G
guadalupanointx
Guest
Hello:
I am a 32 year old man who was a devout Catholic for many years and was baptized a Catholic as an infant. About 5 years ago, I began to be inner conflicted over a lot of the abuses in liturgy seen in the Catholic Church. At the same time, I grew to admire the Christian East vis-a-vis reading such Catholic literature as Orientum Lumen (forgive the spelling) by Pope John Paul II and his speech that the Church had to breathe with two lungs, East and West. Unfortunately, this led me to investigate not only Eastern Catholicism (not bad in the eyes of the universal church), but Eastern Orthodoxy and soon I converted to Eastern Orthodoxy and was brought into schism with the Church. I loved Eastern Orthodoxy, especially at first, because there was little change, i.e, no talk of women priests, no clown masses, et al. I had experienced such liberalism in college campus ministry and it distrubed me enough to the point that I sought too much tradition. I have learned a great deal about God and Christianity through Eastern Orthodoxy; but now I feel incomplete and know that completeness is found in the universal Catholic Church which is a beacon of light world over, not a restricted church that few know esoterically. I wish to be received back into the Catholic Church and will meet with a Catholic priest about this. I wish I could be more detailed, and perhaps I will be in replies to this message. I posted my thoughts on an Orthodox (Eastern) forum and got a lot of hatred towards Rome that some even said that Rome had no true sacraments. Let me know what you all think of my situation, I feel less confused as the days go by and have attended Mass on a regular basis now, but do not commune. Thanks.
I am a 32 year old man who was a devout Catholic for many years and was baptized a Catholic as an infant. About 5 years ago, I began to be inner conflicted over a lot of the abuses in liturgy seen in the Catholic Church. At the same time, I grew to admire the Christian East vis-a-vis reading such Catholic literature as Orientum Lumen (forgive the spelling) by Pope John Paul II and his speech that the Church had to breathe with two lungs, East and West. Unfortunately, this led me to investigate not only Eastern Catholicism (not bad in the eyes of the universal church), but Eastern Orthodoxy and soon I converted to Eastern Orthodoxy and was brought into schism with the Church. I loved Eastern Orthodoxy, especially at first, because there was little change, i.e, no talk of women priests, no clown masses, et al. I had experienced such liberalism in college campus ministry and it distrubed me enough to the point that I sought too much tradition. I have learned a great deal about God and Christianity through Eastern Orthodoxy; but now I feel incomplete and know that completeness is found in the universal Catholic Church which is a beacon of light world over, not a restricted church that few know esoterically. I wish to be received back into the Catholic Church and will meet with a Catholic priest about this. I wish I could be more detailed, and perhaps I will be in replies to this message. I posted my thoughts on an Orthodox (Eastern) forum and got a lot of hatred towards Rome that some even said that Rome had no true sacraments. Let me know what you all think of my situation, I feel less confused as the days go by and have attended Mass on a regular basis now, but do not commune. Thanks.
) Also, there is an Eastern Catholic Maronite Lebanese parish at St George Maronite parish. I just feel at home in the Catholic Church. Even as an Orthodox, I felt appalled by the continual abuse of liturgy seen in some Catholic circles because I KNEW, yes I KNEW, the Catholics had a valid Eucharist and seeing Christ’s home be presented so irreverently was no place for Christ to be in Eucharist. Many Orthodox dont believe the Catholics have a valid Eucharist and believe unleavened bread used in Catholic Church is heretical! I believed that to be folly. They say the bread should be leavened because Christ is risen. They say We Catholics are legalistic, yet they have all these rules such as the ones concerning the Eucharist and extreme fasting during Lent & Advent. I am listening to James Likoudis’ on youtube on the Coming Home program from EWTN. Even the filioque disbute seems legalistic and technical! In closing, when I pray the rosary especially during adoration I just feel this power and peace I cannot explain. Thanks for your feedback.