Episode 101 - What is Scrupulosity?

[@ellenmiller5797]

I've suffered for 49 years with the most horrible scrupulosity. I has to be among the worst sufferings on earth. Please pray for me as I go to a new priest tomorrow.

[@conantheseptuagenarian3824]

look for the work of jerry marzinsky. it might help you.

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

Ellen I am saying a prayer for ypur jesling

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

The loss of hope is the most horrible torment imaginable

[@ellenmiller5797]

I pray for priests everyday. I consider them the MOST VALUABLE people on earth.

[@tesschavit3009]

Let us pray for all good and faithful priests who dedicate themselves to their people with generosity and unknown sacrifices.🙏🏻❤️

[@kristiemerson370]

My scrupulosity manifested in not trusting God's mercy and the penance assignments in the confessional. I remember not feeling clean enough immediately following confession.

[@vrcarlos6955]

Jesus, I trust in you. Thanks, for this. Blessings.

[@gianne4228]

Fr... your video was 2 years ago.... however, your topic and concern is very much appreciated..if I am correct that I am suffering from scrupolosity , I am probably one of the worst. I list my sins for confession ...because every now and then I would think I have not confessed that etc, so I look back at my confessed sins to prove to myself that I did and so much more OCDs... I appreciate all the priests I have confessed to , for their great patience to hear confessions .... pls allow me to make a comment from a soul suffering mentally of scrupoulosity, not a lot of priests I believe is aware of this problem or would be willing to help out someone because they themselves are already busy, a lot on their plate esp Diocesan priests...it is hard to find someone ..Ive cried out to God to help me and send me a priest...the best I can do now is watching/listening to videos such as these, also Fr Ripperger's video which convinced me a bit that probably I am suffering from scrupolousity....and the hope that it will get better one day. Thank you Fathers, please, PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR SOULS like me...

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

Trust in God’s providence through the darkness and the chaos. I Can take that in my chaotic mind. Thanks Fathers

[@tesschavit3009]

All the priests are always in my prayers everyday without the priests there’s no Holy Eucharist and other Sacraments of the church, God bless them for answering the call of God.

[@raymk]

I'm loving this conversation! I'm praying for you, fathers

[@Thomas-dw1nb]

Thank you for this episode. It is one of the most helpful videos for myself, on this subject.

[@gregorym8702]

A discussion on the stages of the spiritual life would be excellent.

[@saoirseryan2546]

Thank you so much for speaking on this.

[@amydenner7025]

This was an excellent episode. I love them all but this one I passed on to people I know would benefit from this. Beautiful words of truth. Veritas. It explains and frees, opens up. Thank you.

[@marijapicukaric8203]

Thanks for addressing this!

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

Thanks Fathers. I’m pretty sure I have this bad which gage me great comfort but now my brain is going ya it’s just an excuse…Can’t win.

[@avreden27]

Don't listen to that second voice, speaking from experience 🙏🙏

[@charlesbuzbee1043]

Thank you Fathers excellent

[@aisthpaoitht]

So a practical question: if one does something but truly does not feel like it is separation them from God for eternity, is ghat a mortal sin? Because it would seem to not meet the full knowledge element. For example, i think that masturbation and contraception are usually not good, but in some circumstances I don't see a problem. I really don't think they would separate me from God for eternity. Does that make them not mortal sins in that instance? I'm so confused

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

Thanks Fathers. How does doubt come into play with scrupulosity? In the last year I have been through a lot of grief trying to just go to confession and communion. I questioned everything from my contrition to Love of God to motives and verbal mistakes and never felt quite satisfied that I had made a good confession and thought maybe I had committed sacrilege. Incredibly over 10 months I have had a little improvement thank God but I continue to experience undue stress just going for confession and communion. Now my faith also is wavering and I am really wondering if my weak faith makes my confession and communion unworthy. I haven’t confessed or communed for 3-4 Sundays and it is really causing me torment and despair. Is anyone else experiencing this?

[@Isaacs_Binding]

You need to find a Priest to talk to if you haven’t yet. You also should be receiving communion unless you’re absolutely certain you’ve withheld mortal sins in the confessional or committed a mortal sin since your last confession. I’m with you in this struggle. I’ll pray for you.

[@tesschavit3009]

Amen

[@Elizabeth-rh1hl]

If one has not committed a mortal sin, then at one point should one go to confession for venial sins? How many months should one go without confessing their venial sins? Once a year? Should we never confess our venial sins?

[@anthonysalvatore468]

Here's a good rule of thumb - every 2 weeks. Whatever you got for venal, confess it. If you are conscious of mortal sin, go immediately. If 2 weeks is too much, then at least once a month. Again though, I would not recommend letting mortal sins sit. Get them confessed ASAp

[@florecita1927]

​@@anthonysalvatore468Very good advice!!

