Interesting observation (at least to me)

[kanrok]

I was in San Francisco on a business trip last week. My hotel was across the street from Grace Cathedral. I had a short period of time between arriving at my hotel and my business meeting so I thought I’d run across the street, look around and pray for awhile. I assumed Grace Cathedral was Catholic. I walked in and it was a beautiful place. I walked over to the pews, kneeled down and began praying. The funny thing about it was that I just didn’t have the feeling I usually have when entering a Cathoilc church. I didn’t have the feeling I usually have when I go for eucharistic adoration. I can’t explain it other than to say, I just didn’t feel what I believe to be is the presence of God. It was odd to me. It wasn’t until I looked up after I began praying that I noticed it l might actually not be in a Catholic cathedral. As it turns out, of course, Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal Church. Maybe I’m just imagining things, but I thought it odd and wondered if anybody else had a similar experience.

 

[InLight247]

It is very interesting.

There is a real difference when the “Real Presence” is not there.

 

[GemmaRose]

… Maybe I’m just imagining things, but I thought it odd and wondered if anybody else had a similar experience.

You’re not imagining anything! I’m not sure we have the right words in our language to really explain it, but you’re totally correct - it FEELS different to be in a Catholic Church and the only explanation it can be is the Real Presence. I’ve been in all kinds of Churches - modern architecture, old European cathedrals, and it all “feels” the same. But I couldn’t “feel” “it” in the Episcopal church where I attended someone’s wedding, nor in the Presbyterian church where I attended a concert, nor in the Assemblies of God church when I was in a Catholic Christian band where we gave a concert.

I remember in the Episcopal church, I was looking around before the wedding began, and darned if it didn’t look 100% Catholic, with statues of Mary and Joseph, candles, a tabernacle and everything… but the “feeling” just wasn’t there.

The “feeling” is so strong, that I’ve even heard conversion stories of people who “felt” drawn into a Catholic Church building, or of those who had accompanied a friend to Mass and “felt” “it.”

I remember reading somewhere (I don’t remember who wrote it but it sounds like something St. Augustine would have said) that the soul knows its Creator.

So I guess even if our “heads” don’t know how to explain it, our very souls know when they are near the One who made them.

 

[Pani_Rose]

It is kind of like all the Protestant bus tours the come to Mother Angelica’s shrine in Hanceville. They are totally amazed at it’s beauty and peace. They all leave in amazement and come back, because they can’t understand the peace

When Christ is present in the Eucharist, there is a huge difference :extrahappy:

 

[kanrok]

Thanks, all. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who felt this way.

 

[NPC]

As others have said, I too seem to notice the absence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of a non-Catholic church. There is certainly ‘something’ about it - while Scripture assures me that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, I believe I can feel it too. As an organist I have twice had the opportunity to play at an Anglican Communion service - one, the Sunday Eucharist after Christmas, and the other as part of a wedding… Although the service generally follows the same form and uses the same words as the Mass, I just didn’t get any of the sense of wonder I get during the consecration at Mass. It is indeed extraordinary.

 

[MarieVeronica]

I believe your experience is very real, yes indeed. During the time that I was fallen away from the Church… I had visited a couple other churches, with friends. And the thing that always stood out to me… was the LACK of the Real Presence of Jesus. I always experienced an empty, hollow feeling in non-Catholic churches.

Our Lord’s Presence in the Tabernacle of Catholic Churches… is 100% REAL. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that it is not. He IS there… Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. God bless.

 

[GemmaRose]

This is slightly off topic and maybe should be another thread, but I can feel the difference in me after Confession too. Nothing else feels the same. I can feel the grace.

I never can understand when you hear some people say, “I don’t get anything out of Confession.” Can’t they feel it too?

 

[BlestOne]

This is slightly off topic and maybe should be another thread, but I can feel the difference in me after Confession too. Nothing else feels the same. I can feel the grace.

I never can understand when you hear some people say, “I don’t get anything out of Confession.” Can’t they feel it too?

Oh yes… definitely feel the grace most after confession… I love that feeling!!!

 

[Mini_gerbel]

oh wow!

I get that to! I walked into a chapel, and it felt wonderful or something!

I know go to mass there a great deal

lucky me

 

[Mrs_V]

I practically float out of the confessional, it is such an amazeing feeling. And it should be - it is God’s FORGIVENESS!!!

