Hi, guys —

Ave Maria!

I am confused. We have the term spiritual direction. It is often used to refer to guidance that leads a person deeper into their spiritual life. There is also another term pastoral care.

• Would that be a bit different from spiritual direction or does it just refer to everything the Priests do for the parishioners in a parish?

I would like to get help from a Priest but I don't just need guidance that leads me deeper into my spiritual life. I need something more.

• Can you go to a Priest and get help with your spiritual problems?

One Priest whom I spoke with only tried to explain what the Church teaches rather than help with my spiritual problems/issues. He was a former politician. Another Priest with whom I spoke with was extremely wise and said that he would meet people who had a life crisis or darkness, of some sort, in their life. He would have probably been a good Priest to talk with but he has since passed away. I wasn't ready to seek real help from him back when he was alive.

I am a non-Catholic who wants to become a Catholic. My issue is not that I haven't read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other things about teachings of the Church — I have; I have even read Aquinas.

Spiritual direction seems to be about explaining the faith to someone who just wants to grow in holiness. I need something else. Perhaps a Priest who can help me deal with some inner darkness and confusion I have.

• Do Priests help with such things?

I think they should be able to help but I am not sure how Priests do this. I think when people have inner darkness it refers to having a need to go to Confession. We need to seek forgiveness from Life Itself. Seeking help from a Priest would be different than seeking help from someone who knows pedagogy and psychology as the Priest helps you take that inner darkness into Confession.

It's a lot about the forgiveness.

• How do Priests help people with this?

Henrik