Yesterday I did a retreat with Friars of the Franciscan Renewal.....struggling with my adult sons suspected atheism, I spoke to the priest. He told me to call them and ask them....The younger one believes in God, thank God but is away from the church right now....I called my older son...who lives in NYC..... I asked him, do you believe in God....he said, if that makes you happy yes. I said, Please, you used to believe in God....what happened. He said, I don't know...I don't think about it. I said, If you don't have God in your life you will have a very miserable life...what do you think happens after you die? He said....I don't think anyone can tell us what happens after you die..... I said....Please Kevin.....please.....reconsider your belief in God. He loves you and has never left you....I got a half hearted, ok.....I know he doesn't believe. I want to send him a book to read..... What is a good book for an agnostic/atheist to read to start their exploration? I am a desperate mom. thanks in advance.....
Don't know if he'd read a whole book if he's just not bothered whether God exists. Maybe suggest some YouTube clips like Nick Vujicic. But really i think this is just the time for you to stay calm, and prayerful, and faithful. It's not an intellectual issue it's an affair of the heart. Just let the light of your love shine, and trust. You're in my prayers.
Bonaventure, I'll echo Bartimaeus and give you a point out to the example of St Monica and her years of prayer before St Augustine "came around". I doubt if the prayers of Mothers/Fathers go unheard before God's Throne! Jesus, Mary and Joseph assist Your Families in need with their Generation X Children. AMEN!!
Your in my prayers! I have a lot of family as im sure many here do away from the Lord and his Church.As crew dog mentioned St Monica,she prayed for someone to come into Augustines life to awaken him along came St Ambrose! My brother is loseing his eye sight.I recommend he should ask St Rita of Casia to obtain a healing for him. we never talked for 3 months...lol I made a simple mention didn't beat him over the head. 2 things maybe to do.1) when you talk tell them to seek truth always and to follow where it goes,no need to mention religion truth will bring them to Chhrists Church...happened to me! maybe send a letter now and ten with a Miraculous medal taped in the center of the page. Taped in center so it doesnt get cought in mail sorting machines....lol . Have them Blessed.Its known for conversions! Call upon the souls in Purgatory for intercession,many saints say they had more prayers answered thru the holy souls than the saints in Heaven... Offer your distressed Heart to the Lord- sacrifice of praise! Peace to you
I have a vested interest here but if you are looking for a book that might help there is this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0955681286/ . It's Sli na Firinne: the Traditional Catholic Proofs of God's Existence. ('Sli na Firinne' is where, Irish speakers said, you go when you die, it means 'on the path of truth'.) I think sometimes a book like that can help actually but the sad thing is that a committed atheist would definitely not buy it. Some would read anything that would sneer at the faith, even if it is hopelessly illogical or unhistorical, but as a matter of principle they would never buy a book like that, ah well! Anyway I'm sure prayer helps but to be honest it's an uphill struggle these days...
I am exactly on the same boat asyou Bonaventure. I am and have been so sad since I found out and at firSt had a very hard time accepting it and it affecTed my day to day life immensely sure that my son is lost forever. For some reason I have now been able to turn it over completely to God and am definitely at peace that my prayers every minute of every day for him does not go unheeded and he will be converted and saved. I will pray for u r son and please remember my Alex in your prayers.
I honestly don't know if any book or reading will help at the moment. I do think, however, how you respond and how your son see how you love your live which should be with joy, fsith, and expectation that HE also loves your son especially at this moment and is absolutely very close to him now despite what your son thinks. I know that is not easy to do at the moment (and I would be and have been in same boat as you), but I think when your son sees and notices your witness he will say, I want what my mom has. I want that relationship with God because she is so full of joy. Praying for you both. Peace.
Never assume that ANYONE is lost. That is not your or my call!! To assume someone is "Lost" is to assume that satan wins! I'm guessing that The Lord does not allow satan to win as much as some people might believe! I'll stick with St Faustina and her Divine Mercy Message ... and so should All HERE! GOD SAVE US .... EVERY ONE!!
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and when your done pray more. I am convinced there is little else we can do with most of the youth who have boughten the lie of the world. We must continue to show love, keep the communication channels open and pray and fast and let God and Blesssed Mother do the rest. Always remember that the love one has for their child is little compared to his love Jesus has for him or her. Jesus just needs our FIAT and he will do the rest.
