Questions about my path to Catholic faith

[Wolfie]

When I was younger I didn’t believe in God, though I wished to. I felt like people who had faith were insisting there was an invisible wide receiver even though I could see the quarterback lob the ball only to land on empty grass over and over again.

I only started to believe in God recently after Mary appeared to me in a dream to heal me, and when I prayed to ask Mary if she would help to lead me to God I did not hear an answer, but I felt a special euphoria I associate with the Holy Spirit.

I feel happy now, but it bothers me that I could not find a path to faith in the absence of some special event such as this. How could I have believed any earlier than that?

How did you find your faith and belief in God and Catholicism?

 

[Arkansan]

There are philosophical proofs for God’s existence.

The truth of the faith is knowable by the fact that God has revealed it. We know that he was through the testimony of the Apostles, which is extremely credible by any standard.

 

[Wolfie]

I think if I had been introduced to Thomas Aquinas earlier that may have helped me. His writing has helped to solidify my faith, but I was too stubborn and skeptical to even look for such a thing.

 

[fhansen]

God works in mysterious ways, tailoring His actions in our lives to our particular personalities and situations. In hindsight we can recognize and should come to appreciate how He’s worked in us, and the results. Anyway, we tend to be complacent when things are going smoothly; the evils and struggles in our lives often provide the motivation for us to see our need for God, and change our direction. That’s what we’re here to learn, in fact, so you’re passing the test quite well so far!

 

[Wolfie]

Thank you… I felt like nothing was leading me to God before because I had no feeling of the presence of God and I was already a strong believer in good works, but maybe that is why this happened to me.

 

[PJM]

My dear friend in Christ,
What you have experienced is a miracle. Miracles happen through GOD normally as an evidence of faith belief or unbelief.
As space is severely restricted here on CAF, I shall be much briefer than I would like to be.
One finds God by accepting the offered graces God gifts to us. God desires that ALL humanity be saved; knowing all the while that a GREAT many will deny His grace and follow the whims of their passions and prideful choices.

1Tim.2 Verses 3 to 4 [3] “This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”

1st a bit about the bible, which is a CATHOLIC Book, The Bible is separated into two time periods. “BC” Before Christ, and “AD” After [Christ] Death; the Old Testament & the New Testament; subdivided by Chapter & Verses. It was the Early Catholic Fathers who choose the 46 Old Testament books from Jewish history & Tradition, and it was the Early Catholic Fathers who authorized the entire NT, which was written by Catholics and thought to be only for Catholics, as there was no anticipation of the 16th Century revolution termed the Protestant Reformation.

Perhaps the most common paths to Catholicism; Christ One True Church & Faith are reading the bible , and receiving the offered grace to actually be able to rightly understand it; association with a or some Catholics, or a nagging, often unexplained, dissatisfaction with their current Christian Church.

Once one discovers God; which is no small feet; and then begins the search for His Truth [many never reach this point], the path is varied and often filled with difficulties. At times GOD will permit illness, or a family crisis, or even a personal-life-crisis, as an means to TURN to God, which can happen through Mary; which is an indication that some Catholic is praying for you.

The NORMAL path then leads to RCIA [Rites of Christian Initiation which as the NORM, with many exceptions runs from Sept to Easter. Contact the local parish and find out what their program is. It may be too late for this year; which gives you the opportunity to begin your education & faith formation in preparation for next years class.

May God guide your path & may you have a GRACED Christmas.
Patrick [PJM]

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Faith is God’s revelation to the individual, however that may happen. It’s the experience of God’s love.

Religion, is the person’s response to the faith they received.

Belief is an act of the will and can open the door to faith . However, for God to come into their lives, they must be willing to surrender to God. It’s called dying to self and being born again in Christ.

Jim