New Here, Non-Catholic, doing a Novena

[po18guy]

I don’t know how my journey will help others, but if someone can draw from me, then that’s just fine.

I finished the novena Sunday, and it was interesting. I am far more aware of mercy - and how much I need to grow in being merciful towards others, as well as accepting Jesus’ mercy in my own life. It was a good thing, these days of prayer.

And because it feels right, I’m continuing to do a Divine Mercy Chaplet after my Rosary each evening.

Thanks for all the support, pms, and words of encouragement. I am proud to say I never did break down and get a burger, although I was mightily tempted. LOL.

In Prayer-
Beggar

Somehow, I missed this post. Beggar, you have the makings of a saint. Would you ever think that anyone you know would have such love for you if your life was lost?

Remember that Christ sobbed when He heard that Lazarus had died-such love He had for him. You reflected that love from your heart, not your head. Thus, it is in your very nature. You are almost overqualified to be Catholic! Should you bless us with full communion in the church Christ founded, rest assured that you will be an inspiration to many who struggle in their faith.

And, your prayers have been heard. On that, you may take comfort. Both you and your dear friend are in my prayers. Just imagine what an actual reconcilliation would be like: the weight of original sin, plus every sin you have ever committed, lifted from your shoulders, taken away by the priest who bears it to the Lord. Once in God’s loving hands, your sin is destroyed-it no longer exists. God, in His infinite mercy, allows you to remember the sin-so that you are more likely to avoid it.

When you see the Jewish roots of our Catholic faith, you will know that you are home. May the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ come to rest upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

 

[Belle10]

Somehow, I missed this post. Beggar, you have the makings of a saint. Would you ever think that anyone you know would have such love for you if your life was lost?

Remember that Christ sobbed when He heard that Lazarus had died-such love He had for him. You reflected that love from your heart, not your head. Thus, it is in your very nature. You are almost overqualified to be Catholic! Should you bless us with full communion in the church Christ founded, rest assured that you will be an inspiration to many who struggle in their faith.

And, your prayers have been heard. On that, you may take comfort. Both you and your dear friend are in my prayers. Just imagine what an actual reconcilliation would be like: the weight of original sin, plus every sin you have ever committed, lifted from your shoulders, taken away by the priest who bears it to the Lord. Once in God’s loving hands, your sin is destroyed-it no longer exists. God, in His infinite mercy, allows you to remember the sin-so that you are more likely to avoid it.

When you see the Jewish roots of our Catholic faith, you will know that you are home. May the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ come to rest upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

Couldn’t have said it better than that! :clapping:

Beggar, prayers for you and your friend :hug1:

I’m looking forward to reading a post someday of you telling us you’re signed up for RCIA!

God bless you!

 

[Chyna]

First, i would like to welcome you to CAF! We are blessed to know you dear one… CAF IS a great place to be and our brothers and sisters here are very loving, knowledgeable and supportive.

Then, i am so sorry for your loss. May God grant your friend peace. i will keep your friend in my prayers.

You are so wonderful and beautiful in the sight of God. Praying of any kind would not be a sin. He loves you and wants to hear from you.

What a blessing your friends are and what a blessing the Priest is. i pray the Holy Spirit continues to guide you home to the Holy Catholic Church. My prayers are with you.

Chyna

 

[johnbilancia]

Beggar , how awesome that you are embracing God and thinking of joining our Catholic faith . You are on the right path . Continue in prayer and do become a Catholic as your life will see dramatic changes of goodness coming into your life and wonderful things will happen because Jesus will be in you . LORD BRING YOUR CHILD BEGGAR TO YOUR HEART AND BLESS BEGGAR WITH JOY, HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT . Thank you Lord , in the name of Jesus, amen . I am sorry about your friend and your depressing dreams . The LORD works all out for your good . God Bless You , John

 

[Chyna]

Bump

 

[Beggar]

You all are so sweet.

I don’t have the makings of a saint, Polguy…not nearly. I’ve been reading St. Faustina’s Diary and a book on Padre Pio - now, those are amazing folk. How Jesus has touched them!!

