"The Complete Guide to Catholicity without The Sacraments" - I could do with this

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metavehicle

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Hi, i’m new to this forum, this is my first post.

I was received into the Church in 2013 from a non-religious background. Up to this point i have sort of done a going-through-the-motions attitude to my faith. I endeavour to go to Sunday Mass and on days of Holy Obligation, but have failed to establish a consistent prayer-life. Or become well-read concerning the Bible and the Catechism.

I was Catechised very well, just i didn’t do my part “post”, i.e. Catechise myself in response. Now i feel a little adrift given the current circumstances - i’m in the UK and there is no public Mass at my parish.

I fear for myself in this way - i will lose my faith if i don’t find a way of maintaining the Catholic religion in spite of the lack of access to the sacraments. I am aware of the prayer of “Spiritual Communion” but it doesn’t seem enough for me just to mouth that prayer without heartfelt pining for Jesus.

I suppose the request of this post is “The Guide” apropos the topic, i think those adventurous Catholic Orders who missionize far afield must have something like this - suitable for the times we the laity live in.

God Bless and thanks for reading.
 
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Learn the Liturgy of the Hours.

It’s what gave me a regular prayer life. Been at it for nearly 20 years now, and it keeps me connected even with all the churches closed.
 
metavehicle said:
Hi, i’m new to this forum, this is my first post.

I was received into the Church in 2013 from a non-religious background. Up to this point i have sort of done a going-through-the-motions attitude to my faith. I endeavour to go to Sunday Mass and on days of Holy Obligation, but have failed to establish a consistent prayer-life. Or become well-read concerning the Bible and the Catechism.

I was Catechised very well, just i didn’t do my part “post”, i.e. Catechise myself in response. Now i feel a little adrift given the current circumstances - i’m in the UK and there is no public Mass at my parish.

I fear for myself in this way - i will lose my faith if i don’t find a way of maintaining the Catholic religion in spite of the lack of access to the sacraments. I am aware of the prayer of “Spiritual Communion” but it doesn’t seem enough for me just to mouth that prayer without heartfelt pining for Jesus.

I suppose the request of this post is “The Guide” apropos the topic, i think those adventurous Catholic Orders who missionize far afield must have something like this - suitable for the times we the laity live in.

God Bless and thanks for reading.
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If you do not have original sin or fall into mortal sin, then habitual grace is with you, and in that you are divinized. It is possible, if loosing the state of sanctifying grace, to restore the state through an act of perfect contrition.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
1988 Through the power of the Holy Spirit we take part in Christ’s Passion by dying to sin, and in his Resurrection by being born to a new life; we are members of his Body which is the Church, branches grafted onto the vine which is himself:36
[God] gave himself to us through his Spirit. By the participation of the Spirit, we become communicants in the divine nature. . . . For this reason, those in whom the Spirit dwells are divinized.
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1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51
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You may start with a good Catholic Study Bible. Reading and meditating helps.
 
You need to make a “prayer rule” for yourself and follow it every day. It doesn’t have to be a lot of prayers, or long prayers, to start, but you must do it regularly, like brushing your teeth.

Sometimes it helps if you are praying for something or someone other than yourself. Often we are motivated to do things for others that we wouldn’t do if it was just benefiting ourselves. I developed my prayer life by focusing on praying for poor souls in purgatory. Right now, we are having this pandemic so you have a golden opportunity to pray every day for an end to the pandemic, even if all you do is 3 Hail Marys to start and then add other prayers as you get in the habit.
 
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I agree with others. Start a daily prayer life. Liturgy of the Hours and Rosary are excellent. Learn how to do Lexio divina and meditate on Scripture. Participate in Sunday and, if possible, daily Mass streamed online.
You are in the U.K. Take part in the rededication of England to Our Lady this Sunday! You will be part of something very big.
 
If you have Catholic friends take advantage of opportunities to pray with them. I belong to a group that meets weekly by Skype to read the Sunday scriptures and talk about our faith lives. Right now we’re talking about praying the Stations of the Cross together on Good Friday. We may not be able to join in person, but this is the next best option.
 
There is no one way. It’s different for everyone. In addition to praying, my only connection to the Church since Mass has been cancelled is every morning reading the complete daily readings, including the prayers and antiphons. That way I still feel connected to the Church. Also reading a Bible with good Catholic commentary and meditating on and memorizing verses, sections, and chapters throughout the day.
 
Prevatican2catholic said:
You were cathecised in the post conciliar church so unfortunately you were not properly cathecised. you should find a traditional catholic parish run by priests of the Fraternity of Saint Peter or institute of Christ the king sovereign priest or even better the society of saint Pius the tenth. Who by the way is the last bastion of true catholic teaching and upholds the true magesterium of holy mother church.
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If you can point out in Scripture or any teaching of Holy Church where trolling is extolled, I’ll join you.
 
And remember that it is not necessary to have warm feelings when you pray. An act of the will to please the Lord is all you need.

If we depended on our emotions then we would be up and down like a roller coaster and would not have a steadfast prayer life.
 
My problem seems to be a kind of insincere double-mindedness.

I can pray with my mouth, or recite with my mind, but my heart is not in it.

I know my heart is not in it, because otherwise i would have a consistent prayer life and be bearing fruit as a Christian (I’m leaving it rather late i might add)

Sadly my mental life is already akin to an emotional roller coaster.
 
Don’t give up. A good spiritual book can help…also speak with a priest.

Peace!
 
metavehicle said:
I can pray with my mouth, or recite with my mind, but my heart is not in it.
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This is how we start–with the will. We decide to do it.

And there is a goodness to doing it this way, even tho it seems like it’s not as good as doing it "out of love " Those who are spiritually advanced and pray out of love had to go through where you, and those beginners who “pray out of love” are often experiencing consolations from God and will later have to go through what you are going through.

You may feel like you know your heart is not in it because otherwise you would be consistent, but what sometimes happens is that we do not have the feelings, so we think our heart is not in it, and therefore our prayer life becomes erratic.

Your heart does not have to be involved at this point. It is a question of your will. You are deciding for God. You are obeying Him and doing His Will. It means much more to God that you pray when it is hard, only because of your will, than it does when you pray when it is easy and brings up good feelings.
 
OP,

Put some time aside every day for a “Holy Hour”, with various prayers, meditations, devotions, bible readings, readings from saints, etc…

Goodness knows most of us have plenty of time on our hands lately, plenty of time for a daily ‘holy hour’ to keep us learning and grounded in our faith.

Also tune in and pray along with the Mass.
Bishop Baron is one who offers daily Mass on youtube, here:


God be with us
 
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