Understanding Scrupulosity: 3rd Edition of Questions and Encouragement

By Thomas M. Santa

Book Overview

Many people, at one time or another, struggle with faith issues about sin, guilt, punishment, and hell. But a small few, particularly Catholics, so fear offending God--or fear never being forgiven by God--that they are unable to participate in daily life without experiencing severe doubt and anxiety. Rather than experiencing faith as a source of peace, their faith causes them to dwell on or second guess every decision they make.

These people have scrupulosity. Sometimes called the doubting disease. Many Redemptorists believe their founder, 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: Questions and Encouragement addresses concerns related to sin, thoughts, dreams, fantasies, and sexuality, as well as confession, self-worth, prayer, and God's grace.

This third edition of Understanding Scrupulosity includes new chapters on identifying and understanding behaviors associated with scrupulosity, and explains the medical breakthroughs of the past decade on how to treat it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764825275
• ISBN13: 9780764825279
• Release Date: April 2017
• Publisher: Liguori Publications
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Helpful Primer

JMJ+ I found Fr. Thomas M. Santa's pastoral hand to be gentle like the Lord's merciful hand should be. This is a book helpful for those who are curious about the nature of scrupulosity or who think they might suffer from it themselves. The question-answer format is almost catechetical, and the testimonies of Sts. Ignatius of Loyola and Alphonsus Liguori serve to encourage the anxious mind. Indeed, this book is encouraging! One matter I found perplexing, and one I wonder if it is addressed by other writings on the subject (here's my ignorance) is the matter of pride. Seeking a good confessor, spiritual director, and/or Catholic therapist would be helpful for anyone who truly suffers from this "doubting disease." May the Lord in His mercy and love heal us of our wounds by His own wounds!