Today I decided I will no longer identify as Catholic

[Margaret_Ann]

That was my uncle’s name (and my cousin & second cousin’s too). He passed away after Christmas in Dec. 2014.

One last suggestion if you’re not doing it already: Pray your morning & evening prayers even if it’s just an Our Father, Hail Mary, St. Michael & Guardian Angel prayers. As St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori said: “He who prays shall be saved, and he who does not pray shall be damned.” (That’s what he said!)

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
From stain of sin of keep me free,
And at my death my helper be. Amen.

 

[Nononony]

That was my uncle’s name (and my cousin & second cousin’s too). He passed away after Christmas in Dec. 2014.

What a beautiful and unusual coincidence! Thank you.

 

[OddBird]

If you have a book I could read beyond Discernment of Spirits I would be willing to hear about it

More than reading a book, I’d encourage you to think about spiritual direction.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

Re discernment of spirits: Have you ever made the Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius? The first Rule of the First Week is for those in the state of mortal sin or tepidity. All the other rules are for a soul in the state of sanctifying grace.

 

[Nononony]

Hi Tis_Bearself -

I am trying to take this down and I’m seeing there is a process of flagging that I need to go through, but I can’t find what it talked about in the directions. Are you an admin? Can you tell me what I need to do to delete the entire topic as well as the one from yesterday?

I don’t want my problems to cause problems for others and I’ve save all of the information I hope to read up on. Thank you.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Friday on the tv show the doctors the man demenstrate the ability to see the spirits of dead family members.

“‘Mediums” are frauds making a buck off of people’s grief. Don’t fall for it.

 

[Nononony]

Maybe you can relate to spiritual people

Hi Dic - I generally do relate more readily to “spiritual” people, but far prefer the moral compass of the Catholic group. I dislike the power themes that run rampant in spiritual circles. Of course they’re not all like that, and there are Catholics who are power hungry, but that’s an aside. Unfortunately I find I don’t fit well in either group. It’s ok. I fit well with myself and the rest is what it is.

Thanks for the thought!

 

[umamibella]

@Nononony

This morning I was reading Liturgy of the Hours.
This is a Canticle Phil 2:6-11

"though he was in the form of God Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. He emptied himself taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being in human form He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

Now think about this. Jesus is God, part of the Trinity. Jesus whilst on earth was able to do anything natural or supernatural. Jesus humbled himself and became a servant though. Jesus was obedient to God the Father all the way.

Jesus is a wonderful example of what obedience means. Sure Jesus could have used Godlike attributes to instantly free himself or one million other things. But Jesus did not.

Jesus had to reject the temptations of satan. Starving after a 40 day fast Jesus did not make bread, did not bow down to satan and get all power of the world, did not test God the
Father by throwing Himself off a cliff.

We all know just how special Jesus is, but Jesus was our servant.

I am going to continue the theme of honesty others have mentioned in this thread, reject all this phenomena because it likely comes from an place not of God. The devil is the prince of lies and lays all sorts of deceptive traps for us and plays on our weaker attributes. If Jesus did not count Himself as special why should we? He is our example of examples.
So many people nowdays think they have medium qualities or witch qualities or new age qualities and ‘powers’ or a host of other things.
It is all BAD. It is all from the prince of lies , the devil who is very clever at fooling us.
Even the greatest saints tested their visions. St Padre Pio was known to throw holy water at his visions as was St Faustina.

 

[Greenfields]

Hi Nononony ,I’m wondering about your intent joining to announce what you have ?There have been many caring ,kind and spiritually helpful replies that seem to be gleefully rejected .
But you do seem open to prayer, so I will keep you in mine,God bless.

 

[Frankenfurter]

Sounds like you have become aware that your gifts are a calling. And when you approached a priest to discuss this discernment, they rejected the very thing that was the essence of your calling. I understand your disappointment.

One thing. There are different kinds of spirituality within the Catholic church. Your gifts would be understood perhaps by Carmelites. St John of the Cross is a well known Carmelite mystic.

The mystical side of Catholicism is poorly understood by many. A Carmelite priest might have a different appreciation for your gifts.

There is room in the church for everyone. Especially those with unique gifts. But we all have different gifts, and some don’t understand the gifts of others.

 

[Nononony]

Hi Nononony ,I’m wondering about your intent joining to announce what you have ?There have been many caring ,kind and spiritually helpful replies that seem to be gleefully rejected .
But you do seem open to prayer, so I will keep you in mine,God bless.

Hi Greenfields,

I made an announcement because it was necessary for me to process the decision psychologically. To try it on. To see how I felt about it, really. I guess you would call it a right of passage, but that’s just for a lack of a better word.