 

[quiet52]

I hate being a wet blanket – but would like to remind people that our faith is based neither on our emotions or how we “experience” our faith while sitting back passively. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – He never did He tell us we’re always going to be floating on air when we choose to follow HIm, when we seek fuller understanding about His truths, and when we seek eternal life by striving to be in communion with Him.

Not everyone will always “feel” Christ’s presence every time we’re before the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed Mother Teresa accepted this, yet didn’t lose her faith – her knowledge that Jesus was with her. That being said, when we receive the fruits of the Spirit by cooperating with the various graces bestowed upon us, what a blessing, yes?

 

[BlestOne]

I hate being a wet blanket – but would like to remind people that our faith is based neither on our emotions or how we “experience” our faith while sitting back passively. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – He never did He tell us we’re always going to be floating on air when we choose to follow HIm, when we seek fuller understanding about His truths, and when we seek eternal life by striving to be in communion with Him.

Not everyone will always “feel” Christ’s presence every time we’re before the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed Mother Teresa accepted this, yet didn’t lose her faith – her knowledge that Jesus was with her. That being said, when we receive the fruits of the Spirit by cooperating with the various graces bestowed upon us, what a blessing, yes?

Yes!!! You are correct… I was merely talking about being able to feel the grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation… you know… that “nothing is weighing me down” feeling… but alas you are correct… it isn’t about feelings… it is about the freedom to choose to worship the one true God the way he wants to be worshiped.

 

[MarieVeronica]

I hate being a wet blanket – but would like to remind people that our faith is based neither on our emotions or how we “experience” our faith while sitting back passively. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – He never did He tell us we’re always going to be floating on air when we choose to follow HIm, when we seek fuller understanding about His truths, and when we seek eternal life by striving to be in communion with Him.

Not everyone will always “feel” Christ’s presence every time we’re before the Blessed Sacrament. Blessed Mother Teresa accepted this, yet didn’t lose her faith – her knowledge that Jesus was with her. That being said, when we receive the fruits of the Spirit by cooperating with the various graces bestowed upon us, what a blessing, yes?

Respectfully… I don’t think that anyone here suggested that our faith is based on our emotions, in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. As I understood this thread… it was a simple expression of the joy experienced by many… in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Tabernacle.

I can only speak from my own experience… but, personally… when I make a visit to Our Lord… it isn’t with the intention of “sitting back passively”. I make my visits with the intention of expressing my love to Him (as well as I, a poor sinner… am able to do so). I actively converse with my Lord, at those times. Further… I don’t believe that anyone here… expressed a belief that Jesus promised us we’d be floating on air when we follow Him. Quite the contrary. He told us that in order to be His disciples… it would be necessary for us to take up our cross, daily… and follow Him. (Mark 8:34).

Sadly, it is true… that not everyone is able to feel the Real Presence of Jesus in the Tabernacle. And yes, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (we have learned from her letters) was among those, in the latter part of her life. Why does this happen to some people and not others? Only Our Lord knows the answer.

But what a beautiful (and real) experience it is… to feel His Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. And what a beautiful thing to share that joy with others. Sharing this joy… is a way of witnessing to Christ. And yes indeed, cooperation with the graces bestowed on us, by the Holy Spirit IS a blessing.

Feeling the Real Presence of Jesus IS, itself… a grace bestowed by the Holy Spirit. And this thread is a “response” to that grace. I pray that all will receive this gift. God bless.

 

[Ceil-1]

I think it goes to a level way deeper than a feeling or emotion. I think this is what is meant by a movement of the soul.

I always used to know I was in the neighborhood around the Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, NY. ( I would always get lost). A certain type of inner peace and warmth would envelope me. I knew I was nearby.

I used to get this same warm, fuzzy feeling when I was around certain relatives who were known for their holiness (particularly, an aunt who was a nun). Also, when I went to church as a young child. Now, when I go to Perpertual Adoration.

I think this warm, fuzzy feeling is love.

I can’t put my finger on it, but I really miss it when I am not praying as much or going to Adoration as often. My interactions are not as peaceful or meaningful. It is hard to describe.

 

[quiet52]

from Ceil-1: I think it goes to a level way deeper than a feeling or emotion. I think this is what is meant by a movement of the soul.

I always used to know I was in the neighborhood around the Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, NY. ( I would always get lost). A certain type of inner peace and warmth would envelope me. I knew I was nearby.

