sin and scrupulosity

[fireproofpoodle]

Hi

How is a scrupulous person to tell the difference between what may be a venial sin and the feelings of their scrupulous tendencies?

 

[livi]

Speaking from experience, its difficult. And telling the difference between a mortal sin and scrupulous tendencies is also a problem, and for me it was and is a bigger problem than distinguishing venial sin from scrupulous tendencies. A lot of it involves just seeing how normal but devout practicing Catholics who I know are living good lives conduct themselves in certain situations. Talking with priests and asking questions has also helped too. Its a process, for me at least there is no specific formula. Its just one situation at a time, and prayer definitely helps.

 

[baltobetsy]

The advice that is almost always given is for a scrupulous person to choose one priest to be his/her confessor and bring all these concerns to him and him alone. Also, to obey him in everything pertaining to confessing sins and receiving Holy Communion. Sometimes the priest will advise something that, for a person not afflicted with scruples, would be wrong, but, since the scrupulous person’s conscience doesn’t work correctly, the rules are different.

There are a gazillion threads on scrupulosity on the Moral Theology board. Try a search over there.

Betsy