Spiritualism/ Paganism what now?

[Angels_Eyes]

Hello and blessings to you all,

I was wondering if someone could answer my question

I was baptized a Catholic and attended Catholic schools, which I have very fond memories of, but over the years, I have been searching for many things…and only now, I know it is God. Many years ago, I had a work friend that was Pentacostal. He invited me to attend his Church and I just loved it, I was so over whelmed by the ‘feeling’ of it all, I cried, then went home and told my partner and also my Sister that I had ‘found God again’.

My Sister was not at all impressed and said they were ‘brainwashing’ me and told me a bit about Paganism. ‘Charmed’ was big on TV at the time, so we started dabbling into Paganism and spells etc. I continued on this path for about 5 years, but still felt it was not enough, I still felt empty somehow. After having my first Child, I needed to feel the connection again…to something. I found a Spiritual Church and have attended there for a few years now. Spiritualists believe in God and Jesus, but also that you can communicate with those that have passed on. I was ‘dedicated’ into Spiritualism about two years ago.

So my question: Am I still a Catholic if I was ‘dedicated’ into Spiritualism? Did I denounce my first Religion by getting into Spiritualism?

I am still unsure of where I am meant to be in this world. But I do know that I constantly feel the need to search and find my truth. I think I am a very Spiritual person (as we all are on the forum) but my Husband is not (although he too was baptized Catholic) and it does make it a little harder for me I guess.

Any comments, answers would be very much appreciated
Thank you and blessings, Angels Eyes xxoo

 

[SteveVH]

Hello and blessings to you all,

I was wondering if someone could answer my question

I was baptized a Catholic and attended Catholic schools, which I have very fond memories of, but over the years, I have been searching for many things…and only now, I know it is God. Many years ago, I had a work friend that was Pentacostal. He invited me to attend his Church and I just loved it, I was so over whelmed by the ‘feeling’ of it all, I cried, then went home and told my partner and also my Sister that I had ‘found God again’.

My Sister was not at all impressed and said they were ‘brainwashing’ me and told me a bit about Paganism. ‘Charmed’ was big on TV at the time, so we started dabbling into Paganism and spells etc. I continued on this path for about 5 years, but still felt it was not enough, I still felt empty somehow. After having my first Child, I needed to feel the connection again…to something. I found a Spiritual Church and have attended there for a few years now. Spiritualists believe in God and Jesus, but also that you can communicate with those that have passed on. I was ‘dedicated’ into Spiritualism about two years ago.

So my question: Am I still a Catholic if I was ‘dedicated’ into Spiritualism? Did I denounce my first Religion by getting into Spiritualism?

I am still unsure of where I am meant to be in this world. But I do know that I constantly feel the need to search and find my truth. I think I am a very Spiritual person (as we all are on the forum) but my Husband is not (although he too was baptized Catholic) and it does make it a little harder for me I guess.

Any comments, answers would be very much appreciated
Thank you and blessings, Angels Eyes xxoo

If you wanted to return to the Catholic Church it may take no more than a good confession, but you should talk to a priest about that. The question would be whether or not you actually “rejected” the faith of the CC.

Also, remember that faith is not a matter of “feelings”. I’ll agree that it is great to find a church that makes you feel good, but what is more important is finding the Truth, who is a someone, not a something. Explore the Catholic Church, even with scepticism. Read about its history, its doctrines, its Saints, its martyrs. It is important enough to warrant investigation. Henry Newman, an important member of the Anglican Church, began studying the Catholic Church for the purpose of proving that it was not the one, true Church. Through his own work he converted himself, finding the opposite of what he expected. I am sure God is pleased that you are searching for him. It is the reason you feel the emptiness inside. Only He can fill that space. He allows us to grow hungry so that we will come to Him to be fed.

God bless you. I will include you in my prayers.

Steve

 

[the_hazel_nut]

Your baptism is forever - in that sense, once a Catholic always a Catholic.

You left the religion, but to go back, most likely all you need to do is go to confession. SteveVH said. Then you can go back to full participation. I left the faith then came back and confessed. I was so afraid, but it was the best decision of my life.

Good luck with your journey.

 

[kyria]

Hi,

I dabbled a bit into the New Age movement before coming back to the Faith. I too did like the pentacostals a bit and felt at the time the Catholic Faith lacked something, but then I found the Catholic Charismatic Movement. Really it was me that was lacking. I was trying to find myself and the truth for a few years. But it took a couple of years before I felt that the Church was the true Church because that meant having to read, accept somethings and being willing to let God slowly lead me as I was more willing to continue on my reversion back to the Faith. A big issue I had was with the sacrament of Confession but once I eventually went back to Confession I realised that this sacrament helped God grant me graces in my understanding of the truth of the Church and also what the truth was.

You have not replaced your Catholic baptism with the spiritualist movement, but you might find that the Catholic Faith can aid you in a true spiritualism, should you be willing to start afresh via confession. I don’t know what spiritualists get out of conversing with dead spirits, but I do know what I have gotten from conversing in my heart with the living God when I reverted back to the Faith. And that living God helped me find myself and the truth.

May Christ give you the strength to continue on your journey home, and if you liked the pentacostals, maybe you might like to read up on the catholic charismatic movement.

God Bless,

 

[Angels_Eyes]

Thank you SteveVH, the_hazel_nut and Kyria for your loving and kind words.

I do think that you are probably right Steve in saying that I hunger for God…it makes sense. Maybe all of this…these heart-felt replies from others of the Catholic faith is my sign. I think that’s it, I am always waiting for a sign in life…with most things I do. I am one of those ‘need to know’ people. I find it difficult when I don’t know or understand everything in this world, but I know that is just the way it is, we are not meant to know everything, but still it’s hard

Thank you, the_hazel_nut You are a special person!

Kyria, I find it amazing that you too came back to the faith. You are not the first person that I have heard that happening too. Maybe now with my son in a Catholic school, this will all fall into place for me. I think I will speak to a Priest at the school and see what he says.

Thank you all for you well wishes, your comments are a welcome relief for me.:angel1: