Rules For The Scrupulous Person

[Slappo]

Reading this, I am suddenly very worried about how many of those things I do... My confessor "accused" me of scrupulosity about 8 months ago, and I thought he had no idea what he was talking about, because it didn't sound like the scrupulosity the nuns described to me. Does it manifest differently in different people?

 

There are certainly different degrees to scrupulosity. Some have it so bad to the point that "oh on accident I bumped into you in the hallway, that must've been a sin against the commandment thou shalt not murder, I obviously need to go to confession before I receive communion again."

[Slappo]

The only thing I dislike about the list is those that are not honestly scrupulous and might think they are could use some of the items on the list to take a more liberal approach to things (specifically #8 and #9). Otherwise I think it's a very good list.

 

For #3 I often do this, but it's because our penances are so easy that "doing it over again" takes 10 seconds. If I can't say a single Hail Mary as penance without getting distracted, then really I just need to calm my mind and focus on my penance  :hehe2: .

 

I think I do #2 not so much out of scrupulosity but more so as "I did this, I'm not sure if I was sinful in doing so or not" and see if the priest offers any reflection on that particular part of my confession. Potential sins in #2 are definitely not what drives me to go to confession. If they were, then it would be concerning.

[Nihil Obstat]

The only thing I dislike about the list is those that are not honestly scrupulous and might think they are could use some of the items on the list to take a more liberal approach to things (specifically #8 and #9). Otherwise I think it's a very good list.

 

For #3 I often do this, but it's because our penances are so easy that "doing it over again" takes 10 seconds. If I can't say a single Hail Mary as penance without getting distracted, then really I just need to calm my mind and focus on my penance  :hehe2: .

 

I think I do #2 not so much out of scrupulosity but more so as "I did this, I'm not sure if I was sinful in doing so or not" and see if the priest offers any reflection on that particular part of my confession. Potential sins in #2 are definitely not what drives me to go to confession. If they were, then it would be concerning.

Yeah, I had that same thought. The list would not be so helpful for someone who was looking to excuse their sins. :P

[Basilisa Marie]

That's probably why good spiritual direction (from a director or regular confessor) is so important.  There's such a wide range of things people struggle with, that it's basically impossible to write a list of things that'll be universally beneficial. 

[Nihil Obstat]

That's probably why good spiritual direction (from a director or regular confessor) is so important.  There's such a wide range of things people struggle with, that it's basically impossible to write a list of things that'll be universally beneficial. 

Indeed. A good confessor can lead many souls to heaven.

[xTrishaxLynnx]

I need to print this and keep it with my examination of conscience...

[PhuturePriest]

Reading this, I am suddenly very worried about how many of those things I do... My confessor "accused" me of scrupulosity about 8 months ago, and I thought he had no idea what he was talking about, because it didn't sound like the scrupulosity the nuns described to me. Does it manifest differently in different people?

 

Scrupulosity is an attack on your spiritual life that the Devil unleashes on you. The Devil attacks people different ways. As such, yes, it is different from person to person. When I was scrupulous, I confessed things over and over again, I was deathly afraid that everything was a mortal sin, and I wouldn't believe it sometimes when my sister would tell me something wasn't a sin. Some people fear that God can never forgive them for what they have done because it is so great. I never had this problem. I always trusted in Jesus' mercy.

[20marc00]

On 4/1/2013 at 7:32 AM, Nihil Obstat said:

From a short essay on Scrupulosity, which can be found on the website of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, established by the FSSP.

http://www.olmcfssp.org/cms/images/uploads/Scrupulosity_7.15_.12_.pdf

 

 

Rules for the Scrupulous Person to Follow 

 

1. Do not repeat a sin in confession when it has been told in a previous confession even if you doubt 

it was told, or doubt it was told in a sufficiently adequate and complete way. 

2. Do not tell doubtful sins in confession, only clear and certain ones. 

3. Do not repeat your penance after confession, or any of the words of your penance, on the score 

that you were distracted or may not have said the words properly. 

4. Do not worry about breaking your fast before receiving our Lord in Holy Communion unless you 

actually put food and drink in your mouth and swallow it in the same way you do when you eat a 

meal. 

5. Do not hesitate to look at any crucifix or statue in church, at home, or anywhere else, for fear that 

you receive bad thoughts in your mind or imagination. If such thoughts come they are not sinful at 

all. 

