Saints' Discussion Forums

This has been on my mind for such a long time...... I have family members and friends who either don't believe, or don't attend church or don't practice their (Christian) faith. I realize that I'm not God and don't know the state of their soul... but this not knowing, and the possibility of them being on the wrong path, often scares me so much. My greatest fear is that my family might not make it to Heaven. Is it judgemental to have this fear?

but Im wondering, what can I do to help? if you pray for someone every day and offer sacrifices for them, is there a chance they will have a full conversion of heart? I don't think they are completely closed to God.. for example, one of my family members wants to go to church, but feels like she has no time for spiritual things. It seems like maybe they just need some encouragement. But no matter how much I pray, nothing seems to happen! I want their salvation so much.. I dont know what to do and I get discouraged easily.

Do you guys have any advice? thank you :) I feel like this is a burden that I have to carry every day, and sometimes it is heavy.

I was thinking of getting a Mass offered for them.....but how do I ask a priest?
also, I want to do the Irresistible Novena.. (54 Rosaries).

I know the heavy burden of having a fallen away and so forth family. But I've also seen so far my relatives as they get older, slowly get better.. and do things I never thought they would do that put me more at peace with each.. my grandmother confessing shortly before her stroke.. after having been away for decades.. my grandfather confessing shortly before his unexpected death..

I attribute this as likely due to some of the prayers and devotions I've done.. that have promises for one's family and those whom we pray for to them..

Particularly, the prayers of St. Bridget, and the Green Scapular..  Are you familiar with these? We talked about them a little earlier. (http://saintsworks.net/forums/index.php?topic=202.msg2725#msg2725)

Also the Miraculous Medal... I like your Irresistable Novena idea.. one can offer up novenas of masses and Holy Communions too.. :)

 God is merciful.  Most people are fairly mindless (about most things) and don't think about more than superficial things.  That's a bit different than choosing to reject God, Jesus, and the Church.  I firmly believe in Purgatory for hearts that are a bit daft.  :+:

Regarding family I think we are all in the same boat either with immediate members or extended.
I know that I myself not having practised my faith for many years am nearly more dogmatic than those who prayed for my recovery. :)
I can only say that I was called back purely by the most loving, non condemning charms of the Blessed Virgin who my parents and grandparents had great devotion. What a most merciful and loving Mother we all have. St Luis de Monfort said, " I don't care if you have already one foot in hell, if you sincerely call on her help she will not leave you abandonned."
Pray to Her for your family with unlimeted trust, never doubting Her power before the Throne of God and great miracles will be seen in your loved ones.

That's reassuring. :)

This is such a scary topic for me (my daughter and grandkids), as it must be for so many. You made me chuckle  :D with calling their hearts "a bit daft". Thank you!

I've been thinking about that a lot.. cause many of my friends and family are like that, they don't reject God I think but they just don't think about spiritual things or sin. But I'm wondering, does it depend? for example in the Catechism it says that hardness of heart is not an excuse.. so maybe it depends on the reason why people are like that? we can't know teh reason I guess, that's only for God to judge... (which just shows why we shouldn't and can't judge others :)). I hope God would be merciful to us all! Even though I spend much time thinking about spiritual things I still sin lots and disobey God in many ways.. :( so I'm not any better, perhaps worse, for this reason.

Yes, you're right, only He can know the reason(s). I try to remember that about my family, but  ::). Since we - as Catholics - have a better knowledge of what He wants us to do, we have more responsibility and His Mercy is really needed for me, I know.

I thought this was a good thread to post this prayer in since one of the promises for saying this prayer is  salvation of family.....Record the date you started

DEVOTION TO THE DROPS OF BLOOD LOST BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ON HIS WAY TO CALVARY

     St. Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary, with St. Matilda and St. Bridget, wishing to know something of the Passion of Jesus Christ, offered fervent and special prayers, upon which Our Lord revealed to them:

To all the faithful who shall recite for 3 years, each day, 2 "Our Fathers", 2 "Hail Marys" and 2 "Glory Bes", in honor of the drops of Blood I lost, I will concede the following 5 graces:

1st  The plenary indulgence and remittance of your sins.

2nd  You will be free from the pains of Purgatory.

3rd  If you should die before completing the said 3 years, for you it will be the same as if you had completed them.

4th  It will be upon your death the same as if you had shed all your blood for the Holy Faith.

5th  I will descend from Heaven to take your soul and that of your relatives, until the fourth generation.

Blessed by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII in Rome, April 5, 1890.

Wow! Those are some promises.

Dear MarysLittleFlower,

Please keep praying and offering sacrifices for your family and friends and recommend them to the Blessed Mary...and do what St. Padre Pio says: pray, hope and don't worry.  Know that these prayers and sacrifices you offer up for these people can gain them the graces they need for deathbed conversions, if they don't convert beforehand.  Also, you can pray the prayers associated with a promise from Christ for the salvation of family members.  Pray for the conversion of your family and friends everyday and trust in the power of prayer.

We must trust in the benevolence of God even though we know that few are saved. Among those few, we must pray, hope and work for ourselves and all we can to be.  :D

Yes, if you pray for someone every day and offer sacrifices for them there is a chance they will have a full conversion of heart.  Definitely.  It happened with St. Monica and St. Augustine (she prayed for a very long number of years for her son) and it happened with Fr. Corapi's mother who prayed for her son Fr. John Corapi for many years, as well.

Mary told the children of Fatima that many souls go to hell because they have no one to pray for them.  So pray for your family so that they don't have to go to hell and drop seeds on the soil of their hearts every now and then and be a good example to them...and definitely trust that the Lord hears all your heartfelt prayers.

Worrying won't help your family and friends get to heaven, but your prayers will along with your good example and the seeds you plant withing these people's hearts.