Reparation for mortal sin?

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Zynxensar

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Ridiculous question but:

Let’s say I thought reading a book was mortal sin and I wilfully did so anyway.

Later, I find out that reading this book is not a mortal sin. May I continue to read the book or am I not allowed to to make reparations for this mortal sin?

I’m asking this because I read something and it said that we are bound to repair the damage done by mortal sin. It is evident for cases such as stolen money, but I’m not too sure about examples similar to the one (book) mentioned above
 
If you have not caused damage that requires restitution (e.g. theft, calumny, etc.), you would not be bound to perform or refrain from some specific act. You would of course do the penance assigned by the priest in confession.

The kind of “reparation” (I’m using this very loosely) you would need to make for a sin such as that would, as far as I know, only have to do with:
  1. Contrition & confession (and penance - this would I think be reparation in the theological sense)
  2. In your case, spiritual direction to better inform your conscience for future matters, etc.
  3. Temporal punishment for sin (i.e. purgatory, unless remitted)
Now, if you had read a book that you knew would lead you to sin or something, you would have the obligation to not read it because by doing so you would be continuing to leading yourself into sin. However, in the case where the sin involved had to do with a willingness to commit a mortal sin and not with the specific external act committed, as you say, there would be no sin in performing that act once there is knowledge that it is not sinful.

You may wish to do something or refrain from doing something as an act of penance (outside of the one assigned in confession) and strengthening of your resolve in the future, however in the case you are referring to there would be no obligation under pain of mortal sin to stop reading the book. We do need to make reparation-- CCC 1491: “the penitent’s acts are repentance, confession or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and do works of reparation”-- but there would seem to be no reason that, in this case, it would need to consist in no longer reading the book. (Although, if for some reason there was venial matter in doing whatever action, it would not be permissible to do it, i.e. it would be a venial sin.)
 
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I would speak to the confessor who is helping you with scrupulosity.
 
Love the detailed reply, Arwing!

To clarify though: What if I committed the mortal sin willingly to achieve a specific end? For example, let’s say I think asking advice from Person A is a mortal sin to solve an issue and I still do so anyway. Am I obligated to make reparation for this mortal sin by not following the advice of Person A and even try to forget the advice (even though advice given was a good one that helped solve the issue)?
 
Unfortunately I may not see him anymore, since he’s from the SSPX and I’m still uncertain about their validity
 
This is an issue for a mental health professional, not a Priest in the Sacrament of Reconcilliation.

It’s about OCD, compulsive behaviour and scruples.

And just so you know, any Preist can hear a confession. We don’t require individual specific exclusive confessors.
 
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Can scrupulous people switch Confessors/Spiritual Directors? Moral Theology
You have already been advised by a priest not to post these compulsive scrupulosity issues on CAF. Just ask your confessor. One more thing… just ask your Confessor. God bless.
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7th scrupulosity type post advice…
 
Not a good idea. Scrupulosity and internet forums are a bad mix. Call your pastor.
 
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