Professor Kwasniewski, As a priest who has so many times given Catholics spiritual direction about scruples, I find your article EXCELLENT! Please keep writing articles like this! Cordially, Fr William Slattery
Thank you for addressing this extremely topical (and complex) issue and for openly calling scrupulosity what it is—a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder that should, like other psychological impairments or imbalances, be taken very seriously. By condensing (as is your wont) a remarkable wealth of wisdom and insight into one essay, you’ve provided a truly valuable and accessible resource for those who suffer from this condition, or who know someone suffering from this condition.
I have one potentially controversial perspective on this issue; I would be grateful to know your thoughts. I worry that the modern-day traditional Catholic practice of going to confession on a regular and frequent basis even when no serious sins have been committed, and perhaps for the primary purpose of obtaining grace rather than obtaining remission of sin, could be contributing to this problem. Such confessions require penitents to “find something to confess,” and what they find will often be venial sins or imperfections that should mostly be forgotten rather than dug up out of the psyche, pondered (perhaps at some length while waiting in the confession line), and then sacramentally confessed. I have also heard a priest suggest that penitents could simply confess a sin already confessed and absolved, so that they will be able to go to confession and thereby obtain grace to further renounce sin or to overcome temptation (despite the fact that such grace is abundantly available from other practices that do not involve fixation on one’s own sins and imperfections). Also, in many cases the sins being confessed have already been, strictly speaking, forgiven. The Roman Catechism teaches clearly that reception of Holy Communion forgives venial sin: “It cannot be doubted that by the Eucharist are remitted and pardoned lighter sins, commonly called venial. Whatever the soul has lost through the fire of passion, by falling into some slight offence, all this the Eucharist, cancelling those lesser faults, repairs.” Is there not something spiritually dangerous, or at least indecorous, about confessing slight offenses that have truly been washed away by the sacramental blood of Christ? While of course being careful to avoid any form of false Antiquarianism, we should at least be mindful of the fact that “up into the eleventh century sacramental penance was customary only once a year even in monastic institutions” (Jungmann, Mass of the Roman Rite).
Finally, I would like to share some reflections on scrupulosity from the maxims of St. Philip Neri:
“Scruples are an infirmity which will make a truce with a man, but very rarely peace; humility alone comes off conqueror over them.”
“The scrupulous should ... accustom themselves to have a contempt for their own scruples.”
“When a scrupulous person has once made up his mind that he has not consented to a temptation, he must not reason the matter over again to see whether he has really consented or not, for the same temptations often return by making this sort of reflections.”
“Scruples ought to be most carefully avoided, as they disquiet the mind, and make a man melancholy.”
Thank you so much for sharing the St. Philip Neri quotations. They are perfect!
Regarding your larger question, yes, I think you are correct. Here's how I see it. Catholics understandably want to have a "rule of life." And the clergy understandably want to provide it for them. But this can quickly slide into a "one size fits all" model where everyone is told they should go to confession weekly or biweekly or "at very least" monthly -- regardless of whether it is truly suited for this or that individual or not. There could well be a person for whom daily confession is beneficial; we read about this in the lives of some saints. But there could also be a person for whom confession is a crucifying psychological experience due to scrupulosity, and who would be better off confessing only his mortal sins (if there are any), which, after all, is the only REQUIRED use of the sacrament. Again, I'm not saying he ought to avoid the sacrament, but that it MAY sometimes be better not to force oneself into the box of frequent confession. Experienced clergy I know have confirmed the truth of this.
In general, I believe one of the most harmful developments in modern Catholicism (and I date that, as you would, back a few centuries) is the attempt to create a system of rules for every aspect of life, which can then be implemented more or less like a checklist for engine maintenance. Ultramontanism, incidentally, is part of this recipe as well, for part of the system -- indeed, you might call it the golden rule -- is "Revere the pope, accept all his words as pearls of wisdom, and do whatever he tells you." But thankfully we have seen how brittle and shallow this principle is, and how much it impedes the formation of conscience
and moral maturity. Indeed, it could only produce straw men.
There's so much to be said about this topic. Thank you for broaching it.
