Coming Back to the Faith

[FleurLin]

Hello everyone,

Background information: I was baptized in the Catholic church as a baby. I grew up and was raised in a secular way. I am currently trying to come back to the faith and deepen my knowledge and relationship with God. I've been attending Sunday mass since the beginning of March and am still trying to make it a habit of praying in the morning and evening. I will be taking The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults(RCIA) classes beginning this September to complete my First Holy Communion and Confirmation in addition to my first Confession. I currently consume both Catholic and Orthodox content online. I am also reading a book called Manual for Conquering Deadly sin, which I have found very helpful. I haven't had an experience where I've felt Gods grace like many people have, at least not to my knowledge. This does bum me out because it seems like many people have that similar testimony. Whereas my journey feels very dry and forced so far. I do try to keep in mind that everyones journey is different.

This might sound ignorant and naive but I guess I am expecting some kind of breakthrough where I feel more at peace and and have an excellent relationship with God. I am still unsure if Catholicism is the correct path or if its Orthodoxy, my decision on deepening my faith with the Catholic church is based solely on the fact that I was baptized in it. At what point is it recommend for women to start veiling? I have considered buying a veil in hope of really feeling His presence during mass, I get easily distracted and can barely concentrate, but I am not sure if it would be appropriate since I am only baptized. If anyone has any pointers on deepening the faith, online resources, book suggestions, that would be very helpful. Thank you.

 

[Luna Novem]

Hello everyone,

Background information: I was baptized in the Catholic church as a baby. I grew up and was raised in a secular way. I am currently trying to come back to the faith and deepen my knowledge and relationship with God. I've been attending Sunday mass since the beginning of March and am still trying to make it a habit of praying in the morning and evening. I will be taking The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults(RCIA) classes beginning this September to complete my First Holy Communion and Confirmation in addition to my first Confession. I currently consume both Catholic and Orthodox content online. I am also reading a book called Manual for Conquering Deadly sin, which I have found very helpful. I haven't had an experience where I've felt Gods grace like many people have, at least not to my knowledge. This does bum me out because it seems like many people have that similar testimony. Whereas my journey feels very dry and forced so far. I do try to keep in mind that everyones journey is different.

This might sound ignorant and naive but I guess I am expecting some kind of breakthrough where I feel more at peace and and have an excellent relationship with God. I am still unsure if Catholicism is the correct path or if its Orthodoxy, my decision on deepening my faith with the Catholic church is based solely on the fact that I was baptized in it. At what point is it recommend for women to start veiling? I have considered buying a veil in hope of really feeling His presence during mass, I get easily distracted and can barely concentrate, but I am not sure if it would be appropriate since I am only baptized. If anyone has any pointers on deepening the faith, online resources, book suggestions, that would be very helpful. Thank you.

I think you can veil whenever you like! I to veil even though no one else at church does.

 

[FleurLin]

I think you can veil whenever you like! I to veil even though no one else at church does.

I will definitely try it soon, thank you!

 

[Layla78]

I think the church veil stuff is a tradition. I don't think you need to be baptized. Paul talks about it being because of the angels. Like maybe women's hair is distracting? I can't say I understand it, but I will defer to Saint Paul as much wiser than me.

If you want to feel closer to God my suggestion is to pray consistently. What will happen over time is that you will see prayers answered. Also faith is a gift, not something from ourselves, so you can pray too for God to strengthen your faith. And wisdom and discernment to see God working in your life.

Also spend time with church people. If you have Christian friends then you will also see God working in their lives. This does include miraculous events on occasion.

Even if you have some lightbulb moment, the Christian life is a marathon. And there is blessings in wanting to be with God without personally seeing signs and wonders.

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

 

[FleurLin]

I think the church veil stuff is a tradition. I don't think you need to be baptized. Paul talks about it being because of the angels. Like maybe women's hair is distracting? I can't say I understand it, but I will defer to Saint Paul as much wiser than me.

If you want to feel closer to God my suggestion is to pray consistently. What will happen over time is that you will see prayers answered. Also faith is a gift, not something from ourselves, so you can pray too for God to strengthen your faith. And wisdom and discernment to see God working in your life.

