Vows

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McatholicN

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I have posted about this before, but the problem seems to have returned.

I’m concerned about vows I may or may not have made years back. I was scrupulous (I am now, too) and I’m not sure whether I had been making vows then. There’s two major ones that I’m worried I may have made.
The first is much more likely to have been vowed; I remember following it daily and writing a rulebook detailing what to do… but I’m not sure it was a vow. It was that I must give up five things daily, including one “big” one (which is hard to judge), and to pray a rosary daily (extra ones on the weekends). This may not seem that hard, but it is a bit of a burden, I’m always worried about what else might have been included in the supposed vow, and it’s a bit scary seeing as breaking it would be mortal sin.
The second one I’m less sure I made it (quite improbable), but it does cause me more worry. It is that I may have vowed NEVER to have fun/pleasure again in any way. At the height of my scrupulousity, I was following this as much as I could, and basically EVERYTHING was mortal sin in some way. I don’t want to have to go back to that, but I can’t find anywhere in the “Validity” section on vows in the Code of Canon Law that would give me sufficient proof not to.

Now I suppose I could try to get the “vows” dispensed. BUT… I 'm not even sure if these vows would be worthy of dispensation (well, maybe the second one). I see that commutation does not have requirements, though, so I could have the vows commutated to something very simple and easy. This would seem to be a bit of a paradox situation, though. Because if I went to have them disepensed I would be acknowledging that they exist, and I would have to act accordingly prior to that. Confusing, I know.

A “oh, don’t worry, they’re not valid” answer won’t really help me, I don’t think. I need concrete reasons as to why they aren’t valid and what I should do.

Ay, scrupulousity is not fun! I appreciate your help!
 
McatholicN said:
I have posted about this before, but the problem seems to have returned.

I’m concerned about vows I may or may not have made years back. I was scrupulous (I am now, too) and I’m not sure whether I had been making vows then. There’s two major ones that I’m worried I may have made.
The first is much more likely to have been vowed; I remember following it daily and writing a rulebook detailing what to do… but I’m not sure it was a vow. It was that I must give up five things daily, including one “big” one (which is hard to judge), and to pray a rosary daily (extra ones on the weekends). This may not seem that hard, but it is a bit of a burden, I’m always worried about what else might have been included in the supposed vow, and it’s a bit scary seeing as breaking it would be mortal sin.
The second one I’m less sure I made it (quite improbable), but it does cause me more worry. It is that I may have vowed NEVER to have fun/pleasure again in any way. At the height of my scrupulousity, I was following this as much as I could, and basically EVERYTHING was mortal sin in some way. I don’t want to have to go back to that, but I can’t find anywhere in the “Validity” section on vows in the Code of Canon Law that would give me sufficient proof not to.

Now I suppose I could try to get the “vows” dispensed. BUT… I 'm not even sure if these vows would be worthy of dispensation (well, maybe the second one). I see that commutation does not have requirements, though, so I could have the vows commutated to something very simple and easy. This would seem to be a bit of a paradox situation, though. Because if I went to have them disepensed I would be acknowledging that they exist, and I would have to act accordingly prior to that. Confusing, I know.

A “oh, don’t worry, they’re not valid” answer won’t really help me, I don’t think. I need concrete reasons as to why they aren’t valid and what I should do.

Ay, scrupulousity is not fun! I appreciate your help!
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The Chuo not parch is a community. Private vows are only private. So, do pay much attention to that. Go and take the advice of a spiritual director.

If you are a scrupulous person, never again take a vow. the 10 commandments are enough.
 
what makes you think theyre not worthy of dispensations? you need to ask your pastor that and let him know you are scrupulous. Thats your solution, and I’m repeating what other posters have said in the past because theyre right.

And no i dont consider them vows.
 
Go talk to your priest. That is the best person to help you sort throught your scrupulosity and anxiety.

First and foremost you mention these maybe-vows were a number of years ago. Minors cannot enter into vows, so if you were a minor at the time we are done here. If you weren’t a minor, then it is still unlikely that you entered into a binding vow. Compulsive behaviors like OCD and scrupulosity diminish capacity, and a person of diminished capacity would not be freely entering into such a “vow.” The vows don’t even make sense.
 
Woops! I meant to post this in “Moral Theology”. Can I copy-and-paste it there?
 
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