Where to begin?

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Yeats_1919

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I’m sure that you guys get this question a lot, but I couldn’t find one, so here goes…

I’ve got a pretty typical story. I was raised in a Catholic family, and since starting college a year ago, I’ve been slipping away. While I go to Mass most Sundays, I haven’t been doing much else, and even at Mass, I never pay much attention. Although I go to a Catholic school, I never got involved with the religious groups on campus, so I don’t really have a “faith community”.

Lately I’ve realized that, if I continue in the direction I’m headed, I will gradually leave my faith behind. Thinking about how empty and meaningless that would be motivated me. I don’t just want to go back to the Americanized, wishy-washy faith I had as a teenager; I want to really embrace Catholicism, in all of its beauty and tradition. I want to be challenged spiritually, and I want to grow.

This leads me to my question… where do I start? I’ve already resolved to start going to the weekly Tridentine Mass after realizing all the liturgical errors of the Mass I’ve been attending, but what else can I do? Are there prayers I should say? Practices I should observe? Online resources I should utilize? I want to turn my life toward Christ, but I have no idea where to begin.

If anyone would have time to make some suggestions, I’d really appreciate it!
 
You need a prayer life; start with the rosary and get to know your Heavenly Mother.
 
Do you sing? Join the choir. Can you wash dishes? Help with the social events. Loving the Church means involvement, support and community. Seek out prayer meetings. Meet people with whom you can make this journey.
 
In addition to the items mentioned I previous posts, I suggest reading the Bible daily. Always a good read.

DGB
 
Setting aside special times daily for prayer is essential. Even when good feelings are not involved with your prayer time, do so anyway. It is commitment that counts!

Also, pick out some good spiritual reading.

I mentioned those two things because they helped me very much, and still do!
 
A few years ago I started reciting the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I try to do all the hours. Most days I succeed. Or yes, and the Rosary. 🙂
 
Attending the Tridentine Mass is an excellent beginning for you. If you have not yet studied Latin, doing so would be a major plus. There is usually (perhaps always) an Adoration Chapel at a Catholic Church. It is an ideal setting for praying the Rosary. When time allows, I usually read from Psalms. You could find your own preference or pray for a time. Adoration Chapels are usually open during reasonable hours and often 24/7. You would likely need to speak with the parish office or pastor to assure entry. The Adoration Chapel is a setting open to spiritualism, and the Rosary is a powerful contemplative prayer.
 
Thank you all for your advice! I got in touch with one of the Catholic student groups and ate brunch with them after Mass. They were incredibly welcoming, and they’ll apparently be doing a group rosary tonight, so I am definitely joining for that. I felt so lost when I posted this, and I feel so at peace now. Thank you all so much!
 
Yeats_1919 said:
Thank you all for your advice! I got in touch with one of the Catholic student groups and ate brunch with them after Mass. They were incredibly welcoming, and they’ll apparently be doing a group rosary tonight, so I am definitely joining for that. I felt so lost when I posted this, and I feel so at peace now. Thank you all so much!
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MODERATOR NOTICE

There is a big difference between “the liturgical errors” of the mass and the “errors that the celebrant commits or allows.”
 
Yeats_1919 said:
I want to turn my life toward Christ, but I have no idea where to begin.
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Have you tried just telling Him that?

The rich traditions etc are the dessert, the dressing, the garnish. They all serve to point to, or highlight, the main course, which is Christ. You have His ear - ask Him to show you and He will.
 
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