Need a fast answer-Confession

[Layp3rs0n]

Yes, it’s another scrupulosity thread. Yay.

So, I am meeting with my old confessor in a few couple hours, whom I stopped seeing because he was moved to a parish that is very far away. Well they moved him much closer now and I’ve determined to make this very holy priest my primary confessor/spiritual director. I’ve been gripped with guilt about my past sins. And I’ve confessed certain things to different priests over and over (as the scrupulos are want to do). Each priest, having heard the scenario which causes me doubt that I have done all I should do to make satisfaction. Any more and I will re-open old wounds, maybe create new ones, and frankly i dont want to do anymore. I want to just let it go and be at peace. But I still feel like I’ve not done all I should. Yet all have insisted I have. I’ve asked so many priests in confession to make certain all agree, so when I stand before Christ I can say that I did as I was told. My last confessor I was with only briefly. And now going back to my old one I wonder if I should submit this question to him just one more time with him making a “final call” as my permanent spiritual director or may I leave it to God as forgiven and obey my old confessors to let it go?

 

[peter26]

Here’s a thought. Whatever the issue is, bring it up in confession, but mention some other sins as well. That way, you will be absolved even if your confessor believes that the sin you have doubts about is a sin. Then you can be at peace knowing you have been absolved from it.

 

[Maddie26]

One of my sisters had scruples, it must be hard.

I would encourage you to have faith in the mercy of God. He is mercy in its very essence. More mercy than anyone we might know. He forgave the people who nailed Him to a Cross! He forgave a condemned criminal who only turned to Him for a moment. He loves you more than anyone in the world ever could. He even delays His return, desiring that none should be lost.

Part of scruples can be the desire to feel in control of one’s salvation but we’re not. Only He is in control. I would say that if you have confessed it once then you should not mention it again, otherwise you are doubting God’s love and mercy and trying to rely solely on human effort, ie. the familiar priest. Trust that God has spoken to you through these other priests. Stop doubting. Have Faith.

I know, easier said than done. I will pray for you.

 

[Layp3rs0n]

Little update here. Saw my priest. He confirmed what the other priests have said. I’ve prayed very hard about this and will now leave this in God’s hands. Thank you for your replies!

 

[Mary_Ellen]

You said But I still feel like I’ve not done all I should. Yet all have insisted I have.

YOU are not in control - GOD is.

Very few, if any, can confess perfectly but the priest, by using the prescribed words of absolution, absolves perfectly because he works in persona Christi. He is Christ in that Confessional - when you doubt those words, that you have been absolved, you are doubting Christ.

If you commit the sin again, confess it again. Do not re-confess the same sin again because that is throwing God’s Mercy back in His Face and saying to Him “I don’t trust You, do it again!”

Let go and trust in the Mercy of God. Letting go is scary, it’s like swimming in water over your head for the first time: it’s better - you’ll float because God is gonna hold you up, you don’t have to kick and struggle. Just trust in God and his promise of Mercy, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Also, don’t keep visiting different priests and telling them the same story. As someone who struggles with scrupulosity you should find one priest and stick with him as your confessor.

Be at peace.