Finding God in Darkness

The phrase “dark night of the soul” is thrown around quite a bit in Catholic circles, but what does it mean exactly? In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains precisely what is happening in our souls when we feel this kind of spiritual darkness, and he encourages us to hang in there when it happens; because it means God is preparing our souls for much greater things.

Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension:

Get 18 of Fr. Mike’s best Ascension Presents videos in this exclusive DVD from Ascension:

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SOCIAL MEDIA

[andrewjackson]

I wasn’t a Catholic when I first started watching Father Mike, But now I have many books on catholicism and want to know all about it. Even wearing a saint Christopher medal XD thank you Father Mike!

[MariaPullatt]

"Choose God for His sake, not for His gifts." OH MY GOSH!

Mind = BLOWN. I needed this, I needed to stop treating my poor Lord like my monthly visit to the grocery store. :( *runs off to confession*

[carolereynolds-gr]

I have been in the Dark Night of my Soul for months now. I can see it's value; I am growing spiritually and I hope that I am learning to be more patient. I will be rewatching this lesson again and again to be able to continue to get to the other side of this; it has been a very difficult time. Fr. Schmitz thank you so much for your help.

[Mariner]

As a historian who studies dark moments in human history and as a Roman Catholic who believes in God and Heaven, I really need to hear these lectures. I am dealing with the passing of my grandfather who was in my life for 27 years. Please pray for me. And please pray for my grandfather.

[TheSongNinja]

I am struggling with a deep depression I haven’t felt since postpartum, so I am asking everyone to please pray for me. I am working with my priest and my doctor to try to resolve this as quickly and healthfully as possible. I ask that you pray for me and my daughter. We are safe. We're just going through a rough time. May God bless you all💚

[angelaseminara]

You mentioned depression in this video, and I was just thinking maybe you can do a video on keeping your faith strong through mental illness

[acolish]

It's nice to know that if the whole seminary/priest thing hadn't worked out, you totally could have made it as a Backstreet Boy.

Great video. When I first encountered God, I began to love him because it felt good. It was really all about me. My growth in the spiritual life has shown me that love really isn't about me at all. Dry periods have helped me focus less on loving God for my sake and more on loving him for his own sake.

"Backstreet's back alright!"

[hunteremery]

It is weird, I remember hating this guys videos while watching him in my catholic highschool while I was an atheist but now that I am reevaluating my faith I have found his videos very helpful. I feel like for people to truly find God, they must actively seek him for themselves rather than have others force them into it.

[LadyLeo]

I am pretty sure that YouTube doesn’t have the technology to read my mind Lol. So, I give God all of the glory. It is amazing how you pop up in my suggested videos at the exact perfect time. I am really struggling hard with depression while on a strong journey back to a closer relationship with God. I am in that so-called purgatory wave where I pray and pray, read my Bible and attend Mass while I cannot seem to pull myself out of this pit of despair. I am going to keep on pushing forward. All that to say, Thank you. Really…..thank you so much for your encouragement. God Bless.

[MikeWhiskey]

Im not Catholic and wasnt raised around religion, Love these videos! Im older and tho I tried to read the bible when I was young, it might as well been written in a foreign language. I kept trying tho, I was in my 40s before it started to click. Just saying dont quit and not that Im all that. Im nothing, been so hopelessly lost in times of my life. Jesus came and led me back. Im so blessed in God's love. God bless!

[pamelaking]

It's so hard to hang on when so much bad happens to you over and over. The depression just drags you down until you don't care about anything.

[chrissyn]

At a time when I am almost about to give up on God because of the desolation, encountering this video is like getting a clear cut answer that I shouldn't.
Thank you Father. You're a blessing.

[martinb]

Not everyone is chosen to experience the 'dark night of the soul'. However, if you are, He gives you enough grace to not only endure, but to be victorious. The longer it lasts, the more he feels you are capable, and provides the grace needed. Feel blessed that you have been chosen for this special task. Great video Fr Mike!

[Checks]

I’m listening to this at a bad time in life. Pray to our lady for me

[katherinebellendir]

Loving Jesus even if I never get heaven. Wow, that is really what I needed to hear right now

[calibanxpable]

Praying is a sign of faith. We should practice daily the things that bring us closer to the Lord.

[TJMJR]

Thank you. I am in desolation. This gives me hope.

[SoulDeepZim]

In a world that is so driven by feelings, thank you for reminding me that my feelings are not necessarily truth. God is sovereign over everything, my feelings included. Shalom. 🙏🏾

[iamdissapoint]

Yeah I smell Divine Providence in Fr. Mike's work. Like for real, I've been experiencing this kind of both sensory and spiritual desolation for quite some time and then somebody I don't even know tells me what it exactly is. I neglect everything important and neither can I focus on it enough, be it prayer or my everyday duties. I forget stuff, and when I remind myself here come the laziness and procrastination. Time slips through my fingers not even as if it was sand, but bare air. It's like I don't even have much control over that. It happens subconsciously for some part.

It's very hard to deal with it and indeed I can feel this desolation so much that I can almost grasp it with my very hands. Yet, God is my only motivation to push through all of this. All my helplessness and suffering I try to offer to Him, hoping someday I will be set free. Thank you Father Mike, God bless you.

[kellyjones]

Fr. Mike's your talks have been appropriate to everything in my life. As a new convert coming from the New Age movement. Your videos fill me with hope and joy,