St. Monica, Pray for us!

[Belle10]

Congrats Belle and best wishes for an easy pregnancy.

Thank you, and welcome to CAF!

I’ve been lurking on this thread, but I’m Bev. I’m returning to the church after a long absence. I had holy communion as a child but was not confirmed.

I’ve inquired into RCIA, however, I married a non-Catholic, and we will have to have our marriage blessed by the church before I can be in full fellowship. He is not a supporter of Catholicism and has some negative attitudes towards it, some of which come from his church, some of which come from his experiences growing up, and some of which come from his life in Latin America - he was born in Honduras and came to the States when he was 15.

Anyway, as long as I’ve been alive I have been interested in religion, always studying, learning, and changing. I’ve tried multiple communities and had many spiritual experiences. However, we had our first child, after TEN years of marriage, just this past February, and she has brought such grace and joy into my life. It has changed my whole world. I began to think more about family, my roots, and I decided to attend Mass again. Now, I am feeling at home, and I feel I need the Church to raise my daughter well, to give her faith, a love for others, gratitude for her blessings, and a way to follow God. I want to have her baptized but my husband wants to raise her in his church.

So, my husband is not thrilled about this development in my spiritual life. He prefers it when I participate in his church, or when I feel uncommitted to anything, just open and spiritual. If I proceed down this path I have some fear. While I definitely do not think he’d ever reject me over religion - he has assured me of this in the past, I still worry about tension and strife between us.

Anyway, that is where I stand. Thanks for starting this thread, and I will pray for all of you.

We’re glad you’re coming out of lurking! Thank you for sharing your story – how wonderful that you’re coming home. You mentioned having some fear as you begin this journey, which everyone understands, but remember that the words do not fear appear in the Bible something like 300 times I think. God is with you in the good and the bad. He must be so happy that you are renewing your relationship with Him – I’m sure He’s missed you! :yup: I bet you’re stronger than you think – and just as your daughter’s birth (congrats!) was what sparked your desire to return home to the Catholic Church, maybe you’ll be the inspiration for your husband to learn the truth about our faith, the truth about the church Jesus established. Keep praying and remember, you’re never alone. :hug1:

An aside to any lurkers: I think you’re included whenever we pray here. Since God knows you’re lurking, and many of us pray for the intentions of all in this thread, I think that includes you too. :grouphug:

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

 

[HarmonyServant]

Bwdiaz, I worry about the same thing between myself and my husband. The tension and strife is there, and it’s cause for concern.

However, I might have a hopeful update! My husband came home from work on his lunchbreak today, and I took the opportunity to mention the recent decision in the ELCA. He knows that decision really upset me because I was raised Lutheran as a child. Then I pointed out that the Episcopal Chuch has been debating the same issue for quite awhile. He said himself that a lot of other churches have compromised themselves to society’s wishes, and he understands that I don’t want to be a part of that any longer. So, I asked him, “Where does this leave us? I know of one Church that hasn’t caved to the modern culture.”

His response: “We’ll discuss it later.”

I’ve heard that one before, so I said, “Later as in when…?”

He said, “Tonight. After the kids go to bed; we’ll talk about it.”



Obviously, that’s not a definite ‘yes’, but at least he’s willing to actually discuss it! That’s a start.

Thank you again for your continued support everyone. It truly means a lot.

 

[eli1118]

Hi friends.
I haven’t been on for awile due to alot of stress preparing my 3 year old for preschool.I wanted to share that he did a great job on his 1st day.
Thank you Dear Lord and the Virgin Mary.
Thank you St. Monica.
Hopefully this will continue.

Blessings to all,
Eli

 

[bwdiaz]

He said, “Tonight. After the kids go to bed; we’ll talk about it.”

So, how did the talk go?

 

[HarmonyServant]

Good morning!

Well, it was rather neutral in discussion. He’s very picky about what he believes regarding Christianity, and disagrees with most major denominations. Catholicism is one of them. However, he did tell me that, “you’re an adult and I can’t stop you.” So, that’s a definite turn-around from the near forbidding from before. Praise God for that.

However, he did tell me that if I convert, I’ll be converting alone. He won’t leave me or anything, but he doesn’t want the children raised in the Faith. This upsets me a lot, understandably. My kids deserve the Fullness of the Church, but he refuses to budge on that part.

St. Monica, pray for me!

