Receiving communion and confessing doubtful sins

[gs013564]

Hi all,

Two things before I post my main point. I tend to be scrupulous. I also plan on asking my priest about this at my next opprotunity.

I went to confession yesterday. During my examination of conscience the thought that I had taken communion while in doubt of my state of the soul came up. I normally take Communion in this instance because I figure that if I knew 100% that I was in a state of mortal sin, then I would not take Communion. Otherwise, my doubts should not keep me from Communion.

So I went into confession and forgot to ask the priest about this (I remember specifically trying to remember everything I that came up in my examination). Once I left the confessional, of course, I remembered it and I started to scruple over it. I then received Communion this morning.

After typing all this out, it sounds so logical because I know what I know. However, I feel like I still need to ask. I know this is part of the scrupulous condition, but is there any other tips to get over this “feeling”?

Thanks in advance and sorry for another scruples post. It’s just starting to get very frustrating (although I won’t lose hope!). I know the remedy is to trust in Jesus, but I really don’t understand why I feel like this when I logically know I’m fine spiritually (not perfect, but in a state of grace). Any words of encouragement would help me out greatly. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[charlie4christ]

Hey gs013564,
Just scrolled past your post and it stood out to me because I literally just went through the same thing! When I went to confession a couple of days ago, I too examined my conscience prior to entering the confessional but when I came out again I still felt the same, even with a little guilt. So i thought about it for a while because something definately was not right. However during the midst of worrying, the bible quote from Matthew 12:32 popped up in my head: “anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come”. Then my memory went back to when i was examining my conscience and I remembered that I too had tried to convince myself that I was purified. So I decided to re-examine my conscience 2 days later with a different attitude (to try and pick out every little sin), and my sins were double in number in comparison to the last confession. After reconciling and receiving communion yesterday I felt great (in a state of grace) with no guilt. What I’m getting at is if you do not accept the sins you have made you don’t accept reconciliation, and if you don’t accept reconciliation you do not accept the Holy Spirit in which purifies you. From my experience I highly advise you reexamine your conscience thoroughly and don’t hide anything from yourself but mainly from God, for he sees all. Hope this helps cos it worked for me. Peace be with you!

 

[gs013564]

Hey gs013564,
Just scrolled past your post and it stood out to me because I literally just went through the same thing! When I went to confession a couple of days ago, I too examined my conscience prior to entering the confessional but when I came out again I still felt the same, even with a little guilt. So i thought about it for a while because something definately was not right. However during the midst of worrying, the bible quote from Matthew 12:32 popped up in my head: “anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come”. Then my memory went back to when i was examining my conscience and I remembered that I too had tried to convince myself that I was purified. So I decided to re-examine my conscience 2 days later with a different attitude (to try and pick out every little sin), and my sins were double in number in comparison to the last confession. After reconciling and receiving communion yesterday I felt great (in a state of grace) with no guilt. What I’m getting at is if you do not accept the sins you have made you don’t accept reconciliation, and if you don’t accept reconciliation you do not accept the Holy Spirit in which purifies you. From my experience I highly advise you reexamine your conscience thoroughly and don’t hide anything from yourself but mainly from God, for he sees all. Hope this helps cos it worked for me. Peace be with you!

I appreciate the advice, but I was truly being honest with myself. I HAVE examined my conscience and I am not aware of any mortal sins and I really do strive to get all of my venial sins out there as well. I guess I’m talking about feeling guilty even when I made an honest effort. Being scrupulous, I know what I know, but I still FEEL like I did something wrong. Its hard to explain unless you experience it for yourself. Are you scrupulous as well?

 

[Bookcat]

Hi all,

Two things before I post my main point. I tend to be scrupulous. I also plan on asking my priest about this at my next opprotunity.

I went to confession yesterday. During my examination of conscience the thought that I had taken communion while in doubt of my state of the soul came up. I normally take Communion in this instance because I figure that if I knew 100% that I was in a state of mortal sin, then I would not take Communion. Otherwise, my doubts should not keep me from Communion.

So I went into confession and forgot to ask the priest about this (I remember specifically trying to remember everything I that came up in my examination). Once I left the confessional, of course, I remembered it and I started to scruple over it. I then received Communion this morning.

After typing all this out, it sounds so logical because I know what I know. However, I feel like I still need to ask. I know this is part of the scrupulous condition, but is there any other tips to get over this “feeling”?

Thanks in advance and sorry for another scruples post. It’s just starting to get very frustrating (although I won’t lose hope!). I know the remedy is to trust in Jesus, but I really don’t understand why I feel like this when I logically know I’m fine spiritually (not perfect, but in a state of grace). Any words of encouragement would help me out greatly. Thanks for taking the time.

A person with a difficulty with scruples ought to have a “regular confessor”. They can then advise them…and give them principles (some more general and some specific) to deal with their various scruples.

(for example he may direct them to go to communion unless they are certain of having committed a mortal sin)

So my advise is --is get a regular confessor to work with you in standing fast against any scruples and to advise you.

While conscience can engage the feelings…just cause one feels some fear that they sinned etc…does not mean that in fact that they did. Especially those with scruples. They often mistake feelings for consent …or temptation for sin.

(if I can be of further help feel free to pm me)

 

[gs013564]

A person with a difficulty with scruples ought to have a “regular confessor”. They can then advise them…and give them principles (some more general and some specific) to deal with their various scruples.

(for example he may direct them to go to communion unless they are certain of having committed a mortal sin)

So my advise is --is get a regular confessor to work with you in standing fast against any scruples and to advise you.

While conscience can engage the feelings…just cause one feels some fear that they sinned etc…does not mean that in fact that they did. Especially those with scruples. They often mistake feelings for consent …or temptation for sin.

(if I can be of further help feel free to pm me)

Thanks Bookcat. I actually have tried asking one of the priests at our parish, but never got a reply via email. I do try and stick with one priest, but sometimes its hard to pin him down. I guess I was looking for some helps that I could do on my own (obviously, it’s only by the grace of God that I can do anything at all, but still would be nice if I didn’t have to completely rely on the priest). I’ll just stick to asking my priest as that is most likely the best course.

 

[underacloud]

I went to confession yesterday. During my examination of conscience the thought that I had taken communion while in doubt of my state of the soul came up. I normally take Communion in this instance because I figure that if I knew 100% that I was in a state of mortal sin, then I would not take Communion. Otherwise, my doubts should not keep me from Communion.

…

Any words of encouragement would help me out greatly. Thanks for taking the time.

I think this is fairly common, even for those of us who aren’t overly scrupulous, to struggle with this. While the choice to receive the Eucharist or not can be a stressful matter, we owe Christ proper reverence before deciding to receive, and it can strengthen our love for Christ to consider our sins as an impedement to our closeness to Him.

While I generally agree that doubts should not keep you from receiving, you need to talk about this with your own confessor. Only he can properly advise you. I have struggled with this and discussing it with my confessor helped me greatly.