The Body and Blood

[Pro-Life_Teen]

I’ve ocd, and with that a fear of desecrating the Eucharist. I receive His Blood, but dislike breathing through my mouth due to possible particles escaping * or I spend half the Mass panicking over maybe swallowing something stuck in my teeth, even if I’m unsure I did or not. Today I thought that my sleeve was damp, but the coat’s black and I can’t see a stain of any kind. I think it’s more likely Holy Water, as I noticed it after I crossed myself leaving Church, than His Blood, but I’m hesitant about making the wrong assumption. Should I worry about this to such an extent, no one else really does, or should I focus on God and His Mercy and Understanding? It has in a sense taken the focus off Mass for me and turned it into worrying for an hour.

Thanks for any replies.*

 

[Annemariels]

You know the answer, you said it yourself : “focus on God and His Mercy and Understanding?”.

I will pray that you will able to bring this answer from your head to your heart, and that you will be able to let the worry go.

 

[Karl_M]

Even without the OCD, you’re not the first person I’ve seen on these boards expressing this concern.

The first step is indeed to focus on God’s love and understanding, but the extremely important second step would be to contact your pastor immediately for direction.

I would not recommend saying to yourself “I need a therapist,” and then just opening up the phone book (which is what too many people do).

Talk with your priest-that’s why he’s there, and he may very well be able to ease your concerns or refer you to a professional who’s faithful to Catholicism who can further assist you if need be.