Guadalupe, Lourdes, etc

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Abiien

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Hi, I’m a typical human being, always seeking more… truth. More to life. I want to say, first off, that obviously this topic name has brought you in here expecting something that has to do with Mary, Mother of God, and it definitely does. But first off i want to explain how I really enjoy hearing peoples stories and if anyone has one , i would greatly appreciate you typing it out :). Thanks in advance, hah.

I’ve always wanted to visit one of these simple Holy places (whether stated by the church as Holy or not…) It’s always striked me as something beautiful, and I am from a small small not-so-much-Holiness filled town where religion is put on the backburner for everyone (which if im nto mistaken is worldwide for cities and such). Anyways… from a very agnostic town, i believe one fo these places holds such great potential hope for a hungry Catholic such as myself. I occasionaly use a couple of my hours (weekly or so) in adoration where I can just communicate with God just me and him, and usually I do not even say a word, his presence is just so radiating, and I can … feel it more or less. I honestly have heard that sometimes there is so little distraction spiritually in these areas that if you let your self, its much easier to become focused on the One who deserves all focus… (insert stories at any point, i dont require you to read all of this 🙂 ) Anyways, I am basically just rambling about how im eager to visit a Marian site this summer, God willing. I would like to hear anyones view on these places, on mary, on just my spiritual walk, does anyone have any advice on life, anything at all. At this point in my life I am all about learning, im a senior in a public school. With sin around me 25/7 (dont ask how thats possible, hah) Its hard to just go out and learn, so i spend time on sites like these and time in adoration or helping out at church.

I Pray for all of you who read this, and hope that you and strike a great conversation about Mary, or God’s creation in general.

God Bless you all 🙂
 
Abiien said:
Hi, I’m a typical human being, always seeking more… truth. More to life. I want to say, first off, that obviously this topic name has brought you in here expecting something that has to do with Mary, Mother of God, and it definitely does. But first off i want to explain how I really enjoy hearing peoples stories and if anyone has one , i would greatly appreciate you typing it out :). Thanks in advance, hah.

I’ve always wanted to visit one of these simple Holy places (whether stated by the church as Holy or not…) It’s always striked me as something beautiful, and I am from a small small not-so-much-Holiness filled town where religion is put on the backburner for everyone (which if im nto mistaken is worldwide for cities and such). Anyways… from a very agnostic town, i believe one fo these places holds such great potential hope for a hungry Catholic such as myself. I occasionaly use a couple of my hours (weekly or so) in adoration where I can just communicate with God just me and him, and usually I do not even say a word, his presence is just so radiating, and I can … feel it more or less. I honestly have heard that sometimes there is so little distraction spiritually in these areas that if you let your self, its much easier to become focused on the One who deserves all focus… (insert stories at any point, i dont require you to read all of this 🙂 ) Anyways, I am basically just rambling about how im eager to visit a Marian site this summer, God willing. I would like to hear anyones view on these places, on mary, on just my spiritual walk, does anyone have any advice on life, anything at all. At this point in my life I am all about learning, im a senior in a public school. With sin around me 25/7 (dont ask how thats possible, hah) Its hard to just go out and learn, so i spend time on sites like these and time in adoration or helping out at church.

I Pray for all of you who read this, and hope that you and strike a great conversation about Mary, or God’s creation in general.

God Bless you all 🙂
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God bless you too.

I’ve been to an unapproved Marian site - this was before I was aware that it wasn’t approved.

I’d say err on the side of caution. We’re talking potential danger to your soul here. Stick to approved pilgrimage sites - Fatima or Lourdes (or even Knock in Ireland). Rome is fantastic if you are in the area, as is Assisi in Italy.

I know what you mean - I’ve lived in some relatively seedy parts of this city and soemtimes it can’t help but bring you down a little.
 
Might I suggest that maybe a pilgrimage isn’t what you need?

I went on a short vacation to La Bufadora, Mexico last month- actually spent Christmas there, and it did wonders.

I had been going through I what I guess you might call a period of aridity. I was missing liturgy a lot, my prayer life was virtually nonexistant, and I was in serious danger of losing my faith altogether. I felt like Sin City was crushing me- I could almost physically feel the traffic at the intersection outside my apartment running me over.

After a few days of being away from civilization, waking up knowing the Pacific Ocean was about fifty yards away, I started making a daily “pilgrimage” to the lagoon and praying the Rosary while I watched the waves come in. I could almost feel the waves washing away my “grrr”.

Since I got back three weeks ago, I’ve kept up praying the Rosary, and also the Divine Mercy and the Jesus Prayer. I’ve found that I still have that sense of peace, and it’s a lot easier to face the big city when you’re in daily communication with God.

If you feel moved to make a pilgrimage to a “holy place” then by all means, do so. But you really might just need to get out of the city for a week or so and be able to experience God’s presence in nature, and often doing that is a matter of going somewhere that’s just a few hours’ drive from home.

Oh, and bring something back with you.

I brought seashells. I found three big scallop shells, which have become part of the decoration in my icon corner, and three small snail shells, which I put on my little icon shelf at work.

It’s really nice having a physical reminder of the place where I re-connected with God in the place where I pray every night.
 
I think the best place to go is Israel.
The Bible will come alive when you visit he places where Jesus walked.
I don’t put much faith in the apparitions of Mary appearing all over the world.
I think they are a grand deception from the enemy.
 
newbie1234 said:
I think the best place to go is Israel.
The Bible will come alive when you visit he places where Jesus walked.
I don’t put much faith in the apparitions of Mary appearing all over the world.
I think they are a grand deception from the enemy.
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Whatever. Obviously the original poster doesn’t share your view.

Most people who have a devotion to Mary find that it bears great fruit in their life. In terms of increased prayer (to God, not just Mary), good works and repentance (definitely to God and not Mary), which is really the ultimate test of any belief or devotional practice.
 
LilyM said:
Whatever. Obviously the original poster doesn’t share your view.

Most people who have a devotion to Mary find that it bears great fruit in their life. In terms of increased prayer (to God, not just Mary), good works and repentance (definitely to God and not Mary), which is really the ultimate test of any belief or devotional practice.
Click to expand...
I fully agree with you.
 
Scallop shells are the medieval symbol of the pilgrim. Coincidence?
 
newbie1234 said:
I think the best place to go is Israel.
The Bible will come alive when you visit he places where Jesus walked.
I don’t put much faith in the apparitions of Mary appearing all over the world.
I think they are a grand deception from the enemy.
Click to expand...
Actually, the Bible can come alive anywhere even here on Catholic Forums 🙂

Your answers, your posts, your replies and your thoughts toward fellow Christians are the key of making the Bible alive.
 
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