[@margaretrutherford5548]

I've heard a priest say people with scrupulosity should go much less often because otherwise they are feeding it.

[@deanc685]

I understand that the Catechism recommends that continuing the practice of regular confession can also include venial sins as a means of perfection and not reconciliation per se. it would seem that this would be a form of spiritual direction. Thoughts?

[@josephmiller3672]

I don't think devotional confession is a form of spiritual direction, because the confessor generally isn't directing the penitent's spiritual life, or isn't directing it to the extent that a formal spiritual director would. This is assuming that the confessor isn't also the penitent's spiritual director.

[@beatlecristian]

My scrupulosity has manifested in making me think I have to be without sin to receive communion. It’s awful. Is scrupulosity a sign of love of God or false humility?

[@michaellawlor5625]

✝ Psalm 93:19 "According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, your consolations have given joy to my soul."

[@Alison2005]

It usually involves distrust in God based on a distorted image of Him. Therefore, it would be false humility, because true humility trusts in God. However, scrupulosity is often a form of OCD, so that person would have little to no culpability for their distrust in God. If a scrupulous person is sincerely trying to get better and trust in God, yet they’re still struggling because of the mental illness, that is not sinful.

[@beatlecristian]

@@Alison2005 thank you for clarity, mental illness does run on my mothers side of the family. God bless you.

[@Mariadocarmo-pk9xd]

I had been suffering with scrupulously for many years the worse this involve my kids is so much suffering

[@abee-mbif9]

@@Alison2005I have several mental health issues, including CPTSD, hypomania, severe anxiety and OCD. I’ve also had a stroke which affected my memory and I forget whether I’ve said/done things, plus can’t remember numbers of times. All of this on top of scrupulosity is awful. I do have a good doctor. What I’m wondering is if there is anything specific regarding confession for those with these and similar issues: I’m sure it’s not intended to be as distressing(and also makes my illnesses worse) as this.

[@williambush406]

Mine kinda makes me think that I haven’t received the sacrament of confirmation it’s ruff

[@cosmicnomad8575]

My scrupulosity makes me feel as though I haven’t confessed my sins thoroughly enough. I always feel like it’s not good enough, I left parts out, or didn’t detail it enough. Let’s pray for each other to trust in God’s mercy and overcome these scruples

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

@cosmic… I understand totally. I have been struggling for quite a while now with a similar issues and confession became a great struggle and now I haven’t gone in a few months because I feel insincere in my contrition, ect. and I am afraid I may never get back to it. This leaves me now with a growing mountain of sin some may be mortal just piling up and no way to receive thé sacrement and Communion. It’s really a awful torment to live with but a few weeks ago I had a dream I went to confession and was forgiven and it felt awesome so I will take that as a sign that I will be able to get there again. Jesus I trust in You. I really understand your pain and suffering!!!

[@cosmicnomad8575]

@@jacqueschauvin1398 I can definitely relate to a lot of that. Though I think it is important to just go and remember that it is just scrupulosity, even if it feels really real. I try to remember that God’s mercy is infinite and even if we fail to confess our sins perfectly he will forgive us. It’s hard sometimes, but I think it’s important to still make an effort to go. God bless you, I’ll pray for you

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

Cosmic , Thanks for the encouragement. It’s hard when you have so many things happened to me over the span of a year than no one would ever believe could happen, from mistakes coming back to haunt you or financial errors, or sins and mistreatment of others, and add guilt upon guilt to where it feels insurmountable and change everything from positive, yes I am saved to negative , I don’t think I will make it. It’s unbelievable sometimes, but I will keep on trying to look towards the light even though it seems really grim, God‘s power they say, is stronger and more powerful than any darkness

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

@cosmicnomad8575 I am glad to have found someone to share with although I haven’t been diagnosed, I think I have it but not sure. It’s great to have someone who has experienced similar things. The problem of making a good confession and feeling like you’re ready for Communion is so vital to the Christian life that whenever this is jeopardized it creates a huge hole in place. People who haven’t ever had to think about it, just confess without worrying cannot comprehend the fear and torment that scrupulous sufferers live. with. And when there’s actual sinning combined with the acute sense of guilt and accusation and condemnation well it becomes unbearable sometimes I pray for you and all sufferers

[@guillermomarciano1390]

Love God and my neighbor is the foundation of all laws (Matthew 22) It's a continuous struggle. Seems that God is letting Satan get away with everything and the people close to me are rooting for Satan. 10 commandments is for the Jews.

[@benhutchinson9808]

What's the opposite of scrupulosity? I have that 😂

[@asdfasdf3989]

Laxity, perhaps.