What just happened here? Has this happened to you?

[SAVINGRACE]

Long story short, I converted to Catholicism during my last year of University 5 years ago.

In my first year at university I accompanied my Catholic friend into the city, she wanted to go to the Catholic store near the Cathedral.

The first time I went with her was out of curiosity. She was looking at rosary beads and I wandered off to the “Mary statue” section. When I arrived there, I was instantly mesmerised by this old statue of Our Lady holding her baby son, it was behind glass, not for sale. Within seconds I felt like the room was swaying and my head was light. It’s difficult to explain. I knew something weird was going on and had to get out.

I rushed outside and waited for her. We hadn’t had lunch so I blamed it on that. I forgot about it. A year later I happened to be with her and we walked in again, this time on a full stomach. I had completely forgotten about the earlier experience and I was still not interested in the CC. I wandered around and ended up at the “Mary statue” section looked up and there they were again and BAM the same feeling hit me with stronger intensity it scared me and I literally ran out of there. I felt if I stayed there I would have gone into another state of consciousness.

I was left wondering WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE?

Shortly after that, I started praying the Rosary and months later started RCIA and I became Catholic a month before my graduation.

I never told my friend what happened until after I had decided to convert and she didn’t seem fazed by it. She said ‘yeah that’s Our Lady communicating with you, or it was the Holy Spirit’. She said it’s no accident that I am your friend and that you went to that store twice with me and now you are a Catholic, everything happens for a reason.

What I really want to know is is that experience normal? No it’s not normal normal but is it the norm generally speaking?

Has it happened to you?

 

[Casilda]

My experience with a supernatural, spiritual presence is in regards to His presence in the tabernacle, where consecrated hosts are kept. I attended a daily mass where the rosary was read just prior. This was back when I could not participate in communion (due to an irregular/invalid/illicit marriage-no one ever really gave me a straight answer) anyway, one day I did join the rest of the faithful up to the altar area, for ashes, I had my head down. Then I was startled by an immense feeling of someone right next to me. I looked up and I was right by the tabernacle. It was like Christ was trying to get my attention. It happened again, when I brought my daughter to adoration with me. We entered the small chapel and sat quietly, when I felt someone in front of me staring. I looked up and the host was in the monstrance. I had neglected to bless myself with holy water and genuflect before seating. He was telling me He was there. Since that time I have always felt His presence there strongly. Its why I do not like chatter in the nave. Its either a quiet place for prayer before our Lord, or Mass, not socializing, take that to the narthex or outside, please.

 

[BartholomewB]

Savingrace

No, I have never experienced anything of that kind. There are one or two people I know personally who have described similar experiences, though on a much less dramatic scale than yours, and also – importantly – they were already Catholics when these things happened. I have never had the privilege of meeting anyone who converted as the result of such an experience.

It sounds quite similar to Alphonse Ratisbonne’s experience in Rome in 1842 as a result of which he converted to the Catholic Church (he came from a French Jewish family in Strasbourg) and, together with his elder brother, went on to become a co-founder of the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion.

I have no doubt, Savingrace, that God has singled you out for a purpose of his own. I will pray that you may find out what that purpose is.

 

[Catholic1954]

Long story short, I converted to Catholicism during my last year of University 5 years ago.

In my first year at university I accompanied my Catholic friend into the city, she wanted to go to the Catholic store near the Cathedral.

The first time I went with her was out of curiosity. She was looking at rosary beads and I wandered off to the “Mary statue” section. When I arrived there, I was instantly mesmerised by this old statue of Our Lady holding her baby son, it was behind glass, not for sale. Within seconds I felt like the room was swaying and my head was light. It’s difficult to explain. I knew something weird was going on and had to get out.

I rushed outside and waited for her. We hadn’t had lunch so I blamed it on that. I forgot about it. A year later I happened to be with her and we walked in again, this time on a full stomach. I had completely forgotten about the earlier experience and I was still not interested in the CC. I wandered around and ended up at the “Mary statue” section looked up and there they were again and BAM the same feeling hit me with stronger intensity it scared me and I literally ran out of there. I felt if I stayed there I would have gone into another state of consciousness.

I was left wondering WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE?

Shortly after that, I started praying the Rosary and months later started RCIA and I became Catholic a month before my graduation.

I never told my friend what happened until after I had decided to convert and she didn’t seem fazed by it. She said ‘yeah that’s Our Lady communicating with you, or it was the Holy Spirit’. She said it’s no accident that I am your friend and that you went to that store twice with me and now you are a Catholic, everything happens for a reason.

What I really want to know is is that experience normal? No it’s not normal normal but is it the norm generally speaking?

Has it happened to you?

This experience was normal for YOU. Your friend is right, it was most likely the Holy Spirit sending you a message to come home to the Catholic Church. Keep praying the rosary and welcome home!

 

[tweedlealice]

Long story short, I converted to Catholicism during my last year of University 5 years ago.

