A Strange And Rather Personal Topic.

[MarysLittleFlower]

I apologize if this question is too much for spiritual direction! It's not that I dont' want to ever ask a priest, but I don't have a chance right now, and the whole topic causes me some anxiety and I thought I might ask anonymously just for now? It's not strictly about religious life but I thought maybe those who are more experienced / knowledgeable in the spiritual life than myself might be able to offer some insight! (or maybe something from the lives of the Saints). So..I'm sorry if this is kind of personal :unsure: I'm not sure where to ask!

 

I recently read a beautiful story about Blessed Sr Pierina. (She lived such a holy life and was given the Holy Face devotion, like another nun named Sr Mary of St Peter... I didn't know about her before and I'm so glad I found out about her and the wonderful devotion!!). Before she was a nun, she was in church for Good Friday and everyone were venerating the Crucifix. She heard Jesus say - "No one gives Me a kiss of love on My Face to make amends for the kiss of Judas". Sr Pierina thought that everyone had heard Jesus' voice and was sad to see that no one did as He asked. However when her turn came, she kissed Jesus on His Face. Then, there's another beautiful story, - when she was a nun, she was praying before a crucifix and heard Jesus say "Kiss Me". She kissed His Face but it was no longer the statue, but Jesus Himself. (that's amazing!). I also read about St Therese and how she was very devoted to the Holy Face of Jesus and always kissed Him on His Face when venerating images. I have no doubts at all about either story or St Therese and I think they're genuine, and I think it's a very loving thing to do especially in reparation (like reparation for blasphemy).

 

However.. here's my issue. When I was younger, before I was Catholic, I was taught in my church to venerate devotional images only by kissing their feet (or near the bottom of the image, in any case not on the face). For anyone wondering, this was an Eastern Orthodox church, not Protestant (just saying this if anyone would ask). Here's a little disclaimer: I have nothing at all against Eastern spirituality. I still have icons as a Catholic. I like the East a lot too. And I'm sure the advice I was given came from a desire for reverence, which I understand and it's beautiful too. (and to be honest when I meet Jesus I would love to kiss His feet which were pierced for our salvation!). Also I'm not even saying that this is the way it's done in ALL Eastern Orthodox churches. (I also saw a picture of an Eastern Catholic nun kissing an icon of Jesus on His Face - which I thought was beautiful).

 

However, maybe because of the way I was taught as a child, or maybe because of something else, whenever I think of venerating images of Jesus in any other way, I get anxious. Sometimes when I pray and I feel love for Him I still kiss Him on the face, or His Sacred Heart, and then I wonder afterwards - am I doing something wrong? being irreverent? doing too much? etc. This is strange to me because I love the stories about Sr Pierina and I believe them - and others about the Saints. Maybe this seems like a little thing but it's like a reoccuring question and somehow this does affect my relationship with Jesus. I think when I meet Him, is it wrong to want to do certain things, like embrace Him or kiss Him. Also, maybe since I'm discerning religious life, often I like the 'bridal' imagery of our relationship with Jesus and then I get afraid of that too. I understand it all needs to be chaste, reverent, etc. But sometimes if my feelings become - I'm not saying malicious or impure in this case (I am against that) but maybe more emotional in some way (it's kind of like feeling like you're in love, but greater than romantic human love) - I also get scared.

 

hmm..sorry this is so so personal :( but I thought maybe those who are also discerning religious life (or in general those who know about spiritual things more than I do) can give me any advice. I'll pray too and hopefully discuss with a good priest. But has anyone dealt with anything similar? It's like a fear of being too 'informal' or of having the relationship with Jesus be too intimate, at the same time you can't really help how you feel because love is not something cold and distant, though there is reverence. (I love reverence actually, especially at the Mass).

Edited February 14, 2013 by MarysLittleFlower

[petitpèlerin]

Great question. I don't have much to say at this point except thanks for posing the question because it's something I've been wondering about quite a bit lately.

[MarysLittleFlower]

Thanks for the response! I thought I was the only one lol that's why I called it a strange topic  :) I hope that we can figure it out. I think what I'm confused about is the fear about the whole thing, but in the lives of the Saints I don't get afraid but they're inspiring.

Edited February 15, 2013 by MarysLittleFlower

[BarbTherese]

I think of the spousal imagery not so much in terms of human love, romance and marriage - rather in the terms of committed faithfulness (love and romance) even when the going gets rough - and of unity of spirit (marriage, the two become one).  St Paul expresses it well "I live now not I, but Christ lives in me".

