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Concerned Conrad wrote:

Hi, there —

I suffer from evil and blasphemous thoughts, particularly when I am under a lot of stress or anger.

I understand these are not sinful if they are not fully consented to, but:

  • Exactly how do I know whether or not I have entertained and consented to these thoughts, and thus, need to confess them?

They do feel so real at times and I find the more I try to ignore such thoughts, the more I am entertaining them.

  • Should I mention these thoughts whenever I receive the Sacrament of Penance just in case some of these are mortal sins; or should I simply continue to ignore them?

Thank you,

Conrad

  { How do I discern whether I am consenting to these thoughts and need to confess them? }

Mary Ann replied:

Conrad—

I am not sure what you mean by evil and blasphemous thoughts, but you should take them to Confession. They are probably not even venial sins, but with the sacrament of Confession, one receives a medicinal grace, a healing grace that addresses everything we have opened to the Lord in Confession.

This grace may enlighten you as to:

  • your culpability
  • your motives, and
  • the developmental influences that may be the cause of them.

I think early in life, we are sometimes exposed to language and thoughts that can come out under stress. Mel Gibson comes to mind as an example known to the public.

Mary Ann

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