Rcia

[Kotton]

Joe, glad you are finding answers and thoughts to guide you. Prayers are answered, although we don't always know why we get the answer we do. I especially like the line from Thomas Merton's prayer.

" Therefore will I 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."

Kotton

 

[Wolseley]

Joe, a novena is a nine-day prayer, using a specific format and at the same time every day, to God or to a saint, asking for a specific favor. An example might be "Novena to Jesus Christ Crucified", which includes Scripture readings, meditations, and the prayers. You pray them for nine days in a row at the same time every day.

The best thing to do in all of this is to surrender to the Holy Spirit, and ask Him to lead you....."Wherever You want me to be, and whatever You want me to do, simply show me, and I will do it." Then just sit back, relax, and accept whatever guidance He sends you. You will know. God's grace is at work here, and all you have to do is be a willing receptacle.

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by Wolseley
Joe, a novena is a nine-day prayer, using a specific format and at the same time every day, to God or to a saint, asking for a specific favor. An example might be "Novena to Jesus Christ Crucified", which includes Scripture readings, meditations, and the prayers. You pray them for nine days in a row at the same time every day.

The best thing to do in all of this is to surrender to the Holy Spirit, and ask Him to lead you....."Wherever You want me to be, and whatever You want me to do, simply show me, and I will do it." Then just sit back, relax, and accept whatever guidance He sends you. You will know. God's grace is at work here, and all you have to do is be a willing receptacle.

Ok... but if I don't convert to Catholicism, am I going against the Holy Spirit? How would I know? I'm kind of looking at different groups too, and I'm trying to see where I fit. If Catholicism happens to be the true church, and I don't turn to her, am I doing something awful? What I'm trying to say I guess is that I'm not totally sure where I should go, although there are some good things about the Catholic Church that I like, ie family, the Rosary, and some other stuff.

 

[VOW]

To Joe:

If you make the determination in your heart and in your soul that the Catholic Church is the "true" Church...how could you NOT belong? If you decide to NOT become Catholic, then obviously you don't believe that it is the "true" Church.

See what I'm saying here?

You will KNOW by your "craving" for the Real Presence, IMHO.


Peace,
~VOW

 

[Chris†opher Paul]

I crave it, and I can't have it till Easter! Ahhhhh!

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by VOW
To Joe:

If you make the determination in your heart and in your soul that the Catholic Church is the "true" Church...how could you NOT belong? If you decide to NOT become Catholic, then obviously you don't believe that it is the "true" Church.

See what I'm saying here?

You will KNOW by your "craving" for the Real Presence, IMHO.


Peace,
~VOW

Oh ok, that makes sense. And as of now, I can't really say that I "crave" a Real Presence. I don't even understand it. Well, I know what Catholics believe, but it doesn't "click" like that for me. *shrugs* Does that make any sense? I hope I'm not blabbering.

 

[VOW]

To Joe:

Nah, you aren't blabbering. If it's "meant to be," you'll KNOW. As you can tell from the post above yours, Souljah KNOWS.


Peace,
~VOW

 

[Chris†opher Paul]

Yes! Some stuff still isn't clicking for me! This is a deep faith and takes years to understand, which is more proof that it is divine in origin.

Patience bro!

 

[Wolseley]

Relax, Joe, and don't fret. God knows the state of your mind, He knows your heart, and He knows exactly where you are at and what you're thinking. He is not going to judge you harshly, especially as He takes into consideration all aspects of the situation. If you're confused, He knows that. If you're suspicious, He knows that, too. Like I said, you just need to breathe deep, remain calm, and continue to learn. Let Him lead you, in whichever direction.

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by Wolseley
Relax, Joe, and don't fret. God knows the state of your mind, He knows your heart, and He knows exactly where you are at and what you're thinking. He is not going to judge you harshly, especially as He takes into consideration all aspects of the situation. If you're confused, He knows that. If you're suspicious, He knows that, too. Like I said, you just need to breathe deep, remain calm, and continue to learn. Let Him lead you, in whichever direction.

Thanks so much Wols; it means a lot to me, you supporting me like this. I'm trying to understand Him. I pray everyday that I can figure these things out.

 

[Caedmon]

BTW guys, I just went to my first mass tonight!
It's a tiny parish, and only a few were there, because of the big game tonight. I didn't know exactly what to expect at first. To be honest, I was scared. But the moment I walked in, the lady I had met and talked with earlier began to introduce me to some people, so I felt better about things.

I listened to the hymns, the readings, and the homily. And then, the thing I had been looking for... I saw the Eucharist. I didn't know how things worked, so all through the mass, to myself, I was like, "is it coming yet? is it coming yet?", lol. I don't know exactly how I felt. I think "curious" is the best word for it. I wanted to know if it really is what you say it is. I asked God in my heart, "God, if that really is Jesus in there, then prove it to me. I want to know." I was so nervous, but I went up to the front when everybody else did, kind of in the mid-back of the line. Then I finally got there, with arms crossed over my heart like I've been told, and there was... something about it. I remember, I peered over toward the front, trying to get a glimpse as I got closer to Father. I saw the host, and I tried to wrap my mind around it for a bit, just before I got there. Then it was my turn, and Father blessed me. It was an extraordinary thing. He blessed me, gently stroking the sign of the cross on my forehead with his thumb. It was one of the most gentle, amazing gestures of love I've ever experienced. I closed my eyes, just for a second, as he did it; I felt, for lack of better words... good, and peaceful. And during that moment, God touched my heart.

