Strong Desire to Attend Mass, But Not Catholic

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Oh that’s an interesting idea!! I don’t know why I never thought of it honestly… ! I should see if its possible. If not now, it might be possible in future though. I had thought previously of registering with a DNA registry and hopefully finding family in that way. DNA registries are becoming more common.

Yes and this is something about Jesus which I like so much.
Judith,
You must be an insomniac like me.

One of the things people who love one another do is share things. They share joys and hurts. They laugh and cry together. God took on flesh. He became like you in every way, but sin. All of your emotions and aspirations and everything about you God knows, because He experienced it. People on this forum will literally share your joy at discovering the truths of the faith. They will also share your sadness in what happened to your mother, and feeling alone not knowing the other half of your origins, or the scars from being raped. They will try to console you if they can, because it hurts them also. It also hurts Jesus. No one wants you to suffer alone, including God.

Of course this is a two way street. Why do the Missionaries of Charity do what they do? Why do they go out into the streets with the poor and wounded and most vulnerable? They want to console them and be with them, because they love them. Why did Jesus come here and do what He did?

I know a number of women missionaries. Maybe I sent you their photo. They tell me they are not sure who receives more consolation, their poor or they themselves. Love by its nature is never given without the giver also being a recipient.

This applies of course to you and Jesus. If He shares your pain you will share His, because you love one another.

When Jesus walked the earth He was both divine and human, but only His humanity was visible. His divinity was hidden. It was cloaked. You could only see his humanity. You could have only known that He was the Son of God, by faith. Nothing has changed.

When you go to Mass, Jesus is present there. The same Jesus who is risen from the dead and ascended to Heaven and is worshipped there by the host of heaven, comes down and is present to us, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. You know this by faith. We receive Him as food. In heaven the angels who worship Him do not. But the worship of heaven and earth are joined, because the same person is there before us and we fall on our knees and bow and with the host of heaven proclaim Him Almighty God who alone is worthy of worship.

An exchange takes place there. When you go to Mass next you can be aware of this exchange. This Jesus wants something from you, something besides your sins. He wants your tears. He wants everything that hurts. He wants you to give them to Him. They are valuable to Him.

In return He wants to share with you everything that hurts Him. The moment this exchange happens is when the priest raises the chalice. Look up at him and the crucifix above the altar.

The Mass makes us present at calvary. You will be standing there next to Mary and when the sword of sorrow goes through her heart it will also go through yours. He wants your tears and your love. Don’t hold back and He will also give Himself to you without reserve.
 
:clapping::extrahappy:**If you have this strong of a desire to attend a Mass even though you are not Catholic then GO! If that’s not GOD talking to you thru the Holy Spirit I don’t know what is! Let me tell you my story. Before I became a Catholic I was a baptized Pentacostal Protestant. When I was in my 20’s I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at a Non-denominational Christian church and I thought that was it as far as my Spiritual growth was concerned. How WRONG I was! God had bigger plans for me and he put the wheels in motion when he sent a BLESSED Catholic lady to me to introduce me to the Catholic faith. I went with her to several Masses at different Catholic churches until one day I was standing up during the Eucharist (which I couldn’t receive at the time) at one of these churches looking at the Crucifix when all of a sudden I started to cry hysterically and felt my body go numb. While I was crying, I happened to look up at the skylight of the church and saw the sun move DIRECTLY over me while its warm rays enveloped me like a comforting hug. It was like Mother Mary had me in Her arms and God was telling me that everything would be OK. In response to this I signed up for RCIA classes at my local church and after 7 months I became a Confirmed Catholic and received my FIRST eucharist on March 26, 2005 and I have been going there ever since. **
 
Thanks Ignatius. 🙂

This is a bit of an aside, but I’ve noticed many people on this thread recommending various Hebrew Catholic groups to me, etc. Is there some reason that I must associate with Jews who have converted to Catholicism? I’m not saying I don’t want to associate with them, but its also not something particularly important to me either. As I have mentioned several times in this thread, I am a *secular *Jew. What that means is, I was not raised Jewish per se. I consider being Jewish my ethnicity. I know a bit about being Jewish, but have only been to synagogue a few times in my life and actually know more about being Catholic at this point! 😉 I’m wondering if I have some sort of “extra” obligation as a Jew?
I was in the same spot when I became a [Protestant] Christian in 1982. I was a little annoyed but tried to keep it to myself. It seems inherent in people to want to put each other in “boxes”. These dear, well-meaning people thought this would be good for me, as well as making themselves comfortable (though I doubt they thought about that part.) I don’t believe I had or have any “extra” obligation.

After a while it wore off. I don’t think I ever had to seriously engage anybody. Of course, you must do as God leads you in each situation. These days, when people annoy me, I TRY to love them as Jesus does.

