W
workinprogress8
Guest
Was there one moment in your life where you truly, whole-heartedly knew there was a God without a doubt? If so, please describe.
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F
Faithful_2_Rome
Guest
Knowing by “Faith”…since I can recall… at least the age of 7 when my great grandmother died and I went into another room and prayed before a Holy Candle my grandmother had lit
Beyond a PHYSICAL “proof” doubt?
1992… when I came across photos of miraculous images of Mary over the Coptic Church in Zeitin Egypt…and even read she was TELEVISED! Oh what I would give to see those images in motion!
From there, it was everything Church approved or not condemned I could get my hands on… info of Tourin, Gaudalupe…Fatima …incorruptibles…documented miracles…etc…
Beyond a PHYSICAL “proof” doubt?
1992… when I came across photos of miraculous images of Mary over the Coptic Church in Zeitin Egypt…and even read she was TELEVISED! Oh what I would give to see those images in motion!
From there, it was everything Church approved or not condemned I could get my hands on… info of Tourin, Gaudalupe…Fatima …incorruptibles…documented miracles…etc…
M
Mamamull
Guest
Well, there was the day when I stayed back from communion and prayed – I wasn’t Catholic yet. I was kind of a closet Catholic.
Then, in the midst of my muddled prayers, I heard a male voice. He said my name and then, “Why do you continue to deny yourself recieving me? When will you come to my banquet?”
I have come to recognize that voice as the Eucharistic Jesus. We have had a few other encounters and I am humbled and amazed that a sinner like me is worthy for her Savior to speak to her.
If you aren’t very spiritual, you could just think I am happily delusional. I know I ain’t the most normal person, but I do know it is more than wishful thinking on my part.
Then, in the midst of my muddled prayers, I heard a male voice. He said my name and then, “Why do you continue to deny yourself recieving me? When will you come to my banquet?”
I have come to recognize that voice as the Eucharistic Jesus. We have had a few other encounters and I am humbled and amazed that a sinner like me is worthy for her Savior to speak to her.
If you aren’t very spiritual, you could just think I am happily delusional. I know I ain’t the most normal person, but I do know it is more than wishful thinking on my part.
T
Toni
Guest
When my grandmother died I was away from the church, my mother was praying so hard for me to return. The entire last week that she was alive most of the 56 grandchildren and about 50 great grandchildren were praying the rosary around her bed. When I saw my grandmothers last breath and witnessed the peace in her face after 11 years of suffering I saw God and came running home.
J
jrabs
Guest
what a beautiful memory or your Grandmother’s going to God.When my grandmother died I was away from the church, my mother was praying so hard for me to return. The entire last week that she was alive most of the 56 grandchildren and about 50 great grandchildren were praying the rosary around her bed. When I saw my grandmothers last breath and witnessed the peace in her face after 11 years of suffering I saw God and came running home.
B
BLB_Oregon
Guest
I remember one Holy Thursday very vividly. I stayed after for adoration, and poured out many anxieties to God. I was quiet for just a little while. Then I heard a voice that could not have been more clear had it been literally audible:* I will never leave you. I will always be with you.*
That experience has been like a canteen that never goes dry.
That experience has been like a canteen that never goes dry.
F
Fitz
Guest
work(name removed by moderator)rogress8:
I was 20 years old, and I never forgot the experience. I knew at that moment that I could never terminate a pregnancy, and that all of life is a miracle. I had been brought up to believe that life was a miracle, but I felt that I had experienced one before my eyes.
I have 4 children now, and have beef fortunate enough to partake in the miracle of life. I thank God every day. I always believed there was a God, but that day was so moving and I felt there was a God.
I was in a college child development class. One of our assignments was to observe for an hour at a local hospital in the nursery. When I arrived for my time slot a nurse asked me if I wanted to be present for the birth of a baby? I said sure, so I scrubbed up and stood in the corner of a delivery room while a woman delivered her 4th baby. She was a nurse in the hospital and she was so involved in her delivery. She was talkative and so very happy when her little girl was born. She kept saying, isn’t she just so beautiful?
I was 20 years old, and I never forgot the experience. I knew at that moment that I could never terminate a pregnancy, and that all of life is a miracle. I had been brought up to believe that life was a miracle, but I felt that I had experienced one before my eyes.
I have 4 children now, and have beef fortunate enough to partake in the miracle of life. I thank God every day. I always believed there was a God, but that day was so moving and I felt there was a God.
M
MountainMan
Guest
Like a couple other respondents here, I have ‘heard’ the voice of God within a few times. One that stands out (they ALL stand out, but I have shared others in other threads) occurred one night in front of the tabernacle in my church. I had stopped to pray late at night after an especially good day. I felt the urge to do something ‘special’ for the Lord, and was asking His guidance. After several minutes of this prayer, I heard Him say “Love me.” That brought tears to my eyes and I asked, but how? The response was immediate this time, and the words were those He spoke to Peter: " Feed my sheep." He repeated each of His three directions to Peter before I asked my final question for the night: Where do I begin? Again, the response was immediate: “Go home; start with your family.” With that, I knew for a fact that it was the voice of God I was hearing, and I went home.
I wish I could say I have done as well as I intended that night, but I continue to fail on a regular basis. My only hope is in His grace and mercy and my miserable efforts to start over. In the end, I know it is only His mercy that can save me. Praise Him!!:bowdown:
I wish I could say I have done as well as I intended that night, but I continue to fail on a regular basis. My only hope is in His grace and mercy and my miserable efforts to start over. In the end, I know it is only His mercy that can save me. Praise Him!!:bowdown:
C
csr
Guest
I was reading Genesis chapters 1-3. I had been to a Protestant church a few times, and I felt there was something to religion after all. I wasn’t sure what. I began to explore the Bible, and in reading Genesis it all just clicked: this is the story of God and man. I very quickly became Catholic when I realized that the Bible is Catholic. The breadth and depth of the Catholic faith has never ceased to be a source of wonder to me. (The story continues that I was disappointed in the modernism I encountered in the Catholic Church. I had decided that it was necessary to be Catholic before entering an actual Catholic church, nor did I even know any Catholics. The modernism was a surprise. My eventual solution to this problem was to attend only the traditional Mass codified by St. Pius V.) I guess reading the Bible isn’t quite like the moments others are describing, but that’s when I knew that I was more than just me, myself, and I: that I needed to pay attention to another Trinity. :getholy:
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workinprogress8
Guest
Wow! Those were really great moments.
Please keep sharing.
Please keep sharing.
W
workinprogress8
Guest
That is amazing.
D
DBT
Guest
2 years ago I had an experience almost identical to this at Eucharistic Adoration. In my case the “voice” (so to speak) simply said It’s all true.
All my doubts about the faith vanished at that moment and I’ve been going to Adoration pretty much on a daily basis ever since. Needless to say my life changed completely.
J
jrabs
Guest
I was in a relationship last year that I had to end. I believed this man to be the love of my life - he had been in love with me since college 20 years ago. He never married because he had been in love with me all these years.
He told me he loved me this and how much he loved me that, however I would get very angry when he would not set time aside for me.
So after I ended this, I turned to Adoration to find peace and an answer as to why this had to be. I sobbed and sobbed and asked why, “God this man said he loved me so much but he never wanted to spend time with me.”
God hit me hard with truth as He answered me one day, “You say you love me so much yet you never spend time with me”.
And that was the start of my re-version. My life changing moment where I decided to make God my first and my everything.
He told me he loved me this and how much he loved me that, however I would get very angry when he would not set time aside for me.
So after I ended this, I turned to Adoration to find peace and an answer as to why this had to be. I sobbed and sobbed and asked why, “God this man said he loved me so much but he never wanted to spend time with me.”
God hit me hard with truth as He answered me one day, “You say you love me so much yet you never spend time with me”.
And that was the start of my re-version. My life changing moment where I decided to make God my first and my everything.
D
DBT
Guest
It’s very interesting to see the power of Adoration in these experiences.
M
Mijoy2
Guest
After I was faced with the realization that I not only ignored my faith for nearly 35 years I found myself faced with even a sadder truth. I had ignored my two daughters faith for thier entire lives. They were 16 and 19 at the time. I felt thier salvation or lack there-of was in my hands. Although I felt I was a good father I felt I had let them down in the single, most important way. I prayed to God for help.
Then, shortly after, I got a phone call from my daughter. She is attending a large university and lives on campus. She told me she assisted an old woman walking around campus who appeared lost. My daughter assisted the woman by walking her to the nearest bus stop where she could catch a bus home.
During the walk my daughter made small talk with the woman. As it turned out the woman was from a major city 2 hours from the campus. My daughter asked the woman what she was doing at a college campus 2 hours from home. The woman replied, “I didn’t know until just now. I came here to talk to you. You do not attend church as often as you should and you need to get to know Jesus.”
This affected my daughter profoundly. Where did this little old lady come from? Was she sent by God? I’ll never know. However, I like to think so.
My daughter is now attending RCIA at this very university.
