Dearest Westerner gone East,

You have received such awesome responses by our forum brethren that I cannot say anything better. All I can say is that we all go through periods of dryness in our faith, and unfortunatly, sometimes it takes trial and tribulation to get us back on track. Many of us have faced the 'dark night of the soul' when we feel that God has turned His face from us, and we feel unloved, because if God doesn't love us, how can anyone else? That is usually the time when you will meet love in your fellow man, because that is how God is actually showing us His love, by sending those people into our lives--to touch our souls with the love, concern and edification we are all called to show others each and every day. I had been touched like that during my own 'dark night' by people I know at work and in church, by good priests I know, by the good people of this amazing forum, and even by priests on the internet, like Father Gregory who used to post here.

What our brothers have said about perseverence in prayer is what the holiest spiritual fathers will tell their spiritual children at these times. Keep on praying, going to church, fasting, etc., even if you don't feel it, because this combats the feeling of despair and hopelessness which the evil one wishes to conquer us with...and know that most of us here do NOT belong to a 'clique', we are all equal brethren sharing in love, compassion and faith, and that we love you and are praying for you. Feel free to pm me or anyone else at anytime with any further thoughts and feelings because that is what we are here for! I believe that we are unique among internet forums in that we come from many different faith traditions, and we are, on the most part, not here to prosletyze or to judge, (or I don't think we would like it here very much) but to share our love for Jesus Christ, His Church, East and West, and the unity He desires-- so be assured that our hearts are loving, compassionate, and open for you and for everyone else.

In Christ our Lord and Saviour,
God bless,
Alice