 

[mttorres]

I need many prayers…here’s why:

Last year my daughter had a baby at 18 (and to make a long story short) we have tried to be extremely supportive; i have changed jobs to stay home with him while she is in college and working (i work nights) and everyone around the house (including our 12 year old son) helps to watch him and take care of him daily. lately she has been very ungrateful and even said she “will get a babysitter” because we won’t watch him constantly while she goes out with friends as well. I am at wits end and sometimes can’t even stand to look at her when she is so snotty to our family and is so ungrateful for all we’ve done for her. I don’t necessarily want a thank you…but a little respect would be nice.

Please pray for me for patience in guiding her to be a good mother; and for her, to have the wisdom she needs. :sad_bye:

Many thanks!
Melissa

 

[CradleCathy]

I so need all of your prayers. Please pray for me and my husband, and for our marriage.

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for
my husband’s strength in the fight against addiction, his commitment to fidelity, grant me the grace to forgive
and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

AMEN

 

[Belle10]

Good morning!

Well, it was rather neutral in discussion. He’s very picky about what he believes regarding Christianity, and disagrees with most major denominations. Catholicism is one of them. However, he did tell me that, “you’re an adult and I can’t stop you.” So, that’s a definite turn-around from the near forbidding from before. Praise God for that.

However, he did tell me that if I convert, I’ll be converting alone. He won’t leave me or anything, but he doesn’t want the children raised in the Faith. This upsets me a lot, understandably. My kids deserve the Fullness of the Church, but he refuses to budge on that part.

St. Monica, pray for me!

It seems like that’s a step in the right direction! Do all you can to raise your kids in the faith too – perhaps after you’ve been through RCIA he’ll see how great it is and will agree that the kids can convert too. Keep praying! :hug1:

I need many prayers…here’s why:

Last year my daughter had a baby at 18 (and to make a long story short) we have tried to be extremely supportive; i have changed jobs to stay home with him while she is in college and working (i work nights) and everyone around the house (including our 12 year old son) helps to watch him and take care of him daily. lately she has been very ungrateful and even said she “will get a babysitter” because we won’t watch him constantly while she goes out with friends as well. I am at wits end and sometimes can’t even stand to look at her when she is so snotty to our family and is so ungrateful for all we’ve done for her. I don’t necessarily want a thank you…but a little respect would be nice.

Please pray for me for patience in guiding her to be a good mother; and for her, to have the wisdom she needs.

Many thanks!
Melissa

Welcome Melissa. We’re sorry you’re here but we’re glad you’re here.

I’m sorry your daughter is being so disrespectful. St. Augustine was quite a stinker for many years, and St. Monica’s prayers helped bring him home, so she knows what you’re going through! Keep praying! :hug1:

I so need all of your prayers. Please pray for me and my husband, and for our marriage.

Welcome Cathy. We’re sorry you’re here but we’re glad you’re here.

Praying for you and your husband. :hug1:

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

:grouphug:

 

[bwdiaz]

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the happiness and peace of my family,
a softening of my husband’s heart towards the church,
strength to be a good mother and to continually do my best,
as well as all the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

 

[bwdiaz]

Please pray for my husband, he is going through a lot of stress right now. He is in danger of losing his job, which is our sole form of income and our health insurance. He will have to work extremely long hours for the next few days in an attempt to save it, and I will even be going to his office to help him with it. We will know how it has gone on Wednesday next week (the 9th). He has also been struggling with family issues, between his sister and some other family personality conflicts. All of these things have been weighing heavily on him, and causing him to feel a little hopeless and a little bit unable not to be grumpy with me.

I ask that you all please pray for him, my husband’s name is Nelson, that if it is God’s will, he would be granted the strength, foresight, and ability to do what is necessary for him to save his job. I also ask that he may have patience, and be at peace in the meantime, so he will not be afraid of what has not happened yet. I ask that he be able to have charity towards his family and that he can remember his love for them and theirs for him, so he can be grateful. May he also have the ability to rise above whatever trials he is faced with and granted the courage to accept God’s will.

