What is the official Catholic stance on this? Does god predetermine when we all die or is it all up to chance?
sweetcaroline said:What is the official Catholic stance on this? Does god predetermine when we all die or is it all up to chance?
Aaron-Aggie said:Either way, the day and hour shall come it could be this night or tommoorw be prepared.
BillH said:Well, He may have some plan for it. But to say we can't affect that plan, by say, deciding to jump off a building beforehand would seem to deny free will.
3toraiseup said:Bridget,
The Catholic Church allows for beliefs on both sides of the predestination camps. There is a good article explaining what a Catholic *may* believe on the subject here: Tiptoe through the TULIP
seek ye first said:Hello Bridgett, read this little story about a woman who went to San Giovanni:
At a time of great trial in my life, I decided to join a Pilgrimage tour, to include San Giovanni Rotondo, with my children, including my son Emil. This had been organised in Sri Lanka where I lived, for all the Catholics in the area.
On this tour I heard about Padre Pio for the first time. We decided to attend a Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Grace, and witnessed and experienced an unforgettable drama unfolding before our eyes as Padre Pio offered the most profound sacrifice of the Mass. The frail wounded figure, assisted by two monks, approached the main altar. and with agonising steps he moved as he said the prayers.
After Mass the men folk were allowed to go forward and kissPadre Pio's hand. My son Emil and another gentleman from our group were led to the sacristy, and as Padre Pio made his way back to his cell, Emil was once more called forward to kiss Padre pio's hand with his handkerchief. Then I noticed Padre Pio bent close to my son as if to say something. I said "Did the Padre say something to you?". It was a question never answered.
On our arrival home, Emil resumed school and was excelling in many areas. One night he remembered his precious handkerchief and asked to have it. Soon he was getting a sweet perfume, which seemed indescribable.
It was about midday that afternoon; I was called out, and then went back home for lunch. A neighbour demanded to know what Emil was wearing, we asked for what reason and he said a boy had been drowned near by that day. It was our son who had gone to the beach and drowned.
It was afterwards that I found out from a pilgrimage companion that Emil had disclosed in a jovial mood that Padre Pio had told him he had not long to live. Then the truth had dawned on me - It is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. My Emil must have known this too.
C.P. Sri Lanka
God knows when we are going to die, thats why I think its so important to pray everyday that we will die in a state of grace.
God bless Bridgett!
3toraiseup said:Bridget,
The Catholic Church allows for beliefs on both sides of the predestination camps. There is a good article explaining what a Catholic *may* believe on the subject here: Tiptoe through the TULIP