Frequent Confession vs. scrupulous leanings

[Brigid]

How do you feel a person/Catholic can tell between being somewhat scrupulous vs. going to frequent confession for venial sins/imperfections (only). Now, I can certainly understand going very frequently by an ecclesial minister (priest/bishop/Pope) who has the responsibility to teach, however I commonly catch myself wondering what I'm not catching in my examination of conscience. I know what the CCC and Canon law says on the subject, but since many of us find it difficult to find an orthodox, experienced SD or confessor, what do you guys think? How often is good to you?

[Shin]

When I was going to daily mass regularly, they had Confession 15 minutes before every mass. So I could go whenever I liked.

I would confess my venial sins there, and come out fresh as a daisy, several times a week.

This I would say was my happiest time of life, because Confession was available just before mass and one wants to receive the Eucharist with as scrubbed clean a soul as possible.

Scrupulous people might have to follow a different rule, if they drive themselves batty in their examinations and doubts. For me it was simple enough, I had areas I knew I needed to work on and I worked on them.

[Bailey2]

And therein lies the key, Shin.  You are relaxed in tone as you confess frequently venial sins.  Someone with scruples can't get the sin(s) out of their mind.  They think about it over and over and over again.   Emotional intensity, fear, worry....... that's the difference between confessing venial sins frequently in simple trust of forgiveness vs chewing the cud (imagine a cow chewing-- that's what worry-ers and scrupulous people do).  

My thoughts about thinking about what one has forgotten to confess?  I don't think anyone remembers them all in the confessional.  There are just toooooo many to remember.  So, I simply trust God knows and goes by my heart's contrition. 

[Shin]

And therein lies the key, Shin.  You are relaxed in tone as you confess frequently venial sins.  Someone with scruples can't get the sin(s) out of their mind.  They think about it over and over and over again.   Emotional intensity, fear, worry....... that's the difference between confessing venial sins frequently in simple trust of forgiveness vs chewing the cud (imagine a cow chewing-- that's what worry-ers and scrupulous people do).  

My thoughts about thinking about what one has forgotten to confess?  I don't think anyone remembers them all in the confessional.  There are just toooooo many to remember.  So, I simply trust God knows and goes by my heart's contrition. 

I mean to buy some books on scrupulosity when I can, I'd like to have a better handle on what scares people with it so I can avoid it. 

[Brigid]

And therein lies the key, Shin.  You are relaxed in tone as you confess frequently venial sins.  Someone with scruples can't get the sin(s) out of their mind.  They think about it over and over and over again.   Emotional intensity, fear, worry....... that's the difference between confessing venial sins frequently in simple trust of forgiveness vs chewing the cud (imagine a cow chewing-- that's what worry-ers and scrupulous people do).  

My thoughts about thinking about what one has forgotten to confess?  I don't think anyone remembers them all in the confessional.  There are just toooooo many to remember.  So, I simply trust God knows and goes by my heart's contrition. 

Since I can find so many when I do my examen I write the worst ones down (venial sins, that is)on a post-it note and attach that to the Act of Contrition I have typed out and laminated. When I'm actually in confession, I blank out totally.

[Brigid]

And therein lies the key, Shin.  You are relaxed in tone as you confess frequently venial sins.  Someone with scruples can't get the sin(s) out of their mind.  They think about it over and over and over again.   Emotional intensity, fear, worry....... that's the difference between confessing venial sins frequently in simple trust of forgiveness vs chewing the cud (imagine a cow chewing-- that's what worry-ers and scrupulous people do).  

My thoughts about thinking about what one has forgotten to confess?  I don't think anyone remembers them all in the confessional.  There are just toooooo many to remember.  So, I simply trust God knows and goes by my heart's contrition. 

I mean to buy some books on scrupulosity when I can, I'd like to have a better handle on what scares people with it so I can avoid it. 

I've had some difficulty finding good books on it. Please let me know what you find.

[Bailey2]

Since I can find so many when I do my examen I write the worst ones down (venial sins, that is)on a post-it note and attach that to the Act of Contrition I have typed out and laminated. When I'm actually in confession, I blank out totally.
[/quote]


As one who writes it down to, I smiled. 

[Bailey2]

 
I've had some difficulty finding good books on it. Please let me know what you find.
[/quote]


Do you want on scrupulosity specific or obsessive-compulsive, which is the "disorder" that scrupulosity is a subset of?

[Brigid]

I've had some difficulty finding good books on it. Please let me know what you find.

Do you want on scrupulosity specific or obsessive-compulsive, which is the "disorder" that scrupulosity is a subset of?
[/quote]

Both and/or either - esp. scrupolosity. I plan on getting an SD soon (when I can get myself to get moving on it). There is a monastery here, however I have been reticent since they generally are more liberal than I prefer.

[Consecrated one]

Hello,
I have a very nice Examination of Conscience for Adults that I use and I tried using the
Rosary, gift-Humility - Sins from - Vanity, Pride, etc.  I thought it provided a creative and
fresh look at my self. 

Confession is only offered once a week, on Saturday in our Diocese.

I go thru which ever tool I am using for my examination and write everything I can down
I have alot of problems with memory anyway and memory under pressure is even less
effective.

[Bailey2]

I'll work on it.  Our pastor has a parishioner-psychiatrist running an anonymous support group; I'll see if through him I can get resources.  Meanwhile,  I got this off the other forum.

[Liguori Publications Scrupulous Anonymous Link]

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[Brigid]

I'll work on it.  Our pastor has a parishioner-psychiatrist running an anonymous support group; I'll see if through him I can get resources.  Meanwhile,  I got this off the other forum.

[Liguori Publications Scrupulous Anonymous Link]

Well, of the Ten Commandments of the Scrupulous - I have real problems with 2,6 & 8, but I do tell Fr. about them in Confession.

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[Consecrated one]

What are the ten commandments of the scrupulous?

[Brigid]

What are the ten commandments of the scrupulous?

On the link that Bailey posted.

[Consecrated one]

Thank you very much!   It's very interresting

[Therese]

Dear Brigid,

I recommend that you read the book Understanding Scrupulosity by Fr. Thomas Santa.  A Catholic Answers apologist recommended it to me back in the day when I was suffering from it.  I hope it helps!  It helped me along with an understanding spiritual director and some other books I found in the bibliography of the book.