I remember hearing this concept while attending an Evangelical church. Do Catholics understand this concept? I would almost call my particular sin an addiction, but I don’t know how many others would agree with me, however, it is a mortal sin. What is the best way to work through this type of sin? I can’t receive communion until my marriage is convalidated, so that’s not an option. I don’t feel comfortable saying the rosary now (leftover from the Evangelical church), so I’d prefer other suggestions.
SAHmommy
Have you taken it to confession? A particular confessor/spiritual director might be helpful if you pray for God to bring one to you. Also, there may be retreats for aiding persons with your particular struggle. It’s hard to say what it may take to liberate you from the sin, other than consistent Confession and prayers.
There is one blog that I found about Catholics and besetting sins:
thesinnersguide.com/2010/06/16/radical-catholic-life-what-is-it/
As far as I’m aware, Catholics believe in root sins - pride, vanity, and sensuality; pride being “I won’t be satisfied until I achieve ___,” vanity being “I won’t be satisfied until I gain acceptance from ___,” and sensuality being “I won’t be satisfied until I obtain possessions ___, ___, ___.” All of these take the place of being satisfied with God by putting something else between us with Him and the graces wants to grant us. Each person has a bit of each, with a harder time with one in particular.
Without knowing precisely what your struggle is, it’s hard to say where yours lies, but perhaps reflecting upon this might help. It is hard to see ourselves as we are, so again, seek out a good Priest as confessor and spiritual director, if possible.
Some of the prayers I’m listing below are failsafes:
If you are not comfortable yet with the Rosary, have you tried the Chaplet of Divine Mercy? Someone very dear to me is a Protestant minister who is not easy on the idea of praying the Rosary, and who absolutely loves this devotion.
thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php
Here is the musical version that moved us both:
youtube.com/watch?v=kFJrtM2bxLI
It’s set on ordinary Rosary beads.
As for discomfort with the Rosary, Scott Hahn is helpful, as well as several other converts.
dwightlongenecker.com/Content/Pages/Articles/CatholicIssues/WhyAFormerEvangleicalLovesTheRosary.asp
The Rosary is very hard for converts to get used to, which I think is because it isn’t presented properly. It’s a series of meditations on the full life of Christ, asking His mother to pray for us. It’s entirely Scriptural, and what I call the “sin incinerator.”
catholic.org/prayers/mystery.php
It’s Marian both because of the prayers and because she was present at each Mystery; viewing the life of Christ through His mother’s eyes is incredibly powerful. (Who loves a child like his mother?) Give it a try sometime before or after Mass. It
is powerful. Mary points to Jesus, never detracting from Him. In fact, her reception of Elizabeth’s honor to her was to immediately send all praise to God, so each time we honor her, she magnifies it to the Lord, who created her “Full of Grace.” Martin Luther honored Mary as well - distancing her is a relatively new thing. This is by another Evangelical-to-Catholic convert:
catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=788
Jesus longs to grant unimaginable graces to those who trust in His Mercy.
You will be in my prayers. May God bless you and liberate you from your sin.
