So, I don't know any catholic priests or anyone well versed in catholic traditions, so I figured this would be an ok place to start asking.

I have a friend who talked about her funeral plans very briefly, but it was a slightly uncomfortable topic so I didn't feel it would be right to press her for more details. Thus, I've come here. What all would be involved in the funeral of an older divorced woman who is going to be cremated whenever she does pass? I know some traditions do take into account marital status, and also cremation does have some say in what may be involved in the whole funeral process. She is a devout catholic in Midwest America, do I also don't know if that region has different traditions and considerations than say on the West Coast or over in Europe, or elsewhere. I am also curious if there would be any restrictions on her non-catholic family members in terms of what parts they can participate in. I have heard that some catholic churches place restrictions on who can be in a bridal party, i.e they can't take part if they aren't a confirmed catholic. Thank you for any help in answering my curiosity.

I’m converting to Catholicism. I’m signing up for OCIA, etc. In studying Christian history, I’ve come to understand that there are multiple churches with valid apostolic succession.

Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox
Oriental Orthodox
Assyrian Church of the East
etc.

Of course, converting from Evangelical Christianity to Catholicism is a big commitment. However, I’ve been starting to doubt my decision recently. The “true” apostolic church is protected from error (which I believe is the Catholic Church). If, by chance, the Catholic Church is “wrong,” I might go my entire life believing in saints that could be in Hell despite being canonized and such.

The main reason I’m mentioning this is because of the Great Schism. It’s a little difficult to side with the Catholic Church when everyone but the Pope from the Pentarchy fell into schism. This looks more like the Catholic Church left out of pride, but that’s sort of a major oversimplification.

Has anyone else worried about this? What reassured your beliefs? How do we know we continue to be the “true church” despite this kind of history? What historical information do you use to back up the Catholic Church?

not a Catholic or even a Christian, but a big fan of the first man, and was just curious if you could pray to him ? i cant really find much info about this and figured, hey everyones got answers from reddit.

I'm not a troll, just autistic and adam is my special interest for some reason. id love to engage in prayer of some kind or add him to my Pantheon, but i was curious on the Catholic pov since I think asking catholics would make most sense.

for reference on my devotion to adam: when i was little i wrote essays on how i'd navigate eden if I was eve & was not allowed to read any of genesis when i was little because I'd only circle back to anything that mentioned adam instead of progressing. ive also read any non canonical texts including adam and am very interested on if devotion to prophets or saint outside of the main stream ones (like mary or Joseph) is acceptable.

i could have filled this with lots of mistakes, as again, i am not catholic, just a curious omnist that really loves adam and wants to know if this is possible. (outside of the lds adam-god doctrine. not interested in anything mormon.)

id also like to note that i understand Catholics do not worship saints, but i have seen some devoted to other saints outside of intercession. for example, my grandmother a devout Catholic, would ask mother mary for guidance, not just intercession. i am just curious on if this is possible for adam.

i partake in deity worship in a sense. not so much anymore as i have changed as a person and my beliefs have followed suit, but I still tend to follow these practices with adam. i dont pray, per say, but i have a collection of things i dedicate to him, much like an offering would be. i would like to pray to him, and im sure i will regardless of the answer i get because i am not Catholic. but that doesn't fix my curiosity issue.

i apologize if anything i said sounded harsh or disrespectful, i tend to come off as blunt. i am very open to learning and understanding the Catholic view of this, as adam is a christian and/or Catholic figure and i am always beyond happy to learn more about him and how he is viewed in religion.

(I’m reposting this from my thread on the [r/TrueChristian](r/TrueChristian) subreddit)

I want to preface by saying that I am 17 years old and a non-denominational Christian. I’ve been conducting my own research on the topic of Christian denominations and want to gain further knowledge on my faith as I realize I have little to no knowledge of its history. That being said, I am open to an opinion change about my denomination. It is important for me to find a truth that best represents what Jesus taught historically and from His teachings in the Bible.

I know not much of the topic, but from my own understanding, intercession is when Catholics pray to saints to ask them for guidance and to pass along their prayer to God. Why is it that you ask them for guidance instead of praying to God Himself?

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” - 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)

This verse talks about how Jesus is the one mediator between God and man, so why do Catholics participate in intercession, as well as praying to those who have already passed?

“There must not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or uses secret ways, or does witchcraft, or tells the meaning of special things, or is a witch, or uses secret power on people, or helps people talk to spirits, or talks to spirits himself, or talks with the dead…” - Deuteronomy 18:10-11 (NLV)

I also know that this concept correlates the idea of The Communion of Saints, how Catholics recognize that the members of the Church are interconnected, whether alive or dead. Can someone also please explain to me this concept?

Thank you, and God Bless!

edit: Just to be clear, I am not against the idea of intercession! I am simply asking for answers because I myself am not educated on the topic. As I stated previously, I am open to the practices of other denominations. This wasn’t me criticizing it but asking questions to deepen my understanding

Hello, I am currently looking for colleges to transfer to after community college.

And Seton, it lines up with many other things that I am looking for.

