"You are called"

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Cam-masta

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Dear Friends in Christ,

I haven’t been on CA Forums in a long time. It’s good to be back. I’ve been undergoing a very mysterious and often dry conversion of the senses, as unfolded beautifully by St. John of the Cross’s “Dark Night of the Soul”. After having fallen from grace and serious temptations to abandon the Faith and pursue base pleasures, the call to discernment of the priesthood has resurfaced as well as my complete devotion to Christ as expressed by Holy Mother Church. I am discovering as a convert of 3 years, the splendour and trials of being a Roman Catholic in this repaganized culture.

Recently, I was told by a very devout and holy priest that “you are called” to use his exact words. During this time, I was sensing a call to more actively discern this vocation, but my mind and soul were clouded by the storm of great doubt. Since then, I have informed my parish priest and he seemed encouraged.

Please pray for me, as I struggle with the sin of lust with the millions of other faithful Catholic men who desire to be orthodox and holy in word and especially deed. I have won the last few battles against this computer, for the world of pornographic filth is “only a click away” as so often exclaimed. The credit for these won battles goes to our Lord Jesus Christ’s True Presence: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity under the humble appearences of bread and wine. He has nourished and given me strength beyond measure in this “Medicine of Immortality”. I am also indebted to the Sacrament of Penance, which has provided healing, restoration, and in other words, Salvation, and has predisposed me to receive Holy Communion in the state of grace which I do not deserve, or otherwise, could never earn by my own flesh.

I encourage and exhort everyone to join me in receiving these Sacraments often! As a dear Catholic convert and friend from Pentecostalism has wisely stated, “Either we stand, or fall together.” Pray for me.
 
Dear brother in Christ, I ask God to keep you in my life-long prayers and Masses.
Go gently, Trishie

Vulnerable human reality
Jesus, You chose Your priests from amongst Your people, yet in the sacramental ‘laying of hands’ You do not perfect us. Like those we serve, we need pardon, healing, prayer and faith as we seek grace to become humble, genuine witnesses of Christ.

Through Sacrament and intercession, teaching and act, we encourage and instruct Your people as You call us in our personal human history and reality, to be instruments of Your grace for others.

By your honest expression of rightly directed human emotion, intelligence and personality, You witnessed the wholeness of our nature when creatively lived in God’s love. In Your authenticity as a vital human, You revealed that each person’s salvation is projected around reality, not around some ideal self. Wholeness is found in one’s actual situation with its limitations and advantages. It is offered within one’s true personality in its abilities and handicaps.

Allow us to recognise Your unique expression of love in each other person. Give us the gift of revealing to everyone we meet and serve—the image within him of the glorious, loving beauty of You amid his human frailties and strengths. We thus encourage his trust and affirm his hope in Your patient lifelong moulding of him in the overwhelming love of Your personal plan for him.

In us, therefore—who are no less human than any other person—is manifest the wise charity and the gentle humility of Christ, to each person who comes before You in contrition, thankfulness, faith and joy. We thank and praise You Jesus, who shared all weakness of our nature except sin.

Help us to respect and encourage everyone, pardoning those who offend or inconvenience us. In liberty of spirit born of obedience, faith, and of freedom from undue attachments—we allow Your grace and witness to flow through us to others. We trust that You accomplish this even where there is no evidence of Your action.

Please sustain us as generous, inspired instruments of grace for Your continuing mission, as we alert others to the light of the Spirit in their lives. We glorify You, as we daily accept this joyful cross of our priestly ministry, while managing the challenges of our own vulnerable humanity! Thank You Jesus, Who throughout the ages lovingly uses Your imperfect creatures as instruments of love, service, and glory!

It has been my custom to pray for priests…and sometimes I had to write it out. Trishie
 
your post was very honest and moving. going to pray for you that you will have the gift to hear God’s specific wishes.

Peace be with you on your journey!

-Jen
 
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