Pulled away from RCIA

[PJM]

=ForeverLost;10561936]I have returned after taking some reflection days…

I have read all of your comments and I thank you all for talking to me. And for those who have PM’ed me I promise I will reply in the coming days! Thank you!

I admit I was to emotional to go to the Easter Vigil with my wife, to see all those being baptized and confirmed, knowing I had failed again, and having to be in the presence of the resurrected Christ with this on me was to much for me, so i stayed away.

However, I woke today, and prayed. I asked St Francis to intercede (not sure if he will or not as I am not Catholic) He is very special to me, I have a relationship with this Saint that is extremely strong, he somewhat follows me around, in jest of cause the deacon says he is my “Stalker” as he pops up in my life at least once or twice a week - An example of this was about a month ago when I randomly found a St Francis prayer card, this was the same day that I put my rosary in my a draw, and stopped wearing my St Francis medallion. Anyhow, Im off topic, I asked him to give me the strength I need to swallow my pride, and somewhat embarrassment and ask to rejoin RCIA, I also prayed a rosary.

I did/have decided to go back to RCIA and try again, and this time, i refuse to fail. I have been looking to see if there is a Novena I can pray to help keep me going to RCIA?

I hope if it is ok I will still around these forums, I may need to lean on you guys and girls to help keep me on the “straight” path, and not falter…this time.

Thanks you.

Anthony, RIGHT CHOICE!

And YES St. Francis will aid you [but as you noted its necessary we cooperate and accept Gods Offers of Grace]

GOOGLE “St. Anothony’s Novena”

I’ve used it several times with great results, but ANY Novena will do.

Work and invest in Learing not just our beliefs BUT also Why and How we are able to hold and to practice them.

I’ll pray for you!
pat/PJM.

 

[constantconvert]

I’m glad you have decided to return to RCIA. Here’s is how you complete the course and enter into the Church: you go to class and make a commitment not to miss! Don’t rely on your feelings. Remember that Mother Theresa did not feel God’s presence for 50 years Times when you don’t feel Jesus are a gift, because that’s when you are growing spiritually. Spend time with Mary, ask her to continue to pray for you, and ask St. Francis too. Don’t seek for signs or warm feelings, seek truth because it doesn’t change.

 

[ForeverLost]

Thank you all!

Today, I think for the first time during this path I actually felt “Grace”

I went to the Church again today to pray, although selfish, but to pray for myself, that I see this through.

One big issue i have had is accepting the fact he died for me and the burden of carry our sins shouldn’t have been his, but ours…mine, as they are our/my faults…I know this is a whole different topic…

Anyhow, I approach the Alter, and rather than praying in a pew knelt directly at the steps of the alter, and after praying for myself to keep the courage to complete RCIA I finally thanked Him for carrying that cross for me, and although I may not fully understand it, I am finally OK with it. At this time I felt a humbling warmth, and peace, but a deeper peace than what I normally receive, it was like an inner peace, with a feeling of hope…

I have put this down to possibly being “Grace” …I went to ask the priest, but he was out of the office…Could this have been my first experience of “Grace”?

 

[Jaysuitical]

Thank you all!

Today, I think for the first time during this path I actually felt “Grace”

I went to the Church again today to pray, although selfish, but to pray for myself, that I see this through.

One big issue i have had is accepting the fact he died for me and the burden of carry our sins shouldn’t have been his, but ours…mine, as they are our/my faults…I know this is a whole different topic…

Anyhow, I approach the Alter, and rather than praying in a pew knelt directly at the steps of the alter, and after praying for myself to keep the courage to complete RCIA I finally thanked Him for carrying that cross for me, and although I may not fully understand it, I am finally OK with it. At this time I felt a humbling warmth, and peace, but a deeper peace than what I normally receive, it was like an inner peace, with a feeling of hope…

I have put this down to possibly being “Grace” …I went to ask the priest, but he was out of the office…Could this have been my first experience of “Grace”?

It’s a great gift when we can feel the grace of God’s invitation. Hope is called a ‘theological virtue’ – “Now these three remain, hope, faith, and charity [love]”, St. Paul writes in the famous passage in 1 Corinthians 13:13 – because hope, true hope, enters our souls by God’s direct mercy & action.

You’ve added to my joy this Easter.

 

[ForeverLost]

What a wonderful quote [BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]

 

[Elisabeth51]

I have attempted RCIA 3 times, dropped out each time because something pulls me away, not sure what it is. I still go to the church and sit in silence and pray at the statue of the Virgin Mary, which gives me some comfort. But Christ is nowhere to be seen.

I have tried everything, but I hear nothing from Christ, and I feel nothing. Yet I pray at the statue of the Virgin Mary and I physically feel her.

