Disheartened....

[Metaron]

I had been going to RCIA for about two and a half months, and everything was fine, although I was being taught stuff that I already learned outside of RCIA.
I attended Roman Catholic Mass every Sunday for that period of time, every once and a while to recieve the Lord at Anglican Mass (As I couldn’t in the Roman Mass).
Then, I stopped going to RCIA.

It seemed like I wasn’t getting anywhere, and I started noticing that my local Roman Parish was more liberal and the liturgy was more watered-down than at my traditional Anglican church.

I feel really bad over it, but I am also faced with the fact of reoccuring thoughts of my old lifestyle…

And plus, even though I believe fully that God exists, and that His Church is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, which infallibly teaches all things correctly…

I feel that God has abandoned me…

No, it’s more that I believe God has abandoned all of us here on Earth.

I’m trying not to ramble, but… when I see others hurting, it hurts me deeply. Even if it’s some animal, or small creature hit on the side of the road. I hate suffering more than anything. And lately I’ve been exposed to so much of it…

I hate suffering more than anything.

And the Church… there are so many heretics and evil teachings, in and outside of the Church.

Has God abandoned us? I don’t understand how He could be omnibenevolent and yet watch this suffering unmoved…



I’m sorry, but, I’m really down now. I know the truth, and it makes sense, but God seems like He has abandoned us. I can’t get through this feeling…

Please help me, if you have anything to encourage me…

 

[brigid12]

I’m so sorry you’re feeling so lost! I am a convert from Episcopalianism. What I saw was that the Episcopal/Anglican church was more concerned with keeping the via media or “middle-way” than keeping to God’s Word, either in Scripture or Tradition. What had initially been a substitution for the successor of Peter had become a zeal to be pc. I’m so glad I converted!!!

That said, yes. It’s very disgruntling even painful to see your new parish be more careless of the Eucharist for instance, than in your previous church (my experience, along with sappy/popular music for mass, no altar-rails, no kneeling at the consecration, etc.). The thing is that the reason for that is poor catechesis. The fullness of the Truth is in the Catholic Church however some people don’t realize it and they are the ones (for the moment) who teach others… The Catholic Church (large “C”) does have the successor of Peter and no other ecclesial community does. The Catholic Church needs you who know more about it than some of it’s current members! Find as orthodox a parish as you can, keep learning on your own along with the required RCIA and join us!!! The progressives are starting to not be the most numerous and things are beginning to look up for the average parish. Improvement would very likely not be happening except for the Popes. Remember, the gates of Hell will not prevail over it.

Suffering is our taking up our crosses and following Christ and all the while growing nearer and nearer to Him. Suffering is the way that we have, since Original Sin brought it into the world, to get closer to Our Lord. And how is that not loving, for Him to allow us to come closer to Him - for Him to want us to come closer to Him? He said on the cross,“I thirst”. He thirsts for us!!!

I will pray for your terrible unhappiness and also for protection against the enemy’s attacks.

 

[weddy]

you stated that you think GOD has abondoned you & the country.

first: you-- GOD has not abandoned you, it’s just harder to see at the moment, pray, then look with the eyes of faith-- He is ever present to us.

second: country-- if GOD has/is abandoning our country, it’s because our country has abandoned HIM, I am sorry to say it that way, but it does look like that is the situation even on a worldwide level.

I urge you to continue your studies & RCIA.

P.S. I had also dropped out my 1st year, then went back.
GOD bless you:thumbsup:

 

[JRKH]

I had been going to RCIA for about two and a half months, and everything was fine, although I was being taught stuff that I already learned outside of RCIA.
I attended Roman Catholic Mass every Sunday for that period of time, every once and a while to recieve the Lord at Anglican Mass (As I couldn’t in the Roman Mass).
Then, I stopped going to RCIA.

It seemed like I wasn’t getting anywhere, and I started noticing that my local Roman Parish was more liberal and the liturgy was more watered-down than at my traditional Anglican church.