Then, shortly after, I got a phone call from my daughter. She is attending a large university and lives on campus. She told me she assisted an old woman walking around campus who appeared lost. My daughter assisted the woman by walking her to the nearest bus stop where she could catch a bus home.
During the walk my daughter made small talk with the woman. As it turned out the woman was from a major city 2 hours from the campus. My daughter asked the woman what she was doing at a college campus 2 hours from home. The woman replied, “I didn’t know until just now. I came here to talk to you. You do not attend church as often as you should and you need to get to know Jesus.”
This affected my daughter profoundly. Where did this little old lady come from? Was she sent by God? I’ll never know. However, I like to think so.
My daughter is now attending RCIA at this very university.
T
Teresa9
Guest
Dear friendIt’s very interesting to see the power of Adoration in these experiences.
Yes it is! During Eucharistic adoration and time before the Blessed Sacrament I have heard the soft interior inaudible voice of God many times. I was with Jesus today and for about 20 minutes by myself, then the Church cleaners turned up and made an awful racket, lots of chatting, hoover going, I couldn’t concentrate to pray and I smiled, looked at Jesus and jokingly said 'I wish that hoover would blow up ’
That soft voice said ‘Peace’ and I realised it is not necessary to have total silence, it is the silencing within the self, to be calm and remain in His peace that is utmost. I picked up my Rosary and continued to pray, despite the noise all around, I had silence and peace in Him.
As for the life changing moment, I was leaving Mass one day and for some reason I looked back down the church as I left. I looked directly at the Tabernacle and the voice said ’ Come before me, don’t leave Me here alone all of these hours. Spend time with Me.’’ I couldn’t understand, but I didn’t deny the Lord and did as He asked, pestered my Priest to open the church for me to come in before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I have received many graces from obeying the Lord, graces for myself and to go out from myself and graces for others. My life has totally changed and I have seen the lives of others I offer to Him there change for the better and even drawn to Him in faith or deepened in faith.
If I am mad, I am happy to be mad…personally I would say, that all of these posts are the stuff of faith. Being quiet enough to listen to God, prayer is a two way conversation after all.
God Bless you and much love and peace to you
Teresa
J
jrabs
Guest
Great observation about Adoration. Just like Teresa9, i too, have heard most of my inner quiet voices during Adoration.
For anyone that has not integrated this into their lives, you are missing out on such beauty and opportunity to enrich your life. This is such a great time for God to speak and you to listen. Time to tell God everything, nothing and to let Him joke with you and guide.
For anyone that has not integrated this into their lives, you are missing out on such beauty and opportunity to enrich your life. This is such a great time for God to speak and you to listen. Time to tell God everything, nothing and to let Him joke with you and guide.
J
jmm08
Guest
I am in RCIA.
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:5 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
I had long decided not to seek signs. And to suspect that any sign could be from the devil. God would not give me a sign because that would rob me of my ability to have faith. It could rob me of my ability to please Him.
In the evening of August 25th this year, I was once again troubled. During the weeks before, I had been researching and inquiring as to whether the Roman Catholic Church could be the right way. I had read Fulton Sheen’s “Life is Worth Living” and I was reading his autobiography “Treasure in Clay”. And sometimes I had become quite troubled for various reasons. I got drunk in anger at times regarding racial matters (not the fault of the Church). And I sometimes was nearly in despair because I was worried about various things happening in Northern Virginia and Washington DC. And worried about the potential for things to happen in our area.
I had a job interview on the morning of August 26th. It was down in DC and I had to take the commuter train. I thought to myself to go to the National Cathedral after the interview to see where President Ronald Reagan’s funeral was. I found out that I should take the WMATA red line. While riding on the red line train, I saw some beautiful buildings a ways off on the left.
While riding on the red line, I saw some very beautiful buildings far off on the left. I asked a beautiful young Black woman who was sitting nearby what the building were. They became hidden from view. Somebody else told her it was Catholic University. The Black woman was surprised that I could see it and said she went to that Church. She told me it was near the next stop Brookland-CUA. Of course I was interested to go there instead (since Bishop Sheen was in the Graduate School for a few years). She told me “You have an eye for beautiful things.” And that should walk down a path on the left and that it would lead me to the Church. She also got off but went her own way. I went to the side entrance of the Basilica and saw that Mass would be in the Crypt Church. So I went downstairs and was a little bit lost. Shortly afterwards the same Black woman appeared again. We exchanged only a few words and then she left. I found the Crypt Church and went in. And for a moment I wondered if I had seen an angel. I also wondered if I had died and gone to purgatory, because the Crypt Church was so beautiful.
