An Unfamiliar Presence

[DavidSears]

You all know me to have scrupulosity. You all see my posts and threads and it can get bad. One of my biggest things was the whole Mariology thing. When I’m in church, I don’t pray the Hail Mary after the prayer of the faithful. When I am praying, I don’t pray the rosary, I pray directly to God through Jesus only. Not that I have anything against her at all, I love her very much, but sometimes I have my doubts that she is who the Catholic church says she is. The fear of idolatry and committing idolatry steers me from any kind of praying that isn’t said to, for, and through the Holy Trinity. But something weird happened tonight. I struggle with a certain addiction that I have been falling into a lot lately for some reason and it is killing me inside. Tonight I fell into it and for some reason, I felt a presence. Peaceful. Put my mind to rest. I then felt the need to go on Google Images and look up the Virgin Mary. I could be wrong, but I think the presence might have been her… Anyone else ever have an experience like this?

 

[DavidSears]

I am going to see a priest on Sunday about this. Maybe I was just imagining things…

 

[CTuck]

I certainly do think that Mary does want to help you trust in God’s mercy. Could there be an element of scrupulosity in this? - perhaps. But I definitely do believe she is trustworthy, especially when it comes to obeying God’s first commandment. I’ve struggled with certain sins and scruples to the point of despair also, and have had moments where God’s peace breaks through. Some thoughts that have helped me are:

I can’t earn my salvation.
Only God can save me.
God gives the grace.
God loves me.
All I can do is live in trust.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Tonight I fell into it and for some reason, I felt a presence. Peaceful. Put my mind to rest. I then felt the need to go on Google Images and look up the Virgin Mary. I could be wrong, but I think the presence might have been her… Anyone else ever have an experience like this?

I have felt the peace descend, I have felt presence. I have two ideas about the urge to Google Mary: 1 - your idea, that it was her. Possibly, she wanted you to know she’s okay with your practice of only praying to the Trinity. It’s what she would want after all: respect and reverence for her Son.

2 - It is the Presence of the Holy Spirit and the urge to view her is permission to pray to her or at least talk to her and develop a relationship with her.

But I think these experiences all come with the same basic message from God: you are loved.

God Bless you abundantly, David. I hope you’ll trust yourself and your experience.

 

[Blue_Horizon]

Perfectly understandable DS.
I am sure the Virgin would be very very happy that you come to her Son - that is her mission after all.

She is known esp for leading those who call upon her into purity - she is both Virgin and Mother afterall.

 

[Lady_Love]

When I was a postulant in the convent. I was unable to sleep worrying about everyone back home. Now, my bed time is always my intimate time with God, and I was wasting it on worry when…I heard the most beautiful voice EVER! She said my name. It was gentle, peaceful, authoritative and unbelievably expressive. When she said my name, I heard more than just my name, I heard, “I love you.” and a reprimand of “Why are you worrying?” and “Do not be afraid,” and what followed was the most profound peace.

I was so shocked to hear her voice. I couldn’t believe that she cared about me and my petty worries. I couldn’t believe how much they (God and Mary) craved my undivided attention and how they did not like my lack of trust. I can only imagine that my worrying was disturbing Jesus, Mary saw this and came to set my soul at rest for the sake of her Son. I realized that day that a peaceful and attentive soul is so important to my heavenly family.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

You all know me to have scrupulosity. You all see my posts and threads and it can get bad. One of my biggest things was the whole Mariology thing. When I’m in church, I don’t pray the Hail Mary after the prayer of the faithful. When I am praying, I don’t pray the rosary, I pray directly to God through Jesus only. Not that I have anything against her at all, I love her very much, but sometimes I have my doubts that she is who the Catholic church says she is. The fear of idolatry and committing idolatry steers me from any kind of praying that isn’t said to, for, and through the Holy Trinity. But something weird happened tonight. I struggle with a certain addiction that I have been falling into a lot lately for some reason and it is killing me inside. Tonight I fell into it and for some reason, I felt a presence. Peaceful. Put my mind to rest. I then felt the need to go on Google Images and look up the Virgin Mary. I could be wrong, but I think the presence might have been her… Anyone else ever have an experience like this?

Yes, I have! It’s great, isn’t it? :heaven:

Alan

 

[Monica4316]

When I was a postulant in the convent. I was unable to sleep worrying about everyone back home. Now, my bed time is always my intimate time with God, and I was wasting it on worry when…I heard the most beautiful voice EVER! She said my name. It was gentle, peaceful, authoritative and unbelievably expressive. When she said my name, I heard more than just my name, I heard, “I love you.” and a reprimand of “Why are you worrying?” and “Do not be afraid,” and what followed was the most profound peace.

I was so shocked to hear her voice. I couldn’t believe that she cared about me and my petty worries. I couldn’t believe how much they (God and Mary) craved my undivided attention and how they did not like my lack of trust. I can only imagine that my worrying was disturbing Jesus, Mary saw this and came to set my soul at rest for the sake of her Son. I realized that day that a peaceful and attentive soul is so important to my heavenly family.

How beautiful!

 

[Monica4316]

It could help you to read about the Saints… I read about St Gemma who saw both Jesus and Mary. When she saw Mary one time, she told her to love Jesus above all! Of course only the real Mary would say this she leads us closer to her Son. And Jesus never told her to avoid His Mother… she was not deceived. There are many Saints like this, who were all very close to God of course. I have found that in my life, Mary helps me to love Jesus more, her intercession is really powerful, and helps me to overcome areas of sin. That is all good fruit the devil fears her greatly!

