Spiritual Ennui

[Micki]

Boring, boring, boring.

These three words describe the state of my current spiritual life.

Of course, I attend Sunday mass. I also go during the week, pray the rosary during my lunchtime walk, attend 1st Saturday Eucharistic Adoration, read the Magnificat daily (altough usually just the morning not evening prayers), and pray daily with my husband.

But I am just sooooo bored with it all!!!

I discussed this in confession a few months ago. The priest strongly advised that I seek spiritual direction (from a priest) although he did not offer his services. Over the past many years, I have had directions during retreats. I have tried twice to meet with two different priests but each time things didn’t work out. My last experience really left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I left the confessional with a sincere desire to attempt this again. I took Father’s words to heart so I prayed that if this was God’s will He would help me find someone. Well, that was three months ago and, despite my sincere prayers, no opportunities in the slighest have arisen. So, what was the point of the advice of this priest? Was his advice erroneous or what?

I just recently purchased Ralph Martin’s book, The Fullfillment of All Desire. Having little spiritual direction over the years, I have often turned to books. Then I get even more discouraged because they just don’t directly meet my personal needs.

All of this is very discouraging.

 

[beckycmarie]

Micki, is it boring to you because you don’t seem to “get anything out of” your devotions - in other words, would it be less boring if going to Mass and saying prayers brought you a sense of peace, love, and/or joy?

 

[Shin]

You could always take up some greater penance and mortification, while that is many things, it is rarely… boring.

People who take things to the next level, who seek to extend themselves, are rarely bored.

One could read more of the writings of the saints. One does not become bored contemplating and learning of God from the saints.

Becoming a saint is not boring.

Every day could be the last one on earth…

A proper perception of God in all things removes the possibility of boredom. . . which in many ways is an interior flaw. . .

Life… is not truly boring.

‘To attain union with God, all the adversities that He sends us are necessary; for His only aim is to consume all our evil inclinations from within and from without. Therefore, slights, injuries, insults, infirmities, poverty, abandonment by friends, and relatives, humiliations, temptations of the devil, and many other things opposed to our human nature - all are extremely needed by us, that we may fight until by means of victories we have extirpated all our evil inclinations, so that we may feel them no longer. Nay more, until all adversities no longer seem bitter to us, but rather sweet for God, we shall never arrive at divine union.’

St. Catherine of Genoa

 

[Monica4316]

try to not rely on your feelings or seek spiritual experiences…

but if you feel bored, that could in time make you stop caring or become lukewarm.

when you’re at Mass, try to really participate in what’s happening. Remember, at Communion we are receiving the Lord of the universe, into ourselves. We are witnessing the greatest miracle there is. We are surrounded by angels and all the heavenly court.

Maybe you could try reading some books by the Saints.

One that really helped me was “the practice of the love of Jesus Christ” by St Alphonsus Liguori. Also, “Story of a Soul” by St Therese.

Try to be obedient to your confessor even if what he says makes little sense at the time.

Also, maybe you could ask yourself the question, what are you seeking in your spiritual life? what would make it not boring? I seriously think that the Catholic faith and all the prayers and the Mass are not boring at all, maybe you just need to find a new way to approach it

God bless

 

[southeast_wisco]

If a person is bored, one option is to pray, “God, I give my boredom to you.”

If a person is angry, one option is to pray, “God, I give my anger to you.”

If a person is sad, one option is to pray, “God, I give my sadness to you.”

Catholic book Publishing company has lots of day by day books. 365 meditations for 365 days. Reading a smaller book like this may be fruitful for a person in your situation.