How to be a better Catholic

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EphelDuath

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I go to Mass and confession every week, but I still fall into mortal sin very often (I won’t elaborate any further on that unless specifically asked). I’ve tried going confession more often and I’ve started praying more and putting religious icons around my house but I still fall into the same sins over and over again.

I want to obey God, and I’ve asked for his help so many times, but it feels almost impossible at times. Quite simply, my question is: how do I be a better Catholic?
 
EphelDuath said:
I go to Mass and confession every week, but I still fall into mortal sin very often (I won’t elaborate any further on that unless specifically asked). I’ve tried going confession more often and I’ve started praying more and putting religious icons around my house but I still fall into the same sins over and over again.

I want to obey God, and I’ve asked for his help so many times, but it feels almost impossible at times. Quite simply, my question is: how do I be a better Catholic?
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Have you tried praying the rosary? (You can PM me for a free one) That really helps me.
 
I dunno, I think the rosary is too much about Mary and not enough about penitence. Which is why I prefer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

If you think it will help, though, I will certainly try praying one rosary a day.
 
I had the same problem as you, repeatedly falling into mortal sin. I wasn’t even going to confession as often as you.

I tried telling myself that I wanted a larger portion of heaven than indulging in a sin. You’ld think that would work:shrug:

I had ialways felt that I wanted to turn away from my sin on my own, that I wanted to do that for God. Finally I realized that I needed to turn to Him. Ask him to take away my desire to sin. Guess what, didn’t work.

So I was listening to Daily mass, It must’ve been Father Francis’ last broadcasted homily ( I Love that guy ). He was talking about a man who realized he hit the bottom when he spent 9 hours sobbing and gave himself up to God, Let God take the reins.

I was 1/2 listening to the homily and I let my mind wander on that old thought that I wanted to turn from sin myself. I reasoned that I should love God and I do love Jesus enough to just stop. Heck I should love my wife enough. I imagined Jesus asking me to stop, which wasn’t a stretch because he actually has. I stopped.

I don’t deny the Holy Spirit in my life. I couldn’t have that kind of love without Him. I say this with no shame. I did it. I did it for Him. I did it with Him. I do nothing without Him. For me, however It was important that I do it…for Him. I stopped.
 
Excellent post. I do feel like my life is just one trial after another. First I was bothered by my social life, and when I overcame that, I thirsted for a meaning in life, and when I found God, I realized that I was too weak to follow him.

Hopefully I’ll be satisfied once I can completely consecrate my soul to his will. Thank you.
 
EphelDuath said:
I go to Mass and confession every week, but I still fall into mortal sin very often (I won’t elaborate any further on that unless specifically asked). I’ve tried going confession more often and I’ve started praying more and putting religious icons around my house but I still fall into the same sins over and over again.

I want to obey God, and I’ve asked for his help so many times, but it feels almost impossible at times. Quite simply, my question is: how do I be a better Catholic?
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Perhaps you might want to make an hour appointment with your priest to go over this problem in detail. Or find a Spiritual Directer who can guide you. If you have a catyholic Retreat Ceneter near you, perhaps a weekend retreat will help out. (These suggestions have worked for me)
 
I’ve done the weekend retreat jazz. It’s pretty nauseating when you get home and then resume mortal sin as normal.

😦
 
I’m reading a book on Hell and on how to avoid it. The author makes the point that sinning is a result of us being insensitive to sin, being calloused.

One way to be more sensitive is to start making a habit of virtue. He said that “small” venial sins turn into a habit of sinning, and make mortal sin all the easier to fall into. Pay attention to the quote in my signature.

Best of luck to you.
 
EphelDuath said:
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I want to obey God, and I’ve asked for his help so many times, but it feels almost impossible at times. Quite simply, my question is: how do I be a better Catholic?
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focus on serving as Christ served, and as he calls us to serve. begin with reading John’s account of the Last Supper, particularly Christ washing the feet of the apostles and the teaching he drew for them. look for ways to serve. Model the service on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. do not neglect Mass, the sacraments and daily prayer of course. These three go together: fasting, prayer and works of charity, that is, these three penitential practices build virtue, obedience and humility and are the fastest way to advance in the spiritual life, but one without the others is empty. Most of us miss out on the service dimension, even when we are pretty faithful on the prayer and fasting dimension. focus your fasting and abstinence on the area that relates to the temptations you face most often.
 
May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you and to all!

The advice that were given to you were very good. It is a good thing that you go to confession weekly. Try to attend weekday Mass if you can. Spend some time with Our Good Lord Jesus in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It could be just staying few minutes longer after the Mass. I would also recommend that when you go to confession, try going face to face with the priest. It has helped me a lot in overcoming committing and confessing the same sins. Thank God for that!

Praying for you and for all! God bless!

Blessed be Jesus and Mary!
 
EphelDuath said:
I dunno, I think the rosary is too much about Mary and not enough about penitence. Which is why I prefer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

If you think it will help, though, I will certainly try praying one rosary a day.
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Here is a member who is not currently Catholic but on his way to become one. How? He prayed 3 Hail Mary’s 🙂 Imagine what a whole Rosary can do for you!