Also spend time with church people. If you have Christian friends then you will also see God working in their lives. This does include miraculous events on occasion.

Even if you have some lightbulb moment, the Christian life is a marathon. And there is blessings in wanting to be with God without personally seeing signs and wonders.

Thank you, I appreciate your help!

 

[Roosh]

Do you have a husband? If so, your decisions will be impacted by how he is leading spiritual matters (or not) in the home. If you are single, you can go straight to the Church that would best serve your soul and assure your salvation.

 

[FleurLin]

Do you have a husband? If so, your decisions will be impacted by how he is leading spiritual matters (or not) in the home. If you are single, you can go straight to the Church that would best serve your soul and assure your salvation.

I currently do not have a husband but I'm hoping it is in Gods will for me to get married and have children soon. I'll probably continue attending the Catholic Church since I already have that foundation unless God shows me Orthodoxy is the path for me to be on.
Thank you, Roosh.

 

[Roosh]

I currently do not have a husband but I'm hoping it is in Gods will for me to get married and have children soon. I'll probably continue attending the Catholic Church since I already have that foundation unless God shows me Orthodoxy is the path for me to be on.
Thank you, Roosh.

My only advice is to attend an Orthodox Liturgy to compare with a Catholic Mass before making a final decision. See which one you more strongly feel God's presence.

I did write an article on helping to pick an Orthodox Church to attend:

How To Join The Orthodox Church – Roosh Valizadeh

Many people have expressed interest to me about joining the Orthodox Church but don't know how, especially since so many Orthodox Churches seem to revolve around ethnicity. For new converts who want to experience the Divine Liturgy in mostly English, however, the choice is not difficult. First, a

www.rooshv.com

 

[NoMoreTO]

Hello everyone,

Background information: I was baptized in the Catholic church as a baby. I grew up and was raised in a secular way. I am currently trying to come back to the faith and deepen my knowledge and relationship with God. I've been attending Sunday mass since the beginning of March and am still trying to make it a habit of praying in the morning and evening. I will be taking The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults(RCIA) classes beginning this September to complete my First Holy Communion and Confirmation in addition to my first Confession. I currently consume both Catholic and Orthodox content online. I am also reading a book called Manual for Conquering Deadly sin, which I have found very helpful. I haven't had an experience where I've felt Gods grace like many people have, at least not to my knowledge. This does bum me out because it seems like many people have that similar testimony. Whereas my journey feels very dry and forced so far. I do try to keep in mind that everyones journey is different.

This might sound ignorant and naive but I guess I am expecting some kind of breakthrough where I feel more at peace and and have an excellent relationship with God. I am still unsure if Catholicism is the correct path or if its Orthodoxy, my decision on deepening my faith with the Catholic church is based solely on the fact that I was baptized in it. At what point is it recommend for women to start veiling? I have considered buying a veil in hope of really feeling His presence during mass, I get easily distracted and can barely concentrate, but I am not sure if it would be appropriate since I am only baptized. If anyone has any pointers on deepening the faith, online resources, book suggestions, that would be very helpful. Thank you.

Make sure to bring any questions and to receive guidance through the RCIA process and your Priest. Your Priest will likely also advise you not to go attend a liturgy in another Church (Orthodox) especially during your formation. I would recommend going to a Catholic Latin Mass if you are looking for something solemn and ancient.

For books - I would recommend a Catechism book to assist you if you do not have one. There is Catechism of Trent, Baltimore Catechism, and a more recent Catechism by JP2.

 

[FleurLin]

My only advice is to attend an Orthodox Liturgy to compare with a Catholic Mass before making a final decision. See which one you more strongly feel God's presence.

I did write an article on helping to pick an Orthodox Church to attend:

How To Join The Orthodox Church – Roosh Valizadeh

Many people have expressed interest to me about joining the Orthodox Church but don't know how, especially since so many Orthodox Churches seem to revolve around ethnicity. For new converts who want to experience the Divine Liturgy in mostly English, however, the choice is not difficult. First, a

www.rooshv.com

Thats a good idea, I'm checking out your article now and its very helpful! Thanks Roosh!

