conversion questions

Vox Clamantis said:

Hi! To answer some of your questions:



Mary and Jesus were both conceived and born without the stain of original sin -- just like Adam and Eve (St. John the Baptist, too, was born -- though not conceived -- without sin as he was filled with grace even in his mother's womb: Luke 1:13-15 "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.")

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I'm still confused on this issue. Sister told us differently but I can't find anything to back up what she said. After the holiday break, I'll ask her and try to find out where she found that the Church teaches John's Immaculate Conception.

3) Confession can be hard. And embarrassing. The trick is to find a traditionalist priest who still uses confessionals and not do those face-to-face chats that have become popular since Vatican II. The only way to get through the embarrassment of confession is to remember that Christ commands it, that it isn't THAT bad, and that when it's over, you WILL feel like a million bucks. See this page on the whys of Confession:


God bless...

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I also prefer a confessional and not the face to face confessions. I know drive to another town so that I am comfortable confessing to a priest who doesn't know me at all. I truly wish I could make confession in my own church, but I'm just not comfortable doing this face to face.

I am sure we can recommend a catholic church near you where that won't happen

May the Lord be with you

kimber1 said:

argh, i'm always on during the day! maybe i need to add you? i'll go look your info up in a sec...
honestly, i think so too. i am so drawn to this and i honestly don't think God would have given me such a passion for learning about this and all if He wasn't guiding me this way.

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something else that is bothering me, i went ot my church last night and naturally with the time of year, it was focused on Jesus' birth so again naturally Mary was mentioned. the comments from my pastor just left me sick. talking about how "other religions" worship her and how wrong it is, and then looking around at all the noddings of heads adn the amen's...i felt like walking out.....

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How would your pastor answer the following:
"Was Jesus God while in Mary's womb?;
"Did she give birth to God?"?

I have a strong hunch I would not be at ease with his answers.

kimber1 said:

argh, i'm always on during the day! maybe i need to add you? i'll go look your info up in a sec...
honestly, i think so too. i am so drawn to this and i honestly don't think God would have given me such a passion for learning about this and all if He wasn't guiding me this way. i have some obstacles to get over for sure, mainly my husband, but all in time right?
one thing that has seriously touched my heart and opened my eyes was a booklet given to me () called 'pillar of fire pillar of truth'. that has to be the most incredible thing i've ever read concerning the Catholic faith and the way it was explained...i seriously felt a tug at my heart.

something else that is bothering me, i went ot my church last night and naturally with the time of year, it was focused on Jesus' birth so again naturally Mary was mentioned. the comments from my pastor just left me sick. talking about how "other religions" worship her and how wrong it is, and then looking around at all the noddings of heads adn the amen's...i felt like walking out.....

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You may come to a point, as I did, where you no longer belong in your current church.

Where the Spirit leads, we must follow.

I will try to keep this brief.

... "my areas of concerns are"...

"2)Why Rosary is a dedication to her? Isnt it the same as praying to her when we recite the Rosary?"

The Rosary is a prayer (a request) to Mary to pray for us. It is also meditative reflection on the events of Our Lord's life, death and resurrection. It is also a reflection on some episodes of Our Blessed Mother's life.

We use the word 'pray' in its actual root meaning: to ask. Just as you can ask someone on earth to pray for you, you can ask Mary to pray for you. In the Rosary, every time you say a Hail Mary, you ask her to pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death.

"3)Confession to priest -- how to make it possible for ppl like me who don't readily open up my feelings to anyone?"

You don't need to discuss your feelings with the priest. One just confesses one's sins, simply.

"4)Why posters of catholics always portray Jesus in infant form? Carry in the arm of glorious Virgin Mary. He seems helpless."

Catholic art has always featured the "Madonna" image. It is a beautiful and universally-attractive theme. Yes, Our Lord was helpless when He was an Infant, like all of us. That is part of the beauty of the Incarnation.

Catholic art also portrays Jesus in many other settings.

"5)Why sometimes we are made to kiss the feet of the statues of Jesus in church?"

No one is required to kiss the feet of any statue or image of Our Lord. On Good Friday, we do so, if we wish to. I kiss His "feet" everday, at the beginning and end of the Rosary when I kiss the feet of the crucifix on my Rosary. I do so with a heart filled with adoration, thanksgiving and love.

