Spiritual Envy

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Old Prayer books have in the examination of conscience list among the sins against the Holy Spirit (Presumption, despair etc) a sin called : Spiritual Envy

I’m struggling with this and I read in Fr. John Trigilios Catholicism for dummies and in a catholic Encyclopedia about how its a mortal sin. Yet the catechism states that envy is only mortal if you wish GRAVE harm to the person you are envying?

Im confused and scared. I dont want to die and go to hell because of this…

is Spiritual Envy a mortal sin? Im getting mixed sources, Catechism says “Envy is mortal sin if grave harm is wished”, encyclopedia and catholicism for dummies say " its worse than physical envy", yet only the encyclopedia calls it mortal. Fr. John Trigilio only calls it far worse (presuambly mortal??)

or is Spiritual envy now blanket termed with envy??
 
MMM, you fret way too much. I say that kindly, because I understand your desire to remain in a state of Grace before our Lord, and that is admirable. But almost every post I read of yours, you are twisting yourself into knots worrying about whether something is mortal or venial, or if you are on the way to hell for some fairly innocent thought you had, etc. This is called “scrupulosity” and I strongly suggest that you talk with your priest or spiritual director before it eats you up inside and makes you unfit for doing the work God has in mind for you.

Also you might consider joining the scrupulosity group here on CAF.
 
Old Prayer books have in the examination of conscience list among the sins against the Holy Spirit (Presumption, despair etc) a sin called : Spiritual Envy

I’m struggling with this and I read in Fr. John Trigilios Catholicism for dummies and in a catholic Encyclopedia about how its a mortal sin. Yet the catechism states that envy is only mortal if you wish GRAVE harm to the person you are envying?

Im confused and scared. I dont want to die and go to hell because of this…
Code: 
I hope you have calmed down now,  and let it rest for a short while. :)  Number one, there are all sorts and amounts of envy.  I myself have had to confess envy of persons who are well off financially, because we are not. But I never wished grave harm to these folks, just wished we could be more like them financially.
Number two, the amount of upset you have shown tells me that the Old Liar is behind this, getting you all upset and feeling overly guilty.  I would definatly
take this item to your confessor, the sooner the better, just to get it out in the open with him.  He will let you know how much emotion should go into this particular sin.  Then he will discuss being too scrupulous, if he feels this is a problem for you.  He undoubtedly has had this discussion many times before, and hopefully he will know you well enough to make this decision.

Number three, I think it's not too good an idea to go to books you have at home.  The Catechism is always a great tool for most folks, but if you allow your emotional reactions to climb higher & higher, your best bet is to make an appointment with your priest or other confessor.  Be sure to tell him how the entire thing plays out in your mind and let him help you.

I have a tendency to let myself get overly emotional about way too many things, too, especially when it involves sins.  I've only been Catholic for about 18 years now, and I just recently came to believe my Catholic conscience is  FINALLY  pretty well formed.  And God isn't finished with me, by a long shot!

Try not to worry or get too upset about it.  We all are different and we all  handle things in different ways.  Your confessor will help you if you give him time and all the truth you were thinking.  That's what he is there for, and as you get into your complete confession, he will be Jesus for you.   Isn't it wonderful to have Jesus answer our problems and to forgive us!?   Now I can begin to hold you up to our Lord in prayer, what a privilege!!   I love you!

May God richly bless you in understanding what you are thinking!  May He give you the peace of mind you need and deserve!  Please remember you are never alone!  :signofcross:

Love in JMJ,
Deb  :): )
 
What did your spiritual director say? Have you spoken to him? Has he given you guidance?

If you haven’t contacted him, you need to do so.

If you do not have a spiritual director, you need to get one.
 
What did your spiritual director say? Have you spoken to him? Has he given you guidance?

If you haven’t contacted him, you need to do so.

If you do not have a spiritual director, you need to get one.
Code: 
I don't know where you live my dear, but there are not many spiritual directors to go around.  Your pastor?  Too busy to do individual direction, for the most part.  Do you live in a place where they are a dime a dozen?  Let me tell you, there are NONE where I live.

I think that was a mean response to a person who was scared, & you should apologize to her.  :(:(
 
BDEklof said:
I don’t know where you live my dear, but there are not many spiritual directors to go around. Your pastor? Too busy to do individual direction, for the most part. Do you live in a place where they are a dime a dozen? Let me tell you, there are NONE where I live.

I think that was a mean response to a person who was scared, & you should apologize to her. :(😦
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Him. He is a teenaged boy that posts daily about the same thing. He claims to have a vocation to the priesthood AND claims to have a spiritual director.

There is nothing you can say to him about something NOT being a sin. Any explanation you give will receive a response of but, but, what if…

He needs to speak to a professional help. He will not find that here.
 
mymamamary said:
Old Prayer books have in the examination of conscience list among the sins against the Holy Spirit (Presumption, despair etc) a sin called : Spiritual Envy

I’m struggling with this and I read in Fr. John Trigilios Catholicism for dummies and in a catholic Encyclopedia about how its a mortal sin. Yet the catechism states that envy is only mortal if you wish GRAVE harm to the person you are envying?

Im confused and scared. I dont want to die and go to hell because of this…

is Spiritual Envy a mortal sin? Im getting mixed sources, Catechism says “Envy is mortal sin if grave harm is wished”, encyclopedia and catholicism for dummies say " its worse than physical envy", yet only the encyclopedia calls it mortal. Fr. John Trigilio only calls it far worse (presuambly mortal??)

or is Spiritual envy now blanket termed with envy??
Click to expand...
“And when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him: 20 Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness; and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.” Acts of the Apostles 8:18-22

The answer is that it can be a mortal sin. Here is an example of two mortal sins, first he coveted what belonged to St Peter and second he tried to buy it (the sin of simony). Keep watching onto prayer that you do not fall into this snare of the enemy by lifting your heart to God to pray for grace rather than to look at what others have received with envy,
 
domNoah said:
“And when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him: 20 Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness; and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.” Acts of the Apostles 8:18-22

The answer is that it can be a mortal sin. Here is an example of two mortal sins, first he coveted what belonged to St Peter and second he tried to buy it (the sin of simony). Keep watching onto prayer that you do not fall into this snare of the enemy by lifting your heart to God to pray for grace rather than to look at what others have received with envy,
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Dom, please see MaryJK’s post above.
 
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