Peace be with you,

Barbara
 
Hi Judith,
What a blessing to revisit this forum. I have felt like a lost sheep these last 3 months. Catching up with this thread touched my heart yet again. I hope you never forgot how much this thread has means to people like me who are inspired by your faith. Like other members, I too have been inspired to participate in Eucharist Adoration because of you. I am starting my RCAI classes in a month. Reading about your journey has really highlighted the thirst I have inside to know Christ. I can see him so clearly working in your life. This very moment, I feel my eyes welling up with tears because I am such an incredible sinner. Please pray for me.
I will repent my sins, pray for you, and try to follow in your wonderful example.

From the bottom of my Heart, Thank You.
  • Gerardo
 
It seems inherent in people to want to put each other in “boxes”. These dear, well-meaning people thought this would be good for me, as well as making themselves comfortable (though I doubt they thought about that part.) I don’t believe I had or have any “extra” obligation.

These days, when people annoy me, I TRY to love them as Jesus does.
Yes you’re probably right. People have been very helpful to me overall and I think I should accept the help in the spirit of which its intended, whether I want it or not. It really doesn’t annoy me though, as I said I was more just wondering if there was something I needed to do. I really am grateful to everyone on this forum who has offered me help. 🙂
 
Hi Judith,
Like other members, I too have been inspired to participate in Eucharist Adoration because of you. I am starting my RCIA classes in a month. Reading about your journey has really highlighted the thirst I have inside to know Christ. I can see him so clearly working in your life.
Wow, that is really great to hear that you will be going to RCIA! I’m very touched that you feel I might have some small part in that. Really though it is the Lord who is calling you. Perhaps in some small way He has used me, which to me is amazing and awesome, and very humbling, especially considering the source! 😉 Seriously though I’m extremely happy for you. Certainly I will pray for you and I hope you will remember me in your prayers also.
 
Let me tell you my story. Before I became a Catholic I was a baptized Pentacostal Protestant. When I was in my 20’s I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at a Non-denominational Christian church and I thought that was it as far as my Spiritual growth was concerned. How WRONG I was! God had bigger plans for me and he put the wheels in motion when he sent a BLESSED Catholic lady to me to introduce me to the Catholic faith. I went with her to several Masses at different Catholic churches until one day I was standing up during the Eucharist (which I couldn’t receive at the time) at one of these churches looking at the Crucifix when all of a sudden I started to cry hysterically and felt my body go numb. While I was crying, I happened to look up at the skylight of the church and saw the sun move DIRECTLY over me while its warm rays enveloped me like a comforting hug. It was like Mother Mary had me in Her arms and God was telling me that everything would be OK. In response to this I signed up for RCIA classes at my local church and after 7 months I became a Confirmed Catholic and received my FIRST eucharist on March 26, 2005 and I have been going there ever since.
What a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing it with me. Its great to know also that you are still faithful after over 4 years. That really gives me hope for myself. God bless you! 🙂
 
hi judith
not sure if this has been mentioned in this thread or not… but since you have expressed an interest in the religious life, and even if you don’t, mother angelica’s biography is just awesome (by raymond arroyo).
she had a difficult childhood, one health problem after another, and yet, with total dependence on her Lord, she accomplished so much. it does help that she was a natually driven person, but none the less, her life story and her spiritual story are inspiring.
 
I am hurt by what my mother’s family has done in the name of the Jewish faith.
Reminds me of those times I see or hear of someone doing bad things and claiming to be Catholic, especially because of people that could have a negative perception or even repulsion of the faith because of them. Just like you mention that initial feeling of not wanting anything to do with those people, I worry about all those who are similarly repulsed (in the case I’m speaking of, a baptized Catholic seeking to get away from these “religious crazies” to the point of pushing God away from their life.)

Back on topic, I agree I wouldn’t want to see anyone in hell either. That’s why I try to remember to always pray for those who are yet to convert, and for those who left the Church. God wants us all to be saved. 🙂

Hope all is well with you and I’ll continue praying for you. 😃

Chewchoo, I was really eyeing that book a year ago, I guess I should try again and actually get it this time.
 
Judith,

My apologies for just jumping in, but have you ever read Thomas Merton(Very famous Catholic who became a monk)? He wasn’t Catholic originally, but had a teacher in college who was Catholic, they got to talking and to make a long story short Thomas Merton became very interested in Catholicism and used to go to Mass only to leave before the end of it and usually before the Offertory (I believe…) before he converted. So you’re not alone, some of the best Catholics weren’t of the faith but were so compelled by something which I believe was the Holy Spirit to go and partake of the fellowship and the gospel in the Mass. Please go and listen and open yourself to the Holy Spirit. Just a 411, you can’t receive Communion until you’ve had your first Holy Communion!

