Maybe my mother is right!

[LeahInancsi]

Scylla,

Thank you for the link to that article. I’m currently in RCIA and have been studying ahead. We will not be studying Confession until March, but I’ve been worried about the little things that I do out of habit that may be sinful. I want to set a goal of taking communion at every Mass that it is offered, but I realize it is only a goal. There will be times that I fail. Now, I’m reassured that dealing with sins and confessing them will not be overwhelming.

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

I would just like to remind people, or at least some people in this thread, that spirituality is a journey, which can be filled with all sorts of emotions, ups and downs, and can be very confusing.

Paris did the right thing in talking to her confessor about the issues and needs to continue to do so. Only a confessor can truly discern if there are scruples involved or if it is just part of the normal spiritual journey in which Paris has undertaken.

Here is something on contemplation from New Advent:

CHARACTERS OF MYSTICAL UNION

The different states of mystical union possess twelve characters. The first two are the most important; the first because it denotes the basis of this grace, the other because it represents its physiognomy.

First character: The presence felt

(a) The real difference between mystical union and the recollection of ordinary prayer is that, in the former, God is not satisfied with helping us to think of Him and reminding us of that presence.

(b) However, in the lower degrees (spiritual quiet) God does this in a rather obscure way. The more elevated the order of the union the clearer the manifestation. The obscurity just mentioned is a source of interior suffering to beginners. During the period of spiritual quiet they instinctively believe in the preceding doctrine, but afterwards, because of their preconceived ideas, they begin to reason and relapse into hesitation and the fear of going astray. The remedy lies in providing them with a learned director or a book that treats these matters clearly. By experimental knowledge it is understood that which comes from the object itself and makes it known not only as possible but as existing, and in such and such conditions…

Bottom line is that some swings are normal and without a good spiritual director can completely derail the journey God is attempting to create for someone.

Paris - keep working with your confessor or any confessor. I personally think it would be wise for you to work with a spiritual director since you are a recent convert. The conversion process is certainly overwhelming, whether converting from another faith to Catholicism, or whether it is a cradle Catholic turning from a more lapsed state.

We need to rely on spiritual directors and confessors, and to trust their advice so that we do not burn out or, through inexperience, head off the path we are intended to take.

God Bless!

 

[dafalax]

michaelgazin:

You can receive the Eucharist without having gone to confession if confession was an impossibility and you are fully intent on confessing the sin as soon as the opportunity arises.Sounds like that applies to your situation.

Peace and Merry Christmas,
Michael

That is not accurate. If you are in mortal sin, you may NOT receive the body and blood of our Lord until you have gone to Confession.
Paris, i believe i have mentioned before, however, that i think you are scrupulous. Having read many of your posts, you exhibit all the signs. Please do seek help. And don’t listen to your mother. You don’t “pick” a religion based on what you can or can’t do easily. You pick the one true faith and strive to follow God’s laws as best you can. When you fall short, ask Him for help, take advantage of the sacraments, and keep on the way of the Cross. God bless you as you struggle against scrupulosity, which is a tool of the devil to keep the faithful away from Christ’s body and blood. And pray for your mother to understand the true purpose of faith. Merry Christmas (belated)!

 

[Kathleen_Kelly]

Dear Paris Blues

I may be out of line and forgive me if if I am but I read your note “Maybe my mother…” It is my opinion that your problem may not be spiritual but may be something else. Did you ever consider that you might be chemically depressed? This is nothing to be ashamed of. Some people get cancer, some get colds and some people have chemical imbalances that cause certain behaviors. These behaviors are easily treated with drugs such as lithium. If this sounds good to you, do research before choosing a Psychiatrist some are very good and some aren’t worth much. A Psychiatrist is a medical Dr. different from a psychologist.

KK

 

[mosher]

Paris,

Don’t get so worked up. I know that you are still new in the faith but you have to realize sooner or later that you cannot let your emotions guide your faith. If your faith rises and falls with your passions then you are standing on sand and not stone. Find the rock and stand there, then you will find more peace.

 

[Sunniva]

Paris and others.

Do you remember Hermione?
She was a member here earlier. Read her posts and you will get the drift. I feel when I’m reading your posts that I’m reading her posts over again. She ended up leaving the Church just a few weeks after being confirmed.

 

[rayne89]

Sunniva:

Paris and others.

Do you remember Hermione?
She was a member here earlier. Read her posts and you will get the drift. I feel when I’m reading your posts that I’m reading her posts over again. She ended up leaving the Church just a few weeks after being confirmed.

Hermione had OCD something that plagued her most of her life and manifested itself as scrupulosity once she became Catholic. I have it from a good source that she is receiving treatment and has actually returned to the church. Praise God.

You are right though there are similarities and OCD has crossed my mind, but I’m not a doctor so I won’t be making any diagnoses. Paris does need further assistance that this forum alone is not capable of providing.

 

[Michael_Francis]

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.
It is now closed.