Mortal sins of Anger

[Blue Tit]

Thank you for this charity.
Please, don't forget to pray for me !

[Sisterrose]

Dear Bluetit and all,

Thank you so much for your humbly admitting to how much your anger can get it the way. I, too, have a problem with anger. I can get quite testy with sales staff, cashiers and baggers at the stores and supermarket. I've also been known to let my anger show when I see a taxi driver taking the long way because he thinks this white foreigner is rich and needs to share her money with him.

I particularly appreciate the penance someone suggested of saying all 15 mysteries of the Rosary for each transgression, and will be asking my SD for permission to do this penance. (Though isn't it 20 mysteries now with the Luminous Mysteries?)

My former SD once gave me the penance of carrying a 6" crucifix in my non-dominant hand 24/7. I was allowed to put it down for three reasons only: to bath, to wash dishes, or to cut something with a knife. I grew to love this penance. Five weeks later, when he told me the penance was over, I asked if I could continue with it. It no longer felt like a penance, but a gift. He agreed. I kept the practice for 8 months, and only dropped it about 3 1/2 months ago when he and I had to stop working together. Over these past 3 1/2 months, I have seen my behavior deteriorate to the point of sin. Yesterday, after I came home from a very tearful confession, I went to the closet in the chapel and took out my beloved crucifix and started the practice again. I do hope my new SD will allow me to continue and will, in fact, order me to continue. Carrying this crucifix is a constant reminder of who and whose I am. I kiss it often throughout the day. I am sometimes asked why I carry it, and this gives me opportunity to humble myself and disclose that I need this practice to keep me in my rightful place at the foot of the cross.

I do have one question/comment for Bluetit, and that is that I did look up anger in the Catholic Catechism. It says that anger is not a mortal sin unless it brings us to the point of wanting to harm or kill the other. I share this, not because I want to minimize our sinfulness around anger, but to clarify what the Church teaches about sin. Of course, if your confessor agrees that your anger is a mortal sin, this is, of course, to be humbly and graciously accepted.

May God have mercy on us.

Sister Rose

[Blue Tit]

Dear Rose, what a beautiful idea, this "strange" penance !
I have just a question : how do you do in front of others ? I would like to try it, but I'm afraid I may have some problems with my employer and my students (who are almost adults, older than 18 years), because they will see it, of course... In France, it's difficult to show religious faith (excepted muslim one, each day more accepted) at work. It's considered as a "heavy fault" that can make you discharged !




Concerning your question about anger in the catechism, as a traditionalist, I only read the former catechisms (council of Trente, or St Pius X). (I don't pray the "luminous" mysteries neither !)
This catechism says that anger is by itself a "grave matter"
So, what is it to say ? It means that anger is a mortal sin when you have "full consent" and "full knowledge".

The 3 points have to be fulfilled for a sin to be mortal.

In the case of anger, the first point is "automatic" as I mentionned, so it only depends on the two others.

You can find all these things in english on the net, I guess. If I find a link, I'll post it here.

God bless,

[Sisterrose]

Dear Blue Tit,

Thank you for your response. Now I understand your definition of mortal sin.

You are certainly right about it probably not being appropriate for you to carry a crucifix. Please remember that I am a nun. I wear a habit. For many people, they simply see it as perhaps being a strange component of my habit. Also, the Philippines is a Catholic country. Parish Catechists go into the schools two days a week and teach catechism during the school day as part of the regular curriculum in the public schools.

May God have mercy on our souls.

Sister Rose

[Blue Tit]

well, I'll try to practice this when I'll be able to !

I have around my neck my medals of St Michael (to whom I'm consecrated), St Gabriel, Holy Guardian Angel, Miraculous Medal, and St Benedict, and I often kiss one or an other, even at school, doesn't matter what the students might think or say. Or, they never said anything...perhaps because I do this very naturally, while looking at their exercises and walking between the rows...

You who have the grace to live in a CAtholic nation, please pray for my poor France, who is no more Catholic (it began in 1793 with the so-called "french" revolution and the murder sacrilege of Louis XVI, and it is worse and worse each day. Woe to us !)

[Maravillas]

Blue Tit: Pray to St Francis de Sales for help in this matter, and perhaps read some of his works, especially the Introduction to the Devout Life. St Francis had a terrible temper and focused all his will on curbing it, so that now he is known as the gentle, patient saint.

The battle against our dominant defect will take years, perhaps even your entire life. Ensure that you are focussing your spiritual efforts on this. Be faithful to your particular and general examination of conscience (I assume you do this?). Perhaps you should also find material for meditation that will help counteract your anger, and use this material for your meditation several days each week?

Also, you should be careful of scruples that arise in this area. Perhaps Fr William Doyle's writings on scruples will be helpful for you?
http://fatherdoyle.files.wordpress.com/ ... atment.pdf

God bless!

[Blue Tit]

Thank you Maravillas !

Yes, I know for St François de Sales...I often read the "Introduction à la vie dévote"..and I sigh...

I don't usually suffer from scruples, no, God be praised !!! but I'm not as perseverant in my fight against my anger than I should be, I'm conscient of that. Some days I'm simply too tired to go on fighting because I you perfectly noticed, such a battle last for the entire life...

Please, keep praying for me !

[Scholastica]

Dear Blue Tit,

Thank you for your response. Now I understand your definition of mortal sin.

You are certainly right about it probably not being appropriate for you to carry a crucifix. Please remember that I am a nun. I wear a habit. For many people, they simply see it as perhaps being a strange component of my habit. Also, the Philippines is a Catholic country. Parish Catechists go into the schools two days a week and teach catechism during the school day as part of the regular curriculum in the public schools.

May God have mercy on our souls.

Sister Rose

If we cannot sanctify ourselves with the sacred, then we need only find a way to sanctify the ordinary, and use that instead.

Anyone who lives in a secular world which does not accept religious symbolism, can choose instead to carry a nail (porter le clou ordinaire xxx); just an ordinary household nail. Innocuous to the world, inoffensive to anyone, full of meaning to us. Our SD can bless it for us.

The nail reminds us that when we sin, we strike that nail into Our Lord's hands and feet. It can also be useful if the anger starts to rise, to feel the point against our palm, to remind us of the pain we are causing to God.

[Scholastica]

Concerning your question about anger in the catechism, as a traditionalist, I only read the former catechisms (council of Trente, or St Pius X). (I don't pray the "luminous" mysteries neither !)

Most of the time I use the 15 mysteries. I do sometimes use the Luminous as well, but not always; I find them a bit less coherent. However, I do love the Eucharistic mystery just before the Garden of Gethsemane. I find it a very useful place to pray the prayer of Spiritual Communion, if I am unable to attend the Eucharist. It is also a good place to pause to take the first bread and water of the morning, if following a fast day.

[Blue Tit]

Anyone who lives in a secular world which does not accept religious symbolism, can choose instead to carry a nail (porter le clou ordinaire xxx); just an ordinary household nail. Innocuous to the world, inoffensive to anyone, full of meaning to us. Our SD can bless it for us.

The nail reminds us that when we sin, we strike that nail into Our Lord's hands and feet. It can also be useful if the anger starts to rise, to feel the point against our palm, to remind us of the pain we are causing to God

Wonderful idea ! thank you dear Scolastica !