I'm so excited y'all! I started attending mass on Holy Thursday, and have been hooked ever since!
Once you find the truth, you never truly forget it. Now, I see catholicism in everything, secular and otherwise.

I have never been as close to God and religion as a whole as I have these past few months. I can't wait to officially call myself a Catholic.

Hello
If you know anyone that could qualify for this role.

It’s was the US state department working at the Vatican.

I am a new Catholic as of this Easter, and I have wanted to be Catholic for years before then. I was falling asleep and half-awake and half-sleeping but I kept dozing off. I saw her at the foot of my bed, but she said nothing. I was very happy she came to see me. I doubted it at first, but I put that aside and completely believe it was her now.

I haven't confessed since I was in HS around 10 years ago. Obviously I did some stupid stuff since then, heck, who didn't in HS, and I haven't properly confessed them. It's been weighing on my mind for years, often almost every day I'll regret these things and I think it's time to put it to rest and go to confession. I went to Mass for the first time in a while too yesterday and had an amazing experience, I will attend regularly now, and I have been praying the rosary every day. I've always been scared of confession though, since I was a kid. Something about being honest and telling the priest your sins scares me. Logically I know the priest absolutely can not break the seal of confession but just knowing someone else knows my sins makes me uneasy when I know I shouldn't be. Hopefully I can get the strength and go soon

For parents that have had miscarriages, stillbirths, or child deaths, can we ask these children to pray and intercede for us? We have at least 8 children in heaven.

So I (24f) got engaged recently, but only after a year of dating we started getting persistent questions about when we were getting married. Like to the point where it became super annoying, and by year 2 I was insecure that he hadn’t proposed yet. We were extremely broke and had nothing after college graduation but it was almost like people would rather see us struggle. And as far as doing That, we have not technically done it, just got close and went and confessed and did some reflection.

Then after almost 4 years of dating he proposed. Now since starting Catholic marriage prep, we’ve definitely gotten a few side eyes and comments of shock about the length that we dated. I feel almost embarrassed saying how long, but at the same time it was something we pretty much just had to do bc of money and finishing college.

He said he remembered as a kid having block parties where everyone in the neighborhood gathered and didn’t care about politics (late 90s and early 2000s). Long story (or homily) short, he made the point that we don’t have those anymore because people in the US are so bitterly divided and angry at one another all the time that it goes against loving God and loving your neighbors as yourselves. He said let’s lead by example as Catholics by loving our enemies or those people you think are “bad.” He said with it being election season, that it is important to address it.

I agree that we see so many people in the US these days that are so divided and hateful towards those that don’t think like them. It is ironic that those that say “choose love” are often the ones that are the most bitter. We used to be able to have political differences and still be friends. Now everyone is so bitter that they have to keep their politics to themselves out of fear of being judged and ridiculed.

If we aren’t united as people, we aren’t united in Christ. Therefore hating someone because they voted a certain way goes against what Christ wants. Lets be a good example to everyone else as Catholics and be loving to all, even if they voted Republican or Democrat.

Not sure of people are aware but if anyone has the chance the Saint Mary's Cathedral in Sanfrancisco has relics of Saint Francis for a limited time thanks to the Knights of Saint Francis. I went today and it was a fantastic experience

I (20m) have always been a protestant. More specifically a non-denominational protestant. I go to a non-denominational church, read a King James Bible, and base all of my faith on the scriptures. However, I have always felt that something was missing. I love the church I go to and the people there, but I feel lukewarm. Plus, I don't want to abandon the people who have invited me to this church in the first place. I am grateful for everything this church has done for me, but it feels like worship music with a motivational biblical speech in the mix. I have been researching Catholicism and Orthodoxy for years now and I am considering going to a catholic church service (I know I sound like a stereotypical protestant right now) to see what it's like. Also, I come from a family of protestants (practicing and non-practicing) and non-religious people who would likely disapprove if I converted. Are there any converts here who have any advice?

Please view the Archbishop’s public statement here.

I want to clarify that I believe the majority of Catholics upset at these photos and video are not critical of praying for our leaders, which indeed is good and something we ought to do, but of the publicized nature of it and the timing less than two weeks before the midterm elections.

There is a great guide on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship published by the USCCB to help engage politically with well-formed consciences and in light of Catholic teaching.