For my part, I’m not worried. I should be, but I have no idea what will happen, and I have the baby now. I can’t allow myself to get into the spiral of panic I would have gone into only days before the baby came. What troubles me is how hard it is for Nelson, and he isn’t accepting any help from me (emotionally) right now. He wants to be angry and frustrated, and does not take it well if I point out to him that I’m the wrong person on whom to take it out. There is no danger of domestic violence or anything. Just regular upset, stress, and discouragement, causing bickering or snapping, and moodiness. I need the strength to just let him be, to not try to solve his problems for him, to show him that I love him and have faith in him - in ways in which he gets the message, because whatever I’m doing now isn’t working. Also, I need to have peace for myself, that what he’s doing and saying aren’t personal nor are they my fault. I need to be able to stay calm and be able to take care of my beautiful daughter and her needs.

If anyone has any advice for me - or any knowledge of special prayers, devotions, or whatever to help me pray for him and our family, I am open to it. Thanks!

 

[bwdiaz]

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the happiness and peace of my family,
a softening of my husband’s heart towards the church,
strength for him in his upcoming trials,
the ability for me to support him in all things,
strength to be a good mother and to continually do my best,
as well as all the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

 

[HarmonyServant]

Many prayers for you, bwdiaz. :console:

 

[Joanne_Zerull]

Dear bwdiaz,

I am praying for your family. When the baby is sleeping a the end of the day, quietly rub your husbands shoulders and neck. As you are doing this pray silently for his healing. Feel the healing of the Holy Spirit working in you and in your hands. Believe that Nelson will receive the peace of the Lord. Be sincere and give with a joyful heart.

When your husband is unkind to you, pray right then and there to the Holy Spirit, tell Him that you need Him. “Come Holy Spirit I need you, Come Holy Spirit I pray; Come Holy Spirit I need you, come in your own special way”…as the song goes

Christ’s Peace to you,
JZ

 

[MonicaRose]

Hello everyone!

Joanne, I really like the advice you gave bwdiaz-I am going to try that myself as my husband is going through some of his own grouchiness with my family as well.

Elli-my 3 yr old just started preschool too-isn’t it crazy!?! The time goes too fast!

Belle, congratulations!! So happy for you and your family to welcome another little blessing!

I am praying for all of the intentions here, please pray for my family as well-for the conversion of my husband first and foremost and for our marriage to continue healing.

St. Monica, please intercede on the behalf of all the families here. We trust in you and strive to have your patience and faith!

 

[Musician]

I am still praying for two of our sons, who have rejected their faith. I tell them I am praying for them, and they smile at me and hug me, but I don’t know if telling them that does any good. If I could, I would offer myself in their place. I am so afraid that they will die and go to hell. I have to pray every day for peace.

 

[Belle10]

Musician, I fear the same for some relatives and friends. It is very difficult to trust, but try praying the chaplet of Divine Mercy for them. (www.thedivinemercy.org) It is a beautiful gift of love from God and it brings me great comfort. :hug1:

St. Monica, pray for us!

 

[Convert_in_99]

Please everyone keep praying for my husband. For his overall growth in the Christian faith and for him to be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church. He’s maybe only making baby steps of progress towards Catholic, don’t see it happening anytime soon, but he’s making much bigger steps in overall Christian growth. Your prayers are working. Keep praying hard!. Thanks ladies! :hug3:

 

[HarmonyServant]

Prayers coming your way, Convert.

Well, my husband and I got into quite the argument this morning. Now that I finally have a car, I briefly mentioned that I wanted to start attending Mass. I won’t repeat entirely what he said, but the gist of it was that I was disrespecting his wishes, that I’m taking a step backward in my faith, etc, etc. :banghead: I dunno, it seems like whenever he gets a little openminded to the Truth, the devil has to stick his horns in. I’ve tried to explain what Catholicism really believes (“No, honey, they don’t worship statues.”), but he shuns any reasoning away.

He went to work in an ill mood, and I said a big, long prayer after he left and now I just to vent because I’m getting scared how this is going to really affect everything. He’s already put his foot down about the kids converting with me, which really breaks my heart.

I feel so … stuck now.

 

[MariaC]

I am returning to the CAF after some time away, and I had not been aware of this thread before. For many years I have had a connection, a bond with St. Monica, which began about 15 years ago when I came upon her biography while at a book fair. I had spent 20 years answering questions and praying for my Christian husband to come into the Catholic Church, and he did, though not without a struggle. Now, eleven years later, he is on the RCIA team at our parish. For half of those 31 years, I had asked and continue to ask for St. Monica’s intercession in our lives and those of our friends. When I have more time I will read all the posts. I keep all of your intentions in my prayers.

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the return to the Church
of the sons of two friends from my parish

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

 

[Belle10]

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

:grouphug: