What Constitutes an Oath that is Binding on Pain of Mortal Sin?

[Antonius_Lupus]

Dear brethren,

Before I begin, I should make clear that I am scrupulous and, indeed, this is in part why I bring this issue up. Even still, I have found that trying to deal with one’s scrupulosity often helps one deepen one’s understanding; hence why I am asking this question.

I hope to be heading off to seminary in Fall of this year, provided the Bishop of Charleston accepts my application (the day I go before the board is March 10th, please pray). Before going much further though, I find that I am struggling with a habitual sin which I want to remove.

Earlier this week, I wrote up a kind of pledge to do certain things in order to rid myself of this sin. I ended it with the words “I pledge myself to this declaration and the resolution it contains…so help me God.” I then read it (chanted actually) aloud and signed it.

The only other person who knows of this (before y’all) is my spiritual director. He commented on the declaration as being somewhat unhealthy.

Later on, I began to realize that what truly matters about this situation is ending the sin. In the larger scheme of things, to end this sin in a holy manner is the most important thing…the declaration is not.

That being said, I began to question whether I was bound by pain of grave sin to my previous declaration. My main worry was that I made the resolution with “so help me God”, thus, in my mind, invoking the sacred name. Now I feel as though I must rigorously follow my own declaration and anytime that I don’t, then I am somehow committing a serious sin.

I wanted to get some feedback. I suspect many of y’all might find this whole situation silly, but it is important for me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[1ke]

Dear brethren,

Before I begin, I should make clear that I am scrupulous and, indeed, this is in part why I bring this issue up. Even still, I have found that trying to deal with one’s scrupulosity often helps one deepen one’s understanding; hence why I am asking this question.

I hope to be heading off to seminary in Fall of this year, provided the Bishop of Charleston accepts my application (the day I go before the board is March 10th, please pray). Before going much further though, I find that I am struggling with a habitual sin which I want to remove.

Earlier this week, I wrote up a kind of pledge to do certain things in order to rid myself of this sin. I ended it with the words “I pledge myself to this declaration and the resolution it contains…so help me God.” I then read it (chanted actually) aloud and signed it.

The only other person who knows of this (before y’all) is my spiritual director. He commented on the declaration as being somewhat unhealthy.

Later on, I began to realize that what truly matters about this situation is ending the sin. In the larger scheme of things, to end this sin in a holy manner is the most important thing…the declaration is not.

That being said, I began to question whether I was bound by pain of grave sin to my previous declaration. My main worry was that I made the resolution with “so help me God”, thus, in my mind, invoking the sacred name. Now I feel as though I must rigorously follow my own declaration and anytime that I don’t, then I am somehow committing a serious sin.

I wanted to get some feedback. I suspect many of y’all might find this whole situation silly, but it is important for me.

Thanks in advance.

No you did not create some sort of binding vow or oath nor are you sinning if you do not do it.

You need to talk to your spiritual director about this. Listen to what he said-- that the declaration was unhealthy.

 

[Waiting]

You are fortunate to have a spiritual director. Do whatever he tells you. He knows the situation and is equipped with the proper training to advise you.

 

[John_of_Woking]

Your answer lies in blind obedience to your spiritual director. This is your cure. It was Saint Ignatius’s cure too. I wish I had a spiritual director…ocd and fear are wrecking/damaging my life

 

[Waiting]

Your answer lies in blind obedience to your spiritual director. This is your cure. It was Saint Ignatius’s cure too. I wish I had a spiritual director…ocd and fear are wrecking/damaging my life

You can find one, too, although with the scarcity of priests it may be hard. If not, choose a favorite saint, and pray, pray, pray. Don’t forget that you have a Guardian Angel sent just for you. St. Padre Pio says to keep in constant touch with your own Guardian Angel. God bless.

 

[catharina]

Dear brethren,

Before I begin, I should make clear that I am scrupulous and, indeed, this is in part why I bring this issue up. Even still, I have found that trying to deal with one’s scrupulosity often helps one deepen one’s understanding; hence why I am asking this question.

I hope to be heading off to seminary in Fall of this year, provided the Bishop of Charleston accepts my application (the day I go before the board is March 10th, please pray). Before going much further though, I find that I am struggling with a habitual sin which I want to remove.

Earlier this week, I wrote up a kind of pledge to do certain things in order to rid myself of this sin. I ended it with the words “I pledge myself to this declaration and the resolution it contains…so help me God.” I then read it (chanted actually) aloud and signed it.

The only other person who knows of this (before y’all) is my spiritual director. He commented on the declaration as being somewhat unhealthy.

Later on, I began to realize that what truly matters about this situation is ending the sin. In the larger scheme of things, to end this sin in a holy manner is the most important thing…the declaration is not.

That being said, I began to question whether I was bound by pain of grave sin to my previous declaration. My main worry was that I made the resolution with “so help me God”, thus, in my mind, invoking the sacred name. Now I feel as though I must rigorously follow my own declaration and anytime that I don’t, then I am somehow committing a serious sin.

I wanted to get some feedback. I suspect many of y’all might find this whole situation silly, but it is important for me.

Thanks in advance.

You should be relying on your spiritual director.
There is no doubt about that.

 

[John_of_Woking]

You can find one, too, although with the scarcity of priests it may be hard. If not, choose a favorite saint, and pray, pray, pray. Don’t forget that you have a Guardian Angel sent just for you. St. Padre Pio says to keep in constant touch with your own Guardian Angel. God bless.

Me and my little boy say prayers to St Pio and St Michael before sleep every night. I owe them a LOT Sadly there is a shortage of priests here due to declining vocations. Priests are overworked as it is