Scrupulosity and superstition

[DeoJuventute]

Lately I’ve been going through a rough time with scrupulosity, to the point that I’m confessing more than once a week. So much of what I consider to be mortal sin, of course, ends up being hardly a sin at all. But I’m concerned about the sin of superstition. My wife left an umbrella open in the house, and I automatically felt superstitious because, for whatever reason, that whole umbrella superstition is one that I’ve always observed. I don’t know if I think that anything bad will really happen, but I just feel uncomforable with it open. So I just sat there thinking how disturbing the open umbrella was, and then I realized that superstitions like that were probably contrary to God’s will, and so I just left it open and sort of rebuked myself.

I’m concerned, though, that my initial disturbance indicates buying into a superstition, and thus committing a mortal sin. What do you think?

 

[Bookcat]

Those who are scrupulous often confuse feeling with consent…

Just cause some feeling or even thought occurred to one …does not mean one has sinned.

(it seems in fact that you described here an act of virtue…and act contrary to superstition)

(and of course for mortal sin one needs grave matter…full knowledge and complete consent)

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

 

[Joe_5859]

Bookcat is right on the money. The fact that you chose to keep the umbrella open despite your feelings is an exercise in virtue.

I don’t think there is any sin involved. Have you spoken with your Confessor about scrupulosity and how to handle it? I would recommend doing that.

Oh, and welcome to CAF!

 

[DeoJuventute]

Bookcat is right on the money. The fact that you chose to keep the umbrella open despite your feelings is an exercise in virtue.

I don’t think there is any sin involved. Have you spoken with your Confessor about scrupulosity and how to handle it? I would recommend doing that.

Oh, and welcome to CAF!

Thanks for the responses.

I have indeed spoken to my confessor about my scrupulosity, although he probably recognizes it without having to mention anything, given the frequency of confessions involving matters only venially sinful (if sinful at all).

What’s difficult is that I can be told a million times that “x is not a sin or, at least, not mortally so,” and I’ll still convince myself that somehow I’ve fully consented to a serious sin with full knowledge of its gravity. It’s almost as though I’ll surgically analyze every action to find a situation where it is remotely possible for a mortal sin to have happened. If I take a second, merely admiring, look at an attractive woman, I’ll find find some way to accuse myself of lust and, thus, mortal sin, despite the reality that just looking at a pretty girl (without fantasizing or dwelling) is probably not a mortal sin, if it’s even a sin at all. Often I’ll know that something is probably not a mortal sin, and yet the thought of walking around in what might be a state of sin and taking communion feels like munching on a box of nails. Yet the only way to break free of scrupulosity’s grip is to force yourself to do those very things. So it’s like a catch-22: either I confess every few days or I walk around in fear and misery. And neither is a very attractive option.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

Why not try this: every time you think that you have sinned, say an Act of Contrition, followed by 2 or 3 Hail Marys and ask our Blessed Mother to help you…it works for me!

 

[Bookcat]

Thanks for the responses.

I have indeed spoken to my confessor about my scrupulosity, although he probably recognizes it without having to mention anything, given the frequency of confessions involving matters only venially sinful (if sinful at all).

What’s difficult is that I can be told a million times that “x is not a sin or, at least, not mortally so,” and I’ll still convince myself that somehow I’ve fully consented to a serious sin with full knowledge of its gravity. It’s almost as though I’ll surgically analyze every action to find a situation where it is remotely possible for a mortal sin to have happened. If I take a second, merely admiring, look at an attractive woman, I’ll find find some way to accuse myself of lust and, thus, mortal sin, despite the reality that just looking at a pretty girl (without fantasizing or dwelling) is probably not a mortal sin, if it’s even a sin at all. Often I’ll know that something is probably not a mortal sin, and yet the thought of walking around in what might be a state of sin and taking communion feels like munching on a box of nails. Yet the only way to break free of scrupulosity’s grip is to force yourself to do those very things. So it’s like a catch-22: either I confess every few days or I walk around in fear and misery. And neither is a very attractive option.

Yes it is a great cross for many.

The key is to have a regular confessor…whom you can obey…and who can take responsibility for you…for your conscience out of sorts (or rather your actual conscience is distorted by fear etc) …like a ship with a broken rudder or broken compass. You need to put yourself into his hands (of course if he says …go murders so and so…do not do that…you would have no doubt about that or actual Church Teaching I would bet…you know what I mean!). Ask him to give you some principles to work with in acting against your scruples. Then in time your prudence will develop more and you will more and more ignore such distractions to the spiritual life.

Scruples are to be treated like a barking dog or a hissing goose…one does not argue with a barking dog or a hissing goose do you? No you keep walking. When scruples arise…turn to God and let them pass by.
(based on a 15th century Carthusian’s words)