I’m a convert so I know what you mean about the fears of idolatry… I couldn’t really bring myself to pray the Rosary at first because of all this. However, I found that praying to Mary gave me peace, the Rosary brought many graces and answers to difficult questions (which came with certainty and a great peace, which are good signs) and I struggled with something until I called on Mary and instantly received the strength I needed to overcome it. Her prayers are very powerful. There is no reason at all to worry if these types of graces are from God or not, I mean I understand the fear but grace is grace! If there is peace, I mean real peace and good ‘fruit’, those are good signs.

God bless!

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Some are discussing whether saying or not saying the Rosary is OK. I think it’s a free choice we have.

I don’t do the Rosary on my own, but I will with one or more people if a family or social situation calls for it. I have nothing against the Rosary, but I’m more likely to kneel at Mary’s statue in church (especially when it’s empty and dark) than to say the Rosary. I asked my pastor once if that was a problem and he said, “there are many devotions. Not every devotion is for everyone. It’s OK.”

Alan

 

[DavidSears]

Some are discussing whether saying or not saying the Rosary is OK. I think it’s a free choice we have.

I don’t do the Rosary on my own, but I will with one or more people if a family or social situation calls for it. I have nothing against the Rosary, but I’m more likely to kneel at Mary’s statue in church (especially when it’s empty and dark) than to say the Rosary. I asked my pastor once if that was a problem and he said, “there are many devotions. Not every devotion is for everyone. It’s OK.”

Alan

I agree, and like I said, I love Mary just as much as anyone else. But, I feel more comfortable with a Trinitarian devotion, err, if such a thing. I go to God with most of my problems. I pray through Jesus. I don’t kneel at statues. I can’t pray the rosary anymore. I did a couple times, and I felt like it worked, but because of the idolatry thing, I don’t anymore. But the Trinity is to whom I feel most comfortable speaking with.

 

[DavidSears]

It could help you to read about the Saints… I read about St Gemma who saw both Jesus and Mary. When she saw Mary one time, she told her to love Jesus above all! Of course only the real Mary would say this she leads us closer to her Son. And Jesus never told her to avoid His Mother… she was not deceived. There are many Saints like this, who were all very close to God of course. I have found that in my life, Mary helps me to love Jesus more, her intercession is really powerful, and helps me to overcome areas of sin. That is all good fruit the devil fears her greatly!

I’m a convert so I know what you mean about the fears of idolatry… I couldn’t really bring myself to pray the Rosary at first because of all this. However, I found that praying to Mary gave me peace, the Rosary brought many graces and answers to difficult questions (which came with certainty and a great peace, which are good signs) and I struggled with something until I called on Mary and instantly received the strength I needed to overcome it. Her prayers are very powerful. There is no reason at all to worry if these types of graces are from God or not, I mean I understand the fear but grace is grace! If there is peace, I mean real peace and good ‘fruit’, those are good signs.

God bless!

Right right… But as a convert, do you ever feel as though you shouldn’t pray the rosary? I mean, I’ve always belonged to a RC church (although I don’t like labels, I just say I’m Christian) and I am Confirmed, but it wasn’t until a couple of months ago the scruples hit and I couldn’t anymore…

 

[DavidSears]

Perfectly understandable DS.
I am sure the Virgin would be very very happy that you come to her Son - that is her mission after all.

She is known esp for leading those who call upon her into purity - she is both Virgin and Mother afterall.

Well, you were right on with that one… It was a sin of impurity. But if it was really her, why? Like I said, I’m not sure of anything right now, but if it was, why would she want to see me? And why now when this has been a problem for years? It was just strange…

 

[Julia_Mae]

Well, you were right on with that one… It was a sin of impurity. But if it was really her, why? Like I said, I’m not sure of anything right now, but if it was, why would she want to see me? And why now when this has been a problem for years? It was just strange…

Thing is, God has perfect timing. Whoever may have come to you it was by God’s Will. It could simply be that now is when you can hear, pay attention, figure out, understand. Now is the perfect time.

 

[Zekariya]

You all know me to have scrupulosity. You all see my posts and threads and it can get bad. One of my biggest things was the whole Mariology thing. When I’m in church, I don’t pray the Hail Mary after the prayer of the faithful. When I am praying, I don’t pray the rosary, I pray directly to God through Jesus only. Not that I have anything against her at all, I love her very much, but sometimes I have my doubts that she is who the Catholic church says she is. The fear of idolatry and committing idolatry steers me from any kind of praying that isn’t said to, for, and through the Holy Trinity.

Idolatry means worshipping (latria) idols. If your heart is not worshipping Mary, it cannot be idolatry. Praying is a form of talking. As long as you are worshipping Mary as you would the Holy Trinity, you are in the clear.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Idolatry means worshipping (latria) idols. If your heart is not worshipping Mary, it cannot be idolatry. Praying is a form of talking. As long as you are **not **worshipping Mary as you would the Holy Trinity, you are in the clear.

FYP

 

[DavidSears]

Idolatry means worshipping (latria) idols. If your heart is not worshipping Mary, it cannot be idolatry. Praying is a form of talking. As long as you are worshipping Mary as you would the Holy Trinity, you are in the clear.

I understand that, but the scruples… Some things I can’t do. I can’t bring myself to do so…

 

[Julia_Mae]

I understand that, but the scruples… Some things I can’t do. I can’t bring myself to do so…

I think what’s important to know is that God in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit understands that. So does Mary. And that doesn’t diminish their love one bit.