I feel really bad over it, but I am also faced with the fact of reoccuring thoughts of my old lifestyle…

I realize that with you crisis of faith, my suggestions might not work right now, but I thought I’d share some thoughts.
As regards the poor parish situation, there is no reason why you cannot choose to attend another parish. My wife and I attend a TLM on Sundays, so we pass 3 parishes directly and who knows how many indirectly, on our way.
We attend our local parish during the week, weather and health permitting.
The weekday mass is usually simple and straightforward which we both like.

And plus, even though I believe fully that God exists, and that His Church is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, which infallibly teaches all things correctly…

I feel that God has abandoned me…

No, it’s more that I believe God has abandoned all of us here on Earth.

I’m trying not to ramble, but… when I see others hurting, it hurts me deeply. Even if it’s some animal, or small creature hit on the side of the road. I hate suffering more than anything. And lately I’ve been exposed to so much of it…

I hate suffering more than anything.

We all see these things and wonder. But we must remember that this life is passing. Try not to get caught up in the suffering here, but look to the glory that is to come.

And the Church… there are so many heretics and evil teachings, in and outside of the Church.

Stick to the simple and basic. The Bible, The catachism, and your relationship with God. Let the others make their mistakes and let God to deal justly with all.

Has God abandoned us? I don’t understand how He could be omnibenevolent and yet watch this suffering unmoved…

I’m sorry, but, I’m really down now. I know the truth, and it makes sense, but God seems like He has abandoned us. I can’t get through this feeling…

Please help me, if you have anything to encourage me…

you will be in my prayers this day.

Love and Peace
James

 

[brigid12]

Might I recommend reading the 39th chapter of Job. It always strikes me and reminds me of my humility.

 

[Metaron]

Thank you all so much for you advice and comments… and encourageement. I actually feel a little better now.

I think the hardest part is explaining to my Anglican friends why I’m doing what I’m doing.

I do want to find a Tridentine Mass somewhere, but the nearest I’ve found is still far away, and they only have it every third Sunday.

And also, the gas prices are high, especially since work is slow this time of year. I mean, I’m already $1,700 in debt, and that’s due to gas, food, electric, and vet bills only…

So this is an extremely hard part of my life right now.

 

[IrishAm]

I do want to find a Tridentine Mass somewhere, but the nearest I’ve found is still far away, and they only have it every third Sunday.

Where are you located in Maryland, my friend? Old St. Mary’s in the District has a weekly Tridentine Mass; there are quite a few in the Arlington Diocese (VA), and I can’t believe Baltimore isn’t teeming with them.

 

[MSParrott]

All of the advise you have been given is great.

Please know I will remember you when I say my rosary this evening. God Bless you for caring for others. Your caring spirit is proof enough that He hasn’t abandoned us. :console:

 

[Conservative]

Dear Metaron -
God has not abandoned you. I can’t explain all the evils and suffering in this world. I can only imagine, however, that God is moved by your saying you hate to see suffering. You have been touched by God - with a kind and sensitive heart. While we are told to endure and offer suffering up to God, I think He must love you dearly - for you seem to hate seeing suffering - in others.

But God does not abandon any of us, Metaron. Remember Our Lord’s words - “I am with you, even unto the end of the world.” (roughly quoted) There are things happening simultaneously in my life right now that have me wondering why - (loss - with more loss coming, heartache, fears, no work, and slowly losing my sight) But I feel sure that God has not abandoned me. I can’t tell you why - but I’m sure of it. Isn’t that strange? I worry more about whether I abandon Him at times.

Ever hear the story called, “Footprints”? It’s about someone who’s given a chance to look back at their life. They see two sets of footprints in sand (one set is theirs, one set is Our Lord’s). During the person’s hardest moments, there’s only one pair of footprints. The person asks Our Lord why He left him during those difficult times. Our Lord replies, “My child, it is then that I carried you.”
Hoping that God carries you out of this dark night soon.

 

[Metaron]

Thank you all, these post really encourage me. You have no idea how this helps me.

I know God hasn’t abandoned us, even though it feels like he has left us to our own devices… to Satan and his demons, even…

Most of all I hate to see human beings hurt other human beings…
I don’t even understand it. I logically don’t understand it at all!

I feel alot better, but why, does it seem, that God isn’t even looking down on us from Heaven? Are we too sinful for Him to even gaze upon?

And there are sooo many heretics and schismatics today.

Is there a special prayer for times like these? I also have alot of trouble sleeping at night…

 

[Morwenna]

Thank you all, these post really encourage me. You have no idea how this helps me.

I know God hasn’t abandoned us, even though it feels like he has left us to our own devices… to Satan and his demons, even…

Most of all I hate to see human beings hurt other human beings…
I don’t even understand it. I logically don’t understand it at all!

I feel alot better, but why, does it seem, that God isn’t even looking down on us from Heaven? Are we too sinful for Him to even gaze upon?

And there are sooo many heretics and schismatics today.

Is there a special prayer for times like these? I also have alot of trouble sleeping at night…

I searched for a few prayers for you … I hope that at least one of them will be helpful to you. I’ll be praying for you as well!

Prayer against Depression - by Saint Ignatius of Loyola
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.

By Saint Ignatius of Loyola

catholic.org/clife/prayers/prayer.php?p=616

A NIGHT PRAYER

Eternal Father,
I desire to rest in Thy Heart this night.
I make the intention of offering to Thee
every beat of my heart,
joining to them as many acts of love and desire.
I pray that even while I am asleep,
I will bring back to Thee souls that offend Thee.
I ask forgiveness for the whole world,
especially for those who know Thee and yet sin.
I offer to Thee my every breath and heartbeat
as a prayer of reparation.

Amen.

catholicdoors.com/prayers/english2/p00667.htm

Evening Prayer to God the Father

O eternal God and Ruler of all creation,
You have allowed me to reach this hour.
Forgive the sins I have committed this day by word,
deed or thought.
Purify me, O Lord,
from every spiritual and physical stain.
Grant that I may rise from this sleep to glorify You
by my deeds throughout my entire lifetime,
and that I be victorious over every spiritual
and physical enemy.
Deliver me, O Lord,
from all vain thoughts and from evil desires,
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and ever, and forever.

Amen.

By: Saint Macarius

catholicdoors.com/prayers/english/p01900d.htm

:harp:

 

[blessedtoo]

Thank you all, these post really encourage me. You have no idea how this helps me.

I know God hasn’t abandoned us, even though it feels like he has left us to our own devices… to Satan and his demons, even…

Most of all I hate to see human beings hurt other human beings…
I don’t even understand it. I logically don’t understand it at all!

I feel alot better, but why, does it seem, that God isn’t even looking down on us from Heaven? Are we too sinful for Him to even gaze upon?

And there are sooo many heretics and schismatics today.

Is there a special prayer for times like these? I also have alot of trouble sleeping at night…

Dear friend,
All suffering has the potential to be redemptive. It is important to keep your focus balanced, to not obsess about the evil and desperation in this world, but rather to constantly remind yourself of God’s glorious work in souls that were once lost (like mine and many others) and are now found. Allowing yourself to be consumed with negativity will leave you bereft of hope and in this state, it is quite easy to fall victim to sinful thoughts and actions.

When I returned to the Church after 34 years, I searched and searched until I found a Parish that enriched my faith rather than frustrated it. I would not allow a priest, a parish, or a group of individuals to get in the way of my need to be with the Lord and my demand for truth. I didn’t waste time agonizing over why this parish did things this way or why this priest said that - I just hunted down the parish that was right for me in my faith journey.

Do not allow anyone to get between you and your conversion to Christ’s Church. Read books that remind of you of all the good in the world. Watch movies and programs that reinforce what you know to be God’s presence and obvious interaction with His creation. Listen to Beethoven and Bach and let your heart soar to the heavens, where I pray they both are!

Do not despair!

