The Redemptorists and Help with Scrupulosity
As a ministry of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Liguori Publications shares in the Redemptorist mission to preach the Word of God to the poor and most abandoned, particularly those who live on the margins of Church and society. We include in that group those who may feel marginalized because they suffer with some type of affliction. Because Saint Alphonsus Liguori suffered with the affliction of scrupulosity, it follows that the Redemptorists have a special call to help those who suffer as he did.
What is scrupulosity? It’s actually a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. Rev. Thomas Santa, CSsR, priest/editor of the Scrupulous Anonymous newsletter, explains that scrupulosity is not so much a spiritual disorder but a mental disorder that uses the language of sin. For example, while many people occasionally struggle with some questions about sin, guilt, and punishment, those with scrupulosity can be so afraid of offending God that they’re unable to participate in daily life without experiencing severe doubt and anxiety as they continually question their own thoughts and actions. Instead of faith being a source of peace, their faith causes them to second guess every decision they make.
Hope and Treatment. There is hope for those who suffer with this affliction. Scrupulosity can be treated through professional counseling and many resources are available. The Redemptorists of Liguori maintain a website, ManagingScrupulosity.com, where those afflicted can view videos on aspects of the disorder. Spiritual directors are listed for those who may wish to book individual, group, or family sessions. (Note that there is a fee associated with sessions, which is required to support the ministry.) Videos, however, can be viewed at no charge.
Additional Resources. Liguori also publishes a newsletter, Scrupulous Anonymous, which is available for free. Please visit ScrupulousAnonymous.org to download the latest newsletter, subscribe to the print edition (US and Canada only), or sign-up for the email version (pdf format). Liguori also publishes several books on scrupulosity to help those afflicted as well as those who work with them, such as spiritual directors and priest confessors, so they can better understand the condition.
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