The experience of "falling in love with Jesus" is probably rather a common one for those who take their baptism and commitment seriously and set out on the path of a committed spirituality, and for me this has a parallel with the engagement and 'heady' experience in human love of falling in love.  But as with human love, the intensity of this feeling does pass and it comes down to committed faithfulness which has at its foundation true love which is always expressed in committed faithfulness - and even through the difficult times.

 

I must admit that in later years the intensity of emotion of the mystics is no longer an attraction as it was in my younger years.  It was (and is) their unique experience to which I am no longer attracted - no longer have a desire to travel that same path.  Nowadays I by far prefer the often dry path of Faith.  Emotions come and go, Faith for me is stable and through the struggle times.  But The Lord draws each in a quite unique manner and unique to each person and each person's devotion expresses itself if not totally differently, then in shades of difference.

[BarbTherese]

If one has a desire to express one's love of The Lord in some quite human way such as kissing his heart, desiring to embrace Him etc. I see nothing wrong with it nor questionable. Undoubtedly possibly, Satan sighting one's love of The Lord in such a manner may try to instill questionable thoughts. It will do anything whatsoever to disturb one's Peace of Soul and Joy in The Lord. 

Anything whatsoever that is questionable etc. is only a temptation and can come from many a source - temptation does not offend The Lord - in fact, our victory over temptation is praising His Grace.

Edited February 15, 2013 by BarbaraTherese

[LadyOfSorrows]

I think of the spousal imagery not so much in terms of human love, romance and marriage - rather in the terms of committed faithfulness (love and romance) even when the going gets rough - and of unity of spirit (marriage, the two become one).  St Paul expresses it well "I live now not I, but Christ lives in me".

The experience of "falling in love with Jesus" is probably rather a common one for those who take their baptism and commitment seriously and set out on the path of a committed spirituality, and for me this has a parallel with the engagement and 'heady' experience in human love of falling in love.  But as with human love, the intensity of this feeling does pass and it comes down to committed faithfulness which has at its foundation true love which is always expressed in committed faithfulness - and even through the difficult times.

 

This.

 

Also, a good spiritual director can be a great help with these sorts of questions. You indicated that it's difficult to find one now but it's really worth trying to find one, or a priest that has known you for a little while. This question would be more easily answered by someone who knows you, your spiritual history, etc.

[whitfasaph]

this is dear, and also extremely brave of you to share.

look, you realize, males are the bride of Christ too? do you think I would be ashamed to hug my Father, or kiss my Father on the cheek?

Nope! Neither should you!

If this is a big problem for you, however, I would suggest you to stay away from such activity completely. I don't see the harm in pondering it though.

Just be cautious. Make sure it is your OWN desire, and not because of a book you have read or because of a Saint you admire.

The Saint's purposes tend to be obscure. That's all there is to it.

Jesus, as I have experienced, is quite warm! Especially to a young lady. To wash his feet, to kiss his Sacred Heart, of course!

Have you ever seen a man kiss a cross before/after he does/has done something important?

You are fine. Don't worry about it. Like the others said, ask someone who you can trust and remember to ponder the advice they give you!

Hope I helped. Bye!

 

[maximillion]

Just my twopenny worth...

 

I associate kissing the feet of the crucifix/image of Jesus/ more with humility and reverence.

I associate kissing a cross/image/crucifix/Corpus any other place ( face, body, heart) with passion/compassion/and as being more spousal.

Having belonged to a community devoted to the Sacred Heart our liturgy,  little sayings etc were full of this imagery,  we were encouraged to rest in His Heart, to offer consolation to His Most Sacred Heart and embrace It fully, and images were everywhere in the community, images which were kissed, touched, and venerated in all sorts of ways.

Our pectoral cross had a raised emblem which was His Heart and it was common to see a Sister with her fingers tracing this as she was in prayer or at other times. My own fingers knew every single crevice and line and we kissed the Heart on our crosses several times daily as part of worship.

[TheLordsSouljah]

I haven't had any permanent experience as a religious sister or anything (yet), but, ahh my very little love for Him makes me kiss Him on the Feet. Though I must say, I love St Therese - she is so simple, and you certainly sound a lot like her in your good intentions. I personally think that if one is humble and one loves, one should do to the Lord as one who is humble but one that love Him so much. Don't be afraid, don't be scrupulous. He knows and loves you as a dear friend, a brother, the Lord. 