I can't really say that I believe in the Real Presence, but I know that I felt something tonight, and I know that something there was real. I'm praying that I find out what that something is.

Also, for VOW and others... after mass, I went to Father and got my Rosary blessed. I guess I was mentally engaged elsewhere, lol, because even though I was paying attention, I felt removed. But I'm glad I got it blessed, dedicating it to helping me grow closer to the Lord. That's another thing though. Along with all the new things I learned tonight, I also realized that I've got a long way to go. I have a lot to learn about this stuff, and I hope God will reveal it all to me. Like I said, I'm trying to do my best, and I'm praying the Lord will lead me.

"Peace be with you." (something new I learned! lol )

 

[VOW]

To Joe:

May the Holy Spirit answer all your questions, and keep supplying you with more!

Thanks, Hon, for sharing that with us. I pray you keep going back.

(P.S. That lady you met sounds like a wonderful missionary for the faith. That Church is blessed to have her!)


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[isshinwhat]

I have a lot to learn about this stuff, and I hope God will reveal it all to me. Like I said, I'm trying to do my best, and I'm praying the Lord will lead me.

Amen, Joe. Don't we all.

I am glad you went to Mass were touched by the Lord. I pray He continue to illuminte your path, wherever it may lead, and that you are granted an increase in Faith, Hope, and Love to help you during this time.

God Bless,

Neal

 

[Chris†opher Paul]

Joe, you da man!

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by VOW
To Joe:

May the Holy Spirit answer all your questions, and keep supplying you with more!

Thanks, Hon, for sharing that with us. I pray you keep going back.

(P.S. That lady you met sounds like a wonderful missionary for the faith. That Church is blessed to have her!)


Peace be with you,
~VOW

VOW, I think one of the biggest questions I had that night was whether or not there is a Real Presence in the Eucharist. That was the thing that I was most interested in. All I could do then was just watch as Father did everything. I really couldn't tell one way or another, but I did feel something. As Father blessed me, I began to feel tears well up inside me. I didn't know what that was all about, and I still don't, but I'm trying to figure it out. He seemed to love me so much, and yet he barely knew me.

Well, thank you for praying for me. I pray that everything that troubles my heart or that I don't understand will pan out in the end.

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by isshinwhat
Amen, Joe. Don't we all.

I am glad you went to Mass were touched by the Lord. I pray He continue to illuminte your path, wherever it may lead, and that you are granted an increase in Faith, Hope, and Love to help you during this time.

God Bless,

Neal

Thanks Neal. I need those three so much. I pray that the Lord will never leave me, and will hold my hand and walk with me. It's tough sometimes, and I desperately need His Love.

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by s0uljah
Joe, you da man!

Ride on... lol

 

[Caedmon]

God has brought me a long way in my lifetime. He's made a lot of changes, improved me, saved me from sins, and now cleanses and protects my heart from evil. I pray that I can be strong for Him. I don't have any strength, but He helps me and gives me some of His. I would be nothing without Him. He means my life to me. I hope good things come from what I'm doing right now. I pray that He'll take care me.

Well anyways... some other specifics I wanted to mention...
Maybe y'all know, but I have a hard time believing in Immaculate Conception, Assumption, and Coronation. And, of course, the A&C are mysteries of the Rosary, so I wish I could believe. *sigh* I don't really understand these two things at all, but tonight, I'm going to do the Glorious Mysteries. I can't really rejoice in the A&C, but I'll think about them. I just want to know if they're real or not. I ask God, that if they're real, for Him to show it to me. I also ask Mary to bring my request to God in her prayer. I almost want to believe, but I'm still not sure. I'm just trying to understand. And the Real Presence... if I could understand that, I'd jump leaps ahead. I just can't see it now though. I don't know if I'll ever see it, but I pray to God that if it's real, that He'll prove it to me. I figure God is good on stuff like that, and I hope He'll help me out. Well, talk to you guys later. Thanks for being patient with me, and talking to me, and loving me.

 

[Caedmon]

Oops, wanted to say one more thing, hehe...

Sometimes the Catholic Church seems so huge, it can be really intimidating for me. But when I kneel down at night and say my prayers, I try to think of Mary and Jesus and the whole family holding me, putting their arms around me. Guys, I don't know how to tell you how comforting it is to have Mary there, praying with me, holding me in her arms, taking care of me like I was her own. She really helps me to relax when I get super freaked out by things and get stressed. I am so glad she will pray with me. Before, I felt so alone in my prayers, like it was just me sitting there, trying to fill this impossible chasm. But now, it just feels like somebody actually cares about me and will help carry me and my prayers, and will support me and love me. I need all of that so much. I think that's what everybody needs, but I feel like I've gone without that kind of love for a long time. I finally feel like God understands me, and I finally feel like He knows my heart, and that He'll help me through stuff, because He knows about everything that's going on inside of me. He knows my hurts and fears and nervousness, and all that kind of stuff, and He helps me to talk it all out with Him and get past my worries. Anyways, I'm glad I got my Rosary blessed. And I can honestly say that it's bringing me closer to God.

 

[VOW]

Joe:

You'll understand more if you get some books by Scott Hahn. That man is so GIFTED!


Peace,
~VOW