Really Struggling since RCIA

[achmafooma]

The only time I can really pray is at Mass. It’s the only atmosphere that quiets me down enough to focus on our Lord properly. I think I need prayer suggestions for hyper people or something!

LoL well, if you are able to go to a daily Mass that is an option. If you find Mass is the only place you can easily focus on prayer, then going to more Masses might be a good idea for you.

If that’s not doable for whatever reason, well, we all have to try to work around our shortcomings and foibles. If you find yourself easily distracted, maybe try to do many small prayers throughout the day (instead of trying to set aside a whole half-hour or hour).

I believe God wants us to put forth the effort. He doesn’t hold it against us that our feeble minds keep getting distracted, as long as we aren’t willfully going along with the distractions. So the main advice I would give you is to just keep trying; God appreciates the effort, even if you keep falling short.

Hopefully others will have some more advice! God bless you.

 

[jwinch2]

I record the daily Mass, Rosary, and the Chaplet of Saint Michael off of EWTN. That might be a good option for you in terms of daily prayer and contemplation. If you don’t get EWTN, the homilies are on YouTube as is the Rosary, etc.

 

[nickybr38]

Thanks guys. I will work on it.

Man, this conversion stuff is hard work. No wonder so many people give up!

 

[foreveradoreHim]

Hello!

What I can suggest is pray daily. Pray the Rosary, and say whatever other prayers come to your heart. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you and live in you, and GIVE IN TO HIM. Let Him guide and possess all of you, your senses, mind, heart, emotions, will, everything. Once you do get to Confession, examine your conscience well and be open to whatever the priest says and whatever the Spirit moves in you. I am also one of this year’s converts and I’ve been to Confession weekly for whatever daily neglects I commit (although you only NEED to confess mortal sins, strictly speaking).

Then, once you have confessed: GO to Communion, go OFTEN (every Sunday is required, but if your heart and Jesus’ Heart move you, go ahead to Mass during the week). Many people struggle with the Real Presence - but ask for Jesus’ grace to understand that HE is truly and altogether present in that Bread and Wine - His Body and Blood. (Remember, He is present fully in the Bread, and fully in the Wine. You can receive one, the other, or both and still have the full Jesus.).

Remember, Jesus brought you to the RCIA, He brought you through it. He brought you to the Catholic faith to have a deep and loving relationship with you through the Spirit and the Sacraments. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. Have faith in Him and in His love.

Your brother,
Jonathan
RCIA '11

 

[Monica4316]

Nicky,

I sometimes struggle with this too… I’m also a convert. If you feel scared to receive the Eucharist even after making an honest Confession, - I think it might help to examine your reasons for being afraid, - are you afraid that you have not been forgiven? If the Eucharist is difficult for you, it might be because of this… I’ve found when I really trust in God’s forgiveness after Confession, and really open myself up to Him and His mercy, the Eucharist becomes really different too… maybe it’s about trust.

Does your parish have a regular time for Confession? Sorry if I missed that in your post… try to speak to a priest about all this. Don’t feel like you will burden him… I always feel this way too but then the priest turns out to be patient and helpful

Don’t feel ashamed that you’re struggling… we all struggle in some way with our spiritual lives, even if things appear to be perfect. We should just try to always come closer to God, love Him more, and learn to follow Him better.

God bless you :hug1:

 

[Monica4316]

I’m definitely struggling with the prayer aspect but I DO pray SOMETHING every day. Even if it’s just the Our Father. I haven’t gotten to the point where I can have a conversational prayer with our Lord. I also struggle with just having quiet time with Him.

In general I’m the type of person who never sits still. I don’t DO quiet time but I know I need to work on it.

The only time I can really pray is at Mass. It’s the only atmosphere that quiets me down enough to focus on our Lord properly. I think I need prayer suggestions for hyper people or something!

Learning to pray takes time and I’m definitely still learning, after 2 years of being Catholic there are many great Catholic prayers that I love like the Rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, and prayers to the Sacred Heart… as for conversational prayer: maybe start with something very small and simple, like just telling God how your day went. If you’re strugging with something, tell Him this. Just little things like you’d talk to your friend.

You know, outside of this forum I haven’t let on to anyone that I’m having a bit of a hard time. I’ve never been good at sharing my true feelings so it’s easier for me to come online where nobody knows who I am. Plus, I didn’t want to bother the father because he’s brand new (just landed in our country!! AND just arrived at our parish the same week).

Anyway, after Mass he grabbed my hand and insisted that we had to meet sometime this week. It was completely unexpected and exactly what I needed because I need to talk to him for sure. I gave him my number and you know he called me within an hour of me getting home to arrange for a day and time to meet.

I kind of took this as God doing His thing and stepping in when I wasn’t willing to make the move (because I didn’t want to bother the Father). I plan to talk to him about my desire to have confession every week and my struggles with the Eucharist.

