Finding My Spirituality

[BrianStacy]

I am hoping to be received into the Church this year and come from a Pentecostal background…

However, I’m a bit confused about traditional Catholicism and the way I’ve seen the Church through the past few years… But I’ve grown to love the Church as well.

I love the Douay-Rheims-Challoner version of the Holy Bible, however, I’ve never been to a Latin Mass and I am Charismatic. (I know that doesn’t really define a traditional Catholic, just giving examples of my spirituality.)

So as for being a traditional Catholic, I don’t quite think I would cut it. However, does that make one any less of a Catholic? Can one combine traditional Catholic spirituality with charismatic Catholic spirituality? Or does it even matter?

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I don’t think you need to worry about labels. You don’t have to be “traditional” or “charismatic” or any other designation; just be a good, faithful Catholic.

The Ordinary Form of the Mass (the form most often celebrated in the last 30-something years, usually in the language of the people) is a perfectly valid form of the Mass. If you prefer it, that is fine.

The Extraordinary Form of the Mass (traditional Latin Mass) is a perfectly valid form of the Mass. If you prefer it, that is fine.

You are not “less of a Catholic” for preferring one over the other. The important thing is to worship God and offer yourself to Him entirely, whichever form of the Mass you attend.

Charismatic worship can be a good thing, too, as is any form of worship that conforms to the guidelines of the Church.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I am hoping to be received into the Church this year and come from a Pentecostal background…

However, I’m a bit confused about traditional Catholicism and the way I’ve seen the Church through the past few years… But I’ve grown to love the Church as well.

I love the Douay-Rheims-Challoner version of the Holy Bible, however, I’ve never been to a Latin Mass and I am Charismatic. (I know that doesn’t really define a traditional Catholic, just giving examples of my spirituality.)

So as for being a traditional Catholic, I don’t quite think I would cut it. However, does that make one any less of a Catholic? Can one combine traditional Catholic spirituality with charismatic Catholic spirituality? Or does it even matter?

Congrats on your decision to convert to Catholicism. I too love the Douay-Rheims Challoner version. It is my main Bible in English. I also use the Clementine Vulgate alongside the Douay-Rheims. Traditional Catholic doesn’t always mean attending a TLM, but rather holding to the traditional views of the Church Pre Vatican II and Post Vatican II. I don’t know anything on Charismatic backgrounds.

 

[BrianStacy]

Thanks PhileotheaZ and tobinatorstark…

I see what both of you mean and that’s how I feel about being a faithful Catholic… It’s good to know that I’m not doing anything that would be considered heretic or schismatic.

 

[puzzleannie]

I
So as for being a traditional Catholic, I don’t quite think I would cut it. However, does that make one any less of a Catholic? Can one combine traditional Catholic spirituality with charismatic Catholic spirituality? Or does it even matter?

self-labelling oneself “traditional Catholic” has little or nothing to do with the quality of one’s spirituality. Nor does self-labelling oneself “charistmatic”. As a matter of fact the two are not mutually exclusive. Some of the most traditional Catholic parishes, priests, writers, speakers, institutions and lay people are very much influenced by and involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

at this stage I would not look for a label I would look for authentic teaching of solid Catholic doctrine and authentic practice of solid Catholic prayer, beginning with the Mass and sacraments, scripture and daily prayer. the only label you want is “faithful Catholic”, and I would also caution against comparing yourself with others as that is rarely helpful.

 

[Epistemes]

Hello,

I know that your identity is changing and that you’re really excited about these changes and about Catholicism, in general, because I’ve been right where you are – coming into the Church, trying to figure what devotions to subscribe to, trying to figure out which translation of the Bible (with its awesome seven extra books), and oh so much more – but really, when you get down to it, the thing which makes you Catholic isn’t going to be if you say your prayers in Latin, Spanish, or English, or even if you own a rosary (surprise!), but if you believe in the Real Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Everything centers around this; otherwise, it’s easy to lose focus of what really matters, which is that Christ is among us, even now.

 

[BrianStacy]

…but if you believe in the Real Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Everything centers around this; otherwise, it’s easy to lose focus of what really matters, which is that Christ is among us, even now.

That is the entire reason why I am journeying to the Church. Everywhere else just has partial Truth, whereas the Catholic Church contains the Fullness of Truth within the Blessed Eucharistic Body of Christ. I cannot imagine living my life without partaking in the Holy Eucharist and as each day passes, my desire increases to the point where I feel that I cannot wait any longer.

It is sin that I hate, but the Love that Christ has given me, I want it to abound even more in every second that passes, whether it be through the cross I carry or the love that I bless others with and allow Jesus and His Mother to lead me to a closer union with God and all the saints in Heaven and Purgatory as well as those upon Earth.

 

[HappyRevert]

Welcome Home! The wonderful part of being Catholic is it embraces all sorts of forms that suit different spiritualities. You can have masses that are very traditional or very charismatic. You can usually find your fit. There are many saints you can use as examples for practicing different spiritual disciplines for example Saint Ignatius, . Of course, within these Spiritualities for Catholics, ultimately the key is the Eucharist.