Please help--beating breast during mass

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marissa98

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I suffer from scrupulosity and this thought just came to my mind. Is beating your breast during mass required and if I didn’t do this, is this a mortal sin? I’m beating myself up over this and any answers would be largely appreciated
 
Are you talking about the I confess , where we all repeat that prayer with the Priest , and at one place we touch our heart 3 times?
 
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No, it’s not a mortal sin. Be at peace. Some people just hold their hand to their heart, others tap 3 times.

🕊️🙏🌹
 
Do you understand why we are asked to do this?
It’s not sinful, but it’s not anything to fret over either.
 
I know it’s supposed to be showing how we’re sorry or something, but it’s just something I’ve never done because my parents don’t do it. Today it just hit me that everyone else did it and I probably should too. I had just gone to confession and now I’m worried I’m sinful again
 
Scruples! They’ll kill you! Speak with Father, and seek counseling or other medical attention. if warranted. God desires that you live a peaceful, joy-filled life, not one of fear and doubt.
 
So this is more of a good suggestion of something to do, but it’s not morally wrong if I did not do it this time?
 
Please be at peace. Just gently touch your lightly closed hand to your heart.
 
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Thank you so much. Thank you all. It’s a horrible feeling to be so concerned about something when all you want it God’s love. Thank you for answering
 
I’ve been trying but I haven’t found a priest that has been very helpful with giving advice
 
I know in pre Vatican II, when we said “I confess” we struck our breast three times as you are seeing. If you read the gospel account of the Pharisee and the Publican that Christ told, the Pharisee stood in the temple and extolled his righteousness, whereas the publican (the sinful common man) stood in the rear of the temple and did not even raise his eyes to God and admitted his sin and asked for forgiveness from God. There were some translations that had him striking his breast three times as an expression of sorrow/penance/ mortification. In the old missals that were used in the Latin Mass I remember that printed at the point when the words “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault” we were to strike our breast three times. That custom has remained but it is an act of devotion and while encouraged, it is not mandatory.
If you do not strike your breast/heart like others, there is no sin and no fault. Be at peace with that. It is a devotion, not a dogma or doctrine of the church.
 
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I didn’t even realize I was supposed to be doing anything there along with the prayer. I don’t think I’ve seen many other people at church tapping.
 
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