I’m not intentionally flaunting the decision or rubbing it in anyone’s face, so I’m sorry you see it that way. I’m an extremely happy, energetic, joy filled person, so the glee-full rejection you are perceiving is just my personality. I do everything gleefully. It’s just who I am.

This isn’t a small or hasty decision for me, and I didn’t join with the intention to do this, that is a simplification of what happened, though I can see why it would seem that way. I have only posted twice. My first post was inspired by something personally frustrating that happened in my life this week. It was directly related to what I spoke about in the first post… but this goes much, much deeper than the first post. I came here to ask my question and did get some very good advice, but it is the same advice I’ve found over and over and over and I’ve tried to cram myself into that mold for years and years. The continued insinuation that I am involved in the new age and think I’m special by people who know nothing more about me than a mention of odd words is just an unbelievable assumption that happens over and over in my real life. People don’t ask questions, they just assume I’m “spiritual” and that “spiritual” people are all the same.

Obviously this isn’t true for every person in the world… it’s a stereotype exactly like the stereotype that is being applied to me. And it stinks.

If any of these people would discuss things with me, they might understand me… but instead the message is “we’ll love you as you are if you change who you are…” I grew up with the message of “We’ll love you as you are as long as you’re exactly what we want” and I’ve abandoned all areas that I had to lie in order to survive, except for this one. I really thought I could make this one work out somehow. I’ve been clinging on to hope, but continuously fail to find it amongst the people or the clergy. I just finally realized that I’m not going to change the church, and I can’t seem to change my belief. So I’m changing what I can control, and that is how I classify myself.

I hope that explains it. Of course it’s not all objectively true… my perception of reality weighs heavily upon what went on here today, as does everyone else’s.

Thank you for asking.

 

[Nononony]

Sounds like you have become aware that your gifts are a calling. And when you approached a priest to discuss this discernment, they rejected the very thing that was the essence of your calling. I understand your disappointment.

One thing. There are different kinds of spirituality within the Catholic church. Your gifts would be understood perhaps by Carmelites. St John of the Cross is a well known Carmelite mystic.

The mystical side of Catholicism is poorly understood by many. A Carmelite priest might have a different appreciation for your gifts.

There is room in the church for everyone. Especially those with unique gifts. But we all have different gifts, and some don’t understand the gifts of others.

See, this is the kind of information I need! Thank you! I have no idea of the different classifications and what they are geared toward. I will do some exploration on this. Thank you!

 

[umamibella]

See, this is the kind of information I need! Thank you! I have no idea of the different classifications and what they are geared toward. I will do some exploration on this. Thank you!

Actually no. There is no validation anyone experiencing supernatural incidents is receiving a gift from God or a calling. It is foolish to dismiss it as such, out of hand.
God does not send gifts or give callings about reincarnation in the Catholic Church. It is not a thing.

Your experiences could well be from the devil. The only people with the authority to discern that are the clergy. Stop looking for the answers you want and start looking at how to discern it.

 

[Nononony]

@umamibella

Actually no. There is no validation anyone experiencing supernatural incidents is receiving a gift from God or a calling. It is foolish to dismiss it as such, out of hand.
God does not send gifts or give callings about reincarnation in the Catholic Church. It is not a thing.

Your experiences could well be from the devil. The only people with the authority to discern that are the clergy. Stop looking for the answers you want and start looking at how to discern it.

And…

I am going to continue the theme of honesty others have mentioned in this thread, reject all this phenomena because it likely comes from an place not of God… If Jesus did not count Himself as special why should we?
So many people nowdays think they have medium qualities or witch qualities or new age qualities and ‘powers’ or a host of other things.
It is all BAD. It is all from the prince of lies , the devil who is very clever at fooling us.
Even the greatest saints tested their visions. St Padre Pio was known to throw holy water at his visions as was St Faustina.

[/quote

Ok, if we’re going to get honest, let’s get honest. Your level of assumption toward what my life is like, what my beliefs are, and what I do with my time is astronomical. You have no idea who I am, what I believe in, (other than reincarnation, chakras, and that I sometimes see things others don’t) or how I live. All you have is those three things and a few thousand-word snapshot of my existence, and you are pigeon holing me into whatever set of beliefs you feel a person of my caliber is prone to.

What do you know about my reaction when something appears in my vision?

What do you know about my beliefs toward chakras, other than that I know they are real?

What do you know about my desire for power?

What do you know about my existing methods of discernment?

My works?

My hobbies?

My charity?

My prayer life?

My love?

The community work that I’ve done?

What do you know about the state of my soul?

What do you know about my frequency of sin?

