FanOfU2, I can certainly sympathize with the trials and temptations you are facing. I too am a college student and it can be quite a struggle to remain faithful to God and the Church while in school. The fashions for women continue to become more and more revealing and geared towards inducing lust in onlookers. I live in the northeast and I can tell you that right now in November it is quite chilly out to say the least, and yet many of the women on my campus look like they’re dressed to go to the beach in the middle of July. (I’m not trying to come off as a misogynist by saying this, I’m merely pointing out the clothing styles, not saying that women who wear such clothes are necessarily promiscuous.) As a result it’s quite difficult not to look since you’re surrounded by it and this makes it even more difficult not to have lustful thoughts or engage in unchaste behavior.
As for the drinking that goes on in college, this too is a burden for people who do not want to engage in this mostly self-destructive behavior. If you don’t go to the parties, or don’t drink at them, then you become alienated. And the bars are all conveniently located as near to campus as possible. Binge drinking and casual sex in my opinion are very clear signals that many people in our world are feeling empty and trying to fill that void with anything they can. They may claim they’re enjoying life, and might even believe this themselves, but sooner or later they’ll find that no matter how much sex they have or drinking they do it’ll never be enough to give them fulfillment.
That void can only be filled by God. As Saint Augustine said (who himself was a great sinner before his conversion), “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Unfortunately most of our peers either have grown up with a disdain for religion or are completely ignorant of what the Church teaches. I live in an area with a large Catholic population, however many of these “Catholics” do not attend Mass, nor do they have even the most basic understanding of their professed faith. I’m not saying this to shame them, but rather to shame those of us (myself included) who do know and do believe but have not reached out to them.
I wish I could give you an easy solution to your problem because if I could give you an easy solution that would mean I would have one for myself as well. The best I have been able to do is cut the party scene out of my life completely. Did it result in me having less friends, yes. But Christ is more important. As for the lustful temptations that arise, again you need to make a choice. It’s hard. God knows it’s hard for us weak humans. But you must try to follow Christ. And if you fall, do not let yourself be deluded by despair. Do not think to yourself, “Oh, well I’ve gone and done _____. I might as well just give up and enjoy myself.” What you must recognize your sin(s), pray to God for mercy and strength, and go make Confession.
It’s hard to live the Christian life alone. We’re meant to live in community, which is what the Church is all about. I highly recommend you find out if perhaps your college has a Newman Center. Newman Centers are Catholic run groups that are specifically for (and largely made up of) college students. They usually have their own building where they hold Sunday Masses at times more suitably timed to fit into the hectic life of a college student. Likewise you can meet other students there who share your faith and thus strengthen one another so as to avoid the temptations and sins you’ve mentioned.
Well, I’ve rambled for far too long on this. I hope I was able to help you to some degree. God bless you and good luck!