Bonaventure, Your heart is breaking, and mine would too if one of my children turned their back on God. But I believe what Bartimaeus shared is true: It's not an intellectual issue it's an affair of the heart. Entrusting your son to the Two Hearts is key, and pray not only for your son, but also for the persons the Father has chosen to bring your son back home to the Faith. You might very well not be that instrument. I think of myself in my early 20s as well as Padraig at the same age. Our mothers' prayers were the balm which softened our hearts, but it was others whom Jesus and Mary used to turn us around. Thank you Lord for Father Fenlon, Bernie Gero, Dick Hughes, and Jodi Clifford. Bless them, keep them, and bring them Home to Heaven, for they were your gift to me in the time of my rebellion! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
I know God has a plan for your son's salvation. You have planted the seed by talking to him...now let God take care of the rest and pray, pray, and pray some more for him and fast too. My brother who died this September was an atheist. I had spoken to him multiple times after he lost his belief and those conversations never went well. So, in 2003 I surrendered the situation to God and told Him it was in His hands and I would pray and fast for his salvation and I very literally never talked to my brother about religion again. I had a firm belief that God would save him and have great mercy on him but I did agonize a bit that I wasn't praying enough for my brother to cooperate with God's plan...as we all have so many intentions to pray for I felt like I wasn't praying enough for his salvation. But those doubts and worries were eliminated after I consecrated myself to Mary. After that no worries about praying for specific intentions anymore...all my prayers were offered to Mary for her to augment them and distribute them as she needed to and I knew she would be looking after my family's salvation (per St. Louis de Montford's True Devotion to Mary book). All of this gave me hope and comfort. God's plan was to use the death of my father to reach my brother's heart. He started to believe just before he died suddenly. Because of graces and experiences of myself and family members, I pretty much know he is saved. I wrote in more detail in a thread here back in September. I wrote that thread to give everyone GREAT HOPE that our loved ones...even those who have completely lost their faith...can be saved. Surrender it to God and/or Mary and then pray and fast. See, you have the easy part and God does the real hard stuff!!
Fr Apostali on EWTN and Mother Angelica ive heard tem say many times that our Lord told St Faustina that when a soul comes before him he grants 5 chances to except salvation.Jesus said even if they give the slightest glance toward him he will flood that soul with grace.....Our God is an AWESOME God!
There is so much good advice given here all I can say is I will pray. But you know I think a mothers prayers are very powerful before God. I just don't see how they can fail. Pray to Our Lady, I am going to try and pray every day coming up to Easter for this. I always feel such a failure in Evangelisation so useless at speaking and persuading. But I had my rosary, that was always my weapon. All my family have converted now except one sister who is dying at the moment and I am quite content and sure she will convert too. I am going up to see her today. I promised I would pay for a trip to Medugorje and I am going to offer this to her today, but I think she is too far gone to travel. But I will offer it anyway. If I had a suggestion it would be this, get him to Medugorje, it really is the gateway to heaven. But I will keep praying. Believe me I sympathise. But only a mother knows. Only a mother.
