Joining too many catholic groups-advice needed!

[emily123]

Hello,
I was wanting to get an opinion from some of you out there. I know a certain person who is a convert and got very carried away and wanted to do EVERYTHING and joined way too many confraternities and other Catholic groups and now cannot fulfill all of the numerous commitments they made. I think this person is addicted to joining confraternities and prayer societies because they make him feel accepted, not because it was the will of God. Is there such thing as joining too many groups and have you ever encountered anyone with a similar problem? Any advice for my friend?

I have tried explaining to my friend that it is better to join a few confraternities and focus on those and not worry about trying to do do everything, just what God wants! My friend once was turned away from religious life and is using all these memberships to try to fill a void that he feels. Obviously, it isn’t working, but is causing him tremendous emotional distress and is interfering with his relationship with his wife and kids. The Holy Spirit calls people to a certain charism and would not contradict itself in calling someone to overburden themselves with different spiritualities and devotions, right? He says St. Francis de Sales belonged to numerous third orders and organizations and so it is OK. But St Francis de Sales was a bishop and not a father of a family!

I have told my friend to see his confessor, but he is extremely embarrassed to speak of this to a priest, as he is sure he is the only one in the world with this problem. Can a person be unhealthily attached to spiritual devotions? Is this a type of spiritual gluttony or an addiction, similar to alchoholism? Is there any hope for my friend’s recovery? Any sound advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!!! God Bless!!!

 

[Dorothy]

Hello,
I was wanting to get an opinion from some of you out there. I know a certain person who is a convert and got very carried away and wanted to do EVERYTHING and joined way too many confraternities and other Catholic groups and now cannot fulfill all of the numerous commitments they made. I think this person is addicted to joining confraternities and prayer societies because they make him feel accepted, not because it was the will of God. Is there such thing as joining too many groups and have you ever encountered anyone with a similar problem? Any advice for my friend?

I have tried explaining to my friend that it is better to join a few confraternities and focus on those and not worry about trying to do do everything, just what God wants! My friend once was turned away from religious life and is using all these memberships to try to fill a void that he feels. Obviously, it isn’t working, but is causing him tremendous emotional distress and is interfering with his relationship with his wife and kids. The Holy Spirit calls people to a certain charism and would not contradict itself in calling someone to overburden themselves with different spiritualities and devotions, right? He says St. Francis de Sales belonged to numerous third orders and organizations and so it is OK. But St Francis de Sales was a bishop and not a father of a family!

I have told my friend to see his confessor, but he is extremely embarrassed to speak of this to a priest, as he is sure he is the only one in the world with this problem. Can a person be unhealthily attached to spiritual devotions? Is this a type of spiritual gluttony or an addiction, similar to alchoholism? Is there any hope for my friend’s recovery? Any sound advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!!! God Bless!!!

No, your friend is not alone in this problem. Many who have been Catholics from birth get caught up in this as well. And I’m not only talking about confraternities and spiritual groups. They involve themselves to the point where almost every night they are out of the house doing some church work. It makes them feel good to be with community, but when this is done to the detriment of their family life it is not good at all, but can be sinful.

Yes, to your question if a person can be unhealthily attached to spiritual devotions. The Lord wants us to trust Him and not be anxious about such things. His family is something that requires his love and care.

Your friend can let the Holy Spirit lead him to which devotions he should focus on, and then just do that. St. John of the Cross touches upon such unhealthy attitudes about spiritual devotions. Anxiety about doing many different devotions, and neglect of family life as a result is not from the Holy Spirit.

 

[garyr]

Hello,
I was wanting to get an opinion from some of you out there. I know a certain person who is a convert and got very carried away and wanted to do EVERYTHING and joined way too many confraternities and other Catholic groups and now cannot fulfill all of the numerous commitments they made. I think this person is addicted to joining confraternities and prayer societies because they make him feel accepted, not because it was the will of God. Is there such thing as joining too many groups and have you ever encountered anyone with a similar problem? Any advice for my friend?

I have tried explaining to my friend that it is better to join a few confraternities and focus on those and not worry about trying to do do everything, just what God wants! My friend once was turned away from religious life and is using all these memberships to try to fill a void that he feels. Obviously, it isn’t working, but is causing him tremendous emotional distress and is interfering with his relationship with his wife and kids. The Holy Spirit calls people to a certain charism and would not contradict itself in calling someone to overburden themselves with different spiritualities and devotions, right? He says St. Francis de Sales belonged to numerous third orders and organizations and so it is OK. But St Francis de Sales was a bishop and not a father of a family!
I have told my friend to see his confessor, but he is extremely embarrassed to speak of this to a priest, as he is sure he is the only one in the world with this problem. Can a person be unhealthily attached to spiritual devotions? Is this a type of spiritual gluttony or an addiction, similar to alchoholism? Is there any hope for my friend’s recovery? Any sound advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!!! God Bless!!!

Ahh, it sounds like your friend is neglecting his 'Responsibilities of the present moment" - He Must keep his family as a high priority - and all other activities in balance - have him read this document (which is really geared towards families) to get a better balance for his time/responsibilities . . familyland.be/mercy/77-the-seven-dimensions-of-the-responsibililty-of-the-present-moment.html