Afraid To Confess 'downright Embarassing Sins'.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

Raphael, that also happens with scrupulosity, too. After confessing a pentitent wonders "did I confess that right? Am I truly forgiven?"

Hehe...I forgot about the wonderful quoting function that dUSt has built in...sorry for the bracket quoting...

[Ash Wednesday]

I don't know if there is a scale that says "you are scrupulous" and "you aren't scrupulous"... I think it happens in varying degrees. To a certain extent it is Satan trying to get us to despair. But some people with scruples also suffer from depression or obsessive compulsive disorders.

I've read that it is important to have a regular confessor to help deal with scruples.

Needless to say I've had these issues as well, myself, though now I just "collar the beast" as I put it. ;)

Edited February 20, 2004 by Ash Wednesday

[morostheos]

If you're worried about confessing embarrassing sins, I would reccommend listen to a tape that's available free on http://www.catholicity.com. It's called "Confession" by Fr. Larry Richards. It's such a great tape, and he talks for a while about how to confess really embarrassing sins, as well as lots of other things about making a good confession.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

But some people with scruples also suffer from depression or obsessive compulsive disorders.

Bingo! I have OCD.

I don't think it's too big a problem. I also don't think that it's any lack in faith. I believe, but I was always analytical, and I think that Satan tries to work his way in by appealing to my analytical side, but when it comes down to it, I just cling to the Lord and refuse to let go (I'm very stubborn). I suppose that it's a cross I must carry.

[Ash Wednesday]

Raph, I know what you mean. Liguori publications also has a good newsletter for scrupulous that I read.

I had harder problems with OCD/Depression in early college, but following treatment I've done well for years now (though I can always recognize the attacks of scruples/Satan) and I collar the beast!

You're right, it's a cross some of us bear at times -- and that God won't let be heavier than we can handle. :)

Edited February 20, 2004 by Ash Wednesday

[Lil Red]

i just wanna say that this is a very informative thread! thanks everyone!

[cmotherofpirl]

I used to worry whether my sins were forgiven or not, til someone explained it this way.

One of the devils favorite tricks is to use our emotions against us. He always mixes a little truth with the lie so we swallow it better. Emotions are a wonderful gift from God and that is the truth. However the modern reliance on substituting feelings for logic is the lie.

THink of forgiveness as a fact, not as a feeling. Facts don't change because of our feelings toward them. The sun still shines whether we like it or not.

God is a fact, and His policy of forgiving us is well known. Its also a fact He is reliable. So if you have confessed your sins and the priest is has absolved you, the fact is you ARE forgiven.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

Cmom, that's a very good way to think of it, and it appeals to my analytical side.

[FX2]

ok my youth leader told me this story once

There was a priest who realized that when guys confessed, they had trouble confessing that they had had "impure relations with themselves" So every time a guy was having trouble confessing this, the priest just said "tell me, 'I love my country,' and ill know what you mean" Well this went on for a couple years. One day the priest was transferred and another priest took his spot as head pastor. Well one day, during one of the priests homilys, the priest said "I dont know if I'm the only one who realizes this, but this church has alot of patriotic men in it." :D

[Thy Geekdom Come]

Well one day, during one of the priests homilys, the priest said "I dont know if I'm the only one who realizes this, but this church has alot of patriotic men in it."

LOL!

Is that Fr. Stan on your avatar?