Is my confession invalid?

[choco-chip]

Today I went to confession, and was confessing what I think was an intrusive thought. I told the priest that I did not want the thought, that it popped into my mind by accident and that I wanted to confess any consent I had to the thought, but here’s the thing- I am not totally sure the thought wasn’t something I didn’t will to pop into my mind and consent to, if that makes sense. I have OCD and am very scrupulous, and normally I just tell the priest that thoughts like these are willful, intentional, etc etc, to be on the safe side. But this thought (while probably not mortal) was pretty embarrassing, so I didn’t confess willfulness like I usually do and I feel like I lied! Now I can’t stop worrying over whether or not I was honest enough, if I committed a grave sin by possibly lying and telling the priest it wasn’t willful when it might have been, and I’m so worried that my confession wasn’t valid Do I need to go back to confession and confess everything again? Or is it possible that this is just a venial sin? Thank you for any advice and sorry for my long-winded (and probably scrupulous) post :-o

 

[angel12]

If it just popped into your head, it may not even be venial.

What you most need to do is trust your confessor. Once he absolves you, it’s done. If your OCD is this bad, you may also need to see a psychologist; there may be medication to help you.

 

[Cyril]

I have ADHD, random thoughts are part for the course. On the upside I frequently feel like I’m living out the movie Next.

Do what you can. It’s all anyone can ask.

 

[exnihilo]

I have OCD and am very scrupulous

You need to work on this. People suffering from this have a serious problem with identity and knowing thoughts that aren’t willed and in trusting. You absolutely can’t will a thought that popped into your mind. That doesn’t make sense. A thought that pops into your mind may be a thought that is somewhat attractive. That doesn’t meant you willed it.

 

[semper_catholicus]

This is definitely a clear case of scrupulosity.

First off, you are under no obligation to confess doubtful sins, like this one. If you are not sure of having fully consented to a bad thought or another action, and confess that you gave full consent, then you are lying.

If you absolutely must confess a doubtful sin, you must say that you are DOUBTFUL that you consented fully, committed it etc.

But this thought (while probably not mortal)

If it wasn’t a mortal sin, then there is no obligation to confess it in the first place.

I recommend that you chose a good confessor who might be good at dealing with scrupulous persons and go ONLY to him for confession. Ask Our Lady to help you overcome your scruples, and develop a devotion to Sts. Alphonsus Liguori and Teresa of Avila, they too suffered from scrupulosity.

 

[unitive_mystic]

Why do Catholics complicate everything?

 

[Kei]

It was an INTRUSIVE THOUGHT.
By definition it was NOT willed by you to be there.

You are NOT stray and random thoughts. They don’t define you. Even if the same intrusive thought comes to you, it is not you! God knows this, probably more than you do.

Be at peace