I don;'t trust priests

[Writer_for_God]

Hi,
I don’t want to go into too much detail. I just want to say that recently I have been realizing that I don’t have much trust in priests, or probably any religious figures. I believe what the Church teaches, but I think I have a deep-seated mistrust for priests, and other people in positions of authority in the Church. I think this mistrust was lying dormant in me for a while, and only recent events have unearthed these feelings. I have spent a lot of time praising priests and praying for them and encouraging people to listen to them, when I had a mistrust of my own that I figured lauding and lifting them up would overcome. But I wanted to ask for prayers for myself, but also for all people who have mistrust of priests or religious figured in authority. My mistrust is even more overshadowed by that of my friends and family. However bad it is in me, it is worse in everyone else I know. Please pray for me, and my friends and family, and also for all priests, that they will be faithful and trustworthy to do God’s will.
Thank you all very much.
God bless you. Amen.

 

[tawny]

Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance, direction, strength, fortitude & wisdom in your time of need.

 

[alcuin18]

I’m truly sorry to hear of the mistrust you are experiencing for priests and Church authorities. I understand where you could get such distrust; after all, humans are sinful, and power often gives people more opportunities and ability to sin. I think, however, that with priests, we aren’t really required to trust them; they aren’t our friends or family. Priests perform a vital function in the Church, namely, acting in persona Christi, that is, having the authority of Christ when they perform sacramental functions. This doesn’t mean that they will never sin; far from it. Or that everything they say - even in homilies - is correct.

Priests certainly should strive not to sin, to be trustworthy, kind, merciful, and accurate in what they preach; but with fallen human beings, this will not always be the case. I think the two most important things are to trust a priest’s authority when they are performing sacramental functions, which are valid regardless of whatever sin they’ve done; and to not stereotype and generalize all priests for the actions of a few. As a Catholic convert, all the priests I’ve known I’ve liked very much, except one. But I can’t let that one color my expectations of all priests. I hope this helps, and I pray for you my friend. I ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, your guardian angel, and St. John Vianney. God bless.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe into me Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

 

[wild_thing]

Praying, especially on Holy Thursady, that all people will pray earnestly for our priests…

HOLY THURSDAY PRAYER

O Lord Jesus,
in order that the merits of your sacrifice
on the Cross
might be applied to every soul of all time,
you willed that it should be renewed
upon the altar.
At the Last Supper, you said:
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
By these words
you gave your apostles and their successors
the power to consecrate
and to the command to do what you yourself did.
I believe that the Mass is
both a sacrifice and a memorial-
reenacting your passion, death and resurrection.
Help me to realize that the Mass
is the greatest gift of God to us
and our greatest gift to God.
Amen.

 

[Spritus1]

Trust in God. Stay close to Jesus in the sacraments. Live your faith as best you can. Stay close to Our Lady in the Rosary. Let God take care of the rest.

 

[pollylodges]

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

 

[sirach2v4]

I have long been mistrustful of priests. Priests vary so much and my current priest seems to be not much of a people person.

My expectations of a parish are very low.

You name it. One sunday the pastor announced there was an outstanding breakfast in the social hall and it was delicious and everything. When I got there, and paid my money, I discovered the hall was still filled with people who were lingering from the last serving, and, are you ready? there was no food! then after some time, they put out a pan of scrambled eggs (how long did that take, when they knew the Mass was letting out) and then some long minutes later, out came a pan of undercooked sausage – real tough, like a rubber ball.
And, even if you decided to eat a “meal” of eggs and rubber sausage,there was barely a place to sit and the people sitting there just look on indifferently.

Well, there are more important things of course. In a nearby parish, the priests let people talk out loud ( ! ) before Mass, and then they ring a large handbell to try to get them to quiet down. Try saying a rosary before the Blessed Sacrament there. I dare you.

And, then, there’s the priests who tell jokes at Mass. WHAT?? Even Adam and Eve jokes – that would be in poor taste anyplace, not to mention in church.

People talking out loud in the adoration chapel where there is a sign posted that says no talking. (Can;'t they even step outside, if they have to talk? IN THERE?)

I go to church, but my expectations are very low. My pastor sings part of his homily, and he’s singing rock lyrics from the 80’s. Moody Blues. John Denver. Apparently the scriptures aren’t enough for him. I’m at the verge of walking out if he does that the next time. His homily is often about the lyrics of those songs, not scripture.

Satan is testing me. Apparently no one else cares, they don’t complain, that I can tell, but contributions are WAY off. Some people are very faithful about that, got to give them credit, and I feel bad about sending my contributions to other charities. But, there’s no way to break through to our current priest. He has alienated other people.

 

[acadiANNA]

I can understand your frustrations. Praying for the intentions you requested. God bless.

 

[Pier]

†

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen. †

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the Fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.

Amen. †

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle,
be our defense against the wickedness and snares
of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the
power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other
evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen. †

St. Thérèse of Liseux Prayer From “Story of A Soul”

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen. †

Lord, thank you that you are with me right now.
Your love surpasses all fear.
I give you the anxiety I feel.
I surrender all my worries to you.
Clear my mind;
Calm my heart;
Still my Spirit;
Relax my being, that, I may
always glorify you in everything
I write, speak and do.

Amen. †

Jesus, Help Me

In every need let me come to Thee with humble trust, saying,
Jesus, help me!

In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations,
Jesus, help me!

In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials,
Jesus, help me!

In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles and sorrows,
Jesus, help me!

When my heart is cast down by failure, at seeing no good come from my efforts,
Jesus, help me!

When others fail me, and Thy grace alone can assist me,
Jesus, help me!

When I throw myself on Thy tender love as Father and Savior,
Jesus, help me!

When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me,
Jesus, help me!

When sickness and loneliness overcome me,
Jesus, help me!

Always, in weakness, falls and shortcomings of every kind,
Jesus, help me and never forsake me.

Thank You, dear Lord Jesus.

Amen. †

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
Sweet Heart of my Jesus, grant that I may always love You more.
Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, set our hearts on fire with love of You.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Your Heart.

Amen. †

Prayers said. All will be well. Do not fear, the Lord is protecting you.
Do not be lonely, your guardian angel is beside you.
Be comforted, Mother will watch over you, and the
Holy Spirit will guide you.

Amen. †

Prayer Against Depression
………….By St 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.

Amen.

†

Let Nothing Disturb You

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa de Jesús
(Santa Teresa de Ávila)

Thank You, dear Lord Jesus.

Amen.

†