Please Pray for Me

  • Thread starter Thread starter edward_george
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

edward_george

Guest
Hello all

I am a 19 year old Theology major at Belmont Abbey College near Charlotte, NC. I have been seriously discerning a vocation to the priesthood since late last year, but lately I have hit a bit of a snag. I have been experiencing a sort of fog, a confusion, kind of a feeling that what I was once more certain about (knowing of course that I cannot be completely certain–as Fulton Sheen said, you don’t know for sure that you have a vocation to the priesthood until the bishop lays hands on you) I am no longer so certain about.

I believe that a number of factors contribute to this. In the first place, We are only about a month removed from the end of winter break, and when I go on breaks I tend to lapse in my prayer life somewhat. I also don’t have access to the sacraments with the frequency that I do here, nor do I have access to liturgy performed in accordance with the norms, nor to priests with solid and orthodox theology. So I am recovering now from these lapses, lapses I shall have to try and avoid in the future. Secondly, I have had a number of friends cut off contact with me in recent months, and this causes me worry every now and then. One of these friends came back, and I believe that perhaps Satan is trying to rob me of my joy at this as the contact we have had since she began communicating with me again has gone to being brief and infrequent, as it was around the time we quit talking. Thirdly, I am about to start a new job as a Resident Assistant here at the college. The area to which I will be moving is notorious for some who live there of a somewhat wild character, and these people are already planning a way of welcoming me to the new dorm that I probably won’t enjoy very much. Many of them are afraid that I am a threat to their fun (to which I say they’ll have to find ways of having fun that are more in keeping with the rules and ideals of this Catholic College).

I’ve just been bombarded with a number of worries lately, and on top of all that I have classes to keep up on–some of which I’m not having the best time with. Lent is turning out to have started off difficultly for me.

Please pray for me that I can get through this.

Thank you all and have a blessed Lent.
-ACEGC
 
I will. Know that God is with you and you are anxious.

About those guys that are planning a surprise for you… take it. With a smile… and if you really want to show what you are made of, come up with a little surprise of your own. They’ll respect you if you loosen up a bit with them. One can not lead those that don’t like the leader…

If they learn to like you, you can set reasonable rules and they’ll follow them.

I understand that it is a tough time… but the long term is so much better because of the struggle. YOU can do it. Know God is there and how can you fail?

Peace with you!
 
Sounds as if you are doing things rough at the moment - may The Lord make His Will very clear to you and grant you courage and fortitude in all circumstances. You have really answered your own question, since you are aware of the circumstances that seem to trigger a lack of devotion…an honest talk with a priest/spiritual director would prove I am sure very helpful and reassuring… Keeping you in daily prayer…
 
Ed,
Will keep you in my rosaries. God bless you and be strong!
 
Dear Edward,
You are a very responsible person and from being so you question yourself. The Holy Spirit is going to see you through all of this. You have a lot of courage and my prayers also.
 
Our Lady will intercede for you. God bless you!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
Thank you all for your prayers and advice. I sat down and talked to my spiritual director today–he’s one of the Benedictines here–and kind of sorted through things. I’m planning on taking a retreat for about a weekend, probably soon when things settle down a little bit. As for the situation with the residents who will be under my care, I’ve asked around and gotten a much clearer picture of the whole situation, and the main cause of trouble boils down to one person who is afraid of me for religious reasons more than anything (he’s atheist and is probably worried that I’m going to force my beliefs on him, although he should know better due to the conversations that we’ve had in the past). I plan on a meeting with all of the residents to introduce myself when I get settled in, as well as a talk with the one in question to kind of clear up where I stand on everything and to put him at ease about it all.

Thanks again, everyone.
-ACEGC
 
Dear Ed,
Sounds like you have a well, thought-out plan. Good luck and we’ll be praying for you. You’ll be in my rosaries!
 
edward_george said:
Thank you all for your prayers and advice. I sat down and talked to my spiritual director today–he’s one of the Benedictines here–and kind of sorted through things. I’m planning on taking a retreat for about a weekend, probably soon when things settle down a little bit. As for the situation with the residents who will be under my care, I’ve asked around and gotten a much clearer picture of the whole situation, and the main cause of trouble boils down to one person who is afraid of me for religious reasons more than anything (he’s atheist and is probably worried that I’m going to force my beliefs on him, although he should know better due to the conversations that we’ve had in the past). I plan on a meeting with all of the residents to introduce myself when I get settled in, as well as a talk with the one in question to kind of clear up where I stand on everything and to put him at ease about it all.
Thanks again, everyone.
-ACEGC
Click to expand...
God Bless you, Edward. Keep the faith!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Click to expand...
 
