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Understanding Scrupulosity

Many Redemptorists believe our founder, St. Alphonsus Liguori, struggled with scrupulosity all his life. Because of this, Redemptorists have a special charism for compassionately helping those with this disease achieve peace of mind in their day-to-day struggle.

Based on a half-century of questions and answers published in the Scrupulous Anonymous newsletter, Understanding Scrupulosity: Relief and Encouragement addresses concerns related to sin, thoughts, dreams, fantasies, and sexuality, as well as confession, self-worth, prayer, and God’s grace.

This fourth edition of Understanding Scrupulosity includes chapters on identifying and understanding behaviors associated with scrupulosity, and explains breakthroughs on how to treat it.

Fr. Thomas Santa

Thomas M. Santa, CSsR, the priest director of the Scrupulous Anonymous newsletter, has ministered to people with scrupulosity for more than twenty years. He is an associate faculty member and former director of the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, Arizona. He has also served as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Old Town, Chicago, and as President/Publisher of Liguori Publications. 

Fr. Santa is the author of many books, pamphlets, and newsletters, including all four editions of Understanding Scrupulosity (Liguori, 4th edition 2025) and The Essential Bible Handbook (Liguori, 2002). He offers retreats for people with scrupulosity and workshops on scrupulosity for pastoral ministers and professional therapists.