In my first year at university I accompanied my Catholic friend into the city, she wanted to go to the Catholic store near the Cathedral.

The first time I went with her was out of curiosity. She was looking at rosary beads and I wandered off to the “Mary statue” section. When I arrived there, I was instantly mesmerised by this old statue of Our Lady holding her baby son, it was behind glass, not for sale. Within seconds I felt like the room was swaying and my head was light. It’s difficult to explain. I knew something weird was going on and had to get out.

I rushed outside and waited for her. We hadn’t had lunch so I blamed it on that. I forgot about it. A year later I happened to be with her and we walked in again, this time on a full stomach. I had completely forgotten about the earlier experience and I was still not interested in the CC. I wandered around and ended up at the “Mary statue” section looked up and there they were again and BAM the same feeling hit me with stronger intensity it scared me and I literally ran out of there. I felt if I stayed there I would have gone into another state of consciousness.

I was left wondering WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE?

Shortly after that, I started praying the Rosary and months later started RCIA and I became Catholic a month before my graduation.

I never told my friend what happened until after I had decided to convert and she didn’t seem fazed by it. She said ‘yeah that’s Our Lady communicating with you, or it was the Holy Spirit’. She said it’s no accident that I am your friend and that you went to that store twice with me and now you are a Catholic, everything happens for a reason.

What I really want to know is is that experience normal? No it’s not normal normal but is it the norm generally speaking?

Has it happened to you?

Yes, you were in a minor state of ecstasy. The Holy Spirit was caressing you with His love and calling you to God in Catholicism. Mary’s job is call us home to her Son. All her apparitions have a warning for us to live better and return to her Son. You are blessed. It doesn’t happen often but enjoy it when it does…OH GOD SEND INTO MY HEART YOUR HOLY SPIRIT THAT I MAY PERCEIVE INTO MY MIND THAT I REMEMBER; AND INTO MY SOUL THAT I MAY MEDITATE. INSPIRE ME TO SPEAK W PIETY, HOLINESS, TENDERNESS AND MERCY.
TEACH, GUIDE, AND DIRECT MY THOUGHTS AND MY SENSES FROM BEGINNING TO END.MAY YOUR GRACE EVER HELP AND CORRECT ME, AND MAY I BE STRENGTHENED WITH WISDOM FROM ON HIGH, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR INFINITE MERCY. AMEN

Rejoicing w you in Christ’s love,
tweedlealice

 

[midori]

The norm is, there is no norm. Perhaps the only abnormal part was that the same thing happened twice to the same person.

I can go for years, and nothing happens-- or three or four things will happen in the space of a few months. Sometimes it’s dramatic; other times, it’s very subtle, yet unmistakable. It’s not something you look for; it’s not something that you ask for; and it’s not something that you depend on; but when it happens, it has its purpose, and you get to turn it over in your heart.

Occasionally, God lets us peek ahead and be, for a few moments, at a closer level to him than where we’re usually at. St. Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle” does a good job of talking about the steps that bring us closer to God, and the characteristics of each level, and how sometimes, God lets us have that peek to inspire us to get over whatever plateau we’re at, and make advancements in our relationship with him. Congratulations on your journey— keep it up.

 

[TimothyH]

It was a gift. Remember it always, give thanks for it, but don’t expect more.

-Tim-

 

[amsjj]

When God permits these events, they are so wonderful, all the more bc they’re unexpected. They are to be considered for their spiritual benefits. God, why did You give me this now? What am I to learn from it?

Over the years, I’ve had various encounters with my saints, and each one is treasured.

amsjj

 

[SAVINGRACE]

Thank you all for your responses and sharing your experiences.

 

[jesuspsr]

Hi savinggrace, awesome. I am glad to have read your post. It reminded me of my own experience a couple of weeks ago.

As I was walking pass a statue of Our Lady of Solitude in front of my church I go to on Sunday’s I smelled a wonderful aroma of roses. It made me feel at peace. The thing is, I had recently ask Jesus to forgive me for doubting in his Mother Mary. God works in mysterious ways.

Peace to all

jesus g

 

[SAVINGRACE]

Hi savinggrace, awesome. I am glad to have read your post. It reminded me of my own experience a couple of weeks ago.

As I was walking pass a statue of Our Lady of Solitude in front of my church I go to on Sunday’s I smelled a wonderful aroma of roses. It made me feel at peace. The thing is, I had recently ask Jesus to forgive me for doubting in his Mother Mary. God works in mysterious ways.

Peace to all

jesus g

Amazing gift. The scent of roses often accompanies Our Lady.

 

[Spritus1]

This was a gift from God. It was His way of signalling to you and drawing you to Him in His Church. I too have had similar experiences. God is so good. He is always ready to grant us graces. The problem is that oftentimes we don’t see them. You are blessed that you recognised the grace and acted on it.

May God continue to bless you.