Thank you guys for all your advice and more importantly your prayers. Unfortunately I think myself in circles but try as I might I cannot shut my brain off. It’s just part of who I am. One day all this thinking will do me good but for now it’s doing me in.

Anyway, just thought I’d share.

that is great!!

Thank you Jason. Intellectually my understanding of the Eucharist is in place (not that I don’t have more to learn!) - and I DO believe. I think the bulk of my issue lies in old baggage from Protestant churches and my heart not being properly aligned yet.

Maybe I’m just being too hard on myself? But I feel as if this old heart of mine needs so much more shaping before I am worthy to be in the presence of God.

remember His mercy the only thing that prevents us from receiving the Eucharist is mortal sin. If you have confessed your sins in Confession and were honest and repentant, and kept the fast, you can receive the Eucharist. It’s by His mercy that we can receive Him… we can’t ever be worthy. Try to trust Him because that really helps. Trust in the teachings of the Church as well. Have you read any Catholic books? There are some like Divine Mercy in My Soul that have helped me. (quotes from it: catholic-forum.com/churches/cathteach/divinemercy1.htm )

God bless

 

[PbloPicasso]

This is not uncommon for any convert to any faith. The honeymoon is over is one way to think about it. However, that’s not really true. The Lord is there with you through all of this. It may be time to look into areas you’ve never thought about. Prayer is a wonderful way to be involved. Go to adoration and spend an hour with the Lord. That will definitly help. You could try praying the Liturgy of the Hours. It takes time to learn and therefore is very engaging. As far as ministries are concerned, don’t try to save the world. Save yourself by giving time to search which ministry you would like. Try different things out, but don’t commit yet. At least that’s my idea. There is nothing more miserable than over volunteering oneself and finding out that none of them feel right. There is nothing wrong with it not feeling right. Something will stand out more than the others. I believe that.

Just a thought.

 

[nickybr38]

Thank you everyone for your comments!

My issue with the Eucharist isn’t believing, because I do believe in it (I wouldn’t be terrified of dropping the Blessed Sacrament if I didn’t believe!). I just am completely unworthy, forgiven or not, to receive. When I do receive, feeling this way, it just makes me sad. But when I don’t receive I feel even worse! Right now I just want to fall at His feet and beg for mercy, forgiven or not my heart is not aligned to His will. My will is not His will. My heart is not His heart. I am still a work in progress and nowhere near worthy. I understand that no one is but that doesn’t bring me any measure of comfort. I suppose this is the kind of issue that I’ll have to work through on my own and that will take time.

I did manage to speak to the father last night and the Confession thing has been sorted out (he didn’t realize people were coming so he was arriving a little late for the ‘set time’ but he has made it pretty clear he will be there from now on and on time. He actually seemed a little upset that we had been coming and he wasn’t there).

 

[jwinch2]

I did manage to speak to the father last night and the Confession thing has been sorted out (he didn’t realize people were coming so he was arriving a little late for the ‘set time’ but he has made it pretty clear he will be there from now on and on time. He actually seemed a little upset that we had been coming and he wasn’t there).

From this and rest of what you have posted it sounds as if you have a wonderful priest. I would continue your discussions with him and be open about your concerns and questions. It is going to be a lifelong process, for all of us. But the thing is, you aren’t in it alone. God is with you, and so is the entire Catholic church.

God Bless!

 

[PbloPicasso]

From this and rest of what you have posted it sounds as if you have a wonderful priest. I would continue your discussions with him and be open about your concerns and questions. It is going to be a lifelong process, for all of us. But the thing is, you aren’t in it alone. God is with you, and so is the entire Catholic church.

God Bless!

I agree.

 

[jwinch2]

…and so is the entire Catholic church.

And remember, it isn’t just the Church Militant here on earth. The Church Triumphant, with all the saints who ever lived are in Heaven praying and interceding for you.

 

[nickybr38]

And remember, it isn’t just the Church Militant here on earth. The Church Triumphant, with all the saints who ever lived are in Heaven praying and interceding for you.

That actually brings me a great deal of comfort. Not so much the Church Militant but the Church Triumphant. I suppose it’s easier to believe they love me then to believe people here do.

I do think I am going to have to start asking for more intercession.

 

[timeandeternity]

Nicky, don’t ever give up receiving communion unless you are sure that you have committed a mortal sin! St. Faustina once decided not to receive communion because she had certain doubts; Jesus later appeared to her and told her never to abstain from communion for such reasons, because His love was far greater than her faults and unworthiness.
Nicky, you are right in thinking that you are unworthy to receive communion, because as a human being, you can never be worthy to receive your loving Creator and Savior. I can never be worthy of this. Not even the Pope is worthy to receive Him! That does not change the fact that He has not only invited, but commanded us to come to Him and take Him in, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Unless you are not in a state of grace, you should never hesitate to do this! Over time, you will become more and more united to Him, your fears and doubts will cease, and your sins grow less.
I will pray for you, and I trust that Christ will guide you through all your struggles.