Bringing back my sister to the faith - my approach

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Isaiah_53

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My sister is confirmed Catholic and 16 years older than me. I’m 34 - she will be 50 in April. We are truly kindred spirits but our faith differs. I almost said differs greatly, but she has such love that I did not attribute that adjective to her.

I am applying to the diocesan priesthood this year. She was quick to support me as she believes in what I strive for, with the exception of personally taking up the cross of Christ in her life.

She also married last year in a civil non-Catholic marriage. She is pretty deep in the non belief and hasn’t been to church in years (decades possibly), but she has love. She attributes her Truth to Buddhism often which is why I posted in this forum. It makes me think of Paul VI’s encyclical on non-Christian religions.

My prayer life has recently been greatly centered around her (without her knowing). I look up to St. Monica and her long years of devoted, patient prayer.

What I’m getting to is I feel called the most to lead by example and show love without pushing her. We live on different sides of the country but talk much on the phone. I have a good relationship with her husband as well. I pray for her to see the Truth as He is present in our everyday life. I know I could take a more direct approach and preach to her but she is just as stubborn as I was with the faith. It literally took God’s righteous hand to drag me to the doors of applying to the priesthood and making me chaste (and I have never been happier). It has been a long journey for me and I have every intention of praying for her for the rest of my natural life. It is increasingly our relationship I feel as she called today and I was so happy to hear from her. She is truly a talented individual and I can’t wait to see her come back to the church.

Anyone have similar experiences?
 
You are probably handling this better than most people already. And congratulations for being called to the priesthood.

I recall my wife bringing up similar situation (her close relative stopped going to the church and it hurt her deeply and tried to bring her back) to a priest for advice. The wise man said, “faith cannot be forced. Trust God that He will listen to your prayers.”

To me that speaks volume of the difficulties about faith and no wonder Jesus said so, that even brothers and sisters will go different ways (paraphrased).

Continue to keep her in yours prayers, for two reasons. One it is a prayer and two, what is within you will reflect on your outside. That would be of immeasurable value to her, to see how much you love her and how it pains you to see her leaving the faith.
 
I think most everyone has that cross nowdays. God brought my eldest son back and he is doing his best to bring his children up in the Faith. It was nothing I did, although I tried., but was so badly taught myself i had little to work with. So now I’m praying for all of them and now the grandchildren.i know it may take longer than my life time., but that’s okay.
 
I once wrote an essay explaining Jesus in terms a Buddhist might understand. Would you like a link for your sister?
 
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