You sound like you are suffering from scrupulosity. It is one of the Devil’s oldest tricks and one of his favorite games: making you doubt your confession was valid the second you walk out of the confessional. Next thing you know you will be doubting whether or not you are in the state of grace. Then you will stop going to Communion for fear of commiting sacrilege. Then you will become so discouraged that you will stop going to Church altogether. Then you will fall back into habitual sin and then the cycle repeats all over again. You best bet is to find a good confessor and then OBEY whatever direction he gives regarding your scrupulosity. In the meantime I suggest you read *The Ten Commandments for the *Scrupulous, written by the Redemptorist, Father Don Miller:So I was on my way to confession this morning when I gave into the temptation of a mortal sin. It was only minutes after that I confessed my sins, as the priest was in a hurry, otherwise I would’ve done a better examination of concience in the church. Because I was presumptous and sinned just before confession, I am worried that I was not contrite enough. I know in my heart I do now want to commit any of those sins again.
Thanks.
If you were sorry, then it doesn’t matter how quick you got to confession.Thanks for the reply. Lately I have noticed that I seem to be getting more scrupulous, and paying way more attention to smaller matters than I probably should.
I guess the part I am most worried about is committing a mortal sin and walking into confession 5 minutes later to confess it (along with my other sins). Is this wrong at all? I mean, should I have taken an hour or even a few minutes to think about what I had done before I confessed it? Or is this in itself another sin?
Also I didn’t feel really any different after confession. Usually I feel refreshed, but I couldn’t, thinking that I had just committed a mortal sin within that hour.
I’m trying not to worry too much but I just want to be safe than sorry. I just like to be reassured, knowing that I am in the state of grace and able to recieve communion tomorrow.
Very Worried think about this:So I was on my way to confession this morning when I gave into the temptation of a mortal sin. It was only minutes after that I confessed my sins, as the priest was in a hurry, otherwise I would’ve done a better examination of concience in the church. Because I was presumptous and sinned just before confession, I am worried that I was not contrite enough. I know in my heart I do now want to commit any of those sins again.
Thanks.
Not for me but thanks…You sound like you are suffering from scrupulosity. It is one of the Devil’s oldest tricks and one of his favorite games: making you doubt your confession was valid the second you walk out of the confessional. Next thing you know you will be doubting whether or not you are in the state of grace. Then you will stop going to Communion for fear of commiting sacrilege. Then you will become so discouraged that you will stop going to Church altogether. Then you will fall back into habitual sin and then the cycle repeats all over again. You best bet is to find a good confessor and then OBEY whatever direction he gives regarding your scrupulosity. In the meantime I suggest you read *The Ten Commandments for the *Scrupulous, written by the Redemptorist, Father Don Miller:
You can read more here: mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupulosity.htm
- You shall not repeat a sin in confession when it has been confessed in a previous confession, even when there is a doubt that it was confessed or a doubt that it was confessed in a sufficiently adequate and complete way.
- You shall not confess doubtful sins in confession, but only sins that are clear and certain.
- You shall not repeat your penance after confession or any of the words of your penance because you feel or think that you had distractions or may not have said the words properly.
- You shall not worry about breaking your fast before receiving communion, unless you actually put food and drink in your mouth and swallow it in the same way that a person does when eating a meal.
- You shall not hesitate to look at any crucifix or at any statue in church or at home or anywhere else because you may get bad thoughts in your mind and imagination. If such thoughts occur, they carry no sin whatever.
- You shall not consider yourself guilty of bad thoughts, desires, or feelings, unless you can honestly swear before the all-truthful God that you remember clearly and certainly consenting to them.
- You shall not disobey your confessor when he tells you never to make another general confession of past sins already confessed.
- You shall believe and act accordingly, so that whenever you are in doubt as to whether or not you are obliged to do or not to do something, you can take it for certain that you are not obligated.
- If, before you perform or omit an act, you are doubtful whether or not it is sinful for you, you shall assume as certain that it is not sinful and shall proceed to act without any dread of sin whatever.
- You shall put your total trust in Jesus Christ, knowing that he loves you as only God can love, and that he will never allow you to lose your soul.
