We’ve all seen it before.
Whether it’s your child, sibling, or friend, we all know someone who has left the Catholic Faith.
No matter your relationship with the person, it is always painful to see the treasury and graces of the Catholic Church left abandoned by one who needs them the most.
When a loved one leaves the Church, you may understandably feel frustrated or confused. You may fear for their soul, mourn the loss of their companionship in the Faith, or be hurt by their rejection of something you hold so dear.
However you feel, we all understand the importance of praying for their return back to the truth of the Catholic Church. But we can feel overwhelmed…What are we supposed to say to them?
How can we help them see what they have lost?
Each person is different. Each walk of faith will vary. However, there is one thing that will be certain to help: letting love fill your heart.
In his beloved book, Search and Rescue: How to Bring Your Family and Friends into–or Back into–the Catholic Church, Patrick Madrid recognizes the absolute necessity of love when helping a loved one return to the Church.
Drawing from the wisdom of the saints, Patrick Madrid writes:
“The key to success in your own search-and-rescue mission lies in the quiet recesses of your own heart: love. To win your family and friends to the Faith, you must develop the heart of an apostle (one who is sent) – a heart full of love for Christ and for souls.”
Recognizing that this is easier said than done, Madrid goes on to give helpful guidance on how to achieve this heart of an apostle:
1. Prayer
2. Absolute trust in God
3. Humility
4. Perseverance
5. Love
So, if you are longing for a loved one to return to the Catholic Church, do not despair! Remember that Christ is longing for their return right alongside you and that He will fight for their love! In the meantime, focus on cultivating a heart of love that will help draw them towards the profound reality of Christ’s Love.
Patrick Madrid’s Search and Rescue is a beloved Catholic book for good reason! It breaks down the most effective, time-tested methods for bringing family and friends into—or back into—the Church and walks you through them with wisdom and guidance from the saints. Bring home your copy today from The Catholic Company!
