I know a very good priest in Fermoy, he's rock solid. Could be a starting point to get you on the right track. If you want you can private message me.
Finding a good Spiritual Director reminds me of someone finding a spouse . It can be quite the hunt. It reminds me of the old Eastern saying,''When the Disciple is ready the Master appears'. You can see this so clearly in the lives of the Mystics. Often Jesus Himself comes to indicate who the Spiritual Director is to be. It's just that important. The greatest struggle I have read to find a good Director I think was in the Life of poor St Teresa of Avila. It was as if a line of the most inept and useless priests in the entire Church lined up at her door to point the poor saint in the wrong direction. I remember watching a Spanish bio of her life and used to burst out laughing at the whole series of totally awful, horrible advice she was given. It's a wonder she survived at all. I think the great thing that helped save St Teresa the most was that she had a huge sense of humour and could laugh at it all. So a good Spiritual Direction is, I think a Marriage made in heaven. In this case He is very much a God you cannot hurry. You must be patient. Don't go trusting the first priest who comes. Taste it like a fine wine and when you get to sip the right one , you will know. Pray to God to gift you with one. Recall ; this is a gift not a right.
'The greater the Cross the Greater the Crown.' The greater the saint the greater the Cross that has been carried. The more a person has willingly taken up the Crosses sent to them , the more Christlike, the Holier they will become. Jesus and Mary are examples of this. If we look at Christ's last words on the Cross, ' 'My God, my God why have you forsaken me?' We see the very heart of suffering. To feel deserted, alone abandoned, useless, a failure. Yet Jesus goes on to say, 'But thou Oh God are Holy Enthroned on the praises of Israel.' So Christ is borne up by two things. Turning His eyes to the Father and turning His eyes to the wider community His sisters and brothers on the pilgrimage. In a sense He has been permitted to , 'Fail ', so totally that He has to let Himself be carried along by others. We have to make that same journey too. We have to totally fail , to drop to roack bottom so badly that we have to rely on being carried by God directly and through others. This is the Death of Pride, the Death to self. If we decide to walk to God we must know we will walk there with blood stained steps as Christ Himself did on the Road to Calvary. We must be little enough to let ourselves be carried.
Hi AED, I have prayed it a number of times. It is at the back of Jesse Romero's new book, along with other useful prayers.
The main source of Spiritual Direction for us all is of course,as Catholics from Jesus and Mary Directly. But in order to hear them talking we have to take time to listen. We need to pray. I find in times of difficulty and danger prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament is a real biggie. I love it especially when listening to the Lord He throws a curve ball and says something unexpected, especially when He throws in really practical hands on advice. Like a couple of days ago I really let fly at someone at work and lost my temper. I was also concerned that I had directly refused an order from my boss of Health and Safety concerns and was wondering what would come of this. But out of the blue when praying about it the Lord laughed at me and said my concerns were nothing. That there were fights and rows going on all over the hospital at the moment and my little spat was totally nothing. As soon as He said his my eyes were opened and I knew it was true!! Such a relief. I had kind of thought I was the only one. I love it when the Lord, like a good friend gives such practical insight and help. It seems to me that the voices of Jesus and Mary in the heart are like two winds. Both gentle and the voice of Jesus stronger like an Autumn Wind, the Voice of Mary more gentle and fragranced, like a Spring Breeze.
Last year, I was not able to keep in touch much with a priest my family and I trust very much. In his place, God sent me spiritual guidance - but through the book, In Sinu Jesu. Many times I read it, a few lines at a time, and found comfort for my fears. More than a few times, I heard Jesus speaking to me through His words to the Benedictine monk. Jesus promised me a few things. And they have come true. In Sinu Jesu. St Faustina's Diary. They have given me valuable spiritual direction when a priest was not readily available. They'd be helpful when night comes too.
Have exams next month a hoping that God can give me the motivation and endurance to study this month and to complete the college year successfully. I have experienced alot of failure around this area due to circumstances in the past, hopefully this time will be different!
Prayers for success on your exams. Study a lot beforehand and you will have little regrets at the time of the exams. In addition, the more you prepare the less stressed you will be when you take the tests. Best wishes to you!
There was an area of sin I unfortunately fell in around the start of the year, I believe Joe Jerk led me into it and inflicted as much damage as he could (as he does). Have been suffering as a result of it on and off ever since, and have confessed it but still feel the consequence of it. It is unfortunate because I felt I was doing so well, I even believe I was granted a plenary indulgence last year. I am mad with myself for falling in that area and feel God is disciplining me for it. I hope I haven't lost the indulgence. I don't want God to be upset with me in any way and am sincerely sorry for having fallen in that area.
Would really like to make it an ambition to despise evil and see it for what it is and all the upset and damage it causes, but remembering to hate the sin and love the sinner at the same time.
I have been having success praying the Unity Prayer to blind satan and then the St. Michael Prayer: Prayer #2: The Prayer of Jesus (The Unity Prayer) May our feet journey together. May our hands gather in unity. May our hearts beat in unison. May our souls be in harmony. May our thoughts be as one. May our ears listen to the silence together. May our glances profoundly penetrate each other. May our lips pray together to gain mercy from the Eternal Father. Learn more on The Unity Prayer in the Devout Life Teaching 1.03, found here. Jesus said, “Through this prayer, Satan will be blind and souls will not be led into sin. ( p.25 ) The Lord explained, “Satan being blind signifies a worldwide triumph of my Sacred Heart, the freedom of souls and a full opening of the road of salvation.” (p. 87)
Have been under strong spiritual attack the past couple of years. It feels demonic. Perhaps God is permitting it- I hope so. I was so much happier a number of years ago when I was accepted for the priesthood, then I made a change of decision for some reason, postponing it. I have been undergoing all sorts of trials and attacks ever since. I was much happier when I felt more consecrated to God a few years back. Maybe God is permitting the demonic attacks, various ailments etc.for some reason. It feels like being abandoned by Him sometimes. Felt more spiritually connected before, but haven't felt the same connection in quite a while. Feel most happiest in Medjugorje, but have been unable to get there this year due to present circumstances. Met a wonderful Italian priest there last year at confession who was a little like Padre Pio! There was almost a divine humour in his eyes like Jesus would look at you if He was looking at you.
Where in the far south? I live in Southern Alabama, I might be able to help you. Also, for the feelings you are having at night wear a St.Benedict cross around your neck or a brown scapular. That will be very helpful.
