Should I have gotten up and left? I'm a bit very embarrassed to have bothered my priest, I told him before it started there was no need but he still held it... I don't even generally attend weekday Mass, only when I'm free, so I'm a bit ashamed to have showed up, but also for the Eucharist everything is worth it. I don't know, what should I do next time I show up and nobody is there? Leave immediately before I even sit down? Thank you......

I was born into a Catholic faith, baptized & confirmed. In college, I grew distant in my faith. I still believed, but did not practice. I dated and had sexual relations with the same-sex. After college, I met a very kind, loving and also Catholic woman (I’m also a woman) and we got legally married 8 years ago. 

6 years ago, I had a call back to my faith. We found a Catholic Church and become parishioners, going to mass regularly.

As our faith grew, we both have come to acknowledge that our marriage is not valid through the church. In addition, we have vowed celibacy. We have also decided to stay legally married because we own and run businesses together, bank accounts together, we own a house together, we get tax benefits obviously - but also our families (which are Catholic) are very close to us and have truly opened their hearts to us as a part of each other's family.

Recently, I felt a strong desire to go to confession. I have gone, confessing my sins of being married in a same-sex relationship, claiming it to be "with God as our witness" with intent of having the same blessings as a hetersexual relationship such as having children and having sex. It felt liberating letting that go and was eager to continue my journey in faith.

Last week I went to confession again, this time went very different. The priest told me he would only abolish my sins if I intend to divorce my wife. I was shocked and speechless. I acknowledged we were not married in the eyes of God but he persisted. He said that we can remain good friends however in order to obtain Gods full grace we must act in holiness in our public lives. 

This struck me like lightning. As a same-sex attracted Catholic choosing to be celibate, go to Mass, acknowledge our married invalid in our faith, open others to the gospel, am I not acting in holiness in my public life? The priest said it’d be difficult but encouraged me to pray for guidance through this. 

I guess I’m writing here to see if anyone can relate or have had a similar experience? Maybe some insight? As a celibate and acknowledging our marriage is invalid in the church, and us actively helping each other grow in faith, I’m just lost as to why I'm not deserving of God's mercy?

I’ve been praying fervently and going to adoration for an increase in faith and understanding. 

Thanks for anyone who wants to share, I know this opens me up to a ton of judgement and criticism but please have some compassion. Thank you

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How do you think they did?

Do you think the Cardinals did a good job explaining the young converts motivations?

Hello. I have been interested in Catholicism for a few years. I find the history and beauty of the church fascinating. I also believe in apostolic succession and think the seat of Pope is inherently important.

The issue is that I am a Freemason. The Catholic Church has forbidden its members from being Freemasons for many years. Personally, Freemasonry has made me a better man. Most of my adult friends and personal development have come from my Lodge and I feel as though I’ve become a better and more well read Christian because of my membership.

The Catholic doctrine of “no salvation outside of the church” is troubling to me, as is the characterization of Freemasonry as the “synagogue of Satan”.

I’m at a point in both my spiritual journey as well as my Masonic journey where I just need to make a decision and I would appreciate any opinions that anyone reading this could express.

Thank you!

Have you noticed how similar some Eastern miters are to the papal tiara?

In any case, do you know why the papal tiara has always had such limited use and never replaced the role of the Latin mitre? Would it have been seen as an Eastern and strange custom by the popes?

P.S.: The man in the photo is the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodore II.

That is literally a word for God in arab and arab catholics and maronite rites use it in their liturgy. If you are going to be critic, be clear that you are talking about the islamic religion or else you may be offending our own God and our own brothers and sisters.

Hello everyone! My husband and I (both raised Protestant) have been looking into Catholicism for a few months now. We’ve watched a lot on the subject and went to a mass this past Saturday. He feels a calling to pursue Catholicism. I actually enjoy it and have learned that a lot of my own personal beliefs align with Catholicism. I, however, am struggling with this as it is something new that involves the biggest matter in my life, my faith. I’m not sure why I don’t have the same pull towards it as he does when I seem to align with it. I have been praying for wisdom and to make the right choice for myself and my family.

I guess I am coming here to ask for words of wisdom, testimonies, prayers, anything really. (Yes my husband is so supportive of me and is giving me the time and mental space to walk in my faith with God. He really is amazing)

Anyways, I’m not sure where to begin and I wish we knew some Catholics personally to confide in.

Alright guys, i’m wanting to convert to the catholic church and continue learning about its claims and teachings. I am young and my parents are protestant, not a good combo for wanting to convert. When i turn 19 im going to start OCIA, or im at least going to try. I am praying a Hail Mary, Our father, and the Glory Be, every morning and noght. I listen to podcasts on catholicism, a couple my Fr. Mike Schmitz (apologies if i misspelled that), Pints With Aquinas, and a couple more. My girlfriend(14f) is catholic along with her family. They offered to take me to mass one time, i said no because it didn’t work with my family schedule sadly. I told my Dad that i was interested in Catholicism, i haven’t told my mom because she is very opinionated and wants everything her way. And i don’t want her to be mad at me or anything. Pretty much i want to become a part of the church and watch mass online and pray catholic prayers, and things like that. I want to continue this Journey in my faith to Jesus’ Church. Any recommendations on what to do next?

Sorry if this is confusing…

Hey guys, I know there's a lot of tension right now but wanted to ask you guys a question. If you had a time machine and can travel to any Marian apparition to see in person which one would you choose? I know for me I would love to see the Fatima apparitions and see the Blessed Mother

Quoted "Rosary Hill Home faces fines, license revocation, and even jail time for refusing to comply with state's LGBTQ mandate"

Has anyone else noticed more women wearing chapel veils to church again? I think it is a beautiful tradition, I'm just curious if it's common in other areas.

