Stressed out thinking about mortal sin

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StJoseph8

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I can’t say for sure but I think I am scrupulous. I worry about mortal sin and if I committed any very frequently and it stresses me out. :banghead: Like what happened on Sunday. In the homily for mass at EWTN the priest mentioned St. Faustina’s diary entry about confession and what Jesus said to her. Almost immediately I had a thought of, “Well that’s hard to believe”. I kept thinking about that and saying to myself, I trust the Church so this is right. I still, thought, had the thought of, “that seems hard to believe.” Now I’m trying to think over if I ever thought to myself or believed, “No, that’s wrong”, or “I don’t believe that.” Could this have been a mortal sin? Thanks for any help.
 
As I understand it, we are not bound to believe private revelations.

We are free to believe, or not believe, that Jesus said that to her, or to interpret it as being to her, and of that time and place i.e. not universal and not necessarily meant for everyone… No new teaching can be added to Church doctrine, remember.

It would not be accurate to say that something was true church teaching just because St. Faustina said so. The church’s doctrine is what has been handed down from the Apostles , further developed over the centuries and summarised in the Catechism. Every teaching has to be in harmony with the Catechism.

So no, it’s not a mortal sin to question it. We don’t have to believe everything that a saint writes.
 
StJoseph8 said:
I can’t say for sure but I think I am scrupulous. I worry about mortal sin and if I committed any very frequently and it stresses me out. :banghead: Like what happened on Sunday. In the homily for mass at EWTN the priest mentioned St. Faustina’s diary entry about confession and what Jesus said to her. Almost immediately I had a thought of, “Well that’s hard to believe”. I kept thinking about that and saying to myself, I trust the Church so this is right. I still, thought, had the thought of, “that seems hard to believe.” Now I’m trying to think over if I ever thought to myself or believed, “No, that’s wrong”, or “I don’t believe that.” Could this have been a mortal sin? Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
There are three conditions for something to be a mortal sin
 
Work with a regular confessor - he can determine if one is struggling with scruples - andor to what extent.

I will re-post an older post of mine

A person struggles with scruples - what ought they do?

A person with scrupulosity --ought to have a* “regular confessor” *who can direct them --and even give them some general principles/rules to follow -to apply (principles for them due to their particular scruples -they are usually not for those with a normal conscience). Thus with their direction they can dismiss scruples. Such is the age old practice in the Church.

Scruples are to be dismissed not argued with.

Scruples are like a barking dog or a hissing goose -one does not stop to argue with a barking dog or a hissing goose does one?

Such ‘obedience’ (except in what is manifest sin - such as if he told them it was ok to murder someone or something certain like that) is key. Such is the age old practice.

As to counseling - that could be helpful depending on the case -but one would want to look for a counselor who can assist one in following the Churches Teachings - not go contrary to them (I have heard CA staff mention catholictherapists.com/) Some person with scrupulosity may yes also suffer from OCD - but the two are not simply equated.

Here was a recent post from Jimmy Akin of CA that I saw in the Register and saved for those who struggle with such.

ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/6-tools-for-the-scrupulous
Also I will add that a person can go through a case of “transient scruples”. Which is good news in a way. For they are more easily dealt with.

Such can be due to being a convert to the faith. Such is noted in theological works in terms of (some of) those who have a conversion (even if they were a Catholic all their life - but now have had a more intense turning to Christ and seeking Christian perfection).

Such can even be helpful for they can make one be more sensitive in conscience in a good way. Helpful that is if you have a regular confessor who can judge your case - and who can then direct you and help you in forming your conscience and in doing so the “transient scruples” can clear up and one can go forward with a better formed conscience and commitment to the Lord.

In any case - a regular confessor is key for those who struggle with scruples - be they transient or a more persistent difficulty.
 
I seriously doubt that is a sin, let alone mortal…if that’s any help.

Here is a great quote by St. Padre Pio that may be more helpful. 🙂

*Peace is the simplicity of spirit, the serenity of conscience, the tranquility of the soul and the bond of love.

