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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Has he had/does he have a spiritual director?  Not another person like himself but somebody with real experience in the spiritual life and the wisdom to guide others. Someone more like the person he says he wants to be than who he is right now. It sounds as if he has not yet developed a very mature spiritual life, and that he is operating on a more emotional and romantic view of things that is more narcissistic than other directed.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a saint. Desire for sanctity is a prerequisite for it. One of the best ways to become more holy is to find a Catholic volunteer group doing hands on work with the poor and neglected.

His intellectual interest in Catholicism is not, by itself, a cause for concern. Catholicism has an incredible history and a marvelous intellectual tradition. But it does sound like he is rather more a bore than a scholar. Finding other people interested in Church history and/or philosophy/theology could help lead him on the right path.

PP’s are right that argument and criticism won’t dissuade him. Depending on who he is associated with he may already be well armed with refutations. Suggestions to increase his concrete involvement with others (as opposed to a mind trip) and put faith into action (rather than just talking about it) are much more likely to succeed.

Excessive religiosity can be a warning sign for mental illness. But one person’s excess is another’s [b]total dedication to mission.[/b] Good luck helping him along. [/quote]

Find me a Catholic priest who says "total dedication to mission" involves dropping out of life and hiding in your parent's basement waiting for God to make something happen. You won't be able to.[/quote]

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