Catholics have a lot of practices that manifest our feelings about Our Lord. But they are all optional

"Hope someone will help me with my doubts"..

I hope I helped a little. May God be with you on your journey.

Love and Prayers,
Michelina

I also prefer a confessional and not the face to face confessions. I now drive to another town so that I am comfortable confessing to a priest who doesn't know me at all. I truly wish I could make confession in my own church, but I'm just not comfortable doing this face to face.

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"Face to Face" is an option for those who need it. Yet some parishes force it on their parishioners. I too go to another parish for Confession, not just because we have no option except to sit face to face, but also because the sole priest there does not want to hear only venial sins and has said so from the pulpit!

This is an abuse of the Norms.

I'm still confused on this issue. Sister told us differently but I can't find anything to back up what she said. After the holiday break, I'll ask her and try to find out where she found that the Church teaches John's Immaculate Conception

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Some Catholic theologians, e.g. St Louis de Montfort, think tha John was 'sanctified' in the womb of Elizabeth, when he "leapt" at the moment Elizabeth heard Mary's voice. But never have I heard the idea that he was immaculately conceived mentioned. In any case, the Church certainly does NOT teach that.

kimber1 said:

argh,

something else that is bothering me, i went ot my church last night and naturally with the time of year, it was focused on Jesus' birth so again naturally Mary was mentioned. the comments from my pastor just left me sick. talking about how "other religions" worship her and how wrong it is, and then looking around at all the noddings of heads adn the amen's...i felt like walking out.....

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Kimber1

Oh, I know what you mean, . .. it is like someone is just sticking you in your gut with a stick and twisting it, you actually feel it and it becomes repulsive and abhorrent . . .

I have been trying to answer someone's questions (who I greatly care about) who is really hung up on Mary right now, and when he talks like that, I feel my gut wrench . . there is anger in his voice, and I am trying to get him to look at why that anger is there . . he hardly knows it is there unless I bring it to his attention . .


But it is so hard to listen to things like this . . it makes me feel ill too, and makes we want to walk away from discussing it with him . . I was talking with him last night about this, and I still feel the effects of it today in my gut . .


But the difference between our situations is this is the feeling and understanding of those you have been worshipping with, and you are feeling the rifts in the fellowship that you once had with them . . . I may dare to say that you are fast coming to the point, if you are not already there, of realizing that you are no longer Protestant . ..

Though there may be very good Christian ideals and values taught in the Church you have been going to, you are beginning to see, and not just see but also experience, the elements of "darkness" that are there in their understanding of God's truth . . and, if I may be so bold, you are feeling the effects of this "darkness" in contrast to the light that has illuninated your own soul and understanding. There is no fellowship between light and darkness . . I believe that is why you find yourself so reacting to such comments . .. the more your soul is illumined with the light of God's truth, the harder it is to be around darkened understanding without feeling the stark difference between the two in your very being and wanting to get away from it . .

That does not mean the pastor of the Church you have been going to and a part of is not a good person . . but that there are areas of his understanding that are in darkness, and the expression of that darkness is becoming difficult to bear . . .


I hope I have not been over bold in what I have shared . . I just really feel this right now and am very sympathetic.

I also would encourage you to find a Catholic Church to visit . . . I think you will be delighted. In fact, if you can go to a Christimas Eve Mass . . or perhaps to a Midnight Mass I think you will be absolutely delighted with what you find and experience . . If you do get to go, please let us know!


(I have a great big grin on my face right now )


Peace in Him!

Michelina said:

Some Catholic theologians, e.g. St Louis de Montfort, think tha John was 'sanctified' in the womb of Elizabeth, when he "leapt" at the moment Elizabeth heard Mary's voice. But never have I heard the idea that he was immaculately conceived mentioned. In any case, the Church certainly does NOT teach that.

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Yes, Michelina is correct.

There are 2 Masses Christmas Eve .. one for Christmas Eve that happens in the evening .. my kids will be singing in the choir for that service . .

And then we plan to go back at Midnight for the Midnight Mass, the first Mass of Christmas Day celebrating the birth of Christ . . I remember going to Midnight Mass in the Orthodox Church - all lights would be turned out and we would process with candles as the Light of the World came into the world as a tiny baby that night . . .