I too would like to see this discussed. The prevailing idea among the more traditional-minded (including those outside of the TLM circles) is "confession once a week." Okay... but what about the issues you raise here?"
I have been taught simply to emphasize whatever goes to the particular examen in order to grow in virtue and to say "and for my past sins, especially those of Anger" or whatever sin applies to past mortal sins, but very broadly and without being at all specific. This is for the reason you mention, that the "matter" of the confession should be past and forgotten in the sense that gives glory to God's forgiveness.
However, it can feel burdensome to go once a week! And I have heard a priest pretty much mock a group of sweet ladies who try to fulfill this devotional aspect of the spiritual life, telling them that saying "I didn't say the Rosary once this week" or "I showed impatience to my children twice" is tantamount to admitting you are prideful and think you don't sin!
On the other hand, if you leave it for once a year, it's impossible to give a real accounting.
So that feels a bit hard to navigate. Which is it -- try to live a life of virtue, in which you truly will not have much to say week to week, knowing you are forgiven of so many venial sins by the other means you mention, Robert, or go often and have seemingly trivial things to bring up.
I would add that a serious examination of conscience takes time, and that the confessing of sins can be more sincere and meaningful (I hate to use that modern-sounding expression but everyone knows what I'm getting at) if it's done less like clockwork. Once a year is certainly minimalistic, which is why it's the just-barely-scraping-by requirement of Holy Mother Church (compare: receiving communion once a year). But there's a wide range between once a year and every week. It seems to me that for some people, once a month, once every other month, or once a quarter would be about the right rhythm: you can remember the worst sins and patterns of sin you want to bring to the Divine Physician, but you're not raking through the coals to look for every last venial sin to mention.
~Tip on Confession/scrupulosity: "Pardon and Peace" by Fr. Alfred Wilson, written in the 1940's, has helped Catholics who are troubled by scrupulosity, and discusses how their scrupulous condition impacts them in the sacrament of Confession. You can read the reviews on Amazon to see how it has assisted fellow Catholics; they give one an idea of what is covered in the book. He discusses some of the areas you have mentioned in your comment, Robert.
I will add, for parents of scrupulous children: you are the child's spiritual director and can, little by little, give them this excellent advice, with the addition that the child should trust YOU and rely on YOU, because in light of the 4th Commandment, you represent God to the child.
In addition, be alert: an experienced and wise (devout Catholic!) clinical psychologist has confirmed for me: if the onset of OCD is sudden, it is not true OCD (a psychological, emotional, and ultimately spiritual condition) but a physical one called PANDAS. Go here for more information: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas
A help for scrupulosity can be to simply get out of your own head. Engage in a prayer life with fewer self referential prayers. Notice how many times the prayers you are saying use the words 'I' and 'me' and remove those that do so with any frequency.
The Psalms are great for this. There is much more to the Psalter than just the Miserere and the De profundis. Something like Psalm 103 that celebrates the glory of Creation or the Laudate psalms 148-150 that unabashedly praise God and forget self, just to barely scratch the surface.
Amen to that. One thing I love about liturgical prayer is how "objective" it is, how focused on realities and especially on God. Sure, the "ego" shows up now and again, as it must, but more commonly the liturgy talks about "we" (nos, nobis, nostris...) and also talks TO us (as in the epistle and Gospel). Definitely has a way of getting us out of ourselves.
Reading this, I found it greatly heartening to be reminded of how much God wants us to succeed, and that He never expects the impossible of us. With scrupulosity, it's easy to feel like you're being set up to fail--or once you work past that sentiment, to feel ashamed of squandering the ways God set you up to succeed. It's exhausting trying to learn how to "not-think" (i.e. avoiding all the typical scrupulous pitfalls: do not ruminate over your shortcomings, do not double- or triple-guess your own discernment, do not let things disturb your inner peace, etc. etc.), since the very act of thinking about the problem risks making it worse. True absence of certain thoughts can only be achieved as a byproduct of a years-long process, through the long-term cultivation of good habits and graces. It's an endurance race, one where you don't realize how far you've come until you look back and see your progress. Edifying reminders of God's love go a long way towards making that prolonged struggle bearable.