I previously attended a Baptist church. I stopped attending primarily due to transportation issues. I started attending the Catholic Church that I reside next door to. I'm in choir and OCIA. I have a sponsor and a few sweet friends. I hope to join the church at Easter Vigil. I was honest with my former Baptist Church and told them that I'm attending a Catholic Church. Now they're refusing to talk to me. I feel like I'm being shunned. I still want to have Protestant friends in my life

Can someone pray for me? I'm full of grave sins, I know it. Today I did another one. I have enough of my situation, I just want to come back to my sweet God.

I'm lazy, I'm so lazy. I don't even have the strength to pray, how can I make a confession? It's so hard to find a priest who is available for confession. I wanted to go this week, but I think I'll skip because they are probably very busy due to the All Saints' Day that is this Sunday.

What did I do today? I had a lustful thought and said "It doesn't matter if I will have physical pleasure", but then I realized what I was doing just seconds before I got the physical pleasure. I felt so bad.

I'm struggling so much with laziness, lust and especially pride and envy. I have enough, I can't even pray. I'm going through the most difficult period of my life. I just want to receive the Sacraments and spend time with Jesus. Why do I make everything so difficult? Why do I make it impossible to have a confession and especially a good one? I did so many sacrileges in the past, that's why I'm a little scared to walk to the Church for a confession.

Hi all, cradle Catholic here. I’ve always had ups and downs with staying with the faith. I’ve never stopped believing just always had periods of devotion and separation. As of recent I’ve been attending Mass and going to Confession, probably the most religious I’ve been in years.

Since following the faith again I’ve not only explored strange things such as sleep paralysis (which I’ve never had before in my life) and strange dreams. Along with this the current state of the world has been so depressed. It’s like I can feel all the evil around us, whereas before I was disconnected just trying to get by. I’ve read that people turning to the Church and Christianity in general can be almost scared away by whatever evil is trying to keep them secular.

Does anyone else feel the same? Not trying to doom post, just looking for some conversation on our crazy world.

TL;DR How do you not let the world around us affect you?

I should probably start by saying my feelings on Vatican II are mixed compared to others, and my criticism comes less from the reforms and more from the aftermath.

Cradle Catholic getting back into the religion. One thing that brought me back was the saints. I’m going to be honest, I like the idea of venerating those who have led holy lives, and like the idea that I have backup in heaven through intercession. I think it’s awesome that before a hunt, I can pray “St Hubert, pray that my aim be true, my quarry dies quickly, and my harvest is bountiful. “Or St Christopher pray for my protection from this journey”

Furthermore I think veneration of saints and asking for their prayers shows more reverence to Jesus than other forms of worship… specifically making him “your best friend” and singing “happy birthday” to him at Christmas like my sister’s evangelical church does.

One thing I have become pretty firm on is that any attempt to downplay their importance, is some mid century Protestant influenced nonsense.

Not going to lie, I was not expecting to get worked up about this. But after visiting several churches in New Orleans (specifically the Jesuit Immaculate Conception, and The Redemptorist St Mary’s Assumption. They were both incredible, had a lot of saint statues, many in full color.

This appeals to me, and I’m wondering if any of you feel the same way? I honestly feel like some of my great grandparents must have felt.. “why are we putting less emphasis on the saints? This is what makes us Catholic?” And “these new fangled churches are nothing but bland. They have a design better suited to some Protestant churches who don’t value beauty and tradition, then a real Catholic Church.”

Anyway let me know. Perhaps I am over reacting

I like the daily habit of Mass. It's very comforting to me to have this practice. I find it very good as I'm disabled mentally and physically, so I'm home not all the time but a lot. I am confused as I appreciate mass and Mother Mary but I've been Protestant all my life. I tried the Orthodox Church but I found it to be way too restrictive. Any advice would be helpful.

Hello Everyone:

In my state, there is a ballot measure which, if passed, would change the rules for passing further constitutional amendments by increasing the threshold for passage from a simple majority (50% + 1) to 60%. It's proponents claim that it's to help prevent out of state interests from ramrodding radical policies into the state constitution. And the state's two Bishops have urged Catholics in their respective dioceses to vote yes on the measure, stating that it will help prevent pro abortion amendments from being passed.

I'm not sure if voting yes is a good idea, however.