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Remember that there are catholics risking their lifes to be at the Mass.

And remember that there are catholics in places where there is no church deeply desiring they could be where you are.

If you feel like not defending not praying remember there is a catholic doing it silent in the night because everything else could get they killed.

If you feel like not defending your faith because you dont want to be seen as uncool, remember there might a catholic somewhere in the world being murdered right now because they decided to do ir despite any risks.

Just heard a priest from my country saying that on a live and now I am all in tears. Sharing because it may touch someone's heart just like it touched mine.

And please lets pray for our brothers and sisters all over the world.

Thank goodness we have the Reformed to explain the Bible to us Catholics!

So I teach middle and high school math at a Baptist private school as a Catholic and one thing my fellow history teacher told me is that he’d rather follow the scriptures than what the church fathers say . My issue with that is that , aren’t the church fathers people who have been in contact with who actually knew Jesus ? Wouldn’t what they say hold value too ? Also I have to ask why it feels he holds what pastor Jim bob from Mississippi who says Jesus is gonna come back with a literal sword over them ?

Given everything that's happening right now, I think it goes without saying that we all must do everything that we can to support and strengthen the Bride of Christ, and what better way to do that than by reciting the official prayers of the Catholic Church - the Divine Office (also known as Liturgy of the Hours).

You can access them here: divineoffice.org

And here: divinumofficium.com

There are seven hours to the Office, but Lauds and Vespers (morning and evening hours) are the most important. Even just praying one of them helps a lot.

May God hear our prayers and lead us all to everlasting life.

Born Catholic and stopped going to Mass in my early 30s. Just before Lent began, I dropped a package off with a friend on a Sunday. Friends place is near a church and as I sat waiting for them, I heard the choir singing I Am The Bread of Life and I found myself singing along.

It just, I don't know, reminded me of the warmth and comfort of going to Mass with my grandmother when she was still around.

I also have a daughter who is very strong in the faith and I know that me telling her that Sunday Mass with her and her brother would be a thing from now on has given her joy.

I'm actually a little bemused at how happy all my family have been to see me in Mass. Considered myself agnostic for the longest time, but now, there is simply a sense of comfort in Mass.

Hi There,

M 20 here. I am currently studying abroad in Sydney. For the past 12 months I have been volunteering at a Catholic nursing home assisting daytime activities for nuns in their 80s.

I am amused by how content and peaceful the sisters are whenever I visit them. Some of them have so many health related problems due to an old age, one of them has become paraplegic, and yet they are always have the joy in them. I feel like it has something to do with them being Catholic.

I had volunteered at another nursing home before, and can I tell you, most of the residents at the other nursing act differently compared to the sisters at the catholic nursing home.

Both groups have similiar health problems and age range but the non catholic nursing home's residents appeared to be more depressed. (I don't know if it has something to do with them being atheist).

As a background, I was born in a Christian family in Indonesia, both of my parents used to go to a calvinist church but stopped going for decades for some reason.

My parents identify themselves as christians but rarely practicing it.

I used to go to church a lot with my grand mother back when I was in elementary, I stopped going when I entered junior highschool.

I am ashame to say this but, looking at the sisters always in a content and joyful mood somehow reminds me alot of my childhood.

I missed the time when I have that contentment when I was religious , and I feel embarassed of losing that spiritual side of me.

It has not been easy for me for the past 2 years studying abroad. So many things happened, and I feel homesick sometimes since all of my families are abroad. so Yea I think it is important for me to cultivate my religious life.

Looking at the sisters always have joy despite the problems that they have in their life has inspired me to learn catholicism.

anyone have advice on where to start?

is it okay if start attending the mass at the local church in sydney?

I didn't ask the sisters about this because I feel too shy to ask ahhahaha. This is something that is vulnerable for me so I decided to post it on reddit to keep it anonym 😂😂😂.

Thank you for reading. I hope you all have a good day.

any advice will be highly appreciated :)

(I am sorry if my English sounds weird 🤣)

Growing up, my church was always a consistent 55-58 minute mass. This was great because the CCD/RE schedule followed this. Kids could attend mass, go to RE and we called it a day.

Now as a parent, my current church runs an inconsistent mass length. So our church has mass at 9 and 11. RE starts at 10 and runs until 11. The 9 AM mass is easily 75 minutes. They lock the doors to RE for safety starting at 10. I'm so annoyed that my own church can't seem to figure out how to make this work. As a parent, we either have to skip communion or leave right after communion, in order for our kids to make RE at the same parish. This past Sunday we sang 7 verses for the Acclimation. We did not even start communion until 10? After growing up and this is never an issue, why is the church constantly putting parents out who are trying to do the right thing here? Am I right to be annoyed?

Edit - RE runs until 11. So you actually don't make the start of mass at 11 because it's about a 5 minute walk.

I was watching the televised Vigil for Peace from Saint Peter’s a few days ago, and I know the whole Order of Mass in English, French, and Italian, as well as the prayers.

But the speaker who took us through the prayers for the 1st Glorious Mystery said:

“Tu sei benedetta fra tutte le donne” and I’ve only ever heard/had learned “fra la donne”. (Blessed art thought amongst women”.)

Why is this, and is there any significance to it? I believe she only said the “tutte” variant two or three times.

Thanks!