6. Do not consider yourself guilty of bad thoughts, desires or feelings unless you can honestly swear 

under oath before the all-truthful God that you remember clearly and certainly consenting to them. 

7. Do not disobey your confessor when he tells you never to make another general confession of past 

sins already confessed. 

8. Act on the belief 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 as certain that you are not obliged. 

9. 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. 

10. You shall put your total trust in Jesus Christ knowing that He loves you as only God can love, and 

that He has no intention of letting you lose your soul. 

11. Remember: feelings, impulses and ideas are neither acts of the will nor accomplished facts. 

12. Remember: temptations are not sins. Even Jesus was tempted by the Devil and never sinned. 

 

The link is now available, where van I find the pdf?

On 4/1/2013 at 7:32 AM, Nihil Obstat said:

From a short essay on Scrupulosity, which can be found on the website of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, established by the FSSP.

http://www.olmcfssp.org/cms/images/uploads/Scrupulosity_7.15_.12_.pdf

 

 

Rules for the Scrupulous Person to Follow 

 

1. Do not repeat a sin in confession when it has been told in a previous confession even if you doubt 

it was told, or doubt it was told in a sufficiently adequate and complete way. 

2. Do not tell doubtful sins in confession, only clear and certain ones. 

3. Do not repeat your penance after confession, or any of the words of your penance, on the score 

that you were distracted or may not have said the words properly. 

4. Do not worry about breaking your fast before receiving our Lord in Holy Communion unless you 

actually put food and drink in your mouth and swallow it in the same way you do when you eat a 

meal. 

5. Do not hesitate to look at any crucifix or statue in church, at home, or anywhere else, for fear that 

you receive bad thoughts in your mind or imagination. If such thoughts come they are not sinful at 

all. 

6. Do not consider yourself guilty of bad thoughts, desires or feelings unless you can honestly swear 

under oath before the all-truthful God that you remember clearly and certainly consenting to them. 

7. Do not disobey your confessor when he tells you never to make another general confession of past 

sins already confessed. 

8. Act on the belief 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 as certain that you are not obliged. 

9. 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. 

10. You shall put your total trust in Jesus Christ knowing that He loves you as only God can love, and 

that He has no intention of letting you lose your soul. 

11. Remember: feelings, impulses and ideas are neither acts of the will nor accomplished facts. 

12. Remember: temptations are not sins. Even Jesus was tempted by the Devil and never sinned. 

 

Where can I find this pdf? it is not available unfortunately

[Credo in Deum]

36 minutes ago, 20marc00 said:

The link is now available, where van I find the pdf?

Where can I find this pdf? it is not available unfortunately

I haven't seen Nihli on here in a while but I think a copy of the article can be found at this link: https://www.fisheaters.com/scruples.html

[fides' Jack]

Very interesting timing...

This talk popped up in my YouTube feed.  It's a topic I haven't heard this holy priest say much about, before.  It's set to be released this evening: 

 

[Nihil Obstat]

On 4/9/2021 at 7:50 AM, Credo in Deum said:

I haven't seen Nihli on here in a while but I think a copy of the article can be found at this link: https://www.fisheaters.com/scruples.html

I stop in on occasion. 

[tinytherese]

I recommend the book Understanding Scrupulosity by Thomas Santa and https://scrupulousanonymous.org/ as resources.

Edited April 11, 2021 by tinytherese

[Ash Wednesday]

On 4/9/2021 at 5:13 PM, fides' Jack said:

Very interesting timing...

This talk popped up in my YouTube feed.  It's a topic I haven't heard this holy priest say much about, before.  It's set to be released this evening: 

 

I finally had time to watch and highly recommend it. Again one of the things I like about Fr. Ripperger is that he will elaborate on the "how and why" -- for example, I knew what absolution was, but up until watching that video, was not familiar with what direct vs. indirect absolution was, or what it means and why one would confess a forgotten mortal sin in submission to the power of the keys. I find this kind of information very helpful because I have a tendency to want to know the "how and why" -- likely because I'm a classic melancholic, detail oriented, prone to anxiety and scruples and often long for clarity and certainty as he explained. It's one thing for a priest to tell you something in passing to put your mind at ease, it's quite another sticky wicket when your mind starts to go down a rabbit hole when you want to know the details and you're attacked with lack of trust and second guessing. 

