{"id":9147,"date":"2024-01-24T09:36:52","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T14:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/?p=9147"},"modified":"2024-01-24T09:36:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T14:36:52","slug":"catholic-priest-who-turned-from-drugs-to-god-uses-tiktok-to-share-vital-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/2024\/01\/catholic-priest-who-turned-from-drugs-to-god-uses-tiktok-to-share-vital-message.html","title":{"rendered":"Catholic Priest Who Turned From Drugs to God Uses TikTok To Share Vital Message"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fr. Frankie\/YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Catholic priest is reaching the hearts of millions of TikTok users by sharing his story of turning away from drugs and toward a life filled with the Holy Spirit. Father Frank Cicero, who’s gained almost 14 million likes on TikTok, says he experienced a “wild ride of God’s goodness” after turning toward his Savior.<\/p>\n

The Catholic priest told Fox News Digital that he grew up Catholic, but he “ran away from faith” at 18 years old after his father, who suffered from drug addiction, abandoned the family, leaving them homeless and on food stamps. He said, “I was really angry, ultimately, at the Lord, and my anger was misplaced. I never should have been angry at the Lord. I should have been more angry at my father, but I was angry at the Lord because I was like, ‘I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me … no drugs, no alcohol. I want to save myself for marriage, and this is what you offer me.’ I was angry, and I left.”<\/p>\n

Father Frankie, who found himself indulged in a “lifestyle of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity,” was working at a bar when he says one night he felt like everything was going in slow motion. He realized he was living a broken life and had a desire to come to Jesus.\u00a0He recalled, “I remember, in this moment, recognizing that I have everything the world says brings happiness. I said to myself, ‘I am more broken. I’m more lonely, and I flat-out hate who I am.’ It was the first time in six years that I prayed to God. I reached out in the bar at 1 a.m., and I cried out to the Lord.”\u00a0Father Frankie remembers telling God that he was ready to come back to the faith and follow God’s plan.<\/p>\n

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@lifestartshere_fire<\/a> Lyrics are not direct translations but are rooted in Scriptural Principles ?? @justinbieber #bible<\/a> #preach<\/a> #christiantiktok<\/a> #catholic<\/a> #viral<\/a> \u266c Purpose – Justin Bieber<\/a><\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n