A Catholic priest is reaching millions of TikTok users and growing by sharing his story of turning away from drugs and living a life filled with the Holy Spirit.
Father Frankie Cicero, who has amassed nearly 14 million likes on TikTok, says he experienced a “wild ride of God's goodness” after turning to the Savior. The Catholic priest told Fox News Digital that although he was raised Catholic, he “ran away from his faith” at the age of 18 after his father, who struggled with drug addiction, abandoned his family, left him homeless and fed on food stamps. '' he said.
“At the end of the day, I was really angry at the Lord, but my anger was misplaced,” he said. “I should never have been angry with the Lord. I should have been more angry with my father, but I was angry with the Lord because I said, 'What you asked me to do. I've done everything…I've quit drugs.'' “I can't drink, I want to save money for marriage, and this is what you're proposing to me.'' I went. ”
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Father Frankie, who found himself falling into a “lifestyle of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity,” said that one night while working at a bar, he felt like everything was moving in slow motion. He realized his broken life and wanted to come to Jesus.
“At that moment, I remember realizing that I had everything the world said would bring happiness,” he recalled. “I said to myself, 'I'm more broken. I'm more alone and I completely hate who I am.' “It was the first time in six years that I prayed to God. So I reached into the bar at 1 a.m. and cried out to the Lord.”
Reverts remember telling God that they are ready to return to faith and follow God's plan.
“I just felt a rush of his love, his presence, his acceptance. That love flooded my heart and really gave me the courage to leave.”
Father Frankie said he then went to confession, spent many hours in the chapel before the Lord, asked the Lord what He wanted, and felt the Holy Spirit calling him to the priesthood. His cousin, who was already ordained, helped him find his calling.
“I looked straight at the Lord. Jesus “Jesus, I know you called me to be a priest, but you are truly a loving and merciful God.” Is there a way to give a physical sign? When I closed my eyes, opened my Bible, and looked down, the first words I saw were, “Follow Me.” Matthew: 9:9, St. Matthew's Call from the Tax Collector…And I wrote in my Bible on August 8, 2009, 'Confirmation to the Priesthood.'
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Father Frankie encourages people to use social media in moderation and uses TikTok as a tool to teach others about God. His online ministry began during the pandemic to reach people at home. He realized the power of the medium to teach others about Jesus when his TikTok video explaining how to make the Sign of the Cross and his demonstration reached nearly 5 million views.
The priest said that while digital evangelism is “beautiful and good,” it cannot replace a personal relationship with God, where one can find true “meaning and purpose.”
“People just think that living your life for Jesus is boring, but if you put Jesus at the center of your life, it will be the best thing you will ever experience. It will be one of the greatest and most beautiful adventures,” said Fr. . Franky turned around.
“When you touch it, lord jesus, when you experience being saved by His mercy and love, you think, “I just want everyone to know this”… He broke through my shame. He helped me overcome my addiction. …When I just went before him, it was just like, “Lord, I just want to live for You and everything You want.” it doesn't matter. It's just that I don't want to live without you anymore. ”
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