And yes, here I am... how many times did I say "I" -- like he pointed out in the video.

So with that in mind.....

Thanks be to God for Father Ripperger. 
 

[Ice_nine]

I'm halfway thru the video, it is very helpful.

I have a question. They say if you hide a mortal sin in confession your confession is invalid. Now I guess I wonder, there are sins I have committed where, I definitely should have known they were wrong, but through a mix of immaturity, delusion, poor mental health and tortured logic was able to convince myself that it was OK. It's a point of embarrassment for me, but anyhow

what if you aren't necessarily hiding your sins from the priest, but from yourself? There is a particular habitual sin I engaged in when I was younger, which I should have known was wrong, and maybe on some deeper level I did know was wrong, but was able to delude myself. When convicted of this behavior I confessed it, but did that invalidate my past confessions?

perhaps that's the exact type of question a scrupulous person would ask lol.

[fides' Jack]

I've been in that position before, and I answered for myself, "Yes, it does invalidate any of those confessions."  Of course I'm not you, so I can't speak for you.  If you legitimately believed your own confessions were valid, and weren't trying to hide those sins, then perhaps not.  But in a case like this, depending on how long it's been, I recommend a general confession (as long as you honestly try to give a good confession, and you don't keep returning to more and more general confessions).

[Ash Wednesday]

38 minutes ago, Ice_nine said:

I'm halfway thru the video, it is very helpful.

I have a question. They say if you hide a mortal sin in confession your confession is invalid. Now I guess I wonder, there are sins I have committed where, I definitely should have known they were wrong, but through a mix of immaturity, delusion, poor mental health and tortured logic was able to convince myself that it was OK. It's a point of embarrassment for me, but anyhow

what if you aren't necessarily hiding your sins from the priest, but from yourself? There is a particular habitual sin I engaged in when I was younger, which I should have known was wrong, and maybe on some deeper level I did know was wrong, but was able to delude myself. When convicted of this behavior I confessed it, but did that invalidate my past confessions?

perhaps that's the exact type of question a scrupulous person would ask lol.

I would recommend asking a trustworthy priest. "I convinced myself that it was OK" is probably something they hear a lot.

[Ice_nine]

well, I listened to the whole video. For now I am going to choose to rely on God's mercy, and focus on that instead of trying to, as Fr. Ripperger puts it, gain clarity on my past sins. Because that is a maddening road I've walked down too many times.

[Ice_nine]

22 hours ago, Ash Wednesday said:

I would recommend asking a trustworthy priest. "I convinced myself that it was OK" is probably something they hear a lot.

I think, I probably did at the time. This was approaching ten years ago. I actually confessed the sin twice, upon which the priest told me if I already confessed it before I need to trust God etc etc.

I found Fr. Ripperger's video really helpful, the phorum responses er . . . they kind of lead me down this bad path. "were they invalid? Does that mean these past ten years I've been in mortal sin? Does that render my marriage illicit? Do I have to confess all my sins of the past ten years . . " So I'm going to do my best to take his advice.

So I just prayed a rosary. I'm very thankful to have a Queen in heaven to intercede for me.
 

[Lilllabettt]

10 minutes ago, Ice_nine said:

I think, I probably did at the time. This was approaching ten years ago. I actually confessed the sin twice, upon which the priest told me if I already confessed it before I need to trust God etc etc.

I found Fr. Ripperger's video really helpful, the phorum responses er . . . they kind of lead me down this bad path. "were they invalid? Does that mean these past ten years I've been in mortal sin? Does that render my marriage illicit? Do I have to confess all my sins of the past ten years . . " So I'm going to do my best to take his advice.

So I just prayed a rosary. I'm very thankful to have a Queen in heaven to intercede for me.
 

Something that's given me peace is: if you're not sure something is a mortal sin, it's not a mortal sin, by definition. So if back then you weren't sure, to the point you convinced yourself it was probably OK -  that means it wasn't a mortal sin, subjectively. Therefore not something that would invalidate confession. Mortal sin requires grave matter, knowledge and consent.  

[Nihil Obstat]

Extra wrinkle, not appropriate for the scrupulous, convincing yourself that a gravely sinful act is not sinful could itself be grave matter if your ignorance is culpable.