Q. I believe I have scrupulosity. I want to try and conquer/treat/cope with it on my own and not seek out a priest-confessor to guide/help me with it. I imagine that not doing so would not necessarily be the best practice, but I would specifically like to know if not doing so would be sinful.
A. No, it would not be sinful. Your mental health and your commitment to become a more healthy person is a deeply personal struggle. At times, even with help and direction, you will feel very much alone. I would just hope that as you work on this issue that you remain open to the grace of God and the possibility of help and assistance from people who care for you when the need arises.
Q. I suffer from blasphemous thoughts about God and the Blessed Mother. I donít want these thoughts, and they horrify me. But they keep occurring, particularly when Iím trying to pray. Did I cause these thoughts to occur? Have I committed a mortal sin?
A. No. You aren’t committing mortal sin or any kind of sin. You didn’t cause these thoughts to happen. Unfortunately, this is one of the manifestations of a certain kind of scrupulosity and OCD. That’s the cruelty of the disorder, it strikes at the very heart of what you hold dear and valuable, in this instance your love and devotion for God and his Blessed Mother. When you have these thoughts, it’s not because you don’t love but because you do love.
I would just hope that as you work on this issue that you remain open to the grace of God and the possibility of help and assistance from people who care for you when the need arises.