A reader of our blog gave us permission to print a moving glimpse into her conversion from the New Age, along with an excerpt from Pope Francis' "The Joy of the Gospel", and asks us all to remember to pray for those who are caught up in these false beliefs.

MS writes: "As someone that was involved in New Age just over 7 years ago, I feel that most people fall into the trap of New Age because they don't know any better. That's what happened to me. I was a cradle Catholic and in my teenage years started to pull away even though my family was still 'church-going'. I filled the void in my college years with New Age and other philosophies that justified my self-destructing lifestyle. It was one of the worst and best things that could have happened in my life. Worst because of the awful experiences I went through and best because it made me throw myself into the arms of Christ when I couldn't take it anymore. I went to Sunday Mass at another parish and I asked the priest to please pray for people that are into New Age. His response was simple and beautiful, "Just love them because that's what they are looking for."

Thank you for your important work and I ask that you please pray for  . . . all those still blinded by New Age."

MS also included this quote from Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation entitled "The Joy of the Gospel."

One who accompanies others has to realize that each person’s situation before God and their life in grace are mysteries which no one can fully know from without. The Gospel tells us to correct others and to help them to grow on the basis of a recognition of the objective evil of their actions (cf. Mt 18:15), but without making judgments about their responsibility and culpability (cf. Mt 7:1; Lk 6:37). Someone good at such accompaniment does not give in to frustrations or fears. He or she invites others to let themselves be healed, to take up their mat, embrace the cross, leave all behind and go forth ever anew to proclaim the Gospel. Our personal experience of being accompanied and assisted, and of openness to those who accompany us, will teach us to be patient and compassionate with others, and to find the right way to gain their trust, their openness and their readiness to grow (No. 172).

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