Just someone to talk to

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erik_none

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When I converted to Catholicism last year it was one of the best things I had ever done. I loved every bit of it. I was a skeptic of confession through out RCIA but once I finally went for my first confession I made it a regular once every two week habit. I thoroughly enjoyed Mass. I loved it.

Nowadays, I feel myself slipping away. More or less, I see myself gravitating towards other religions. I am very interested in Islam. I also find Hinduism interesting (but way too complicated for me). Often, I see myself wanting to add pieces from other religions into my Catholic faith, namely the prostration during Salat by Muslims. But as of late I’ve felt myself gravitate towards Islam. I won’t convert. I know that. But how do I get back on track? I ask Jesus and Mother Mary for guidance and prayer but still find myself in this rut. What do I do?
 
Perhaps you need a bit of spiritual direction at this point. Is there anyone in your parish (or elsewhere) who could be your guide, answer questions, suggest how to proceed, etc?

Also, you can prostrate yourself in prayer as a Catholic. I do urge you to only practice Catholic devotions rather than incorporate things from other religions, because it is not good to flirt with that kind of thing. Plus our church has so many wonderful devotions and types of prayer.
 
I am in the process of joining a new parish so I would have to ask. That’s where I get hung up because I have an impressionable way of thinking. If I find something interesting I kinda run with it
 
erik_none said:
When I converted to Catholicism last year it was one of the best things I had ever done. I loved every bit of it. I was a skeptic of confession through out RCIA but once I finally went for my first confession I made it a regular once every two week habit. I thoroughly enjoyed Mass. I loved it.

Nowadays, I feel myself slipping away. More or less, I see myself gravitating towards other religions. I am very interested in Islam. I also find Hinduism interesting (but way too complicated for me). Often, I see myself wanting to add pieces from other religions into my Catholic faith, namely the prostration during Salat by Muslims. But as of late I’ve felt myself gravitate towards Islam. I won’t convert. I know that. But how do I get back on track? I ask Jesus and Mother Mary for guidance and prayer but still find myself in this rut. What do I do?
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As a point of information, if you are a baptised Catholic you remain a Catholic forever. That cannot be undone,even if you walked away from the Church.
 
I was not baptized Catholic. I was previously baptized under a Trinitarian Protestant church… When I went through my RCIA classes they stated that was still valid baptism and I did not need to be rebaptized.
 
Erik,

You need Catholic friends. People who are on the same mission as you are - to glorify God by becoming a saint.

BTW, if you just became Catholic last year you haven’t even scratched the surface of Catholicism. I’d recommend giving up all study of all other religions and instead focusing on learning everything you can about your new Catholic Faith. Between Church history, Papal documents, spirituality, brilliant theology and philosophy, canon law, the Mass, the liturgy of the hours, etc you’ll try in vain to learn everything even with a long life of study. Dive in!

I’d strongly recommended starting with The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin.
 
It might help to spend some time around other devout Catholics/do Catholic things. You mentioned being impressionable, I sometimes have the same issue, it tends to help to fill my time and thought with true things, usually there’s no room for pining for Islamic practices then.
 
In your new parish try to find a Priest to be your spiritual director who will be able to give you guidance & direction in the spiritual growth & development of your Catholic faith.
 
It’s not that I haven’t researched or explored the faith. When I converted that’s all I would do. But it seems that I am finding less interest in it
 
erik_none said:
It’s not that I haven’t researched or explored the faith. When I converted that’s all I would do. But it seems that I am finding less interest in it/QUOTE
Read books by saints. Saint Asphonsus, St. Ignatius, St Augustine, the Church fathers, St Teresa of Avilla, St John of the Cross, St Thomas, and more…
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In very general terms, what do you find in the other religions? Does it seem there belief system does a better job of explaining something, or is somehow helpful to you in a way you haven’t found with Catholic faith, at least not yet?

The reason is, if you are drawn to “eastern” type practices, there is a whole side of church that RCIA probably hardly touches if at all. Contemplative prayer.

I highly recommend this book, written by a Jesuit. It’s short and very human and readable, and takes you through types of prayer that bring about true union with Jesus which is contemplative prayer. (CCC 2724). It has imprimatur.

Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer. They have paper, Kindle, and audio.

There is a “look inside” the book at the amazon link above. It divides prayer into three basic formats: 1) talking at God, 2) talking to God, and 3) listening to God.

Who needs Eastern mysticism when we have all the spiritual orders we need, starting to bring what they’ve done for centuries, out into the open for lay people to see?

Personally I like to learn different ideas like other religions, along with my faith. But others have offered the advice to go purely Catholic for a while and I respect that advice especially if you are struggling with whether you want to remain an active Catholic, but it’s ultimately up to you which advice from Internet people like me, if any, you want to listen to. 😉

MS
 
Wishes in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As you had already asked our Lord and Blessed Mother Mary, the needful has already been done. They are helping you already. Many times, it takes some time to realize their help. Help also may not be like a pill. It may be like a course of medicine. It is happening already unless you purposely choose not to take them.

Other religions do not have Christ. Sometimes, the way we look at our religion and the way we define what our religion is, even ours (as far as our heart could go) may not have Christ at all. Sacrifice is necessary. And it has to be pure. And Jesus Christ is the pure sacrifice on behalf of us. It is simple as it is. As you are called to believe in it, wishes for you to hang on.

Loving God is the best path one could take. Please explore about Loving God. Best wishes

Best wishes
 
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