I just listened to lesson 9 CD, and something that Carolyn said really hit home. She talked about being Catholic and not feeling good enough for God. We Catholics do know how to feel guilty!! Seriously, as I listened to the CD, I was feeling really guilty over not going to Mass tonight for Holy Thursday. How do I get over guilt feelings like this? My guilty feelings are not ones that I can go to another and ask forgiveness for. I can tell myself that it's silly to feel this way over not going to church on a day that is not an obligation, but that doesn't help. Any suggestions?

My husband has always said that I feel guilty over things that I shouldn't feel guilty about. How do you get past this?

I'd appreciate any help! Thanks!

Hi LavenderLover, I can see what you mean. I didn't do much for Lent because of my migraines, been sick most of Lent and still am not feeling well. So for Lent I chose to do something good, the Program. I believe that Our Lord wants me to be healthy because He is a Loving God. Sometimes I think, I really believe that we need to take care of ourselves. I didn't go to Holy Thursday either. My husband did though, and my hope is that on Good Friday we can attend the 3 p.m. service. My husband tells me exactly the same thing your husband is telling you. I hope that this is some support to you.
My husband says God knows the intention of your will and how you wished to be there. Holy Thursday is only requested of the Church that we attend, not mandatory. How does one resolve guilt? What makes a sin a sin is the intention of the will. Example: I can be driving down the street and hit a person with my car and be either innocent or guilty. If my intention was to hit the person, I'm guilty. If my intention was not, I am innocent. God does not set the demands on us that we do. God knows your state of life with your children and husband.
There is no obligation for those who are sick. I have a learning disabled son living at home and on medication. He has a hard time adjusting to the meds and suffering depression. We get him to church when he is able. I hope this helps you, as one Catholic to another.

Thanks! From Fat Tuesday through the Friday after Ash Wed., I was stressing out something terrible because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do for Lent. The thought came to me during my wonderful pastor's homily on Sunday: to do the program. So I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying.

I just really hate feeling guilty about things that I don't need to feel guilty about!

I hope your migraines go away. I used to have them frequently, but thankfully since I've been doing the program they have decreased greatly!

Thanks again.

Hope you get back to me more often about the migraines. Been daily. Glad you're feeling better already. I know this program is making me feel so much better already, only into session 5. Keep in touch!

Years 'n' years ago I attended a Roman Catholic youth group. Someone there said that there's a difference between being guilty and feeling guilty. Wise words. Feeling gulty may be just you thinking of something you did years ago and which you are now forgiven and your body is reexperiencing it again. Many times feeling guilty is a lie. So ask yourself, are you really guilty or do you just feel guilty? SOmetimes we feel guilty about things of no eternal consequence, like going opff your regimine and having a cookie. Those things are not a reason to beat your self up but instead learn from

I love Mr.Mouse's response to this post. I don't have a "formula" for letting go of guilt, for me it was a gradual process. Let it unfold and try to remember that God loves us and understands our deepest self. He knows our true self-He knows we are loving and kind.

When my brother came back from Nam he stopped going to church-because he said that God was everywhere and he got more out of walking in the woods than going into a building. I didn't understand that all those years ago because I went to church out of FEAR- I followed the RULES - I understand now.

I don't do spiritual things because I'm trying to make points or bec. God won't like me if...

Let us know how the process goes for you, C.