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=196148
I took a small part out of the poster’s post:
The first miracle that our Lord and Mother have worked for me was the complete removal of desire to watch pornography and masturbation. I cannot explain how 9 years of habit turned normal daily activity could be lifted so easily other than through the salvation and grace that is come from Jesus alone.
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and here is his recent post:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=2987181#post2987181
 
Hello everybody! Water, thank you for pm’ing me, i would have had no idea otherwise!

I feel i should give a little more background other than just those two posts. I truly feel for the OP’er, that feeling of being a slave to something you don’t want to do.

You must give himself up to God. A priest I talked with put it this way: asking for something of God is like trying to borrow 50 bucks from your neighbor. Giving yourself to God is like admitting to your neighbor you suck at budgeting and inviting him in to look at your books and help you pay your bills and reconcile your debt. Make sense? It did to me.

Really give yourself some deep inward inflection. You know you hate what you do, you of your own power cannot control it, you need divine spiritual help, try something like this:

"Lord Jesus, I want to be a better Catholic but I am a slave of my sinful habits. Please come into my life and take my heart, take my spirit, take everything about me. I’m yours"

Meditate on the sentiments of the words for a while, then say them like you mean it. That prayer was the very second one i prayed (something along those lines) But you have to mean it, the heart has to be in it. Then ask Jesus what he wants you to do, and he will guide you. He guided me to his Mother, and to the rosary.

Anyways, good luck and God bless!
 
Man, I can’t even begin to describe how I much I want to be a better Catholic!! So… I’m not gonna try! lol. But yea, we’re all in the same boat so you’re not alone!

One thing that my mom heard on the CA radio, that she shared with me, is that, when the time comes where you’re deciding whether to go through with something or not, is to ask yourself:

“Am I choosing the beast or the Feast?”
Are you choosing the devil and his empty promises, or the Lord God and all the good He has planned for you?

Another question to ask is: “Since the Holy Family is standing here in this room, since the Holy Trinity is present, are my actions something I would be ashamed of because they can see it?” It’s kinda like that whole ‘you wouldn’t do certain things in front of your parents or teachers or whomever you highly respect, etc.’

The key thing is though, is to not give up! Romans 12:12 says

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Listen to Christian music too, to help you start to think positively. Take care!! 👍

–Grey
 
EphelDuath said:
I go to Mass and confession every week, but I still fall into mortal sin very often (I won’t elaborate any further on that unless specifically asked). I’ve tried going confession more often and I’ve started praying more and putting religious icons around my house but I still fall into the same sins over and over again.

I want to obey God, and I’ve asked for his help so many times, but it feels almost impossible at times. Quite simply, my question is: how do I be a better Catholic?
Click to expand...
 
EphelDuath said:
I go to Mass and confession every week, but I still fall into mortal sin very often (I won’t elaborate any further on that unless specifically asked). I’ve tried going confession more often and I’ve started praying more and putting religious icons around my house but I still fall into the same sins over and over again.

I want to obey God, and I’ve asked for his help so many times, but it feels almost impossible at times. Quite simply, my question is: how do I be a better Catholic?
Click to expand...
Its the human condition. God is testing us with fire, allowing the evil one to shout in our face, elbow us in the ribs and even disturb our dreams.Lets keep making him MAD!!!
 
As others have said, you should start praying the Rosary; it is a great spiritual weapon against sin. I have received many graces as a result of praying the rosary; it actually brought me back into the Church. The Rosary also helped me break a habitual sin.
I dunno, I think the rosary is too much about Mary and not enough about penitence.
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The Rosary is entirely christo-centric. Many people have the wrong impression that the Rosary is entirely Marian. This is incorrect; the Rosary is actually a meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary.

Read Rosarium Virginis Mariae by John Paul II for an in depth discussion of the Rosary:

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae_en.html

I can’t recommend the Rosary enough; it is truly a magnificent prayer that will help you defeat the particular sin that is bothering you.
 
When just the thought of sin creeps into your mind use HOLY WATER and your Guardian Angel to help you and offer up the temptation as a sacrifice for yourself or someone else. And remember we are all sinners, you are no worse than the rest of us.
 
A spiritual director is really different from just a weekend retreat. Its very helpful to talk to a preist or some spiritual guide about this struggle. Try reading some of Saint Augustin’s Confessions, especially the parts about being a slave to sin and God freeing him from that slavery. You can’t do it on your own but if you keep trying God will someday soon free you from these struggles.
In Jesus and Mary,
Sarah
 
EphelDuath said:
I dunno, I think the rosary is too much about Mary and not enough about penitence.
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Actually, the rosary isn’t all about Mary. Though you say the “Hail Mary,” you are actually meditating on different parts of the Bible itself. Think of the sorrowful mysteries - they’re all about Jesus. They’re all meditations on what is in the Bible - and no one can say the Bible is all about Mary :)*
 
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