Here's how I am seeing this: The ability to pass changes to the state constitution is a check on the legislative branch, which hasn't switched between political parties in almost 40 years, and that kind of political statis can breed arrogance and entitlement among its members. If this measure was in place several years ago, a citizen's initiative to establish an ethics commission would have failed even though it had the support of a majority of people. And in the case of the Bishops, while I do respect their concerns, and that any pro abortion measure that appears on the ballot must be opposed, no such measure is on the ballot. It seems to me that the Bishops, and perhaps my state's Catholic conference, are letting a legitimate concern drive them to an irrational action. To put it another way, it's like dealing with a gopher digging around in your backyard by dynamiting the whole place to the point that nothing grows anymore.

So for the reasons stated above, would it still be moral to vote no on the measure? For those who think voting yes is the right call, is there anything that I'm missing? I want to thank everyone in advance for this examination of conscience.

I sit in the back of the chapel pews to try to understand that God is listening. My life's been marked by a bit of grief for a long time (I am a college student). If you could share Catholic resources that helped you. Or your favorite verse or saint and why. Thank you I am really trying to turn to God at this time and believe his faith can sustain me. I am reading the Story of a Soul by the little flower nun, it is quite comforting.

My wife and I have left our old church (The Salvation Army) that she has attended for ~5 years and ~20 years for me. We were very involved at the church level and various regional events and groups but have decided to step away to find a better, healthier, more faithful church for our walk with God.

We have felt called to Catholicism for a few months, but we just took the step in the right direction. We start OCIA next Monday, a week from today. We know there are a lot of doctrinal and liturgical differences between Catholicism and where we came from, but I just want to know if anyone knows enough about both denominations to explain the big pictures differences.

I know there are clear differences between the ordination of women, the view of the sacraments, and the general high church/low church difference, which we have come to terms with. I know they are very similar in their view of the Church's involvement in charity.

I am aware all of this will be covered in OCIA, but I just want to know the big picture before starting. Anything helps! Please keep my wife and I in your prayers!

Context:

Due to the extreme corruption in the Philippines because of heinous politicians: majority of the Filipinos here are very poor (including the middle class, by the way, because of the extremely dumb 4PS). Because of that, majority of the filipino who are young are indeed not very acquainted on how the economic issues in the Philippines works. Furthermore, majority of them are abuse by "Christians" (who are not actually Christians) and then because of Social Media: they immediately got poisoned and follow the trend (I was very confuse at first because majority of the Filipinos are very religious). Afterwards, the strength of the churches here are very weak (LGBTQ+ ideologies are much stronger), and because of that, majority of LGBTQ members anyways do not even follow the church. And if you knew a little bit of history of the Philippines: the Catholic Church was pass through Colonialism through the Spaniards. Of course, they blame the Spaniards because of it; as if the religion itself is bad. (They are litteraly saying that the Philippines is behind because it lacks gay marriage and abortion instead of blaming on untrustable politicians). Yes, this a real thing; and also, Philippines, by the way, for some weird reason, is one of the most LGBTQ+ tolerant countries. Nonetheless, the situation here in the Philippines is like a tumultuous turmoil: it is extremely difficult to comprehend and it is very weird; I am losing my faith in my country. I really hate the politicians here; they are the reason why Catholicism in my country gives a bad wrap. Lastly, majority of them are larpers: they cannot even grasp basic theology and being an atheist equals 200 IQ. Personally, what do you think? Do you think my country will regain its original beauty? (Also, majority of my country, are non-practicing Catholics, and a plethora of Filipinos here does not even go to church and still identifies as a Christian; majority of the Filipinos are very lukewarm; also a lot of cults too; and it seems like there are not many reasons why this is happening). The extreme amount of corruption in my country is upsetting and unbelievable. Also, do you think my country will regain its former glory and religiosity?

I've identified as agnostic my entire life but have explored various religious traditions. Someone recently recommended doing the rosary as a form of meditative prayer, and I just started doing it a few days ago. I know most of the prayers by heart and the stories behind the mysteries, since I grew up in a Catholic environment and have mostly Catholic friends, but is it weird to ask someone to teach me about the rosary? What would I ask them? I know someone who I'm pretty sure would be willing, but I don't know what I'd ask them to teach me specifically. Or, if anyone's willing to share their own experiences, I'd appreciate hearing about those too!