More broadly, I'm grateful for the existence of pieces like this one. The baseline for much spiritual encouragement and formation is, understandably enough, to warn against presumption to prevent complacency. Unfortunately, it can make sifting through such works, including very good ones, more mentally or emotionally taxing for the scrupulous, at least in my experience. What's worse, some people think the corresponding counter-approach is to promulgate laxity or saccharine platitudes. It's certainly not! In their attempts to be gentle and lenient, they can create stress through ambiguity and a lack of clear direction. All that to say, I'm always grateful to read pieces where the author understands scrupulosity well enough to offer both clarity and consolation.
I want to get plenary indulgences, so must go every 3 weeks to get it. I worry i might sound scrupulous to NO priest, as they never mention indulgences. IDK if they left that behind in 60s or not.
It is wonderful to get a plenary indulgence! And of course the Church still teaches that they exist and can be obtained. As long as one does not become uptight about it (as there is no requirement to obtain such an indulgence - it is simply another good thing offered by Our Holy Mother the Church).
No amount of reasoning or discussion is of much value (and, in fact, usually harmful) in helping the truly scrupulous with OCD. Recommended are the "strategies" mentioned in the book Brain Lock by Jeffrey Schwartz.....and taking comfort in the words of Blessed Henry Suso "We may conclude that persons who suffer from scruples are the most favored by Divine Love and the most certain of reaching Heaven when they bear this trial in patience and humility. Scrupulous persons die continually, they suffer a perpetual purgatory and so they leave the earth to fly to Heaven purified and free from sins to expiate." Be merciful to the scrupulous - don't reason with them!
Professor Kwasniewski, As a priest who has so many times given Catholics spiritual direction about scruples, I find your article EXCELLENT! Please keep writing articles like this! Cordially, Fr William Slattery
That means a lot, coming from an experience priest and spiritual director. To God be the glory!
Thank you for addressing this extremely topical (and complex) issue and for openly calling scrupulosity what it is—a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder that should, like other psychological impairments or imbalances, be taken very seriously. By condensing (as is your wont) a remarkable wealth of wisdom and insight into one essay, you’ve provided a truly valuable and accessible resource for those who suffer from this condition, or who know someone suffering from this condition.
I have one potentially controversial perspective on this issue; I would be grateful to know your thoughts. I worry that the modern-day traditional Catholic practice of going to confession on a regular and frequent basis even when no serious sins have been committed, and perhaps for the primary purpose of obtaining grace rather than obtaining remission of sin, could be contributing to this problem. Such confessions require penitents to “find something to confess,” and what they find will often be venial sins or imperfections that should mostly be forgotten rather than dug up out of the psyche, pondered (perhaps at some length while waiting in the confession line), and then sacramentally confessed. I have also heard a priest suggest that penitents could simply confess a sin already confessed and absolved, so that they will be able to go to confession and thereby obtain grace to further renounce sin or to overcome temptation (despite the fact that such grace is abundantly available from other practices that do not involve fixation on one’s own sins and imperfections). Also, in many cases the sins being confessed have already been, strictly speaking, forgiven. The Roman Catechism teaches clearly that reception of Holy Communion forgives venial sin: “It cannot be doubted that by the Eucharist are remitted and pardoned lighter sins, commonly called venial. Whatever the soul has lost through the fire of passion, by falling into some slight offence, all this the Eucharist, cancelling those lesser faults, repairs.” Is there not something spiritually dangerous, or at least indecorous, about confessing slight offenses that have truly been washed away by the sacramental blood of Christ? While of course being careful to avoid any form of false Antiquarianism, we should at least be mindful of the fact that “up into the eleventh century sacramental penance was customary only once a year even in monastic institutions” (Jungmann, Mass of the Roman Rite).
Finally, I would like to share some reflections on scrupulosity from the maxims of St. Philip Neri:
“Scruples are an infirmity which will make a truce with a man, but very rarely peace; humility alone comes off conqueror over them.”
“The scrupulous should ... accustom themselves to have a contempt for their own scruples.”