After the 12:10 Mass, I went forward to the tabernacle and spent almost an hour on my knees. It was a very special time. The mosaic behind the tabernacle is the “Good Shepherd”. It was my very first time to do Eucharistic Adoration. After that, a Korean woman who also spent time in Eucharistic Adoration asked me to pray for her. Because my Korean was no match for her English, I prayed a Hail Mary for her.
Since I was hungry, I walked to the nearby CUA student union and pondered the idea of going to confession (although I am in RCIA). After I walked back to the Crypt Church, to find the confession area – I didn’t know where it was. Just before I went to the area where confession was, as I was walking across (from the opposite side) I thought I saw a beautiful life-size painting of Mary in a stone wall. I thought, wow that is such a subtle painting. I wonder how the artist was able to inlay the pigments into the stone? As I walked nearer, it quickly faded away and disappeared. I later tried to get a guard to come over where I saw the painting (I think most of them are not Catholic). I could see that a reflection of the light of a distant exit sign had made Mary’s golden crown. But I couldn’t see the color in her long dress. The guard said I only saw a reflection. Some white marbling in the stone had been part of the outline of Mary’s long dress.
CONTINUING
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:5 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
I had long decided not to seek signs. And to suspect that any sign could be from the devil. God would not give me a sign because that would rob me of my ability to have faith. It could rob me of my ability to please Him.
In the evening of August 25th this year, I was once again troubled. During the weeks before, I had been researching and inquiring as to whether the Roman Catholic Church could be the right way. I had read Fulton Sheen’s “Life is Worth Living” and I was reading his autobiography “Treasure in Clay”. And sometimes I had become quite troubled for various reasons. I got drunk in anger at times regarding racial matters (not the fault of the Church). And I sometimes was nearly in despair because I was worried about various things happening in Northern Virginia and Washington DC. And worried about the potential for things to happen in our area.
I had a job interview on the morning of August 26th. It was down in DC and I had to take the commuter train. I thought to myself to go to the National Cathedral after the interview to see where President Ronald Reagan’s funeral was. I found out that I should take the WMATA red line. While riding on the red line train, I saw some beautiful buildings a ways off on the left.
While riding on the red line, I saw some very beautiful buildings far off on the left. I asked a beautiful young Black woman who was sitting nearby what the building were. They became hidden from view. Somebody else told her it was Catholic University. The Black woman was surprised that I could see it and said she went to that Church. She told me it was near the next stop Brookland-CUA. Of course I was interested to go there instead (since Bishop Sheen was in the Graduate School for a few years). She told me “You have an eye for beautiful things.” And that should walk down a path on the left and that it would lead me to the Church. She also got off but went her own way. I went to the side entrance of the Basilica and saw that Mass would be in the Crypt Church. So I went downstairs and was a little bit lost. Shortly afterwards the same Black woman appeared again. We exchanged only a few words and then she left. I found the Crypt Church and went in. And for a moment I wondered if I had seen an angel. I also wondered if I had died and gone to purgatory, because the Crypt Church was so beautiful.
After the 12:10 Mass, I went forward to the tabernacle and spent almost an hour on my knees. It was a very special time. The mosaic behind the tabernacle is the “Good Shepherd”. It was my very first time to do Eucharistic Adoration. After that, a Korean woman who also spent time in Eucharistic Adoration asked me to pray for her. Because my Korean was no match for her English, I prayed a Hail Mary for her.
Since I was hungry, I walked to the nearby CUA student union and pondered the idea of going to confession (although I am in RCIA). After I walked back to the Crypt Church, to find the confession area – I didn’t know where it was. Just before I went to the area where confession was, as I was walking across (from the opposite side) I thought I saw a beautiful life-size painting of Mary in a stone wall. I thought, wow that is such a subtle painting. I wonder how the artist was able to inlay the pigments into the stone? As I walked nearer, it quickly faded away and disappeared. I later tried to get a guard to come over where I saw the painting (I think most of them are not Catholic). I could see that a reflection of the light of a distant exit sign had made Mary’s golden crown. But I couldn’t see the color in her long dress. The guard said I only saw a reflection. Some white marbling in the stone had been part of the outline of Mary’s long dress.
