I'm Catholic. So what now?

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consumedconvert

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I really desire more. I’ve been Catholic for just over a year now, and I’m doing my best to make my home a good Catholic environment (we have one infant), I am doing my best at work, and I am endeavoring to pray more and more. My wife is now a Catholic. I feel I am growing in my Catholic faith.

But in some sense, there’s a let-down. It’s almost like my current life as a Catholic isn’t well, Catholic enough. I guess it’s hard for me to describe. There’s a certain something lacking and I don’t really know what it is.

I desire to live a more rigorous Catholic life, and what’s more, to be a member of a society that promotes that life; I almost feel like right now I’m stumbling through Catholicism, grasping here and there at this and that spirituality.

So what do I need? Is this inner “feeling” a sign that I should look into a Secular Order or Lay Association? Or is this just me being, well, impatient to become more than I am? Perhaps all of this is a sign that I really need a Spiritual director. But every time I think about picking up the phone, I’m afraid that I won’t know what to tell a Spiritual Director! And to be honest, it’s hard to ask.

Advice?
 
consumedconvert said:
I really desire more. I’ve been Catholic for just over a year now, and I’m doing my best to make my home a good Catholic environment (we have one infant), I am doing my best at work, and I am endeavoring to pray more and more. My wife is now a Catholic. I feel I am growing in my Catholic faith.

But in some sense, there’s a let-down. It’s almost like my current life as a Catholic isn’t well, Catholic enough. I guess it’s hard for me to describe. There’s a certain something lacking and I don’t really know what it is.

I desire to live a more rigorous Catholic life, and what’s more, to be a member of a society that promotes that life; I almost feel like right now I’m stumbling through Catholicism, grasping here and there at this and that spirituality.

So what do I need? Is this inner “feeling” a sign that I should look into a Secular Order or Lay Association? Or is this just me being, well, impatient to become more than I am? Perhaps all of this is a sign that I really need a Spiritual director. But every time I think about picking up the phone, I’m afraid that I won’t know what to tell a Spiritual Director! And to be honest, it’s hard to ask.

Advice?
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Hi. Welcome home!

A spiritual director is never a bad idea.

Maybe you could try to incorporate more traditional Catholic devotions into your life. For example: a daily family rosary; a weekly hour of eucharistic adoration; First Friday devotion; etc.

God bless!
 
I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I feel that my life is not “Catholic” enough. Especially at work, where it is difficult to live my faith with so much of the ugliness of the world going on. I do my best to detach from that, and stay true to my faith. Living in the secular world is almost painful sometimes. I long to live my faith completely, and to be surrounded by others who feel the same way. For me, I think that will ultimately prove to be a vocation to religious life, God willing. For you, it may very well be a third order or something like that. Also, may I suggest incorporating a “rule of life” into your life. That means a regular schedule of prayer, fasting, confession, mass, etc. This may help you live the faith more fully. God Bless You.

ReginaCoeli
 
This may indeed be a nudge from God for you to perhaps look into one of the secular (lay) arms of the Religious orders.

Or perhaps it’s a call more simply to incorporate more of the corporal works of mercy into your faith life (helping out at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, St Vincent de Paul shop or perhaps as a visitor in prisons or hospitals or with pro-life issues or whatever else floats your boat)

And it certainly can’t hurt to find yourself a good Spiritual Director as well!
 
I agree with the above posters, go to Adoration and find a good spiritual director and tell him exactly what you typed in your post that should give him a good idea of where to begin. Welcome Home and GOd BLess.
 
If you start attending daily Mass, it will have the twofold benefit of bringing you closer to Jesus and closer to the people who are closest to Him. You will find you have much in common with them, including your longing for more spiritual depth.
 
St. Augustine said “My heart is restless, O God, until it rests in Thee.”
My most fervent prayer is “I love you Lord, help me to love you more.” I’m not necessarily less restless from praying this, but God guides me as to ways to love Him and others when I’m more open to His guidance.
Keep praying – and seeking ways to love especially God, your wife and daughter.
 
That unease you feel is the Lord asking you to come closer.

Recite the rosary daily-work up to saying all 4 mysteries.or start each day with a rosary said out loud-your wife can recite along with you . Attend Mass as often as possible and receive God. Frequent confession enriches one’s soul with a cleansing Grace.
Read Scripture everyday.
Start a Faith Journal and write in it daily.
Recite the divine Mercy Chaplet.
Fast
When it seems like you are alone, know that Jesus is actually very close.

Try to bring your family to Adoration weekly.
Ask your Guardian Angel to pray with you.
 
All these suggestions are great, continue to seek God’s face and to do His will. Try attending daily Mass. Also, remember to keep family life in good balance. Don’t alienate your spouse and child. Your marriage and family is a reflection of God’s unity in the Trinity. Include them in as much of your worship and devotion as possible. “The family that prays together, stays together”

Good luck!
 
Join a parish function…volunteer, get involved at the parish level. You are so needed in so many ways. The fact that you are searching, means that you have lots of energy that can be directed in a positive way.

Daily mass is a wonderful adjunct too. Tune in to Relevantradio.org and you can find all kinds of ways to direct your talents in service to the church and one another. I will pray for you and your family!
 
Start a prayer group for moms like yourself. A convert started a prayer group at our parish about 25 years ago and it is still going.
 
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