“When a scrupulous person has once made up his mind that he has not consented to a temptation, he must not reason the matter over again to see whether he has really consented or not, for the same temptations often return by making this sort of reflections.”
“Scruples ought to be most carefully avoided, as they disquiet the mind, and make a man melancholy.”
Robert,
Thank you so much for sharing the St. Philip Neri quotations. They are perfect!
Regarding your larger question, yes, I think you are correct. Here's how I see it. Catholics understandably want to have a "rule of life." And the clergy understandably want to provide it for them. But this can quickly slide into a "one size fits all" model where everyone is told they should go to confession weekly or biweekly or "at very least" monthly -- regardless of whether it is truly suited for this or that individual or not. There could well be a person for whom daily confession is beneficial; we read about this in the lives of some saints. But there could also be a person for whom confession is a crucifying psychological experience due to scrupulosity, and who would be better off confessing only his mortal sins (if there are any), which, after all, is the only REQUIRED use of the sacrament. Again, I'm not saying he ought to avoid the sacrament, but that it MAY sometimes be better not to force oneself into the box of frequent confession. Experienced clergy I know have confirmed the truth of this.
In general, I believe one of the most harmful developments in modern Catholicism (and I date that, as you would, back a few centuries) is the attempt to create a system of rules for every aspect of life, which can then be implemented more or less like a checklist for engine maintenance. Ultramontanism, incidentally, is part of this recipe as well, for part of the system -- indeed, you might call it the golden rule -- is "Revere the pope, accept all his words as pearls of wisdom, and do whatever he tells you." But thankfully we have seen how brittle and shallow this principle is, and how much it impedes the formation of conscience
and moral maturity. Indeed, it could only produce straw men.
There's so much to be said about this topic. Thank you for broaching it.
I too would like to see this discussed. The prevailing idea among the more traditional-minded (including those outside of the TLM circles) is "confession once a week." Okay... but what about the issues you raise here?"
I have been taught simply to emphasize whatever goes to the particular examen in order to grow in virtue and to say "and for my past sins, especially those of Anger" or whatever sin applies to past mortal sins, but very broadly and without being at all specific. This is for the reason you mention, that the "matter" of the confession should be past and forgotten in the sense that gives glory to God's forgiveness.
However, it can feel burdensome to go once a week! And I have heard a priest pretty much mock a group of sweet ladies who try to fulfill this devotional aspect of the spiritual life, telling them that saying "I didn't say the Rosary once this week" or "I showed impatience to my children twice" is tantamount to admitting you are prideful and think you don't sin!
On the other hand, if you leave it for once a year, it's impossible to give a real accounting.
So that feels a bit hard to navigate. Which is it -- try to live a life of virtue, in which you truly will not have much to say week to week, knowing you are forgiven of so many venial sins by the other means you mention, Robert, or go often and have seemingly trivial things to bring up.
I would add that a serious examination of conscience takes time, and that the confessing of sins can be more sincere and meaningful (I hate to use that modern-sounding expression but everyone knows what I'm getting at) if it's done less like clockwork. Once a year is certainly minimalistic, which is why it's the just-barely-scraping-by requirement of Holy Mother Church (compare: receiving communion once a year). But there's a wide range between once a year and every week. It seems to me that for some people, once a month, once every other month, or once a quarter would be about the right rhythm: you can remember the worst sins and patterns of sin you want to bring to the Divine Physician, but you're not raking through the coals to look for every last venial sin to mention.
Great discussion! Very helpful.
~Tip on Confession/scrupulosity: "Pardon and Peace" by Fr. Alfred Wilson, written in the 1940's, has helped Catholics who are troubled by scrupulosity, and discusses how their scrupulous condition impacts them in the sacrament of Confession. You can read the reviews on Amazon to see how it has assisted fellow Catholics; they give one an idea of what is covered in the book. He discusses some of the areas you have mentioned in your comment, Robert.
Excellent!
I will add, for parents of scrupulous children: you are the child's spiritual director and can, little by little, give them this excellent advice, with the addition that the child should trust YOU and rely on YOU, because in light of the 4th Commandment, you represent God to the child.