CONTINUING
J
jmm08
Guest
CONTINUED
Being encouraged by what may have been a vision of Mary, I took the opportunity (to get past my anxiety). My confessor was an 83-year old Dominican Priest. I immediately told him I was signed up for RCIA / RCIC and could not get absolution. He quickly understood that I wanted “practice” and was patient and very kind. God bless him. I confessed my current biggest struggle and what I felt was a very bad mortal sin from years ago. I was there about 20 minutes. He concluded by saying he did not have the intent, but that he would speak the words of absolution. I reminded him that I wanted to be obedient and not receive absolution. And he assured me he did not have the intent. And then he spoke the words of absolution. I didn’t fully understand what Catholics mean by “an act of contrition”, he explained and told me a sample prayer was on paper I had picked up. I made a late train back home.
Since then, I have been greatly comforted by all that happened on that special day. Sometimes I have started to get upset at seeing the painting of Mary that disappeared. Because perhaps it reduces my ability to have faith. But looking back, I had already had firm belief in God. And I had already written “My Personal Articles of Faith” – an intellectual exercise where I determined that the Catholics must be correct.
The opening paragraph of “My Personal Articles of Faith” is
I am not an educated theologian. I never attended a class at a seminary. I am not a Bible Scholar. In writing these personal articles of faith, I cannot fully rely on sectarian interpretations of Bible passages that seem to some degree to be ambiguous because they are disagreed upon by such men as St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Bunyan, John Wesley, D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham or other significant Christians. I must rely on God’s mercy when it comes to deciding controversial topics - because I can easily be wrong. In writing these articles, I can only count on Bible scriptures that are plain and not controversial. And I decide to count on external evidence such as how I see other people live their lives. The scriptural backing for my method of determination is Matthew 7:15-20. The context of Matthew 7:15-20 is set up in Matthew 7:13-14. I’m paraphrasing: The correct way that leads to life is narrow. Those who find it are few. There are many false prophets. And how can I determine the right way if I am lost. If I am a lost sheep, how can I find the Good Shepherd? Note (12/10/2004): It is a rather amazing coincidence that the tabernacle in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception’s Crypt Church is just in front of a mosaic titled “Christ the Good Shepherd”. On August 26, 2004, I spent about an hour next to that tabernacle and looking at the mosaic.
Being encouraged by what may have been a vision of Mary, I took the opportunity (to get past my anxiety). My confessor was an 83-year old Dominican Priest. I immediately told him I was signed up for RCIA / RCIC and could not get absolution. He quickly understood that I wanted “practice” and was patient and very kind. God bless him. I confessed my current biggest struggle and what I felt was a very bad mortal sin from years ago. I was there about 20 minutes. He concluded by saying he did not have the intent, but that he would speak the words of absolution. I reminded him that I wanted to be obedient and not receive absolution. And he assured me he did not have the intent. And then he spoke the words of absolution. I didn’t fully understand what Catholics mean by “an act of contrition”, he explained and told me a sample prayer was on paper I had picked up. I made a late train back home.
Since then, I have been greatly comforted by all that happened on that special day. Sometimes I have started to get upset at seeing the painting of Mary that disappeared. Because perhaps it reduces my ability to have faith. But looking back, I had already had firm belief in God. And I had already written “My Personal Articles of Faith” – an intellectual exercise where I determined that the Catholics must be correct.
The opening paragraph of “My Personal Articles of Faith” is
I am not an educated theologian. I never attended a class at a seminary. I am not a Bible Scholar. In writing these personal articles of faith, I cannot fully rely on sectarian interpretations of Bible passages that seem to some degree to be ambiguous because they are disagreed upon by such men as St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Bunyan, John Wesley, D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham or other significant Christians. I must rely on God’s mercy when it comes to deciding controversial topics - because I can easily be wrong. In writing these articles, I can only count on Bible scriptures that are plain and not controversial. And I decide to count on external evidence such as how I see other people live their lives. The scriptural backing for my method of determination is Matthew 7:15-20. The context of Matthew 7:15-20 is set up in Matthew 7:13-14. I’m paraphrasing: The correct way that leads to life is narrow. Those who find it are few. There are many false prophets. And how can I determine the right way if I am lost. If I am a lost sheep, how can I find the Good Shepherd? Note (12/10/2004): It is a rather amazing coincidence that the tabernacle in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception’s Crypt Church is just in front of a mosaic titled “Christ the Good Shepherd”. On August 26, 2004, I spent about an hour next to that tabernacle and looking at the mosaic.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
the day I found out I was expecting our first child. without a full biography, suffice it to say that everything in my life made this the wrong time for a baby, but God had better timing. I still remember the euphoria, riding home from the bus from the doctor’s office, literally dancing on air, and the absolute conviction of God’s presence, mercy and gift in creation and life.
- Status