Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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NMMountainMom
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 11:33am | IP Logged Quote NMMountainMom
I am cross-posting from the book forum (looking for uplifting reading material). I need prayers because I am in a very dark place with my faith. Cutting and pasting from my other post:

I am a convert from an evangelical Protestant background where I had a "name it and claim it" kind of faith (God will send healing, financial blessings, ect. if we have enough faith). One of the reasons that I converted was that I believed the Catholic Church had a better developed understanding and theology of sin and suffering. These are topics I have been studying and have personally struggled with (sin of course, but suffering in particular). So now, the pendulum has swung too far the other way and I now have a sense of God as wanting to send me continual suffering. All I can focus on are my crosses. I can't pray for anything good because I feel that God doesn't want to send me good things and I'm not sure what "good" even means any more. My faith feels heavy and depressing. It is so bad that I even fear for the lives of my children because I am afraid God will send me the heaviest cross possible- and that would be it.

Oh, and I am not depressed. I am generally happy and enjoy my life. Maybe that is the problem. I am afraid God will take away my blessings. I just get these dark feelings related to my faith.

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Bridget
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 12:37pm | IP Logged Quote Bridget
Prayers Danielle. You are not alone. A friend and I were just discussing how God seems to be asking more from us and how heavy the crosses are getting. You are so not alone!

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Posted: May 20 2011 at 1:06pm | IP Logged Quote hylabrook1
Praying that you recover the joy and contentment of your faith.

Peace,
Nancy
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Donna Marie
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 1:26pm | IP Logged Quote Donna Marie
Bridget wrote:
Prayers Danielle. You are not alone. A friend and I were just discussing how God seems to be asking more from us and how heavy the crosses are getting. You are so not alone!


Oh, so it isn't just me??

Prayers for everyone!!

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misswallo
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 1:53pm | IP Logged Quote misswallo
Praying for you.
Jesus, I Trust in You.

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mamaslearning
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 2:09pm | IP Logged Quote mamaslearning
praying.

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Servant2theKing
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 5:13pm | IP Logged Quote Servant2theKing
Danielle, so many, many souls seem to be experiencing tremendous sufferings right now. I think we are being called to offer up our increased sufferings for the sake of the Mystical Body of Christ, for His Church and especially for priests, whose burdens and spiritual attacks are even greater than our own. Praying for God to give you a special measure of fortitude and perseverance in whatever struggles you are undergoing. You will remain in our prayers.


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guitarnan
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 6:28pm | IP Logged Quote guitarnan
Praying for you!

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SeaStar
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 6:40pm | IP Logged Quote SeaStar
Praying Our Lady will comfort you in this dark time.



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joann10
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 7:27pm | IP Logged Quote joann10
praying....
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Marcia
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 7:30pm | IP Logged Quote Marcia
prayers.

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Maggie
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Posted: May 20 2011 at 8:11pm | IP Logged Quote Maggie

Danielle,

I hear what you are saying. Since the first miscarriage in our home, two years ago, I feel like we have been pummeled, tossed on the waves of suffering. We have been offered one cross after the other, things that would have seemed unimaginable to us when we said "I do"...and yet, here we are.   Lately, I think the straw broke for me, and I looked up at the Crucifix in my bedroom, got down on my knees and said, "Are you kidding me?!?!?" And then I cried.

I emailed a dear and holy friend, and this was her reply:


' “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.” ~Blessed Mother Teresa

He must trust you a whole whole lot! Lean on Him right now. Close your eyes, rest your head on His chest, and just let yourself be held by Him.'

More than anything, I know He wants my trust. And He wants yours, too.

I too have extreme fears for the lives of my loved ones at times--and I think this is a temptation sent by the evil one because there is no good fruit that comes from me even thinking about those things that are not in my hands. I just get more scared and frustrated.

Our dear Lord is looking for childlike trust.

No matter what crosses we have been dealt, if you can only muster one prayer, let it be this: "Dear Jesus, I love you. Please help me to trust you."

Let Him hold you, Danielle. Rest your head on His heart.

I will pray for you, Danielle. Please pray for me, too.

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NMMountainMom
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 12:05pm | IP Logged Quote NMMountainMom
Thank you to everyone for your prayers and the reminder that I'm not alone in this struggle. Thank you, Maggie, for your words of wisdom. Yes, I will pray for you too.

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Chris V
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 5:11pm | IP Logged Quote Chris V
Maggie wrote:

I emailed a dear and holy friend, and this was her reply:

I too have extreme fears for the lives of my loved ones at times--and I think this is a temptation sent by the evil one because there is no good fruit that comes from me even thinking about those things that are not in my hands. I just get more scared and frustrated.


Maggie, what your friend said here is so very wise.

Danielle, with my own ponderings of suffering, I've often found myself thinking just as you - that perhaps those that are called to a holier place (than another) are called to a higher suffering and it too makes me begin to worry. But just as what Maggie's friend so wisely articulated, I have come to that same understanding. I focus on gratitude and when I feel anxieties creep back into my life, I pray for my own trust and for those cares and worries to leave me and be handed over to Jesus. No good will be born of my anxiety. And it is the evil one at hand, interfering with my trust in Him.

I will be praying for you, Danielle.    

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stacykay
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 6:25pm | IP Logged Quote stacykay
One of my dear friend's experienced great fear, that had no merit, regarding her children, too. She took her fears to confession and was helped greatly.

When I find myself in a dark place, I always turn to the Psalms and the Rosary. Both have been enormous blessings for me.

I'm sorry I don't have anything more helpful to give you, but I will keep you in my prayers.


In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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aussieannie
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Posted: May 21 2011 at 7:43pm | IP Logged Quote aussieannie
I think balance is what is best. Not down one end with the 'name it, claim it' faith, not recognising at all, redemptive suffering but certainly not down the other end of the scale, where scruples can take hold and twist our understanding of suffering to a point of deep burden of sad imaginings and temptations of despair. (Not saying that is where you are, but stating the other end of the scale.)

Our Lady is who we should turn to in these trials..no one knew suffering as she did, besides her Divine Son, but then no one experiences her great, overwhelming joy, her happiness and peace.

That would be my advice, take this all to Our Lady in prayer, asking for her intercession, asking her to give you her balance ~ her joy and peace, her ability in carrying the crosses of life. I will remember you in prayer Danielle!

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mariB
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Posted: May 23 2011 at 5:39am | IP Logged Quote mariB
Sending prayers...

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MaryM
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Posted: May 24 2011 at 10:16am | IP Logged Quote MaryM
Continued prayers, Danielle.

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Posted: May 24 2011 at 12:49pm | IP Logged Quote 3Giftsathome
Keeping you in my prayers, Danielle.

Yours in Christ,
Mary
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Posted: May 24 2011 at 9:28pm | IP Logged Quote Grateful in VA
praying for you tonight.
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