When Someone You Love Walks Away From God / Leaves the Church

Oh the irony of being named Monica. My own son walked away from our Heavenly Father when He didn't answer his prayer, begging God to save the life of his best friend's father. He was 15. I've prayed now for 11 years for his return, to a minimum of him just believing again. Last year a friend went to Stubenville and met a woman who helped start Millions of Monicas and in January, I started this ministry at my own parish. Embarrassed and ashamed to speak in front of each Mass, I was shocked that we had 25 women show up at our first meeting. Any changes... for the first time in 11 years, rather than sneaking out the back during communion at a Mass for his grandpa, he walked up and received a blessing. He hears and He answers in His own time. I'll count that blessing as a win and will, as patiently as possible, continue to pray for the day he is completely back.

I spent 29 years away from the Church as a dyed-in-the-wool atheist and came back recently. I married another cradle Catholic who I led away during our courtship. Our kids are unbaptised. And now I'm trying to lead her back (first her, then the kids, my priest says). I'm optimistic that she'll come back to mass with me any week now. The "trick," in my experience, is to show quiet spiritual discipline: let her see that you're reading scripture daily, go to mass every week and tell her what you liked and didn't like... Don't be too overbearing. Have humility. Listen. Slow and steady wins the race. This seems to be working in my situation. Maybe it will work for you too.

My daughter went to Catholic school from 1st to 12th grade. She appreciates her great education but she walked away from the faith at ASU and then graduated and got married to a non Catholic so I feel sad but she won’t even talk about it with me. I took my son out of Catholic school when he was 8 and sent him to public school biggest mistake I ever made because he needed the guidance more than she did. now he has turned into a trans person and I feel like he’s lost. I pray for him and her every day. I pray a lot for him because he is so defiant I try not to blame myself, but sometimes that’s all Ican do. I was confirmed later on in life I named myself Monica after Saint Monica …my tears could fill an ocean.

A spiritual director told me that I have to remember that God is always working, even if I can't see it. God wants my loved ones to be reunited in the Body of Christ even more than I do. Everyone is on a different spiritual journey, some just take a bit longer to find the right path.

Lord please heal those who have left the church and lead them home

Continue to pray for those in need of the Lord 🙏

I walked away from the church when I was just 16. It took me 20 years but I did find God again. If you’re praying for someone, don’t stop praying and don’t stop loving them. If they are open to it, talk to them. I think if I had someone to talk to about faith and doubt I may have come back sooner, maybe never would have left. But everything happens in God’s time, not ours.

Several of my 6 children have walked away from the Church . The hypocrisy and lack of Christ’s example they’ve experienced is heartbreaking! Still praying for us !❤️🙏❤️

Hallelujah!!!! The daily jesus devotional has been a huge part of my transformation, God is good 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻was owning a loan of $47,000 to the bank for my son's brain surgery (David), Now I'm no longer in debt after I invested $12,000 and got my payout of m $270,500 every months,God bless Christy Fiore🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸..

"Where there is life there is hope".... quote from my mom. Why we have to honor the natural sanctity of life. Always.

I spent 40 years away from the church. I never stopped loving Our Lord and always prayed but I did not attend church. I walked back in church 9 years ago and have attended ever since. I feel his presence and he has helped me more than I can say. Love you Fr. Mike!

This was very encouraging and exactly what I needed to hear today. My 29 year old has left the church and is now transgender. Sometimes it feels like praying isn't enough, but I continue to pray. Thank you for this message, Father.

Attended Mass in the 70s when I was little. Now starting RCIA (OCIA). God is FAITHFUL. GOD IS GOOD. GOD IS LOVE.

The only thing good in this world is God’s Presence ❤

Thank you Father for this. I do beat myself up over my children not having the Faith I would love them to have. God is so good....I will keep praying with complete trust and faith..

I am praying for my parents. They are boomers and it seems their generation has a lot of disrespect for the church. I pray I can get then to just believe again before they die.

Every single solitary video with father, Mike Schmitz is so inspiring. Thank you God for such an incredible evangelizer and witness to the faith.

Thank you Father Mike. My grandson decided the Catholic Religion is a cult and has walked away. He does not participate in anything. Please God of Hope help him to realize that without God in our lives, we are nothing.

I'm always thinking about St Monica, because I pray for my son and his family to come to the Catholic faith. Thanks for reminding us to pray always, and not give up. God be with you and your family. Claire.

I've been praying for My children conversion and salvation I go to daily mass and pray two hours a day for the conversion and salvation of my family i know through my prayers we are all going to be saved