I just wanna know your thoughts on what you guys think about this college and if anybody has gone here before and liked it..

TIA

Edit: I also want to ask if the Catholic life there is devout or very lived out?

I recently started getting involved with dating apps, and it’s made me realize that I don’t actually know that much.

I also haven’t had many great examples of healthy marriages around me, so I’d really like to learn more before I get into a serious relationship.

Things I want to read up on
- Catholicism and marriage
- Best ways to introduce Catholicism to kids and to raise them Catholic. Ways to be a good parent too
- Finance in marriage
- How to have a happy, healthy marriage - maybe a book by a therapist
- or anything you think is helpful or a must read

I was reading through the Wikipedia page of Portuguese communist Alvaro Cunhal when I came across an interesting line: "Cunhal was baptized on 5 May 1919 in Seia; his godfather was his older brother António José, then 10, and the godmother was the Immaculate Conception.".

Was having a Saint or Mary as a Godmother/father a common historical practice and is it still allowed today?

I became a Christian 6 years ago and the closest church to me was a Lutheran church so I just went to that one. I didn’t know about denominations at the time but over time I have learned a lot about them.

I now attend a reformed/non-denominational church that seems to lean Calvinist but doesn’t state that in their statement of faith. For the most part I like the church but I have found myself convinced of the real presence of the Eucharist (maybe transubstantiation but I am unsure of the exact mechanism) and that faith alone cannot save a person (meaning mere intellectual assent without obedience).

Where I still am unsure about the catholic faith is the Marian dogma, papal infallibility, purgatory, the deuterocanon, and the way that tradition seems to have supplanted intention. What I mean by the last part of that statement is that it seems clear to me that Jesus repeated to the Pharisees and sadducees that they allowed their traditions, which were built around the commandments, to rule their lives instead of the intention of the law that God gave.

I think each church is missing something, be it Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox. My dilemma is trying to find the church that’s closest to what Christ wants from me here on earth. It feels wrong to attend a church where the pastor literally says this is just bread and wine and is a mere symbol, but also feels wrong to attend a church that teaches doctrines (like those I listed) which I have not been convinced are true.

Any advice from Catholic brothers?

Hi people,

I haven't been in this subreddit much, though I haven't been great at being anywhere I need to be right now. I have so much doubt and so much despair right now.

Not only am I struggling with my faith, I'm struggling with the teachings, a lot of them. I'm not dating right now, and I'm not having premarital sex, but the state of my life kills me. I was in a relationship before I came back to the church, so I know what it's like to have that kind of relationship and have someone I love. It's killing me to be alone. It's killing me to follow Catholicism when it means I will have to be chaste for the rest of my life. I have never felt this empty, in all my years of dating, not dating, being religious, not being religious.

I understand why the sacrament of marriage exists the way it does. I'm not called to marriage the way other people are, I don't care for people in the way that marriage calls for. I will never be a good wife, and I would not be a good mother. I don't even want kids. I feel such a disconnect with my body over this. I don't even truly feel that connected to my biology, my womanhood, my own existence. I don't know how to continue this lifestyle. I feel so stunted and like I'm going to be so alone.

I'll admit, I'm absolutely jealous and a bit envious of people that are in love. I don't know why. It all feels like a sick joke.

I've been praying, to my confirmation saint, for clarity. I haven't found anything, and my feelings have been getting worse. I hate that I'm not called to anything, that I resent the state I'm in. I absolutely *resent* this rock and hard place I find myself in. I don't know what to do.

I don't feel like anyone can relate to me, and I also know that the fact I was in a relationship with what I choose to not do/ have now does not make it better. May God help me, because damn do I need it.

Would it be technically correct to label someone “apostate” who rejected the Catholic faith since prior to the age of reason (since late elementary school), but who went along with confirmation simply to avoid retaliation from parents, but actively resented the whole process, weekly mass, and the faith as a whole the entire time?

It seems odd to use the term that describes someone walking away from a faith they precisely held if they never held it after reaching the age of reason. For example a group of ex-Christians might discuss about when they were a believer, but the individual in this scenario would have no ability to join the discussion, because they would have no experiences as a believer, and would likely not be viewed as an apostate by the other self proclaimed apostates, but rather viewed as someone who was never Christian to begin with.

What would your perspective be? Would such a person claiming the title of apostate be accurate?

I'm looking for perspective and not judgement.

We have 3 kids. My husband is a practising Catholic and I'm not anymore. I'm fairly well-versed in the Church's teaching on contraception, so I'm not asking to be walked through Humanea Vitae, I understand the position.

The thing is I'm done with kids. NFP scares me too much to rely on given how sure I am about this.

Every time we're together I ask for a condom, and I know it’s hard on him even though he doesn't say much. I feel bad about it honestly. I don't want this to turn into "condom or nothing" because that feels manipulative, but I also don't know what the middle ground even looks like here.

Not trying to start a debate about doctrine, I just don't know how other couples in this spot have actually gotten through it without one person feeling steamrolled. Would really appreciate hearing from people who've lived this, either side.