I was a cradle Catholic and hadn’t heard of Merton until I was in REI one day and had a salesman start talking to me about Catholicism and then he mentioned Thomas Merton and the book “The Seven Storey Mountain”. It is amazing and kind of wonderful, but a little slow paced.

God Bless You Judith,

Carillon
 
Judith,

My apologies for just jumping in, but have you ever read Thomas Merton(Very famous Catholic who became a monk)? He wasn’t Catholic originally, but had a teacher in college who was Catholic, they got to talking and to make a long story short Thomas Merton became very interested in Catholicism and used to go to Mass only to leave before the end of it and usually before the Offertory (I believe…) before he converted. So you’re not alone, some of the best Catholics weren’t of the faith but were so compelled by something which I believe was the Holy Spirit to go and partake of the fellowship and the gospel in the Mass. Please go and listen and open yourself to the Holy Spirit. Just a 411, you can’t receive Communion until you’ve had your first Holy Communion!

I was a cradle Catholic and hadn’t heard of Merton until I was in REI one day and had a salesman start talking to me about Catholicism and then he mentioned Thomas Merton and the book “The Seven Storey Mountain”. It is amazing and kind of wonderful, but a little slow paced.

God Bless You Judith,

Carillon
Thomas Merton, toward the end of his life, began to fall into Buddhism. His later writings reflect that. It is difficult to tell just when he made the change, so caution must be used in selecting his writings.

Christ’s peace.
 
I keep hearing that name but I’m always unsure of why it sticks. Thank you for the reminder.

Judith, I’m not sure if this was asked in this or another thread (bad memory lately), but on the subject of evangelizing Jews an interesting answer popped up in the “Ask an Apologist” section along with a clarification:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=368860

Basically it echoes what others said on the forum though (we do seek their conversion, but the methods tend to vary from the “usual” way of evangelizing).

Hope all is well. 😃
 
This is an inspiring thread and I want to bookmark it to check back on your spiritual journey.
 
I apologize if this is not the correct forum for this post. I looked through each forum and this one seemed to best fit with my situation. Sorry for the length also, I tried to be brief but I felt I needed to explain myself a bit.

I am a professional woman in my early 30s, Jewish by birth though I was never religious nor connected with the Jewish community. I consider myself an agnostic.

I grew up in abject poverty. My mother had untreated mental illness and we were homeless/transients much of the time. Some of my earliest memories were of the Missionaries of Charity who had a shelter and soup kitchen in our city. We accessed their services and they were very kind to me.

After my mother’s death I was placed in foster care. I had problems with running away so I went through quite a few homes. When I would run off I would often go back to the Missionaries of Charity, who then would have to call the authorities to pick me up. I think I was quite problematic for them, though in retrospect I was just looking for something familiar.

A priest who frequented the convent/shelter took an interest in me. Ultimately he arranged for me to attend a private school for girls run by the Ursuline Sisters. I thrived there, the sisters and other staff were amazing. I graduated at 16 and went straight to university on a scholarship, where I studied computer science and robotics. I recently obtained my PhD. I’ve never married as I’m pretty much a geeky tech type of person and I’m “married” to my work. I have not kept in touch with any of the sisters or the priest.

Two months ago I started a position in a new city. One of the first things I noticed in my neighborhood was a Catholic church very near my apartment. The church bells ring every day at regular intervals and can be heard from my balcony. I drive by the church on my way to work. A sign outside says there is daily mass at 7 am.

I can’t explain the how or why, but I feel extremely drawn to attend mass. This has gone on for several weeks now. During Easter week I was very conflicted and agitated, I had trouble eating and sleeping, which is very unusual for me. All sorts of good memories of the sisters and the priest have come flooding back, things I haven’t thought of for years. I’m suddenly feeling a tremendous amount of gratitude for everything they did for me, and guilt at not keeping in touch with them. I’m considering writing them all to thank them and let them know I am well.

Yesterday I confided in a close friend regarding recent events. She is an atheist so naturally her response was not a favourable one. She is a psychologist by training, and is of the opinion that I am simply reacting to my recent move - that I am looking to relive some positive aspects of my childhood, the church building nearby is triggering me, and so forth. She’s advised me to avoid the church and see a therapist instead.

So, I am asking you, as Catholics, what do you think? Is my friend right? Should I avoid the Church or should I try mass and see what happens? I know a bit about the teachings of the Church; to be perfectly honest, some aspects are appealing to me and others are not. I worry I would be attending for the wrong reasons, as my friend suggests. I also do not want to be unintentionally disrespectful to the church, with being an agnostic. Though, lately I feel open to changing my beliefs.

Thank you in advance for any and all responses.
The Lord is reaching out to you from the Eucharist.

Don’t mind me.

If you have a strong desire to attend mass…then, attend mass. Sit through a few masses, stand and kneel when the ritual of the mass indicates it.

