Do you experience the Holy Spirit?

[Flame_of_Christ]

I am really thankful for the posts in this thread.

It is so good to know that we are not alone in experiencing God in our lives. This helps us on our journey as we all strive towards seeking the Lord in our lives.

God will let you experience all of this becuase He wants you to know how that He is with you and that He loves you.

This knowing and having “encountered” The risen Jesus, transforms ones life form simply knowing “about” God, to actually knowing God. Maybe “meeting” God is a better term.

Meeting God on the last day will be an experience for sure. It won’t be devoid of feelings at all. But praise the Lord, because in christianity, Jesus is Lord nad He is risen. He is among us now, even though we walk by faith not by sight.

And faith leads to finding God, with some tastes of that even here on earth.

I wish you all the peace and joy of the Lord who is with us.

 

[tessi]

fhansen, it’s a personal experience that’s difficult to describe since it’s not part of the normal human experience, what Ceil mentions, along the warm fuzzy is a good way to describe part of the physical sensation, to elaborate further, it’s like an electrical charge, your hair stands on end, it’s also like the wings of God surrounding you, or like a set of arms surrounding you, it permuates your being is another element that the sensation delivers.

A priest once told me that spiritual experiences can be measured by their fruits. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are: deep love to Eucharist (necesity to every day Mass), adoration to God (constant prayer of adoration), pain for sins (yours and everybody else), desire of mortification, a sensation that you can not do enough to thank what you received. If everything is just a warm fuzzy that you remember or physical sensations that are nice, then it’s probably a suggestion.

 

[Holly3278]

Yes, I do experience the Holy Spirit. I am a charismatic Catholic and have experienced the Holy Spirit numerous times.

 

[Michael_Neal]

A priest once told me that spiritual experiences can be measured by their fruits. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are: deep love to Eucharist (necesity to every day Mass), adoration to God (constant prayer of adoration), pain for sins (yours and everybody else), desire of mortification, a sensation that you can not do enough to thank what you received. If everything is just a warm fuzzy that you remember or physical sensations that are nice, then it’s probably a suggestion.

I can say for certainty that it is not just a warm fuzzy in my case. My experiences definitely coincide with at least some the fruits that you mentioned.

I wish I could attend daily mass but it is just not possible for me, but I feel like I am at home in Church. I also have an increased interest in Adoration and have volunteered for the Adoration Society at my Church. I have an increased desire for mortification and often daydream about becoming a monk or priest, even though it this is not possible for me since I am married.

Reading about the lives of the saints is sometimes difficult for me since it makes me realize how insignificant my own religious life is in comparison. I know that I am not going to have anywhere near the same impact on the world or have such momentous religious experiences but I desire to. But I eventually end up in peace after returning to Saint Therese and the little way, realizing that even the small things I do in my life have an impact.

 

[Brian_Millar]

A priest once told me that spiritual experiences can be measured by their fruits. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are: deep love to Eucharist (necesity to every day Mass), adoration to God (constant prayer of adoration), pain for sins (yours and everybody else), desire of mortification, a sensation that you can not do enough to thank what you received. If everything is just a warm fuzzy that you remember or physical sensations that are nice, then it’s probably a suggestion.

I’m attempting as well as from the source from the original post to put into words something that cannot fully be put into them, yet in this attempt to do just that, the end effect doesn’t encapsulate the real sensation and meaning obviously. Simply take it as grasping at a concept, where you are trying to keep the message somewhat at best understandable by one that does not experience this and for them to make the decision, that this is not what they have encountered. The people that have posted, their message was always quite clear on all levels, not even a need for elaboration at all, for we received the message.

 

[tessi]

I wish I could attend daily mass but it is just not possible for me, but I feel like I am at home in Church.

Read the saints. The Holy Spirit leads you to Mass, if you find daily Mass “not possible”, for sure, is not the Holy Spirit.

 

[Michael_Neal]

I have the desire for daily mass I just can not attend without either leaving my job or my family. It is not the Holy Spirit telling me it is impossible it is just that my life’s circumstances makes it difficult.

I could technically go after work but it would have severe consequences on my marriage.

 

[Joysong]

The Holy Spirit leads you to Mass, if you find daily Mass “not possible”, for sure, is not the Holy Spirit.

Whoa, there, Tessi,

Be very careful about pronouncing on who does and does not have the Spirit based solely on daily mass attendance! There are folks who readily know this is false. But for the sake of innocents who may be reading, it needs to be refuted.

 

[tessi]

Whoa, there, Tessi,

Be very careful about pronouncing on who does and does not have the Spirit based solely on daily mass attendance! There are folks who readily know this is false. But for the sake of innocents who may be reading, it needs to be refuted.

You are right. I’m sorry.

 

[Dorothy]

I have the desire for daily mass I just can not attend without either leaving my job or my family. It is not the Holy Spirit telling me it is impossible it is just that my life’s circumstances makes it difficult.

I could technically go after work but it would have severe consequences on my marriage.

Have you considered a Third Order? There are Franciscans, Carmelites, Oblates of St. Benedict. etc.

Daily Mass is encouraged when possible, but a person’s state in life comes first, as that is their vocation. There is a rule of life, suited to a layperson.

Third Orders are very helpful to one’s spiritual life, if you are called to one. There is much discernment before one actually becomes a member of the order. The community meetings once a month are great blessings, as everyone there studies, prays and shares together. I know that I have found it very helpful, and I first joined when I was 35 years old and had eight children. I am 71 now and cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I did not have this blessing.

 

[Brian_Millar]

Have you considered a Third Order? There are Franciscans, Carmelites, Oblates of St. Benedict. etc.

Daily Mass is encouraged when possible, but a person’s state in life comes first, as that is their vocation. There is a rule of life, suited to a layperson.

Third Orders are very helpful to one’s spiritual life, if you are called to one. There is much discernment before one actually becomes a member of the order. The community meetings once a month are great blessings, as everyone there studies, prays and shares together. I know that I have found it very helpful, and I first joined when I was 35 years old and had eight children. I am 71 now and cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I did not have this blessing.

A little daily bible study between him and his wife would suffice in my prespective here. where two or more are gathered type of perspective as well perhaps you could get another local couple to join in for prayer and regular simply hanging out at each other’s dwellings type of aproach to it all. It would fit the ticket for study and a place to go for a short while in an informal, yet flexible schedule.

 

[Michael_Neal]

Yes I have considered it but it has been a difficult decision on which Third Order to pursue. This actually has been one the biggest problems I have been having over the last year.

I originally felt I had a strong calling to the Franciscans after choosing St Anthony as my confirmation Saint and learning about his life and the Friars Minor. This sort of faded over time because I became uneasy over making a decision to join.

I then considered the Carmelites because I have a special attachment to the mystical & contemplative aspects. However this sort of faded after reading the requirements. I don’t believe it is possible for me to pray the Liturgy of Hours every day, I just don’t have that kind of free time.

Dominicans have the Liturgy of Hours requirement as well.

I have then considered the Legion of Mary which is big at my parish since the pastor is a prominent member. However I know I am not really good at door to door Evangelization, I am too much of an introvert for that and in the past i was really uncomfortable with a door to door sales job I had briefly.

I still have some attachment to the Fransicans but one of my concerns is that it is mostly comprised of older women, please nobody be offended there is nothing wrong with older women, it is just that I am not sure how I would fit in or have a lot in common with such a group.

I am just so confused about it all and therefore have recently just decided to do small things to increase my religious life; Adoration, more reading, giving more to charity, and more time for contemplative prayer.

 

[Michael_Neal]

A little daily bible study between him and his wife would suffice in my prespective here. where two or more are gathered type of perspective as well perhaps you could get another local couple to join in for prayer and regular simply hanging out at each other’s dwellings type of aproach to it all. It would fit the ticket for study and a place to go for a short while in an informal, yet flexible schedule.

Unfortunately that would not work since my wife is Jewish. This is another aspect that makes the process difficult because she then feels she is left out if I decide to congregate with other people about religion.

 

[fhansen]

A priest once told me that spiritual experiences can be measured by their fruits. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are: deep love to Eucharist (necesity to every day Mass), adoration to God (constant prayer of adoration), pain for sins (yours and everybody else), desire of mortification, a sensation that you can not do enough to thank what you received. If everything is just a warm fuzzy that you remember or physical sensations that are nice, then it’s probably a suggestion.

Hi Tessi
I think the best description of the fruits of the Spirit are in Galatians, Chap 5. Also, remember that Gods’ not finished with us and that conversion is a process according to the CCC. I was physically outside of the Church when my most intense experiences occurred but, to my own surprise, God led me back and that was apparently part of the whole plan.

 

[Dorothy]

Yes I have considered it but it has been a difficult decision on which Third Order to pursue. This actually has been one the biggest problems I have been having over the last year.

I originally felt I had a strong calling to the Franciscans after choosing St Anthony as my confirmation Saint and learning about his life and the Friars Minor. This sort of faded over time because I became uneasy over making a decision to join.

I then considered the Carmelites because I have a special attachment to the mystical & contemplative aspects. However this sort of faded after reading the requirements. I don’t believe it is possible for me to pray the Liturgy of Hours every day, I just don’t have that kind of free time.

Dominicans have the Liturgy of Hours requirement as well.

I have then considered the Legion of Mary which is big at my parish since the pastor is a prominent member. However I know I am not really good at door to door Evangelization, I am too much of an introvert for that and in the past i was really uncomfortable with a door to door sales job I had briefly.

I still have some attachment to the Fransicans but one of my concerns is that it is mostly comprised of older women, please nobody be offended there is nothing wrong with older women, it is just that I am not sure how I would fit in or have a lot in common with such a group.

I am just so confused about it all and therefore have recently just decided to do small things to increase my religious life; Adoration, more reading, giving more to charity, and more time for contemplative prayer.

Your last sentence says it all. We can only do what is feasible for us, and it seems that is how the Holy Spirit is leading you right now!

 

[Brian_Millar]

Unfortunately that would not work since my wife is Jewish. This is another aspect that makes the process difficult because she then feels she is left out if I decide to congregate with other people about religion.

Just study what you both believe in, maiunly the OT and if it goes on more from there so be it, if not, know that if you are saved she is as well because you two are joined!

 

[Michael_Neal]

Well, she is Jewish but not interested much in religion. Sometimes she asks questions and stuff but that is about it.

I have told her the part about her being saved as well and she seems to like that, she is a good person and for the most part and has a good moral compass but was just raised to not be religious.

 

[Brian_Millar]

That is cool, you know looking back, there seems to be waves of times where I was more in then out along following my spiritual path, in your wives case, she’s out, but some day she likely will be in, especially with such a patient husband such as yourself, don’t lose sleep over it, just be prepared for the time she opts to go this route and be sure you are educated to handle that moment, for it may define your relationship at that point, and I feel, it’s going to be a very good one for both of you!!!

 

[Flame_of_Christ]

Yes, I do experience the Holy Spirit. I am a charismatic Catholic and have experienced the Holy Spirit numerous times.

Hi Holly!

I haven’t seen you at CF for a while, maybe we have been in different forums. Well I pray the Lord’s abundant blessings upon you.

I agree with you that , as a charismatic catholic, the encounters with the Holy Spirit are just too numerous to describe.

I would love to inivte everyone reading this to check out the CCR (CahtolicCharismatic Renewal). It is supported by the Popes and Bishops fully, and can truly transform your entire life for the Lord, amking you a better catholic. That is what it did for me.