I'm Feeling Spritually Depressed/Distressed

[Zeldarocks]

I am 18 years of age and in my Senior Year of High School. The thing about this is not so much not wanting to ‘confront’ as it were; but I don’t want to do anything, I just want to coast and trust in the Church.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I am 18 years of age and in my Senior Year of High School. The thing about this is not so much not wanting to ‘confront’ as it were; but I don’t want to do anything, I just want to coast and trust in the Church.

You might want to check out contemplative prayer forms. This is a form of prayer often called “resting in God,” and is silent.

As far as coasting and trusting the Church, I’d do that in an abstract way, in that I have a lot of confidence in the Church. In a practical way, I would not assume that if you just continue with your classes this issue with your family (and consequently yourself) will be resolved by the Church. Is there a priest whom you trust that you could maybe sit down for a little while and go over some of these issues with? If you haven’t discussed a personal issue with a priest before you may be in for a treat. (Of course, people’s experiences with getting priests to help with these things vary – I have usually found it helpful.)

Alan

 

[JRKH]

Perhaps the best thing to do is to recognize that you are, after all, a student right now and that students should:
a) Trust their teacher(s)
b) Presume that any questions that come up DO have answers
c) That as you progress in learning, you will find those answers.

Given this position you can relax, absorb and move forward in confidence. When someone gives you information you are not ready to deal with simply set it aside for the time being…If the information truly disturbs your peace, then take it to your teacher and be guided by the teacher’s (name removed by moderator)ut.

For example…you mentioned corruption. This seemed to be disturbing to you. What you really want is to dispose o this question so that it lo longer disturbs you. We have tried to do just that. Give you an answer that you can trust and so you can move on.

That answer is this…any inappropriate action or activity on the part of individuals in the Church are not reflective of Church teaching…So - look first to Church teaching, become the best Catholic you can be and then the Church is strengthened…
Think of it this way…If all the honest people stayed out of the Church because of some corrupt sinful people IN the Church…How is the Church to get better???

Bottom line is that you are now learning that Christ’s Church is not a “coasting” kind of faith. It demands a lot from us. Some hate us, some fear us. God will test us, and requires much from us. We are all like the ground in the parable of the sower. Which kind of ground are you? Which kind of ground do you wish to be?

Pray for God’s Grace.

Peace
James

 

[Zeldarocks]

What can you guys tell me about perpetual Masses? My mom has just got through telling me that she has had relatives pay for perpetual masses to be said for them or their loved ones; she cited this as yet another example of corruption.

She also told me that one could pay to be given a personal blessing by the Pope; signified by a certificate of some sort

 

[JRKH]

What can you guys tell me about perpetual Masses? My mom has just got through telling me that she has had relatives pay for perpetual masses to be said for them or their loved ones; she cited this as yet another example of corruption.

She also told me that one could pay to be given a personal blessing by the Pope; signified by a certificate of some sort

The ones that I am familiar with are religious orders who do this. They are called “Spiritual Bouquets”.
I don’t believe that a donation is required, but one requests masses for a period of time up to “Perpetual”. It is normal to provide a donation for this as it helps to support the order in their work…
As to it being “Corruption” - I recently had my stepson (who died suddenly) enrolled in a perpetual “Spiritual Bouquet” with the Passionists in Chicago IL. Donation? $10.00…
Boy - I’ll be they are getting filthy rich off of that - what do you think???

Similarly with the Pope, any donation is going to go to offset the cost of the certificate, and aid in the work of the Church…It’s not like the Holy Father has a secret Swiss Bank account…

But again - her accusations fall far and wide of any teaching of the Church.

To be completely honest, it seems you mom thinks more about “money” than does the Church since her objections to you seem to center around monetary issues - the so called “corruption”

Peace
James

 

[onjac]

I don’t have much to add to what everyone else has said. But I’ll be keeping you in my prayers!

 

[Safia]

What would be the best way to go about all of this?

I know that what I’m about to say simplifies the issue tremendously, but coming from someone who was an agnostic, exploring different faiths, and reverted very strongly to the Church, remember: The Catholic Church is Truth. It just is.

Rather than debating with your parents, I’d hand them a copy of two books: this one and this one, and see what their thoughts are. There exists a lot of material out there from people who misunderstand the Church deeply, and they do not know Christ.

I went through a period not unlike yours during my reversion, and three things helped me tremendously:
– repeating the fiat (“Lord, let it be done unto me according to Thy will”)
– praying the Rosary
– praying to St. Michael the Archangel:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle,
be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou,
O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen.

I will pray for you. God bless!

 

[ready]

These past couple of days have not been very joyful or particularly memorable: My parents and sister ganged up on me and shook my faith in the Church and my journey into it, I fell to the sin of lust and perversion after a three-day stint of not masturbating, and I am just feeling emotionally drained and distressed for some reason --probably something to do with the above situations.

I’m in need of peace and consolation; I want to know that I’m doing the right thing by coming into the Church and not getting into error, I need some help in conquering this sin of lust and sexual perversion.

In addition, I’m faintly starting to feel as if the Rosary is not being effective, as if the Blessed Virgin Mary is not listening to me or helping me.

Find a confessor/spiritual director to help you … and do not doubt the Blessed Virgin Mary’s help. Things would be a lot worse in your life if she weren’t caring for you and listening to your prayers. Persevere!