I will continue on with the Chaplet, as I indicated above, and also with the Rosary. I have gotten a little book of prayers (it’s not the big book; it’s little), and am selecting different prayers during the week to pray, and to meditate upon. Also, I have a daily meditation on Mary, so that I can understand her more and more, and try, however I can, to be more like her and her Son, Christ.

Belle and Chyna, thank you so much for your prayers…they are so very appreciated!

John, I was so tormented by those dreams…I was certain my friend was not yet resting peacefully, and didn’t know what to do about that. However, what’s amazing, is that when I went to the retreat and started saying the Rosary, the dreams disappeared. I have not had them since, and it’s been about a month…so maybe the Rosary is helping him rest a little easier…

Thanks again, you wonderful CAF’ers…I definitely appreciate everything. May God bless you all…

In Prayer-
Beggar

 

[po18guy]

You all are so sweet.

I don’t have the makings of a saint, Polguy…not nearly. I’ve been reading St. Faustina’s Diary and a book on Padre Pio - now, those are amazing folk. How Jesus has touched them!!

I will continue on with the Chaplet, as I indicated above, and also with the Rosary. I have gotten a little book of prayers (it’s not the big book; it’s little), and am selecting different prayers during the week to pray, and to meditate upon. Also, I have a daily meditation on Mary, so that I can understand her more and more, and try, however I can, to be more like her and her Son, Christ.

Belle and Chyna, thank you so much for your prayers…they are so very appreciated!

John, I was so tormented by those dreams…I was certain my friend was not yet resting peacefully, and didn’t know what to do about that. However, what’s amazing, is that when I went to the retreat and started saying the Rosary, the dreams disappeared. I have not had them since, and it’s been about a month…so maybe the Rosary is helping him rest a little easier…

Thanks again, you wonderful CAF’ers…I definitely appreciate everything. May God bless you all…

In Prayer-
Beggar

Beggar, notice that Saint Paul thought he was a wretch. It is common to doubt our own worth, as we cannot fathom the depth of love that God has for us. Your “small” book of prayers is a reflection of Mother Theresa’s saying: “We can do no great things. Only small things with great love”. I think that sums it up well. And, Mary heard your prayers and interceded with her blessed Son, our Lord Jesus on behalf of the deceased, and obtained peace for you at the same time. Be steadfast in your faith and love. The Lord is with you, leading you home.

Christ’s peace.

 

[Beggar]

I wanted to update this thread.

I’ve continued to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet, with my friend as primary (??) but for all souls in purgatory. While I haven’t managed to achieve my goal of the Rosary daily, I have managed to always pray the Chaplet. As you may recall, I dreamt that my friend was not resting peacefully, and that I was in the car with him as he suicided.

That dream has not recurred since I went to the retreat. However, last night, I dreamt of him again.

I was entering a Catholic church, surrounded by friends (none of whom I recognize from my life, but they were indeed friends). One was welcoming me to the Church, and he kissed my cheek. As I turned my face to receive the kiss from him, I saw my dead friend, standing in the shadow of the door, under a gorgeous stained glass window of Christ on the Cross. He smiled at me, came to me, hugged me, and then walked up to the alter and recieved communion. I was led away by someone, again a friend (although I don’t recognize him from daily life), and blessed with holy water.

When I looked around the church for my dead friend, who apparently wasn’t dead at all (he was wearing bright blue, as a matter of fact, and grinning and happy), I saw him leaving the church via the back door (over the alter, towards where the priests come out). He turned, smiled and waved at me, and opened the door, and was gone. I tried to follow him, to ask him how he was, or to do something, but was gently restrained by the friends around me.

And in the dream, I looked back to the gorgeous stained glass window I had noticed before. Christ on the Cross. And the sun was coming through it, and the red in the glass shone fiercely (brighter than any other color), and I was overwhelmed by peace and contentment.

And that’s all I remember from the dream (or that part, anyway).

I thought I’d let you all know that this has happened. I don’t profess to understand it, but since this whole episode began with a nightmare, I thought I’d post the follow-up dream. You all have been so supportive and helpful to me, and I appreciate it.

I will be in prayer to understand this dream…but the feeling of peace and contentment has not left me yet this morning.

In Prayer,
Beggar