I used to get this same warm, fuzzy feeling when I was around certain relatives who were known for their holiness (particularly, an aunt who was a nun). Also, when I went to church as a young child. Now, when I go to Perpertual Adoration.

I think this warm, fuzzy feeling is love.

from MarieVeronica: Respectfully… I don’t think that anyone here suggested that our faith is based on our emotions, in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. As I understood this thread… it was a simple expression of the joy experienced by many… in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Tabernacle.

I try to remember to thank God for the joy, the peace, the comfort, the strengthening, the drawing to Him, and the other ways He shows me His presence through emotion and through insight. Yes, it can be hard to describe how we realize and experience His presence. I think of what St. Paul tells us – how can we describe something that surpasses our understanding? But then I think of how others have shared with me they think they’re doing something wrong because they can’t “sense” or feel God in prayer, even during Holy Communion. I try to explain we all go through this, sometimes many times, sometimes for long durations. And we still love Him and others in spite of not “sensing” Him, and we still have faith that He loves us. Love is not the “warm fuzzies” – although that can be a manifestation of love. I guess I can be touchy about this topic.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is jsut, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if dthere is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)-

 

[GemmaRose]

I think it goes to a level way deeper than a feeling or emotion. I think this is what is meant by a movement of the soul.

I always used to know I was in the neighborhood around the Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, NY. ( I would always get lost). A certain type of inner peace and warmth would envelope me. I knew I was nearby.

I used to get this same warm, fuzzy feeling when I was around certain relatives who were known for their holiness (particularly, an aunt who was a nun). Also, when I went to church as a young child. Now, when I go to Perpertual Adoration.

I think this warm, fuzzy feeling is love.

I can’t put my finger on it, but I really miss it when I am not praying as much or going to Adoration as often. My interactions are not as peaceful or meaningful. It is hard to describe.

In reading the above post, it brought to mind an old memory. When I first started to drive, every once in a while I would drive by some sort of structure, apparently Catholic, encircled by large brick walls. I had no idea what it was - I knew the parishes in the area and it wasn’t a parish. Yet, when I drove past it, I would get that “feeling” that we’ve been talking about in this thread… and it was very strong.

Finally, after some period of time (I don’t remember how long), I asked someone, “What is that big thing at [location]?” and was informed it was the Precious Blood Monastery of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood!

I might not have known what it was, but I sure felt it, or should I say Him!

 

[MarieVeronica]

But then I think of how others have shared with me they think they’re doing something wrong because they can’t “sense” or feel God in prayer, even during Holy Communion. I try to explain we all go through this, sometimes many times, sometimes for long durations. And we still love Him and others in spite of not “sensing” Him, and we still have faith that He loves us. Love is not the “warm fuzzies” – although that can be a manifestation of love. I guess I can be touchy about this topic.

I agree, “Quiet”. And I think that Blessed Mother Teresa (as referenced, in this thread) is a shining example of faith to us… under these circumstances. It’s difficult to understand why some of us can “feel” His Presence… and others can’t seem to. How I wish that all of us, could. All of the time. I have a strong sense… that Our Lord grants special grace and merit to those who believe… but can not feel His Presence. He is so generous and loving.

Personally, although I normally DO feel His Presence… I have times when I don’t feel His Presence quite as strongly as others. We have a Eucharistic Minister… who brings Holy Communion to our home, once a week. And for some reason, Our Lord’s Presence isn’t as strong to me… in my house, as It is… in HIS House (when we go for Eucharistic Adoration).

Nevertheless… I do believe. And in my own house, I am able to receive Our Lord on my knees. Which is not permitted in our parish church. I am truly blessed.

 

[danonwaveland]

I think I agree with all the posters above. Yes, our faith does not depend upon feelings. But, yes, we are sometimes given a grace to discern the Eucharistic Presence of our Lord. This has happened to me many times and, interestingly, I’ve noticed an “absence” of that “feeling” – for lack of a better term – in some Catholic churches that I visit for the first time. Upon looking around, I discover that the Eucharist has a separate chapel with no Eucharistic Presence in the main church area.

And I agree with some of the other posters that there is often a palpable sense of joy after Confession. My wife says that I usually have a big smile on my face returning to the pew after Reconciliation.

I am grateful for all these little gifts, but I know that they are not “necessary.” They build up my faith and I pray that, should they diminish, I will remember them and recall what some of the posters above mentioned – that faith is not feelings.

God bless,
Dan