question about catholicism

[davedat]

I don’t know if this question is appropriate for this open forum. But what i’m asking is how can a Catholic give a defense of their faith to me a pagan with a severe mental illness and thought disorder. I’m confused about what I think about the proofs of God, the Bible and the Catholic Church. I have memory problems and judgement problems and I’m not sure what I think. And I also have no patience.

 

[Garyjohn2]

Well I have a short answer, maybe someone else can answer better later…

A “defense” of the faith would have to mean that someone is attacking it. If you have specific questions about God, the Bible, or the Church, someone might be able to address those.

But, in general, there aren’t many “proofs” when it comes to faith. That’s kind of what faith is…belief without proofs. It’s something you can think about, pray about, meditate on, and “feel it” in your heart. There is no way to proove God, but I kind of wish there was!

Most of the time faith has to be realized, or discovered. Then you feel it and believe it. It’s usually a personal experience, but people can help you get there. If you are really interested in Catholocism or in a relationship with God, I would suggest you learn as much as you can on the topic and think about it. Also, perhaps talk to loved ones that also believe, they might be able to help. Other than that, keep searching and asking questions on forums such as these! I’ll say a prayer for you for sure.

 

[steve_b]

I don’t know if this question is appropriate for this open forum. But what i’m asking is how can a Catholic give a defense of their faith to me a pagan with a severe mental illness and thought disorder. I’m confused about what I think about the proofs of God, the Bible and the Catholic Church. I have memory problems and judgement problems and I’m not sure what I think. And I also have no patience.

Have you been diagnosed by a professional as having mental illness?

 

[MarcoPolo]

You have already shown enough skills and capacity to communicate to demonstrate you have the ability to embrace Catholicism. Don’t worry about impatience. Our Church is full of people with vices and sinful tendencies. Welcome!

 

[kepha1]

Hi Dacedat,
I have bi-polar disorder. You’ve probably heard of it. Let me introduce you to a member of our family:

Saint Dymphna
Young Dymphna was the daughter of a pagan Irish chieftain named Damon. (5th century?) Her mother was a Christian and she taught Dymphna about the love of God. Unfortunately, Dymphna’s mother died when she was only fourteen years old.

Both Damon and Dymphna were grief stricken at her death, but Damon’s sadness was so great that he became mentally ill. He decided that he needed to find another woman as beautiful and good as his late wife to marry, so he sent his soldiers all over the country to find a new wife for him. But no such woman could be found.

Then Damon realised that the only woman in Ireland who was as beautiful and good as his late wife was their daughter, Dymphna! In his madness, he decided to marry her. Of course, Dymphna said ‘No.’ When Damon continued to insist, she ran away across the sea to Belgium with the help of an elderly priest, Saint Gerebran.

Damon followed them, and searched the countryside of Belgium for his daughter and the priest. He was determined to find them. Finally, he discovered them in a town called Gheel, and demanded once again that Dymphna return with him to Ireland to be his wife. She refused, and in his insanity, he killed her and Saint Gerebran.

The place where Saint Dymphna was killed has become a shrine. It quickly became known for miraculous cures of mental illness and possession. Her relics are reported to cure insanity and epilepsy.

Prayer:
Hear us, O God, our Savior, as we honour Saint Dymphna, patron of those afflicted with mental and emotional illness. Help us to be inspired by her example and comforted by her merciful help. Amen.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I don’t know if this question is appropriate for this open forum. But what i’m asking is how can a Catholic give a defense of their faith to me a pagan with a severe mental illness and thought disorder. I’m confused about what I think about the proofs of God, the Bible and the Catholic Church. I have memory problems and judgement problems and I’m not sure what I think. And I also have no patience.

From a Catholic view God only expects from us what we as humans are capable of. Salvation is offered and accessable to all persons no matter what their mental capacity.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Hi Dacedat,
I have bi-polar disorder. You’ve probably heard of it. Let me introduce you to a member of our family:

Saint Dymphna
Young Dymphna was the daughter of a pagan Irish chieftain named Damon. (5th century?) Her mother was a Christian and she taught Dymphna about the love of God. Unfortunately, Dymphna’s mother died when she was only fourteen years old.

Both Damon and Dymphna were grief stricken at her death, but Damon’s sadness was so great that he became mentally ill. He decided that he needed to find another woman as beautiful and good as his late wife to marry, so he sent his soldiers all over the country to find a new wife for him. But no such woman could be found.

Then Damon realised that the only woman in Ireland who was as beautiful and good as his late wife was their daughter, Dymphna! In his madness, he decided to marry her. Of course, Dymphna said ‘No.’ When Damon continued to insist, she ran away across the sea to Belgium with the help of an elderly priest, Saint Gerebran.

Damon followed them, and searched the countryside of Belgium for his daughter and the priest. He was determined to find them. Finally, he discovered them in a town called Gheel, and demanded once again that Dymphna return with him to Ireland to be his wife. She refused, and in his insanity, he killed her and Saint Gerebran.

The place where Saint Dymphna was killed has become a shrine. It quickly became known for miraculous cures of mental illness and possession. Her relics are reported to cure insanity and epilepsy.

Prayer:
Hear us, O God, our Savior, as we honour Saint Dymphna, patron of those afflicted with mental and emotional illness. Help us to be inspired by her example and comforted by her merciful help. Amen.

Hi Kepha.
i have a friend who suffers from bipola also. do you know where i can get the relic of ST Dymphna? i would get him as a gift. thank you.

“To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see, is black, if the Hierarchical Church so decides it” St ignatious of Loyola