where the scruples kick in. And I have faith in Christ, and for every fear, despair, and small doubt I have caused by this Scrupulosity I am sincerely sorry to Him, but I can’t help it. I pray daily, and I pray to God saying “if I’m not supposed to be a Catholic, please God point me to the TRUE religion.” Since then I’ve become a lector, usher, and I sing in the choir, and I’ve found a terrific Catholic girlfriend who means a lot to me and when I look in her eyes, I know that there HAS to be a God to have created such an amazing, warm-hearted beautiful person. I guess I’m just afraid that I’m worshipping incorrectly. Christianity is almost too good to be true. We are sinners, and the Creater loves us so much that His son comes to die for us and those who accept Him are justified and accepted by God and spend an eternity with Him?! That’s incredible, it’s the perfect religion. But I’m terrified that its the WRONG ONE! And my heart is telling me it is, but my scrupulous mind is telling me “Are the Muslims right? What about the Hindus? Buddhists?” And I’m terrified! And God, forgive me for saying this, but I have fear of The Lord, but sometimes, I’m PETRIFIED of The Lord! And I love Him above all things understand, and sometimes I cry (for 16 years old, I’m a big baby) because I’m scared on the Last Day, Gods gonna say “you were a Catholic, you were supposed to be a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Jehovah’s Witness.” Even in my own Catholic faith I have fears (did I blaspheme the Holy Ghost, is my infant baptism valid because Baptists say it’s not, is my willfull sin dooming me, Is my intrusive thought quenching the Holy Ghost). I don’t mean to rant, especially seeing my thread has nothing to do with scruples, but I’m in severe pain. Not physically, but mentally and spiritually. But yes, I have gotten about 10 pages in, and it’s great! I’m surprised I never came across this in my research