God Bless
You should have a thorough examination of conscience, confess yours sins and during your act of contrition you make a promise to God and to yourself to “sin no more and to amend your life.” In my opinion it is good that you are wanting to get this monkey off your back but accept the sacramental medicine and go and sin no more. It is my lowly opinion that the sacraments are our medication for our soul. Take the medication that is offered to you and ammend your life–the reason why you feel no relief could very well be because you know deep down that you were not contrite? I don’t know what you are doing but look at your life and remember that our Lord came to bring us Salvation–He is the great physician. Regardless of what someone writes pull out your old 1942 Baltimore Catachism and follow that,(the year is inconsequential) I am just saying put aside the “feel good theology” and be honest with yourself and with Our Lord and your ailment will find a cure. I am Orthodox but was born and raised a RC and one thing that disgusts me and is in part the reason why I am Orthodox today is the minimizing and when someone is being honest and saying I don’t think I made a honest examination of conscience people will find every excuse not to confess that YES I RUSHED THROUGH AND AND MADE A BAD CONFESSION AND NOW NEED TO SPEND SOME TIME IN PRAYER AND RETURN TO CONFESSION. Don’t fall into despair but remember when you are given absolution you are obligated to AMEND your life, erring on the side of caution is always best in my opinionl. The saints did not become saints but making excuses. Take hold of your cross and be honored that our Lord has given you the opportunity and the grace necessary to be fastidieous and concise. May God be with you always.Thanks for the reply. Lately I have noticed that I seem to be getting more scrupulous, and paying way more attention to smaller matters than I probably should.
I guess the part I am most worried about is committing a mortal sin and walking into confession 5 minutes later to confess it (along with my other sins). Is this wrong at all? I mean, should I have taken an hour or even a few minutes to think about what I had done before I confessed it? Or is this in itself another sin?
Also I didn’t feel really any different after confession. Usually I feel refreshed, but I couldn’t, thinking that I had just committed a mortal sin within that hour.
I’m trying not to worry too much but I just want to be safe than sorry. I just like to be reassured, knowing that I am in the state of grace and able to recieve communion tomorrow.
Hi Patrick,You should have a thorough examination of conscience, confess yours sins and during your act of contrition you make a promise to God and to yourself to “sin no more and to amend your life.” In my opinion it is good that you are wanting to get this monkey off your back but accept the sacramental medicine and go and sin no more. It is my lowly opinion that the sacraments are our medication for our soul. Take the medication that is offered to you and ammend your life–the reason why you feel no relief could very well be because you know deep down that you were not contrite? I don’t know what you are doing but look at your life and remember that our Lord came to bring us Salvation–He is the great physician. Regardless of what someone writes pull out your old 1942 Baltimore Catachism and follow that,(the year is inconsequential) I am just saying put aside the “feel good theology” and be honest with yourself and with Our Lord and your ailment will find a cure. I am Orthodox but was born and raised a RC and one thing that disgusts me and is in part the reason why I am Orthodox today is the minimizing and when someone is being honest and saying I don’t think I made a honest examination of conscience people will find every excuse not to confess that YES I RUSHED THROUGH AND AND MADE A BAD CONFESSION AND NOW NEED TO SPEND SOME TIME IN PRAYER AND RETURN TO CONFESSION. Don’t fall into despair but remember when you are given absolution you are obligated to AMEND your life, erring on the side of caution is always best in my opinionl. The saints did not become saints but making excuses. Take hold of your cross and be honored that our Lord has given you the opportunity and the grace necessary to be fastidieous and concise. May God be with you always.
Just trying to help, I have been in a situation where I made a half hearted confession and you are right the best thing to do is seek out a holy priest or even better a monastic. Better to make a honest examination and with a clear conscience confess your sins and make good your act of contrition to AMEND your life, you may fall but never give up. God’s Grace can move mountains create universes–surely it can cure you of an unsanctimonious life. Take care and pray for me as I will for you.Hi Patrick,
After re-reading what I wrote and what you wrote I have learned a value lesson. The bottom line is this: I really do not have all the facts. I am not qualified to be giving out spiritual advice of this nature. I liken it to a person without a medical license trying to give medical advice over the phone without even having examined the person. My only advice to “very worried” is to seek out a holy priest and discuss your situation. As Christ said : Go show yourself to the priest.
You should speak to a priest about whether or not you’re scrupulous. They are trained and educated in this matter. There is a fine line between being scrupulous and having a delicate conscience. It is natural and a good thing for one to go from have a lax conscience to a delicate conscience. As we grow spiritually, we become more aware of our sins, even the little things. It’s when we start finding sin where there is no sin, etc that it becomes a problem.Thanks for the reply. Lately I have noticed that I seem to be getting more scrupulous, and paying way more attention to smaller matters than I probably should.
I guess the part I am most worried about is committing a mortal sin and walking into confession 5 minutes later to confess it (along with my other sins). Is this wrong at all? I mean, should I have taken an hour or even a few minutes to think about what I had done before I confessed it? Or is this in itself another sin?
Also I didn’t feel really any different after confession. Usually I feel refreshed, but I couldn’t, thinking that I had just committed a mortal sin within that hour.
I’m trying not to worry too much but I just want to be safe than sorry. I just like to be reassured, knowing that I am in the state of grace and able to recieve communion tomorrow.