Overcoming Absurd Ocd Scruples

[fons_vitae]

I know intellectually that (a) my father baptized me in water, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the remission of sins, and (b) I was confirmed by a priest with faculties from the bishop, just like any other convert from Protestantism. So either of these sacraments appear perfectly valid... but from time to time I start to worry that "something must have gone wrong," calling my basic Catholicity into question.

I know good and well that this is mere OCD getting to me... what can I use to put such things to flight? Would the principle of "ecclesia supplet" apply here?

[Basilisa Marie]

First, welcome to phatmass! 

 

Why do you worry that something must have gone wrong?  Do you not "feel" like a good Catholic? Like a Catholic at all? Do you get doubts that these events occurred "correctly"?  

 

 

[Beati Pacifici]

Hey, welcome to Phatmass :). I have OCD as well, so I know what what you are going through (especially being a convert). Talking to a priest about it will help. If the Church was willing to confirm you without the need for another baptism, then your baptism was valid. They're usually good at taking these things into consideration.

 

Also, as far as managing scrupulosity is concerned, I reiterate the same advice: Talk to a priest. They totally understand what you are going through.

 

Don't hesitate to talk to me either, hit me up if you just need to talk.

[fons_vitae]

Actually, you've hit at the heart of it :-)... I get this feeling when I feel unsatisfied with my spiritual progress, like I'm not a "real" Catholic, even though I'll go ahead and confess my sins (which of course would require one to be Catholic to be effective :-P).

[Beati Pacifici]

Don't have that feeling. I have heard from many cradle Catholics that converts usually make the best Catholics. It's the difference between being given a gift at birth and having found it after a lot of work. (Not insulting cradle Catholics though. I love all of you! :) ).

 

Don't let OCD define you either. OCD is merely a visitor, not a definition. :)

[Basilisa Marie]

Don't have that feeling. I have heard from many cradle Catholics that converts usually make the best Catholics. It's the difference between being given a gift at birth and having found it after a lot of work. (Not insulting cradle Catholics though. I love all of you! :) ).

 

Don't let OCD define you either. OCD is merely a visitor, not a definition. :)

 

Nah, this is spot on, really. :)  As a cradle Catholic myself, seriously, converts have the extra blessing of coming into the faith later on, they actually get to remember when they joined the Church, and I've found many have a very special zeal for the faith. :)  For many of us cradle Catholics, our faith is more of a slow burn with highs and lows.  

 

Definitely talk to a priest. :)  Do you have any Catholic friends, converts or not, that you can also share your struggles with? I've personally found having peer-to-peer relationships to be pretty helpful, especially during spiritual ruts.  

 

[Beati Pacifici]

You can always talk to me. I may be a redneck, but I'm a convert insomniac with a lot of time on my hands and an ear to listen.

[Kevin]

I know intellectually that (a) my father baptized me in water, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the remission of sins, and (b) I was confirmed by a priest with faculties from the bishop, just like any other convert from Protestantism. So either of these sacraments appear perfectly valid... but from time to time I start to worry that "something must have gone wrong," calling my basic Catholicity into question.

I know good and well that this is mere OCD getting to me... what can I use to put such things to flight? Would the principle of "ecclesia supplet" apply here?

 

If you're worried about scrupulosity, the last place you should be is on this or any other online Catholic forum. Since I started doing so, I have only felt my scrupples increase and my feeling of closeness to God decrease.
 

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

Talking to my spiritual director helped a lot.

[Tufsoles]

I am a cradle catholic and I am not offend by the comment of convert make the best Catholics. I found that I had to struggle harder to learn about my faith since that I did not get the best CCD education. It was mainly situational because of my dad's military service. I ended up teaching myself alot of the faith after I got confirmed. I did have this false sense of knowing my faith when I got confirmed but When I learned about my faith truly, I was in love with my faith even more.  This is just my personal story and not always typical with cradle Catholics.

[Tufsoles]

here is a link that may help you: http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=411941

This is the best link I have found that explains this esp in a simple understandable manner.

[fides' Jack]

Your father baptized you?  That's interesting.  If it's the baptism you're worried about, ask for a conditional baptism to be sure.  That should put your fears to rest.

 

Two of my brothers were conditionally baptized later, and four of us were conditionally confirmed later.

[Tufsoles]

Yeah, That is another thing you could do..

[fons_vitae]

Your father baptized you? That's interesting. If it's the baptism you're worried about, ask for a conditional baptism to be sure. That should put your fears to rest.

Thanks, but I really think this is just my OCD acting up... I realize that to both the best of my knowledge and the priest's, I'm good to go, so there really isn't anything else to do (and I was even "rebaptized" back in the day, with the result of me feeling like it was quite unnecessary).

[fons_vitae]

If you're worried about scrupulosity, the last place you should be is on this or any other online Catholic forum. Since I started doing so, I have only felt my scrupples increase and my feeling of closeness to God decrease.

Ahaha, true, but it can depend on the forum.