Expert: Padraig Caughey - 7/3/2007

Question
I saw your pro-file and I wondered when I feel the Holy Spirit is leading me in a direction how do I know I am hearing it right. This has only happened a few times, but in the last 5 years its only been when I'm anxious to lean on God and trust him, not my social fears around me. Also when receiving the Body of Christ at the Eucharist I feel a good sense inside of me that to describe would be like describing smell to someone who has never smelled anything. I'm 26, but as a teenager I would have other feelings like people to pray for and one was that its the Holy Spirit helping me with my Anxiety. I feel I'm doing the right thing in holding these things in my heart as true messages. Am I correct. Also, when I don't feel this special feeling at the Eucharist I am scared I may have done something wrong. Should I just have faith in confession and from there that God will appear when its in his will.

Answer
Michael,

I believe you should find yourself a wise and Holy Spiritual Director, someone to help shepherd you along God's path. I recommend you spend a period of prayer and fasting asking God to help you find such a person.
About the rest , well I would need to know more before being certain, but I suspect they are genuine, such things are much less rare than folks think they are. be at peace, trust in the Lord. God Bless.