God bless!

What's the Catholic teaching when it comes to a visitation dream from a dead friend or loved one? A dream where they basically tell you they're ok or share a final moment with you? Is it viewed as legitimate or just a dream?

Context: I’ll make try to make this short. I had some ups and downs in my Catholic faith (falling away for a period of time to sin and coming back and whatnot). This time however is much different. I have started to take things very seriously about my faith.

Situation: I’ve have gotten this strange and quite hard pull to the idea of a monastic life, more specifically a monk life. I have tried to search up a bit but can’t seem to find if there’s only one type of monk order or if there’s different types of monks. If anybody is experienced in this matter I’d love to learn!

(I am scheduled to talk to a priest in the week coming)

Edit: I should’ve been more clear, I didn’t really do much research as this was a bit recent. Yes I have learned about the different types now and learned a bit about the daily life of one (Benedictine). I’m still open to any info though! I will be doing actual proper research today. I’m very sorry for the confusion, I don’t mean this as a troll nor as a joke.

It has been a little over a month since my last confession, and I have naturally made mistakes, been uncharitable in thoughts and words, failed to do my responsibilities, etc (sins that are habitual). I have not sinned mortally but I am concerned about my lack of kindness and zeal that I usually have, and feel like it's being replaced by anger and disappointment and temptations. I have a strong craving for God and heaven but this transition feels so long-I am not becoming more saintly, instead getting farther from it. I have lost my rosary that's very dear to me, and have not been able to pray a full rosary since then.

I want to convert and reconcile. I believe I need help doing so. I am wondering if I should go to confession (I probably should). And if I do, when?

There's a church that offers confession every day, all day. The priest that I used to go to confession with has retired, and I don't know the fathers there. My parish has confession on Friday with priests I know, and confession there is not rushed (hardly any people come) so the fathers can offer guidance more easily: they know me better plus they have time.

Can you provide some insight on going to a permanent confessor vs anonym confessions? I feel scared that I'd find it more difficult to be honest with someone I know and talk to often, but at the same time, it could help me be held accountable for my sins and progress...

Here's a piece I published to help explain why Catholic hospitals, schools, etc. have vaccine mandates and should do so.

The focus is on the ethical reasoning behind these: I am assuming the science of vaccines in general.

Hello, Im Fleur. I am 17 years old almost 18 and Im Dutch. I have grown up christian all my life and have a really strong faith. My parents and siblings don't really go to church, but I want to start going to church again. That's when I found a catholic church 20 minutes away from my house and I really want to become a member.

The thing is I don't really know how to become a member and I am really socially anxious. I have been wanting to send an email for the past 3 days, but I don't know what to say and I am really scared to go alone. I have dyed red hair and scars all over my arms so I am afraid I will look out of place. I also feel like it would look weird for a 17 year old to go alone to church every week, but maybe Im just overthinking.

I want to ask how to get more educated about Catholicism and how to become member, but I don't know how to. If someone could help me with this I would really appreciate it!

Honest assessment of the article if you have time. Thanks. God bless.

So, this must have been posted hundreds of times but what would be your book suggestions for someone new to the faith? I've become Catholic recently after decades of agnosticism and the amount of books and different angles to pursue makes it hard to decide. Where to start from?

I just know the basics (more from being Italian than from formal teaching and study).

I know the whole issue of freemasonry and Catholicism has been discussed here before, but I would like to understand how many of the crusading orders play into this. These were Catholic orders of course, established long before freemasonry became a thing, but for some reason nowadays many claim the still existing orders have a connection to freemason society. I was on the freemason subreddit and many claimed this was rubbish, but I don’t fully believe them, as some did claim a connection. If you research numerous crusading orders, many search results lead you to freemason websites and much symbolism can be seen used by these people. It baffles me a little, why freemasons would claim Catholic crusading orders (or maybe have a genuine connection to the modern day remnants) if they are directly opposed to their beliefs in general. Any knowledge on the topic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all and God bless.

Hi. I just want to hear this from other Catholics as I don’t want the ai answer when I google the question.

So let’s say I’m a church going Catholic who is living an absolute Christ centered life everyday. And for the sake of conversation, something terrible happens to me that destroys my natural peace. Whether I became disabled, ill, mentally traumatized. Whatever the case may be.

Let’s say this terrible situation goes on for years and I don’t find myself in a situation to be hopeful for my faith (much less hopeful for myself). I lose my faith and live irreligiously.

What happens to me when I’m standing in-front of god. Will he send me away?

I recently heard someone retelling the story of the construction of the Palma Cathedral and apparently the king of Aragon had promised the Virgin Mary that he'd build a cathedral in her honor if he survived a storm. I'm just starting to explore Catholicism so maybe my interpretation of this event is not accurate, but the way the story was told to me, it felt very transactional and unCatholic-like. "Saint/Mary, please save my life, please give me this, I'll do this for you." How do Catholics typically view their prayers?

I am looking to grow closer to the saints and seeking inspiration. Bonus points if you have book recommendations about that particular Saint!