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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Afraid of my religion Scarlett Monday, March 18, 2013

Question:

Hello. Please forgive the length of question.I was raised a "cafeteria Catholic". I returned to the Church at 26 yrs. Old. I enrolled the kids in Ccd,attended Mass regulary,confessed often,and had a rigorous prayer life.

Since then,2 yrs.ago,I began to feel ill,just vaguely.I then got hit in the head a/d bean having partial seizures. Dr. said I probably have been having seizures since adolescence.During my time of being faithful I would have some profound experiences during prayer. I felt like God was very close.I also felt like the Devil or demons were always hovering about.Too my family,who violently resisted any attempt I made to have a family spiritual life,thought I was crazy.Maybe I was. Since falling ill,amd having a close friend commit suicide due to having "religios"visions,I have avoided Church and prayer like the plague.I have questioned everything I ever believed.

Of course, I have also fallen into old sinful behaviours.In fact, Ive turned into quite the heathen.

Ive recently felt being called back to God.I would still describe my belief system as traditional Catholic, but you wouldnt know it by looking atmy life. I married someone who is simply not interested in religion and due to my own failure as a parent my household is in a constant state of chaos and disorder. I am ready to get back to business,so to speak. Id like to enroll my youngest son in Ccd and raise my daughter,4, in the Church. But I am afraid.Im afraid of my family thinking Im going iff the deep end again. I am afraid of feeling demonic presences again. Im afraid of dropping the ball again. Im afraid its been too long and I dont know where to begin. I have found a TLM community( in communion with Rome ) Id like to go to but just a mention of that has everyone looking at me like Im losing it again . Question is...Im downright scared and dont know how to proceed. Thank you for your time.



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Scarlett:

I have no idea that TLM means. To everyone who post questions, please do not use abbreviations unless a person in deep dark amazon jungle who has never seen a white man would know the abbreviation Wink

The central core of your problem is fear. Fear is not of God. Fear comes from either human pride, or from the devil, or both.

I see a lot of pride here, the pride of fearing what others think. Who cares what others think? Do that God is calling you to do. He is calling you back to Himself, to the orthodox Catholic faith. Do it. If others don't like it, so what. Jesus said: 

(John 15:20)  "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you..."

(Matthew 5:10-12)  "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."

You are blessed if your family looks unkindly upon you because you desire to get closer to God. Praise God for this means you are doing something right.

Trust in God. Be not afraid, as our late Holy Father, John Paul II always said. 

Begin with baby steps. Learn your faith, read the Catechism, read the Bible daily, attend Holy Mass every Sunday and on every Holy Day of Obligation, and even daily Mass if you are able. Go to confession when you need to, receive the Eucharist, say your prayers. In other words be the best Catholic you know how to be.  If others do not like it, why care about it?

Find a loyal, obedient, and orthodox Catholic parish and ask the priest to help you, attend their RCIA program, get involved in Bible studies and other programs that parish may have to help you grow in faith.

It is unfortunate if family will not support you in this, but their support is not required. Many of the disciples suffered the lack of support from their family and friends when they left everything to follow Jesus, when people like me who were Protestant clergy convert to the Catholic Church we can undergo outright persecution from our Protestant friend and even from family sometimes. This must be endured for the sake of God and for the sake of our own souls.

(Luke 15:7, 10)  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance... Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

There is rejoicing in heaven, all the Saints and Angels are rejoicing for you right this minutes, for you are a sinner who has repented, a prodigal daughter who has returned.

Do not let your family and friends hold you back. You do what God is calling you to do.

Begin by finding that good and loyal parish and talk to the pastor about your intentions and your difficulties in making this decision.

As for the fear, rebuke that fear. Say this prayer from our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog, entitled, Rebuking Particular Spirits:

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints and Angels of Heaven, and powerful in the holy authority of His name, I ask of the heavenly Father to rebuke this spirits of fear, pride, and lack of trust in You and to command each of these evil spirit in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to depart from me, now, quietly, without harm to anyone.

I bring the power and the protection of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ over my life. Satan has no part with me as I am sealed with the saving blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for not being all I should be in Your eyes. Let the cleansing, healing waters of my baptism wash over me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with Your peace, love, courage, humility, trust in You, and fortitude to replace these spirits of fear, pride, lack of trust in You.

Lord Jesus, bring to bear my guardian angel, and all the angels of heaven, against the forces of evil that seek to cause trouble for me.

Saint Michael, be my protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and my Mother, pray for me that I may not fall into the devil’s temptations.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for setting me free. I praise You, I bless You, I worship You. Thank You for the wisdom and light of the Holy Spirit.

Thank You for enabling me to be aggressive against the works of the enemy. Thank You for Your hope that takes away discouragement; thank You for ongoing victory. “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). Amen.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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