close to the edge... Pt 2

[2thepoint]

...I'm looking for additional spiritual guidance from a Catholic perspective

Have you looked into DivorceCare in your area? These are usually run by religious organizations. You will find tremendous support there and you will learn a lot about how best to deal with the situation you are in. There is no charge for this other than an initial $15-20 fee for the workbook they provide. I believe the program is about 13 weeks in length and you can start mid-stream and circle back around when the next series starts, usually after a few weeks break.

Secondly, my W has always been very involved in church and faith, and yet finds it very easy to walk away from her marriage... the Bible is very clear on marriage being a covenant before God... I am hoping that a priest may be able to talk to W and at least get her in the same room with me so that we can discuss and get counseled

Have you ever been to an aquarium? Ever stood before those thick glassed walls with the fish staring back at you? Ever thought that you could scream at the fish and they'd actually hear you or even care that you are screaming at them? If the fish were catholic, do you think a priest screaming at them would cause them to hear?

This is your W right now. As far as she is concerned, you have 2 heads and a priest has 3. She will not hear, she will not listen...until she is ready, if ever.

That is the way it is....right now. It may be different later but this is you and your W's reality. Accept it and try to figure out how you are going to survive. Because if you don't, this thing will eat you alive. Think of Jonah and the whale, except you ain't getting out unless you figure this out, and quick!

Prayer and meditation may not bring my W back, but I feel as though I have to try.

There is nothing wrong with this. But as the old proverb says, you can feed a man a fish and he eats for a day. But if you teach a man to fish he will never go hungry. Prayer and meditation are only going to get you so far and will likely end in failure and frustration if that is all you are going to do. Don't you think you ought to get about the job of fishing for new solutions and ways to cope?

..with just a few minor missteps along the way I have followed exactly what my IC and DB coach have advised and nothing has changed... in fact it appears to me as if things have gotten worse.

Have you read the DR or DB book? If you have then you will know that you must give it time. If you think from mid-May to mid-July is a long time, then you ain't seen nothing yet! Take a look at some of the time lines on some of the other threads. Some have lasted years. LaBug suggested you take a look at LITB's thread. You might also want to look at Denver_2010's thread. His sitch lasted nearly 2 years and he is only now moving to piecing.

Stop and take a breath. Consider the advice you are receiving and try something different.

Wishing you all the best!