I do not know how it will be done in our Church, I am not expecting a procession like that, but I am really looking forward to Midnight Mass . .

If you don't think you can make it that late, I hope you can go to a Christmas Eve Mass.


Peace in Him!

Michelina said:

"Face to Face" is an option for those who need it. Yet some parishes force it on their parishioners. I too go to another parish for Confession, not just because we have no option except to sit face to face, but also because the sole priest there does not want to hear only venial sins and has said so from the pulpit!

This is an abuse of the Norms.

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I agree.

My sister used to make up sins to confess because she hadn't committed any mortal sins. We wondered why the priest would give her a rosary to say - she was only 8 years old but had confessed that she had committed "adultery" - and the priest didn't question it. Pray for her as she has left the Catholic Church and is currently unchurched.

chanter said:

I agree.

My sister used to make up sins to confess because she hadn't committed any mortal sins. We wondered why the priest would give her a rosary to say - she was only 8 years old but had confessed that she had committed "adultery" - and the priest didn't question it. Pray for her as she has left the Catholic Church and is currently unchurched.

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No offense Elizabeth, but does she have emotional or mental issues? Sounds like she was seeking attention.

Shelb5 said:

No offense Elizabeth, but does she have emotional or mental issues? Sounds like she was seeking attention.

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No, she doesn't. She's a teacher and out here in California any mental types usually get screened out.

The priest said he wouldn't give her absolution until she confessed a serious sin. "No serious sin - no matter for confession." Those were his words and I've heard other priests out here on the West Coast say the same thing. Why? What would you say to that priest? I'm clueless here.

What I have done is confess something that I did a long time ago in which I express sincere sorrow. But a child who is good? They don't understand.

chanter said:

No, she doesn't. She's a teacher and out here in California any mental types usually get screened out.

The priest said he wouldn't give her absolution until she confessed a serious sin. "No serious sin - no matter for confession." Those were his words and I've heard other priests out here on the West Coast say the same thing. Why? What would you say to that priest? I'm clueless here.

What I have done is confess something that I did a long time ago in which I express sincere sorrow. But a child who is good? They don't understand.

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Oh I see. If she has nothing mortal to confess then she does not have to confess. The priest was wrong to deny the sacrament anyway but maybe some priest feel they are not going to reinforce scruples by not hearing venal sins in confession. I don’t agree but some priest may see it that way.

chanter said:

My sister used to make up sins to confess because she hadn't committed any mortal sins. We wondered why the priest would give her a rosary to say - she was only 8 years old but had confessed that she had committed "adultery" - and the priest didn't question it. Pray for her as she has left the Catholic Church and is currently unchurched.

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This is completely inexcusable. Any sin (venial or mortal) is sufficient matter for absolution.

I will certainly pray for your sister. Put her in God's hands and your prayer will be answered, in time.

The priest said he wouldn't give her absolution until she confessed a serious sin. "No serious sin - no matter for confession." Those were his words and I've heard other priests out here on the West Coast say the same thing. Why? What would you say to that priest? I'm clueless here

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You could write to the Bishop, if he is a good Bishop. Otherwise, there is little you can do.

Many priests don't want to be in the confessional and deliberately antagonize devout souls. Some priests don't listen to what is being said, as is proven by your sister's experience.

Kyrie, eleison.

chanter said:

The priest said he wouldn't give her absolution until she confessed a serious sin. "No serious sin - no matter for confession." Those were his words and I've heard other priests out here on the West Coast say the same thing. Why? What would you say to that priest? I'm clueless here.

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Unfortunately, the priest is mistaken.

The Catholic Church encourages its parishoners to confess venial sins, because partaking in the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis allows us to admit our faults, receive sanctifying grace, and become purer in God's eyes.

BAchristian said:

Unfortunately, the priest is mistaken.

The Catholic Church encourages its parishoners to confess venial sins, because partaking in the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis allows us to admit our faults, receive sanctifying grace, and become purer in God's eyes.

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I agree with you BA -- please pray for those of us out here on the West Coast, especially here in Los Angeles. Some of my Catholic friends have serious problems going to confession. We desperately need good priests.