Young Nephew is Atheist

[Diem]

You of course know him better than any of us. You may well be doing this already, but sometimes the best response is to give space in addition to advice.

It sounds like this is a young man for whom all the pieces need to fit together in order for him to have trust in something. The issue is that neither science nor faith in any religion has indisputable proof in this life. That’s why we have Theories and faith for each. This may be the wider realization he needs to come to in life.

Thank you. I do know him well and he has all the space he wants. I agree with your assessment and hope to be of some help to him in such a way. When it comes to certain subjects, like apologetics I’m able to answer his questions or point to a good source if I don’t know. When it comes to my own conversion and faith, I can talk with him about it. Where science and faith are concerned, I would like to know more and have the ability to talk with him in more depth about it, since that seems to be where his head is right now. I’m following his lead, and praying.

 

[Diem]

Have you spoken about the cardinal virtues?

catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/tp/Cardinal_Virtues.htm

Although these are Catholic teachings, you don’t have to have any faith to see that it is smart to study them and to put them into practice. All the virtues are like a lamp unto our feet. That might be something you can chat about and encourage him and God doesn’t have to be mentioned. It’s an antidote to what the world will be feeding him.

Thank you very much!

 

[Diem]

Thanks very much to each one of you for your prayers.

 

[Luz_Maria]

Please pray for my Godson. He is 16. Recently he made it known that he is an Atheist. He was baptized and received his First Holy Communion in the Church and attended mass on Sundays and regular Confession. He wanted to be a priest. Our family is deeply concerned. Please pray that he will come back and be protected until he does. His name is Ben. Thank you. If anyone has any sources they can point to that might help me to help him. In particular, I have started to look for references that show that Science and Faith are not mutually exclusive. I am looking for Priests/Saints who are scientists. Anything that might help with this situation. He is highly intelligent, a deep thinker, so that is where I want to meet him. Thank you.

This is the section for prayer requests. You may want to put your questions maybe in “Family Life”? I do not know where it would go. If other than prayer, this thread might be closed.

Praying with you for Ben…

**
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel**
St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle;
be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into Hell Satan
and all the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

The Memorare
Remember,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petition,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

 

[Starwarsfan2]

Messiah Jesus , please justify Ben by your grace through faith in you , amen

 

[Nelka]

**O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
Amen.

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
Amen.

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
Amen.

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
Amen.

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
Amen.**​

 

[Luz_Maria]

Praying……

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle;
be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into Hell Satan
and all the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

The Memorare
Remember,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petition,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Let Nothing Disturb You
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

---

Santa Teresa de Jesús
(Santa Teresa de Ávila)

 

[Luz_Maria]

Praying……

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle;
…be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
…and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,
…by the power of God,
…thrust into Hell Satan
…and all the other evil spirits
…who prowl about the world
… seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

The Memorare
Remember,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petition,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Road Ahead
“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
……though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost
……and in the shadow of death. I will not fear,
……for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me
……to face my perils alone.”

• Thomas Merton
  Let Nothing Disturb You
  Let nothing disturb you,
  Let nothing frighten you,
  All things are passing away:
  God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa de Jesús
(Santa Teresa de Ávila)

 

[Luz_Maria]

Praying…

**
To O.L. of the Snows**
Grant us, Lord, through the glorious
intercession of the always blessed
Virgin Mary under the title of the Snows,
that we may enjoy perpetual health of body and soul
and deign protect your devout faithful
from all effects from hurricanes, pests,
and drought, specially storms and lightning,
against which She keeps Her children
with singular protection. Through the
Infinite merits, of Your Divine Son our
Lord Jesus Christ, Who with You lives
and reigns with the Holy Spirit for ever
and ever. Amen.
*Feast Day: August 5. *

This is my translation.

Original has the Imprimatur of Bp. Evelio

• Bp. of P. del R., April 10, 1947, *

granting 100 days’ indulgence.

To Saint Michael the Archangel
St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle;
…be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
…and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,
…by the power of God,
…thrust into Hell Satan
…and all the other evil spirits
…who prowl about the world
… seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

The Memorare
Remember,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petition,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.


Let Nothing Disturb You
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.

Patience,
Obtains all things,
Whoever has God
Lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa de Jesús
(Santa Teresa de Ávila)

.