Q. On Divine Mercy Sunday, I went to confession and received holy Communion. However, I forgot to confess a sin from my past. It just popped into my head when I was saying my penance. Did this invalidate my confession?
A. No. Absolutely not. This is the torture of scrupulosity at work, trying to deprive you of the wonderful experience of God’s loving grace and mercy. Unfortunately, we are often vulnerable to scrupulosity after we receive absolution in confession; it is just one more trick that scrupulosity plays on us. But being aware of this can help lessen the anxiety that our doubt produces.
Q. In your writings, you seem to express the opinion that scrupulosity needs to be managed and controlled. I think of it as a gift because it brings with it a remarkable thirst for truth.
A. I cannot agree with you that scrupulosity is a gift, unless you are an accountant or lawyer and are scrupulous with your accounts. For someone on a spiritual journey, scrupulosity wreaks havoc and slowly drains the person’s energy and life. It is a torturous disorder. I agree that it brings a thirst, but unfortunately that thirst is unquenchable. Thank God for the power of grace, which is the only effective response.