 

[Harmony1988]

Well if it helps to know that many go through this, it’s a test of your faith, I’m inclined to believe that considering you have just become Catholic and you initially ‘felt’ God’s graces and love, and now you don’t feel anything.

So the question really is, what are you going to do when you ‘feel’ bad, are you going to do the right thing or going to act on your bad feelings and go back to what ‘feels’ good, remember what ‘feels’ good is not necessarily something that is right.

It’s moments like these that require deep reflection and prayer. God kicks us out of the cradle after he bestows us with graces initially, to really test us our faith, it’s upto us next to do what is right.

Feelings come and go.

God Bless

 

[Harmony1988]

Consider this, this is what someone said a while back when someone was faced with a hopeless situation and I think it applies to a lot of people:

Unlike some religious traditions out there that promise presto-chango on-the-spot life transformations, Catholicism is for grown-ups. We rarely experience quick fixes. The end result, if you choose to accept the mission, is a deep, quiet, firm, confident, resilient faith that isn’t jarred loosed by the incessant earthquakes of life.

Cheers

 

[Conservative]

Dear Harmony and Morwenna -

The quote and prayers you suggested were ideal for OP and for any of us at so many times in life. They’re real keepers for this poster, so thanks from me, too !

 

[DJgang]

I had been going to RCIA for about two and a half months, and everything was fine, although I was being taught stuff that I already learned outside of RCIA.
I attended Roman Catholic Mass every Sunday for that period of time, every once and a while to recieve the Lord at Anglican Mass (As I couldn’t in the Roman Mass).
Then, I stopped going to RCIA.

Oh, no…the devil got ya! The part that I bolded. No one caught on to that, Metaron, but I did, why? Because I know how you are feeling!

Ash Wednesday of last year was the last time I received communion in the ECUSA. I made the decision to become Catholic and didn’t return.

My ECUSA church, so much reverence going on, if you didn’t read the sign out by the road, you would think you were in the Catholic Church!

I miss that.

This past Sunday, I went to Mass alone, no kiddos, no DH… got there early, to pray, etc. Just get some me and God time and if about 15 minutes before Mass, at least five different people didn’t come over to a women a few pews over from me, carry on a conversation that made me have to start praying out loud to even hear myself think…I’ll kiss your you know what! Then I had to ask God to forgive me for getting so upset…ugh!

I don’t have the answer. But if you want to become Catholic, that’s means that you believe in Apostalic Succession of the Church and not of the Anglician/ECUSA, therefore, you shouldn’t be receiving communion…just maybe, the devil is using that to keep you away from the Catholic Church.

Just an observation.

God bless you, and I will pray for you!

 

[Sheeniac]

It’s tough to keep your eyes focused on the Road Home when there is so much pain and suffering in the world.

Take heart - others have gone through this. I don’t know if you’ve tried praying the Rosary, but you might want to. Focus on the Sorrowful Mysteries.

I do that when I am overly depressed, and I imagine that I am next to Mary watching all of the brutality of this world inflicted on to her son, Our Lord. It gives me perspective - Christ has suffered torture, execution, abuse, ridicule, etc. God loves you, loves us all.

Take heart, and I will pray for you.

 

[puzzleannie]

God, your glasses, your car keys
if they seem to be lost, look in the last place you saw them.

 

[Metaron]

…I returned to the Church after 34 years, I searched and searched until I found a Parish that enriched my faith rather than frustrated it. I would not allow a priest, a parish, or a group of individuals to get in the way of my need to be with the Lord and my demand for truth…

That’s the determination I need!

 

[Metaron]

…I do that when I am overly depressed, and I imagine that I am next to Mary watching all of the brutality of this world inflicted on to her son, Our Lord. It gives me perspective - Christ has suffered torture, execution, abuse, ridicule, etc. God loves you, loves us all.

Take heart, and I will pray for you.

You’re so right. Mary, above all, is brokenhearted, and probably even cries in Heaven over her persecuted children here on Earth. She is so intimately involved with her children. Her heart aches more than I can ever know. If it weren’t for her intercession, we’d probably be under the empire of Antichrist right now…