 

[FleurLin]

Make sure to bring any questions and to receive guidance through the RCIA process and your Priest. Your Priest will likely also advise you not to go attend a liturgy in another Church (Orthodox) especially during your formation. I would recommend going to a Catholic Latin Mass if you are looking for something solemn and ancient.

For books - I would recommend a Catechism book to assist you if you do not have one. There is Catechism of Trent, Baltimore Catechism, and a more recent Catechism by JP2.

I'll definitely check out those books. Thanks for your help!

 

[Roosh]

I would recommend going to a Catholic Latin Mass if you are looking for something solemn and ancient.

I did not suggest the Orthodox Church to her for the externals (solemn and ancient). The externals mean nothing if it makes you feel good but does not help your soul. As this is an Orthodox forum, it is not important to me what goes against Catholic rules or not, though of course I aim to be respectful to all seekers.

To be clear, this is not a forum to help people find Jesus Christ wherever they want, but to help people find the Orthodox Church, since the Church has given a path to salvation for those in the Church, not in other Christian denominations. If anyone is trying to return to the Catholic Church, or any other Church besides Orthodoxy, this is obviously not going to be the best place to seek guidance on how to do it.

 

[Eusebius Erasmus]

Make sure to bring any questions and to receive guidance through the RCIA process and your Priest. Your Priest will likely also advise you not to go attend a liturgy in another Church (Orthodox) especially during your formation. I would recommend going to a Catholic Latin Mass if you are looking for something solemn and ancient.

For books - I would recommend a Catechism book to assist you if you do not have one. There is Catechism of Trent, Baltimore Catechism, and a more recent Catechism by JP2.

According to the Catholic canons, the Orthodox sacraments are 'valid,' and the Orthodox are considered fellow Christians, albeit not in communion with the Holy See.

Therefore there is nothing wrong, from a Catholic perspective, with a Catholic attending an Orthodox Divine Liturgy.

I would say that OP should attend both types of liturgy, and be open to where God leads her.

 

[NoMoreTO]

According to the Catholic canons, the Orthodox sacraments are 'valid,' and the Orthodox are considered fellow Christians, albeit not in communion with the Holy See.

Therefore there is nothing wrong, from a Catholic perspective, with a Catholic attending an Orthodox Divine Liturgy.

I would say that OP should attend both types of liturgy, and be open to where God leads her.

I think you just created your own Catholic Perspective from thin air. This is not the Catholic perspective as expressed throughout time, although you could find modern day ecumenical types who might say this.

The acceptance of the validity of some Orthodox sacraments by the Catholic Church, does not mean that the Catholic Church "oks" Catholics attending these churches.

 

[Eusebius Erasmus]

I think you just created your own Catholic Perspective from thin air. This is not the Catholic perspective as expressed throughout time, although you could find modern day ecumenical types who might say this.

The acceptance of the validity of some Orthodox sacraments by the Catholic Church, does not mean that the Catholic Church "oks" Catholics attending these churches.

If you accept Vatican II, then the conclusion I state is true. There is nothing wrong with attending an Orthodox liturgy, provided the Catholic fulfills his weekly mass obligation.

 

[NoMoreTO]

If you accept Vatican II, then the conclusion I state is true. There is nothing wrong with attending an Orthodox liturgy, provided the Catholic fulfills his weekly mass obligation.

Your conclusion is dubious at best. You'd have to cite the V2 Doc then interpret in light of tradition. You are confusing poor modern pastoral practices in the Catholic Church with what is correct.

 

[Eusebius Erasmus]

Your conclusion is dubious at best. You'd have to cite the V2 Doc then interpret in light of tradition. You are confusing poor modern pastoral practices in the Catholic Church with what is correct.

Is it a sin to attend an Orthodox Divine Liturgy, according to post-V2 canon law?

I see no such proscription.

Regardless, OP should make her own decision.

 

[Roosh]

Guys, don't hijack this woman's faith thread to have a theological discussion. Take it to PM or start a thread elsewhere.

 

[PineTreeFarmer]

Thats a good idea, I'm checking out your article now and its very helpful! Thanks Roosh!

Praying for you, Sister! Can't wait to hear about your happy future and where you decide to build your faith base!

 

[FleurLin]

Praying for you, Sister! Can't wait to hear about your happy future and where you decide to build your faith base!

Thank you! I appreciate that