Q. Today, I was praying a thanksgiving rosary, and near the end of my prayer, I felt like I had blasphemous thoughts. They just popped into my head. I am experiencing guilt and anxiety about this. Do I need to repeat my rosary and confess all of this?
A. Absolutely not. This is the way that scrupulosity works. It takes even the good that we are trying to do and makes a mess out of it. Remember two things: first, thoughts are not blasphemous; they are upsetting, but that is an entirely different matter. Second, you are not responsible for something that you did not generate; you are only the witness.
Q. I went to confession yesterday, and father rushed through the words of absolution. I could hear that it was the proper form, but it sounded like words were skipped. Today, I am bothered by the thought that my confession is not valid.
A. Your confession is totally valid. The matter and the form necessary for the sacrament to be celebrated were both present. It cannot be invalid for this reason; it can, however, be a source of exaggerated concern for you because scrupulosity can take anything and twist it into anxiety.