Hi all.
Cradle Catholic Cyster here...
I grew up thinking we were devout because we went to mass weekly unless there was an ice storm and couldn't drive or if all our cattle (farm girl) were loose and running around the country side.
And we observed Lent. Other than that....nothing.
I had a reversion or deepening of my faith after college when I visited an apparition site in Georgia. I was curious and the minute I set foot on the grounds, my heart felt things it had never felt before. It was beautiful and peaceful and I was hungry to learn as much about my faith after that. I was asked to be someone's RCIA sponsor and LOVED learning everything over again...religious education as a child is so important but before you have the full capacity to soak it up, it was a weak point for me. I suppose this is where a parent comes in to support the lessons and deepen the meaning. We were taught to save ourselves for marriage...etc. I was on the BCP from the age of 12 (horrid heavy bleeding) until I got married.. and THAT is when all my PCOS symptoms arrived in full force..in 2004. The last year my health has been soooo ridiculous that I haven't made it to mass when I wasn't feeling well. I have received the Sacrament of Anointing (AMAZING!) twice because of the sheer exhaustion and pain (physical, mental, and spiritual). I know I am sitting in the hand of God and He's carrying me through this. I used to attend daily mass but am just too tired to do much of anything extra. I pray almost every day...for the patience and grace to carry this cross, whatever it turns out to be. I know who is in charge of my life but still am human, and mess up a lot.
I think my favorite things about being Catholic... being 'pulled' to church when I am broken, just to sit there, in tears most time...in complete silence....and soak up His love. One time, fresh out of college....I was feeling really down and didn't like who I was, my job, my boss, where I was living...etc...etc...so I ended up at the church at midnight, crying and I said out loud...'God, you called me here so you better have a door open.' The second door I tried was open. The main church was locked up but you could go into a side chapel. So I did. It was dim, only THAT cool red candle that's always lit and some in the back. I am crying so much I can't see and I hear a noise...so I get quiet, slide my hand around my mace in my pocket, hoping it's a cleaning person, not someone who will do me harm. The noise stopped, so I went back to sign the prayer book...you know...those cool books that you put all your worries and praise in and people pray for you. I hear the noise AGAIN! EKK!! So, I quietly tiptoe to the front of the chapel to investigate and what do I see? A man, readjusting himself on the hard wooden pew to sleep. He was homeless. BAM. And in my heart I felt...who are to complain? You have a job. You have food to eat. You have a roof over your head. A family that loves you. What more do you think you need? So, I guess what I love about being Catholic is His ability to teach you something at the exact time you are open to learning.
I also love Confession and Adoration!
My husband and I are going through RCIA this fall. He's not Catholic, doesn't understand it, sometimes jokes (ticks me off) about Catholicism. I told him I will never pressure him to convert. He will do it when he and God choose that...but I at least wanted him to learn some of the basics...we are attending to learn...not to convert (but maybe he will change his mind, you never know). He was raised in a Christian church but doesn't have some of the basics of that either... I will keep praying for this in silence.
Looking forward to hearing from others...
LL