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saints
Question from jessie on 12/15/2011:

was there ever a saint that questioned there faith or that did not know what they were on earth for?

Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 4/24/2012:

Most saints are afflicted with darkness of faith at some point in their life. St. John of the Cross describes such purifications in his Ascent of Mt. Carmel, and other writings. By darkness, or dark night, is meant, no consolation in believing. Consolations sustain our human weakness, by giving us a feeling of having God close. However, they can become a crutch, and then God takes them away. St. Paul in Galatians 2:2 describes how he was "crucified" and lived by only faith. During such a trial the Christian "proves" his faith in God, by continuing to live according to it, despite the lack of any supporting consolation.

Certainly, before their conversion those who went on to become saints often were unbelievers or doubters. But a real lack of faith or the presence of doubt is incompatible with faith and with holiness. However, we must be clear. Doubt does not mean lack of understanding what God has revealed, it means uncertainty about the truth of what God has revealed. That's doubting God and a sin against faith. For example, to say I don't understand the Trinity, or the Eucharist, or how or when the pope speaks infallibly, is not a doubt of faith, but a lack of understanding. However, to say I doubt God is Triune, that Christ is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist, or that the Pope can speak infallibly on matters of faith and morals in the circumstances the teaching describes, is a doubt against faith, and gravely sinful if done with full knowledge and consent.

Doubts often arise as a result of challenges to our faith, whether from the world, from our own attractions of the flesh (the Church teaches something that we want is wrong), or from the devil. It is only sinful if we embrace it. If we resist, if we pray "I do believe, Lord, help my unbelief" (Mk. 9:24) then we act virtuously and meritoriously. THAT is how the believer deals with doubt and becomes a saint.

God bless.

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