What do you know about the sacrifices I’ve made for others?

What do you know about my level of humility? Or service? Or compassion? Or empathy? Or joy? Or sharing? Or openness?

Nothing. You know nothing.

All you know is that here is a man who, in some respects, has had a tough go of it… as we all do… and is frustrated because he can’t find a member of the clergy who is willing to discuss the things he needs to discuss.

And your suggestion, over and over, is to stop thinking I’m special already and to find a member of the clergy to discuss these things with because I am cavorting with the devil.

You don’t know if I think I’m special. You only know if you think I think I’m special.

Your consistent suggestion that I find a priest to speak to about this WHEN THE ISSUE AT HAND is I can’t find a priest to speak to about this issue is tiresome! The blunt truth is that it is people with these exact traits are what have pushed me to the point that I’m at this weekend.

I know you mean well, but you are really not helping. Please stop responding to this thread.

Thank you.

 

[Greenfields]

What do you know about my desire for power?

Where did this come from ? I think you reacted a little over…

 

[Nononony]

Nononony:

What do you know about my desire for power?

Where did this come from ? I think you reacted a little over…

From this statement: So many people nowdays think they have medium qualities or witch qualities or new age qualities and ‘powers’ or a host of other things.

And also stereotypes. I’m not immune.

 

[Greenfields]

The very fact you are rejecting Jesus in holy communion ,walking away from the sacraments ,I don’t know what to say …it is very sad .So called ‘gifts’ are then pointless

 

[Nononony]

The very fact you are rejecting Jesus in holy communion ,walking away from the sacraments ,I don’t know what to say …it is very sad .So called ‘gifts’ are then pointless

I don’t believe I’ve used the word ‘gifts’ anywhere in either of these posts… I don’t consider them gifts. I actually consider them burdens and wish they would go away. There was an instance a few posts above where the poster used the word ‘gifts’ and I responded in agreement, but that agreement was aimed at the word purpose. A burden can also be purposeful. I have no problem using the word purpose.

And yes I agree it is sad, but it doesn’t mean my life is pointless. There are plenty of ways to be Christian and human.

 

[MNathaniel]

I actually consider them burdens and wish they would go away.

Have you offered these burdens to God?

I mean one by one. Everything about yourself. The things you like, the things you don’t like. The skills you find easy, the limitations that make things hard. The perceptions and interpretations and everything-everything.

One by one. Taking everything you have and offering it to God with open hands, for Him to do with as He will?

I think for each of us, this life is a journey of learning to let God’s will be our will. And that really does involve many occasions when we might feel we’re being asked to change something we can’t change.

But we don’t have to do anything we can’t do.

We just have to turn do God with what we can’t do, and ask Him to do His will, even if that means changing things about us that we don’t want changed (or leaving things unchanged when we don’t want that, and just helping us carry the unchanged burden!)

In my experience peace comes whenever I really ‘let go’ and let God have whatever I’m anxious or hurting about. I can trust Him with it. He’s stronger than me. He can carry it.

And I trust Him to remake me. He’s a better God than I am. A better Lord of my life.

May I never say there’s anything about myself that I’m not open to letting God change. No seed that I’m not willing to let die so it can be planted in the soil and grow to glory in eternal life.

 

[Nononony]

Are you looking for a priest who will completely agree with you or are you looking for a priest who will help you discern the truth about your situation?

If the latter, as another poster recommended, I urge you to contact your diocese and ask for a referral to an exorcist. Tell them you’ve been to psychologists and doctors who all say you’re fine. Don’t be afraid to submit to their evaluations.

If these experiences truly are from our Lord, the exorcist and his associates will help you to discern that and if they’re not they can help you too.

Right now, honestly, I just want to do the thing I said I was doing in the title of this thread. And if we’re being totally honest… which I’ve taken to in recent posts… I think the truth is larger than what the church teaches and have since I was very young. Obviously this reveals that I don’t believe in the teachings of the church. I know… It was a shock when I admitted it to myself. I understand that it could be out of pure ignorance, or deception, and so it is in my plans to continue searching even though I do not label myself as Catholic any longer… for the time being… I actually suspect and hope that my future includes stimulating conversation with a priest who will help me discern the truth of my situation. And perhaps that groundwork has been laid. I am hopeful for it. But right now, this is the step. I know it doesn’t seem like it could possibly be the step, but I know how God works in my life. This is the step.

At this time my most fervent desire is just to stop talking about my very personal life issues with strangers on the internet. But I feel rude not replying to people who respond, because I know it is out of love… so I’m not doing very well at that.

Please do not think that means I don’t appreciate that you care. I know you do. So thank you.