Recent content by Annolennar

Thanks all for your replies! I'm going to head over there after work today - supposed to be open for Adoration (which was always a huge spiritual comfort to me). If he's there maybe I can talk to the priest, or if not at least get information to set up a meeting. @GoingByzantine: I think I...

I've been telling myself for a long time that I wasn't lapsed, that I was just busy with life or in a "weird place" or between churches. I didn't have any major crisis of faith. But I had the realization that I can't remember the last time I went to Mass. I only came to the Church when I was...

I just want to add this: there is a difference between grave sin and mortal sin. The Catechism clearly defines mortal sin: I wouldn't tell your friend that it is a mortal sin. One, because it probably isn't (depends on the individual case), and two, because we Catholics have a tendency to go...

Excellent post! :)

I bet the word "sign" is in there somewhere. "Sacrament" is a more modern word used to categorize certain signs in a religious context. Depending on your translation I would expect to find it. Early developments in sacramental theology are recorded in the writings of the Early Church Fathers...

I think that is the "typical" Catholic view, and Catholics are free to accept it or not, much like the stance on Creation. Premillenialism is officially disapproved of ("Cannot be safely taught"), but the Catholic stance isn't dogmatically defined.

By definition, when talking about "forms" of something you are talking about fundamentally one underlying reality. In a religious context, there is usually one normative form of a sacrament. In sacramental theology, a sacrament is an efficacious exterior sign of an interior spiritual...

I don't think Luther was fundamentally a bad man. He certainly had a head for theology, and some good intentions. Sadly, he got caught up in politics and no small amount of ego, I suspect. If he had made a few (albeit significant) different decisions, there is every likelyhood that he would be...

Certainly a valid point, and fundamentally in agreement with Catholic doctrine. I believe MoreCoffee was referring to the various accounts of baptisms in the New Testament, and the beliefs and principles expressed therein. Baptismal forms have certainly branched out over the centuries, but...

Seems a little dramatic, considering my point was mostly for comedic value... Plus, foils typically don't slash. At best they leave light bruises. Aren't you trying to understand what MoreCoffee was referring to by "baptismal forms"? It seems reasonable that some basic research to see what...

This is fantastic! If there is one thing that I have always hoped for, and that would be a great sign of hope to me personally, it would be the reunion of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Any step towards that, no matter how small, makes me quite happy. :)

LOL! I thought I sounded familiar in all those posts I made! :D

You shouldn't feel the need to defend yourself. Speaking from personal experience, trying to share a calling to someone who has not had that calling can be difficult. Take folks with religious vows for example. Try explaining celibacy or poverty or obedience to someone who doesn't share that...

Touche! :) But "baptism" is likely to come up with most of the same relevant verses if you search with just that. Searching for other people's articles on the subject will likely narrow down the results nicely though. I mean, if searching online is too stressful or time-consuming, then...

Nice. Seriously, have sock puppet accounts become a "Thing" on CF since the last time I was here? This is the second serious accusation of this levelled at me alone in as many days (and I only came back two days ago!) Or do y'all just live in a world where you perceive everyone to be...