I can relate with your problem 100% first and foremost do not worry, your job as a mother is to continue to pray you have done your duty when he was a child and God will not abandon him, I would suggest you focus on the life of St Rita for your own comfort, I have learned that if we pester our children and ask them not to do something they have this built in ability to go ahead and do what we don't want them to do, I have learned that little scratches work best rather than debates. please remember and focus on the scripture below..we always always have hope.. Luke 15:11-32 The Parable of the Lost Son 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Another story I will share from my own experience for I was like your son (lamb) A STRAYING LAMB The Shepherd loved His little lamb, And gave it His tender care... And followed it with His loving eyes As it wandered here and there. And as He sat by His grazing flock Who so meekly His voice obeyed, He pondered sadly His little lamb As again and again it strayed. The little lamb had a loving heart, And adored His Shepherd, true, But would turn aside and seek his own way As lambs will so often do. With His gentle voice the Shepherd called, To His loved and straying lamb, "Come back, little one, for you are not safe Unless you are where I am." But still the lamb would soon forget And unthinkingly wander away, And not really noticing what he did, From the Shepherd's side would stray. Until one day, the Shepherd kind Took His rod in His gentle hand, And what He then did seemed so cruel That the lamb could not understand. For with one sharp and well-aimed blow Down the rod so swiftly came That it broke the leg of the little lamb And left it crippled, and lame. Then the little lamb, with a cry of pain, Fell down upon his knees... And looked up at his Shepherd, as though to say, "Won't you explain this, please?" Then he saw the love in the Shepherd's eyes As the tears ran down His face, As He tenderly set the broken bone, And bound it back in it's place. Now he was utterly helpless, He could not even stand! He must trust himself completely To his Shepherd's loving hand. Then day by day, 'till the lamb was healed From the flock he was kept apart... And carried about in the Shepherd's arms, And cradled near to His heart. And the Shepherd would whisper gentle words Into his now listening ear... Thus he heard sweet words of love That the other sheep could not hear. He felt the warmth of the Shepherd's arms And the beat of His faithful heart... Until it came a blessing to seem, By his weakness to be set apart. Every need of the little lamb By his Shepherd so fully was met That through his brokenness he learned What he never again would forget. And as the broken bone was healed, And once more became whole and strong... Wherever the Shepherd's path would lead, The lamb would follow along. Thus at the Shepherd's side he walked So closely, day by day, For once a lamb has a broken leg It will never again go astray. For the cords of love had bound it so In its hour of weakness and need... That it had no desire to wander away, When once again it was freed. Could it be you are broken today, And you cannot understand The painful blow of the Shepherd's rod Nor believe it came from His hand? He only seeks, by this painful thing, For a time to call you apart... To cradle you close in His loving arms, And draw you near to His heart. So look up into your Shepherd's eyes, And earnestly seek His face... And prove in the hour of your weakness and need The sufficiency of His grace. For as you are borne in His loving arms, And carried there, day by day... He will bind you so close with the cords of His love That never again will you stray! So go ahead girl if all else fails threaten to brake his leg
I have found that offering my communion for my children has often resulted in immediate answers. Also, I didn't see it in other posts, but you could have a mass said for your son. As for books, I recommend Heaven is Real But So is Hell, by Vassula Ryden. It's her biography of sorts and she said in a recent meeting that she wrote it specifically for youth or others who are away from God and who can't get into the Bible or other mystical writings to get them to think about life, God, etc. It's a great book, which I read thinking it would not affect me much because I was already converted, but wow, it had a huge impact on me. So I highly recommend it. Our Lord has told us that a mother's prayer is the strongest and most sincere prayer there is so you have to trust that yours will be answered for your son. I'll pray for you & your family.
thank you beautiful souls for your support.....I say every rosary, receive every communion, every novena, for my children....they were raised good Catholics....they were consecrated to Our Lady at the World Apostolate of Fatima when they were 3 and 7 in a formal ceremony and receiving the brown scapular by a beautiful Carmelite priest. I ran the children's ministry and children's masses at church. I taught their CCD classes. Their father is also very devout. We always had a priest in our home for dinner, masses said in our home, mother rosary groups with children running around, Renew groups in our home.....hopefully, they will return. St Monica is my go to girl.
I found this site Seraphic Mass association after my mom passed away.You can request a single mass ,novena of Mass' and they also have Gregorian Mass. 10 us dollars for Mass.They are located in Pittsburgh,PA but use the missions to celebrate Mass. http://www.seraphicmass.org/
"He will strike at your heel and you will crush his head." We are the Achilles heel of the Blessed Mother, the weak spot the enemy can attack to wound our mother. Our children are the weak spot for us, the heel of the heel of Mary. I fully expect her to arouse our children and bring them to full service in this storm. What a humiliation it will be for the enemy to be crushed by the heel of her heel!
Kathy, I read somewhere that a very worried Parent asked about the fact that her children did not believe and what she could do. The reply was to pray the rosary and leave the rest to her. I think everyone has this problem right now. No one in my family I think believes. The only thing I can do is pray as much as I can for them and for all the rest who dont believe either. There are so many that prayers seem so small but they are all I have at the moment. I will pray for your children and the children of all the people on the board. I love this board for the prayer requests. I like going into the Church with a list of those who need prayers. It makes praying so much easer.
I like that IJoP - Offer your distressed Heart to the Lord - sacrifice of praise. I will remember that. I have started to think a lot more about the Little Child of Prague, as we call him, because of your name.