I am simply giving up on the idea of attempting RCIA a 4th time…I just dont think its my calling…

Why the post…I suppose its a cry for help because I WANT to be catholic…but each time I try I am pulled away, and Christ seems to do nothing to pull me back…

I will admit I have not read all the previous posts, so I hope I’m not repeating, but I just wanted to share my experience. I grew up Protestant, but would visit and pray in Catholic church, it felt like church, like God was there…I tried RCIA twice at my local parish, both times I stopped, for me they were just too hippie for me, the priest and the RCIA director just had the same attitude I was turned off by in the Protestant church. It wasn’t until I was at university and having a really difficult time and was on the phone with my sister, she told me to go and see a priest—there was one on campus, the Franciscans were in charge of the Catholic student union there. I went, asked to see a priest, five minutes later Fr. Derran was sitting in his office with me…I went to mass there a few times and then to the RCIA class he led. I NEVER would have thought to find the place at school where I felt so out of place otherwise.

My point is, the time and place need to be right. Can you try a different parish? I’m not really for the ‘follow the priest’ thing, but it is possible to have a priest that you are uncomfortable with for a good reason (we have a priest-in-residence at the parish where I work that scared me to death today with his “there is no absolute truth” speech, yikes!).

 

[quiet52]

Dear Anthony,

Any good that we do is only possible by the grace of God – He has graced you in many ways. I am happy for you that He has graced you so intensely during this Easter!

Among the richness of her traditions, our Lord’s holy Church gives us the liturgical year which continually helps us to grow in understanding and faith, with Easter of course being the most important celebration of the year! It seems like our Lord has asked His servant Francis to help you on your journey! You are blessed, and you are a blessing to others, to love our Lord so much. Keep remembering that He is always drawing our hearts to His Sacred Heart – and with the help of His grace, you will continue to respond, as did St. Francis.

Our best friends and cheerleaders are the saints and angels in heaven. They love us so much, and want us to be there with them! I’m glad you have found a friendship with St. Francis of Assisi, a joyful begger for Christ.

I absolutely rely on the help of friends, who pray for me, and through their modeling in faith help me to stay on the right path and help me to love God. Most of those friends are already sharing the beatific vision.

Did you know that another Anthony, a contemporary of St. Francis, was canonized? Here is some information about St. Anthony of Padua:
stanthony.org/index.php/st-anthony-of-padua/
franciscan-archive.org/antonius/

And here is some information about St. Francis of Assisi and some prayers you might appreciate:

st-francis-medal.com/index.html

sacred-texts.com/chr/wosf/

Litany to St. Francis of Assisi: ewtn.com/Devotionals/Litanies/Francis1.htm

Novena to St. Francis of Assisi: st-francis-medal.com/st-francis-novena.htm

Prayer by St. Francis: The Exhortation to the Praises of God

Lord God:
you alone are holy,
you who work wonders! You are strong, you are great,
you are the Most High,
you are the almighty King,
you, holy Father, King of heaven and earth.
Lord God: you are Three and you are One,
you are goodness, all goodness,
you are the highest Good,
Lord God, living and true.
You are love and charity, you are wisdom,
you are humility, you are patience,
you are beauty, you are sweetness,
you are safety, you are rest, you are joy,
you are our hope
and our delight,
you are justice, you are moderation
you are all our wealth
and riches overflowing.
You are beauty, you are gentleness,
you are our shelter, our guard
and our defender,
you are strength, you are refreshment,
you are our hope.
you are our faith.
you are our love,
you are our complete consolation,
you are our life everlasting,
great and wonderful Lord,
all powerful God, merciful Savior!
Amen

St. Francis Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord show his face to you and have compassion on you! May he turn his face to you and give you peace! Amen.

Prayer of Self Giving by Saint Francis of Assisi
I beg you, Lord, let the fiery, gentle power of your love take possession of my soul, and snatch it away from everything under heaven, that I may die for love of your love as you saw fit to die for love of mine. Amen.

St. Francis, gentle and steadfast beggar for Christ, please pray for us, that we may love our Lord as you did in your service here on earth. Pray for us, that we may forsake worldliness for the sake of our souls, and for the sake of building your Kingdom here on earth. Pray for us, that we may gaze upon the Crucified Christ, offer to Him our sorrow for our sins and the sins of the world, and with joyful zeal proclaim the good news of our Redeemer’s love to all the world. Amen.

 

[odile53]

I’m happy that you decided to give RCIA another shot, and will try to see it through.

I don’t know how much RCIA you took before leaving each time, but you may have gotten most of the fundamentals already: Talk with the parish priest where you took RCIA. Some people can receive the sacraments of initiation without taking the entire course.

Ask St. Augustine (who struggled with faith for several years) to intercede for you. He subsequently not only converted, and was ordained, but in fact became one of the greatest Doctors of the Church (people whose thoughts and contemplations further explained the mysteries of the faith.)

Consider reading his autobiography between now and when you start RCIA: The Confessions of St. Augustine. Although the language is somewhat formal, his catalogue of struggles and his ultimate coming to believe speak even to contemporary life. In case you have never heard of him, Augustine was a notorious sinner and intellectual snob who finally came to believe through the prayers of his mother, St. Monica. He is considered one of the greatest Saints of all time now. Plus, his writings remain the first known autobiography of anyone, anywhere. A very captivating and engaging book, and worthwhile adding to your summer reading list.