When friends fall away from the faith

[CRATUS]

One of my good friends has decided to not follow Christianity anymore. She acknowledges it is the truth but she would rather live her life according to her own rules. It is weird because she was one of the officials at my college for Christian youth group. She was quite serious about the faith and did not tolerate sin. She was trying to get me to convert to Protestantism. She went to bible study group and church. She listened to Christian music mostly. Always had bible verses on her facebook. She tried to lead and inspire people to the faith. I guess a lot of people saw her as a role model because of her boldness and stickler attitude towards Christianity. She was quite active in her faith, it is so shocking to here she no longer wants to associate with Christianity which she still believes is the truth. It is weird she is boldly walking away and admits she is fully responsible for what happens from here on out. Obviously, she is adult I have nothing to say to her. It is very disheartening to say the least. I do not understand.
What should I do?
I will always be my friend. I have known her since we were 15 and 16.

 

[StephieNorthCo]

It is disheartening when friends fall away. I likewise have a friend going through that crisis.

Pray for her. Sometimes, people need to see their own actions before they can confront them and rectify their behavior.

It’s Lent. Take a little time each day of Lent to specifically pray for her to be open to the Spirit, and to gain an adult understanding of our true relationship with God.

I go to Adoration tonight. I will specifically include you and her in my prayers.

Blessings,
Stephie

 

[AKDee]

That’s sad. I, too, have a friend who is a fallen away Catholic. I mentioned to her not long ago I never see her at Church and she said her entire family as well as her Catholic boyfriend all go to this “fun, non-denominational” church. I’m going to look for opportunities to invite her back to the faith.

 

[edwest2]

Prayer worked when a friend of mine turned away from the faith. When he came back, he became an usher at his local Catholic Church. Have hope and trust God. It may take a while but prayer does work.

Best,
Ed

 

[MT1926]

That’s sad. I, too, have a friend who is a fallen away Catholic. I mentioned to her not long ago I never see her at Church and she said her entire family as well as her Catholic boyfriend all go to this “fun, non-denominational” church. I’m going to look for opportunities to invite her back to the faith.

Not sure if this applies to her or not, but I have also seen that this can be a problem. Catholics fall away from the faith because they don’t want the rules or requirements. So they go to the “fun church” where they “feel the power” of Jesus and finally know they are “born again”. Where they are free to follow the faith anyway they choose. However, as that feeling fades and the faith is no longer fun and exciting, they fall further away as they agree with no authority that to will keep them rooted in the faith.

All you can do is pray for her and be a shining example of your faith. She hasn’t walked away from Christianity and become an agnostic so hopefully some day she will come to you with questions.

 

[tawny]

Pray to the Holy Spirit to give her guidance & direction back to the Church.

 

[fred_conty]

One of my good friends has decided to not follow Christianity anymore. She acknowledges it is the truth but she would rather live her life according to her own rules. It is weird because she was one of the officials at my college for Christian youth group. She was quite serious about the faith and did not tolerate sin. She was trying to get me to convert to Protestantism. She went to bible study group and church. She listened to Christian music mostly. Always had bible verses on her facebook. She tried to lead and inspire people to the faith. I guess a lot of people saw her as a role model because of her boldness and stickler attitude towards Christianity. She was quite active in her faith, it is so shocking to here she no longer wants to associate with Christianity which she still believes is the truth. It is weird she is boldly walking away and admits she is fully responsible for what happens from here on out. Obviously, she is adult I have nothing to say to her. It is very disheartening to say the least. I do not understand.
What should I do?
I will always be my friend. I have known her since we were 15 and 16.

Sorry to hear this.

Get a green scapular, have it blessed, and hide it somewhere in her house. Then pray the prayer on the green scapular every day for her. Mary said she would take care of it for you if you trust her words.