edward_george said:
Thank you all for your prayers and advice. I sat down and talked to my spiritual director today–he’s one of the Benedictines here–and kind of sorted through things. I’m planning on taking a retreat for about a weekend, probably soon when things settle down a little bit. As for the situation with the residents who will be under my care, I’ve asked around and gotten a much clearer picture of the whole situation, and the main cause of trouble boils down to one person who is afraid of me for religious reasons more than anything (he’s atheist and is probably worried that I’m going to force my beliefs on him, although he should know better due to the conversations that we’ve had in the past). I plan on a meeting with all of the residents to introduce myself when I get settled in, as well as a talk with the one in question to kind of clear up where I stand on everything and to put him at ease about it all.

Thanks again, everyone.
-ACEGC
Click to expand...
Thank you for this update and a good move to seek spiritual direction. Happy that the situation is unfolding on a positive note and will keep you in prayer…
 
J†M†J
I will pray for your intentions in my rosary tonight.

God Bless
In Jesus through Mary
Steve
 
A bit of an update, should anyone be interested.

I moved into my new residence hall a week and a half ago, and my “taking possession of the cathedral,” so to speak, has been a mostly peaceful one. No major surprises, apparently the fellow who was planning one has a reputation for “talking a big game,” but not following through on it. I made a big impression with some of the other reputed troublemakers the first night: they had gathered outside to smoke a cigarette, and I emerged from my room with a nice, long cigar, introduced myself, and stood around talking to them for a good while. Apart from noise issues with a few of my neighbors, things have been fine. The new room is great, so much bigger than the other places I’ve lived on campus, so I’m doing alright with it.

Spiritually, I’m sort of calming down now. I’ve been exploring the spirituality of the Christian East, which has a far more meditative character than anything I’ve investigated previously, something I need–I’m somewhat high-strung at times, and it seems that there’s not enough silence and stillness in my life. I plan on taking a retreat at an Eastern monastery fairly soon, and I have back-to-back retreats lined up over Spring break–one with the Men’s Household group here on campus (we’re going to Alabama to stay with the Knights of the Holy Eucharist), and then a Holy Week retreat at the Benedictine house that runs my college. All is going a lot better, and I’ve been wrestling my focus back onto my studies fairly well too.

Thank you all for your prayers and support, and you can be assured of mine as well.

-ACEGC
 
You are experiencing a form of spiritual warfare. There are many good prayers to help with this. But, take heart - the Lord has found you worthy of testing, as He did with Job. Your test is, thankfully, milder and more easily dealt with. Every Apostle, disciple and priest who ever lived, including Peter and Paul, had grave doubts about their worthiness at times. Focus on the big picture, allowing the current concerns to pass one at a time. When we anticipate, we magnify our problems, which can bring others. Remember that God is in charge and accompanies you always. He is pleased to see you grow in your faith, and that you are concerned about practicing it in a manner acceptable to Him. Pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet when you have time. Spend time in Adoration, either at home or school. Time with Christ is guaranteed to be good for your spirit.

Loving and Eternal God, You are pleased with Your servant Edward, as you are allowing him to be tested, as is gold in fire. As the molten metal is purified, it glimmers like a mirror, reflecting Your Divine image. As Edward is purified, may You also see Your image reflected in him, sending him many graces. Strengthen him during this time of trial, with the comforting and illuminating presence of Your Holy Spirit, providing him with the gifts which will see him safely through. And, Lord, when he has crossed the spiritual desert, welcome him on the other side as did the father of the prodigal son, who ran to greet him in celebration. We ask this through Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
 
Praying for your continued faith and strength through your trials, Edward.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, Now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
 
edward_george said:
A bit of an update, should anyone be interested.
I moved into my new residence hall a week and a half ago, and my “taking possession of the cathedral,” so to speak, has been a mostly peaceful one. No major surprises, apparently the fellow who was planning one has a reputation for “talking a big game,” but not following through on it. I made a big impression with some of the other reputed troublemakers the first night: they had gathered outside to smoke a cigarette, and I emerged from my room with a nice, long cigar, introduced myself, and stood around talking to them for a good while. Apart from noise issues with a few of my neighbors, things have been fine. The new room is great, so much bigger than the other places I’ve lived on campus, so I’m doing alright with it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update, Edward. I’m glad that things are going more smoothly. Keeping you in prayer with Our Lady.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen.
Click to expand...
 
Edward,
Glad to hear things are going a bit more smoothly. I will include you in my rosary as I am about to pray right now. Keep the faith and may God bless your faithfulness. Your sister in Christ,
 
Edward,
I am praying for you also, although I rarely have time to write because I council people. I know God is going to help you.:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top