In addition, be alert: an experienced and wise (devout Catholic!) clinical psychologist has confirmed for me: if the onset of OCD is sudden, it is not true OCD (a psychological, emotional, and ultimately spiritual condition) but a physical one called PANDAS. Go here for more information: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas
Thanks for this. As someone who has long battled with scrupulosity and OCD, this is truly balm indeed. God bless you, Dr. K! And pax vobiscum!
A help for scrupulosity can be to simply get out of your own head. Engage in a prayer life with fewer self referential prayers. Notice how many times the prayers you are saying use the words 'I' and 'me' and remove those that do so with any frequency.
The Psalms are great for this. There is much more to the Psalter than just the Miserere and the De profundis. Something like Psalm 103 that celebrates the glory of Creation or the Laudate psalms 148-150 that unabashedly praise God and forget self, just to barely scratch the surface.
Amen to that. One thing I love about liturgical prayer is how "objective" it is, how focused on realities and especially on God. Sure, the "ego" shows up now and again, as it must, but more commonly the liturgy talks about "we" (nos, nobis, nostris...) and also talks TO us (as in the epistle and Gospel). Definitely has a way of getting us out of ourselves.
Read more about this here:
https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/05/liturgy-that-requires-ecstasy-mcluhan.html
and here:
https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2022/03/the-sacrifice-of-praise-and-ecstatic.html
Reading this, I found it greatly heartening to be reminded of how much God wants us to succeed, and that He never expects the impossible of us. With scrupulosity, it's easy to feel like you're being set up to fail--or once you work past that sentiment, to feel ashamed of squandering the ways God set you up to succeed. It's exhausting trying to learn how to "not-think" (i.e. avoiding all the typical scrupulous pitfalls: do not ruminate over your shortcomings, do not double- or triple-guess your own discernment, do not let things disturb your inner peace, etc. etc.), since the very act of thinking about the problem risks making it worse. True absence of certain thoughts can only be achieved as a byproduct of a years-long process, through the long-term cultivation of good habits and graces. It's an endurance race, one where you don't realize how far you've come until you look back and see your progress. Edifying reminders of God's love go a long way towards making that prolonged struggle bearable.
More broadly, I'm grateful for the existence of pieces like this one. The baseline for much spiritual encouragement and formation is, understandably enough, to warn against presumption to prevent complacency. Unfortunately, it can make sifting through such works, including very good ones, more mentally or emotionally taxing for the scrupulous, at least in my experience. What's worse, some people think the corresponding counter-approach is to promulgate laxity or saccharine platitudes. It's certainly not! In their attempts to be gentle and lenient, they can create stress through ambiguity and a lack of clear direction. All that to say, I'm always grateful to read pieces where the author understands scrupulosity well enough to offer both clarity and consolation.
I want to get plenary indulgences, so must go every 3 weeks to get it. I worry i might sound scrupulous to NO priest, as they never mention indulgences. IDK if they left that behind in 60s or not.
It is wonderful to get a plenary indulgence! And of course the Church still teaches that they exist and can be obtained. As long as one does not become uptight about it (as there is no requirement to obtain such an indulgence - it is simply another good thing offered by Our Holy Mother the Church).
Confession within 20 days trad priest told me required, communion etc. Thank you Dr K.
Yes, true, and maybe the bulk of the discussion/learning should come from those who are trying to counsel the scrupulous! Thank you for a great post -
No amount of reasoning or discussion is of much value (and, in fact, usually harmful) in helping the truly scrupulous with OCD. Recommended are the "strategies" mentioned in the book Brain Lock by Jeffrey Schwartz.....and taking comfort in the words of Blessed Henry Suso "We may conclude that persons who suffer from scruples are the most favored by Divine Love and the most certain of reaching Heaven when they bear this trial in patience and humility. Scrupulous persons die continually, they suffer a perpetual purgatory and so they leave the earth to fly to Heaven purified and free from sins to expiate." Be merciful to the scrupulous - don't reason with them!
I agree, but I think there is a kind of discussion necessary - what I try to do here - that helps them to abandon their false internal mechanisms.
This was excellent!