At the moment of communion - cross your arms over your chest to indicate to the priest that you can not recieve communion and, he will instead give you a blessing in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Just do this.

Keep it simple for now.

Wait 'till He gives you further instructions.

I have tears of happiness in my eyes for you. Don’t mind me.
 
i had been out of the Church for many years and one day i had a similar experience… I am even mystified about it to this day but one day i was walking past a Catholic Church and something told me to go inside. I thought i had lost all feeling for religion and frankly, that God didn’t want me back anyway. I was a very messed up person. But anyhow, i went inside and found found a rosary &it changed my life… i did a 180…

If no one has said this yet,

well, 2 things:

you can go to Mass but not take Communion until you are CAtholic… That’s for your own good because of 1 Cor 11:20… says those who eat & drink unworthily … can’t recall exact words but it isn’t good…

also: you need not wonder if God is calling you to the RCC. The RCC is the one true Church founded by Christ, so He wants all his children there…

nice to find someone who doesn’t resist the call…
 
Hello everyone! Its been a very long time since I posted, about 2 months I think! I unfortunately was very ill with the flu, and as a result was hospitalized for a while. I also had to take a leave of absence from work. The last few days I’ve been lurking a bit on the site, but not feeling well enough to post. I’m just starting to feel better now and thought I should write an update.

With being so ill there really isn’t much to tell, except that I have now been baptized! 👍 There was a point where I was very sick in the hospital where my pastor offered it to me, and also annointing of the sick. I may also be receiving the other sacraments before Easter, though that has yet to be determined.

I am as thrilled as ever to be a part of the Church, and especially so now that I can call myself a Catholic through virtue of my baptism. :extrahappy:

Thank you for all your prayers and God bless you! I will try to write more in the next few days as I continue to feel better.
 
Hello everyone! Its been a very long time since I posted, about 2 months I think! I unfortunately was very ill with the flu, and as a result was hospitalized for a while. I also had to take a leave of absence from work. The last few days I’ve been lurking a bit on the site, but not feeling well enough to post. I’m just starting to feel better now and thought I should write an update.

With being so ill there really isn’t much to tell, except that I have now been baptized! 👍 There was a point where I was very sick in the hospital where my pastor offered it to me, and also annointing of the sick. I may also be receiving the other sacraments before Easter, though that has yet to be determined.

I am as thrilled as ever to be a part of the Church, and especially so now that I can call myself a Catholic through virtue of my baptism. :extrahappy:

Thank you for all your prayers and God bless you! I will try to write more in the next few days as I continue to feel better.
Hi Susan,

So glad you are feeling better! Congrats on your Baptism, even though not the ideal circumstances, a glorious event.

Even though, I haven’t posted on this thread, I have been following your story since the beginning. Indeed, a testament to
God’s greatness!

Hope you are back to normal soon.
 
Yesterday I confided in a close friend regarding recent events. She is an atheist so naturally her response was not a favourable one. She is a psychologist by training, and is of the opinion that I am simply reacting to my recent move - that I am looking to relive some positive aspects of my childhood, the church building nearby is triggering me, and so forth. She’s advised me to avoid the church and see a therapist instead.

So, I am asking you, as Catholics, what do you think? Is my friend right? Should I avoid the Church or should I try mass and see what happens? I know a bit about the teachings of the Church; to be perfectly honest, some aspects are appealing to me and others are not. I worry I would be attending for the wrong reasons, as my friend suggests. I also do not want to be unintentionally disrespectful to the church, with being an agnostic. Though, lately I feel open to changing my beliefs.

Thank you in advance for any and all responses.
I’m sure this thread has moved well beyond this point, but I can’t help but make a comment regarding this. Let us not forget that Athiests do indeed have an agenda. Oh, they like to pretend they don’t. They like to pretend they’re the only ones being fair and rational, they like to pretend they’re “free thinkers”, suggesting they’re (and you) are free to think whatever you want.

But here’s the problem, as far as they’re concerned you’re “free to think whatever you want” until you start thinking God exists. Once you reach that conclusion, and once you decide to start going to Mass, then the response becomes exactly what you got. You’re wrong, go see a psychiatrist. You’re free to choose, but if you choose God then you chose wrong!!!

I’m guessing that we’re on what, page 37 here that you’ve continued going to mass and continued walking your journey to God? If so, then know at the very least you certainly have my (and these other posters) support and love. Way to go, and way to be a true “free thinker”, free to think about and respond to the call of the Holy Spirit.
 
I’m guessing that we’re on what, page 37 here that you’ve continued going to mass and continued walking your journey to God? If so, then know at the very least you certainly have my (and these other posters) support and love. Way to go, and way to be a true “free thinker”, free to think about and respond to the call of the Holy Spirit.
We have just received the wonderful news that Susan Judith has been baptized!!
:extrahappy: :extrahappy: :extrahappy:
 
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