'Love and do what you will'

[MarysLittleFlower]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the responses! :) I'll reply soon :)

[nikita92]

There isn't any protocol for such things. It is personal, thus do what is in your heart!

[MarysLittleFlower]

I think of the spousal imagery not so much in terms of human love, romance and marriage - rather in the terms of committed faithfulness (love and romance) even when the going gets rough - and of unity of spirit (marriage, the two become one).  St Paul expresses it well "I live now not I, but Christ lives in me".

The experience of "falling in love with Jesus" is probably rather a common one for those who take their baptism and commitment seriously and set out on the path of a committed spirituality, and for me this has a parallel with the engagement and 'heady' experience in human love of falling in love.  But as with human love, the intensity of this feeling does pass and it comes down to committed faithfulness which has at its foundation true love which is always expressed in committed faithfulness - and even through the difficult times.

 

I must admit that in later years the intensity of emotion of the mystics is no longer an attraction as it was in my younger years.  It was (and is) their unique experience to which I am no longer attracted - no longer have a desire to travel that same path.  Nowadays I by far prefer the often dry path of Faith.  Emotions come and go, Faith for me is stable and through the struggle times.  But The Lord draws each in a quite unique manner and unique to each person and each person's devotion expresses itself if not totally differently, then in shades of difference.

 BarbaraTherese, thanks for the reply! :) I agree with you about what love is.. I think that love is more than feelings, it's union yes and also loving when we go through difficulties/temptations/trials etc. I see that in St Therese, I think, when she loved God so greatly despite going through her spiritual trial and illness! Or when people go through the dark night of the senses/the dark night of  the soul. And then it's more about faith, I agree with you :)

 

Maybe because I'm still new (I became Catholic a few years ago) I still have to learn this more deeply and in greater ways :) I can be very weak, I think without consolations there would have been times when I would have given up. So I'm grateful to Jesus for that :) it's beautiful when people love Him without any consolations. Apparently for many people in the beginning, they experience these emotions just to help them open up to God more, to come closer to Him, etc, and then He removes the feeling of His presence a bit so we can learn how to love more selflessly ?

Edited March 13, 2013 by MarysLittleFlower

[MarysLittleFlower]

If one has a desire to express one's love of The Lord in some quite human way such as kissing his heart, desiring to embrace Him etc. I see nothing wrong with it nor questionable. Undoubtedly possibly, Satan sighting one's love of The Lord in such a manner may try to instill questionable thoughts. It will do anything whatsoever to disturb one's Peace of Soul and Joy in The Lord. 

Anything whatsoever that is questionable etc. is only a temptation and can come from many a source - temptation does not offend The Lord - in fact, our victory over temptation is praising His Grace.

 

I agree we shouldn't accept any questionable thoughts or temptations and that if we triumph over them, we gain merit..

[MarysLittleFlower]

This.

 

Also, a good spiritual director can be a great help with these sorts of questions. You indicated that it's difficult to find one now but it's really worth trying to find one, or a priest that has known you for a little while. This question would be more easily answered by someone who knows you, your spiritual history, etc.

I see what you mean! :) I do often want to speak to a spiritual director. It's a great help.

Edited March 13, 2013 by MarysLittleFlower

[MarysLittleFlower]

this is dear, and also extremely brave of you to share.

look, you realize, males are the bride of Christ too? do you think I would be ashamed to hug my Father, or kiss my Father on the cheek?

Nope! Neither should you!

If this is a big problem for you, however, I would suggest you to stay away from such activity completely. I don't see the harm in pondering it though.

Just be cautious. Make sure it is your OWN desire, and not because of a book you have read or because of a Saint you admire.

The Saint's purposes tend to be obscure. That's all there is to it.

Jesus, as I have experienced, is quite warm! Especially to a young lady. To wash his feet, to kiss his Sacred Heart, of course!

Have you ever seen a man kiss a cross before/after he does/has done something important?

You are fine. Don't worry about it. Like the others said, ask someone who you can trust and remember to ponder the advice they give you!

Hope I helped. Bye!

 

Thanks for your response! :) There have been times when I felt peace after venerating Jesus' images in this way. Although maybe we can't fully know our own motives, I would say that this is something that I would want, not just because I've read about it, because I know even before I was Catholic and read books about the Saints, I thought much about what it would be see Jesus and tried to imagine what it would be like (I'm sure greater than anything we can imagine!). I still do lol, I mean it's definitely something to look forward to. :)