Peace is order, it is the harmony in each one of us, it is a continual joy that is born in witnessing a clear conscience, it is the holy joy of a heart wherein God reigns.

Peace is the way to perfection, or, even better, in peace dwells perfection. And the devil, who knows all this very well, does everything possible to cause us to lose our peace.

The soul need be saddened by only one thing: an offense against God. But even on this point, one must be very prudent.

One must certainly regret one’s failures, but with a peaceful sorrow and always trusting in Divine Mercy.

One must beware of certain reproaches and remorse against oneself which most of the time come from our enemy who wants to disturb our peace in God.

If such reproaches and remorse humble us and make us quick to do the right thing, without taking away our confidence in God, we may be assured that they come from God.

However, if they confuse us and make us fearful, distrustful, lazy or slow to do the right thing, we may be sure that they come from the devil and we should consequently push them aside, finding our refuge in confidence in God.*
 
StJoseph8 said:
I can’t say for sure but I think I am scrupulous. I worry about mortal sin and if I committed any very frequently and it stresses me out. :banghead: Like what happened on Sunday. In the homily for mass at EWTN the priest mentioned St. Faustina’s diary entry about confession and what Jesus said to her. Almost immediately I had a thought of, “Well that’s hard to believe”. I kept thinking about that and saying to myself, I trust the Church so this is right. I still, thought, had the thought of, “that seems hard to believe.” Now I’m trying to think over if I ever thought to myself or believed, “No, that’s wrong”, or “I don’t believe that.” Could this have been a mortal sin? Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
I dont understand what mortal sin is but I am certain that if you ask Jesus to forgive you He will and anytime I dont understand something that comes with an internal struggle I ask God for guidance and I get it in His timing.
He will amaze you if you take His hand and let him lead you :). Praying that you will get the guidance you need.
 
StJoseph8 said:
I can’t say for sure but I think I am scrupulous. I worry about mortal sin and if I committed any very frequently and it stresses me out.
Click to expand...
Yes, you are being scrupulous.

Talk to your pastor about.
 
I will re-post an older post of mine

A person struggles with scruples - what ought they do?

A person with scrupulosity --ought to have a* “regular confessor” *who can direct them --and even give them some general principles/rules to follow -to apply (principles for them due to their particular scruples -they are usually not for those with a normal conscience). Thus with their direction they can dismiss scruples. Such is the age old practice in the Church.

Scruples are to be dismissed not argued with.

Scruples are like a barking dog or a hissing goose -one does not stop to argue with a barking dog or a hissing goose does one?

Such ‘obedience’ (except in what is manifest sin - such as if he told them it was ok to murder someone or something certain like that) is key. Such is the age old practice.

As to counseling - that could be helpful depending on the case -but one would want to look for a counselor who can assist one in following the Churches Teachings - not go contrary to them (I have heard CA staff mention catholictherapists.com/) Some person with scrupulosity may yes also suffer from OCD - but the two are not simply equated.

Here was a recent post from Jimmy Akin of CA that I saw in the Register and saved for those who struggle with such.

ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/6-tools-for-the-scrupulous
Also I will add that a person can go through a case of “transient scruples”. Which is good news in a way. For they are more easily dealt with.

Such can be due to being a convert to the faith. Such is noted in theological works in terms of (some of) those who have a conversion (even if they were a Catholic all their life - but now have had a more intense turning to Christ and seeking Christian perfection).

Such can even be helpful for they can make one be more sensitive in conscience in a good way. Helpful that is if you have a regular confessor who can judge your case - and who can then direct you and help you in forming your conscience and in doing so the “transient scruples” can clear up and one can go forward with a better formed conscience and commitment to the Lord.

In any case - a regular confessor is key for those who struggle with scruples - be they transient or a more persistent difficulty.

Work with a regular confessor he can determine if one struggles from scruples and guide one.
 
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