what could I do?

[Monica4316]

Hi,

There’s something that I’ve been struggling with for a very long time and I’m kind of not sure how it’s supposed to be resolved… I’m a convert to Catholicism from Eastern Orthodoxy (that’s where I was baptized, though I was Protestant for a time as well) - and I can’t seem to resolve these feelings of doubt that I have, that I’m supposed to be Orthodox. They’re feelings, not based on any arguments, but what prevents me from simply trusting in the Church is that in the past I felt I should be Orthodox (after becoming Catholic) and I worry that that was from God. In addition, - before I was Catholic, God first (very clearly) drew me back to the Orthodox church for the Sacraments, because I was Protestant and He made it very clear for me to leave Protestantism. After going to Confession and Communion in the Orthodox church, I began to feel very strongly lead to Catholicism, however after that I struggled with many doubts.

I’m just not sure what I COULD do and how this is supposed to be resolved. does anyone have any advice maybe? I would really appreciate that… has anyone struggled with something similar? please share anything that you think might help I’m very tired of these doubts and I just want to know what God’s will is, so I could follow Him.

thanks!! God bless

 

[CountrySteve]

i struggle with that every day im a convert from baptist sort of since im 17 my parents ahve forbidden me from going to Catholic Church or leating me go and join and my family belives Catholics worship Mary so i doubt sometimes cause they think what i do and what i belive is sinful but my advice is bring it up to the Cross and offer it to Jesus thats what i do its hard though God bless

 

[Monica4316]

i struggle with that every day im a convert from baptist sort of since im 17 my parents ahve forbidden me from going to Catholic Church or leating me go and join and my family belives Catholics worship Mary so i doubt sometimes cause they think what i do and what i belive is sinful but my advice is bring it up to the Cross and offer it to Jesus thats what i do its hard though God bless

thanks Steve I can assure you that Catholics don’t worship Mary… this is a misunderstanding that sometimes Protestants have, sadly. I thought so too when I was a Protestant.

God bless you

 

[OneSheep]

I am confused about “doubts”, what they are, specifically. I know for myself that I am called to teach religious ed. to teenagers in my local Catholic parish. I also know that I am not exactly “fed” by my local church, I need more. I also know that if I want more depth and community feeling (lacking in my parish) then I could just get more active and start a group of some kind. So I guess my answer is, if the “doubt” has to do with whether the parish meets your needs, then maybe it is your calling to do something to make things better. If the “doubt” has to do with “am I saved?” then I did not address that here.

 

[CountrySteve]

thanks Steve I can assure you that Catholics don’t worship Mary… this is a misunderstanding that sometimes Protestants have, sadly. I thought so too when I was a Protestant.

God bless you

oh i know Catholics dont i pray to Mary all the day and even have a MM God bless you too

 

[marlap2]

Monica and Steve,

I’m praying for the both of you, through these difficult times. Steve, reading your struggle brings to mind things I saw this summer. (I was travelling throughout Europe, and in many places there are places where Christians were killed, ostracized, and suffered in so many ways for the Faith, this gift, that our Lord gave them. I walked through Diocletians palace, where thousands were massacured. I sat on a stone in the Colosseum, where the cries of the martyrs rang in my soul. I walked up narrow steps to a place called Christ in the Attic, in Amsterdam, where Catholics had to practice their faith in secret, in the attic of a Catholic merchant.

Your journey, Steve, is a modern journey of white martyrdom. I pray with all my heart that our Lord continues to give you such amazing strength and faith. I’ve read some of your posts in the last couple of months and thank God that you’ve found this secret place (Catholic Forums) where you can share your faith with your hidden brothers and sisters.

And Monica, like you, I’m a convert. This is my 14th year. When God called me, almost all of my friends were either agnostic or athetistic. My family thought I can gone certifiably insane. They were concerned for me … because I believed in God.

Today I HOLD ON to this faith for all it’s worth. Many things have happened in the last 14 years, and sometimes, internally, I struggle with doubt. Usually, (for me) it’s a call to more prayer, and perhaps a nice talk to my priest or a good confession. I’m not suggesting that you need to do this, I am not a reader of souls, I’m just saying where I go when doubt starts to invade. For me, it’s a spiritual battle when doubt comes into my heart. I knew satan and his works long before I recognized JESUS and his truth, so sometimes, I know when that so-and-so is trying to bother me again.

Blessings to all who struggle, love and fight the battle, and run the race.

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

Hi,

There’s something that I’ve been struggling with for a very long time and I’m kind of not sure how it’s supposed to be resolved… I’m a convert to Catholicism from Eastern Orthodoxy (that’s where I was baptized, though I was Protestant for a time as well) - and I can’t seem to resolve these feelings of doubt that I have, that I’m supposed to be Orthodox. They’re feelings, not based on any arguments, but what prevents me from simply trusting in the Church is that in the past I felt I should be Orthodox (after becoming Catholic) and I worry that that was from God. In addition, - before I was Catholic, God first (very clearly) drew me back to the Orthodox church for the Sacraments, because I was Protestant and He made it very clear for me to leave Protestantism. After going to Confession and Communion in the Orthodox church, I began to feel very strongly lead to Catholicism, however after that I struggled with many doubts.

I’m just not sure what I COULD do and how this is supposed to be resolved. does anyone have any advice maybe? I would really appreciate that… has anyone struggled with something similar? please share anything that you think might help I’m very tired of these doubts and I just want to know what God’s will is, so I could follow Him.

thanks!! God bless

Hi Monica!

Have you thought about going to one of the Eastern Catholic Churches? These are autonomous, ancient Churches fully in communion with Rome who have retained the traditions that are mostly shared with our separated brethren in the Orthodox Churches. I do not know much more from that; what I know mostly comes from Wikipedia. However, a few months ago during my commute to work I regularly listened to a radio show about our Eastern Catholic Brethren, and I was particularly intrigued. It is called “Light of the East”, and here is the link to the website of that talk show with archives: byzantinecatholic.com/radio.htm

God love you.

 

[ready]

Dear Monica,

Maybe you feel a pull to become Orthodox because it is the religion of your childhood. You shouldn’t leave our Catholic Church though … because it is the Church established by Christ and is the only Church containing the full truth. Like someone else mentioned, you might want to consider joining an Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church.