Can you be a catholic if you do not do any of the following:

[mark_a]

Thanks mark. If the Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus the messiah, how could a person bee missing out as you say. Surely you can have no greater blessing bestowed upon you, from anyone else, ever, than to have the Body and Blood of Christ inside you. How could not praying to Mary, or Jude, or Patrick or whoever, leave one missing out. What would be missing.

Maybe you wouldn’t be missing out. I’m in no position to say.

But I think that study of the Saints maybe brings you closer the the One they gave their lives to. For example, learning the devotion of some Saints to the Eucharist could possibly enrich your own devotion to the Eucharist.

 

[puzzleannie]

Thanks again lilyM and Reuben. Is it permissible to join a church program to explore catholicism rather than with the intention of being a catholic.

yes you may participate in a class with those preparing for confirmation and/or baptism, and learn along with them. Before the formal class begins there is usually a period called “Inquiry” which is exactly what it says, a chance to answer they types of question you have posed here. This is informal, no commitment, can be for curiosity, genuine interest, or with a thought of someday pursuing more formal preparation. Until you actually celebrate the Rite of Acceptance you have made no commitment, and none is expected. Parishes should be starting Inquiry in Lent, which is coming up, or after Easter at the latest.

 

[emarc]

Thank you for your considered response. I have huge issues with all things catholic at the moment but Im still curious. My biggest stumbling blocks are the whole Papal thing, the corrupt politics as I see them, the whole statue, pictures, scapulas thing.

I believe in God. Any religion I would adhere to would have to have God, and only God, as it’s entire and sole focus. For me, personally, the whole saints, rituals, thing is just a waste of time and a distraction. My entire and only concern would be on God alone. That is why Im especially interested in catolics believe in the Eucharist. I cant think of anything more awesome.

Your issue about papacy, pls. allow me to share w/ you my answer when asked about it on another thread.
Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, which means “rock” and said in Matthew 16:18-19; “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” He appointed Peter to be the shepherd of his Church. In John 21:15-17; “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” (Jesus) said to him, “Feed my sheep.” Jesus gave Peter the authority to strengthen the other apostles in their faith, ensuring that they taught only what was true. Luke 22:31-32; “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” The apostolic succession commenced from Peter when Jesus appointed him and continued to our present Pope Benedict XVI, a 2,000 year historical marvel only God can do. And if you check the early fathers’ writings by Polycarp who was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist, or the biographies of Peter’s successors such as Linus from 67 a.d., Anacletus from 76 a.d., Clement I, from 88 a.d., you’ll see the grave error non Catholics are committing by ignoring the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this brief explanation will open your eyes to why Catholics adhere to what our Church and the Pope teach us as Jesus truly demands of those who believe.
God bless.

 

[KestrelRose]

Accept Israel as the God given homeland of the jews

Pray to any saint whatever, including Mary

Own or ever intend to own, or have on display in your home, or about your person, a statue, icon, cross, crucifix, picture, medal, scapula or anything else like that

Would it be sufficient to simply:

Go to Mass every sunday

Confess your sins

Partake of the Eucharist.

Keep the commandments.

Yes. But you could also be a musician and never listen to Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. You could be an artist and never see a sunset. God’s creations are beautiful to behold and to cherish.

 

[JRKH]

Accept Israel as the God given homeland of the jews

There is no teaching on this so it has no effect on being Catholic

Pray to any saint whatever, including Mary

While prayer to saints is encouraged and they are involked in the Liturgy, there is no requirement for a personal devotion to any but The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Own or ever intend to own, or have on display in your home, or about your person, a statue, icon, cross, crucifix, picture, medal, scapula or anything else like that

Again, this would be a matter of personal Choice. Such things are not forbidden and many find them to be helpful to their spiritual journey.

Would it be sufficient to simply:

Go to Mass every sunday

Confess your sins

Partake of the Eucharist.

Keep the commandments.

I would say that, if this is as much as you are able to understand, it would be sufficient. However being Catholic should not entail minumums, If a person is able to read, understand, question, and grow in faith they need to do so. Jesus always exhorts us to strive to be closer to Him
All Catholics are called to Holiness. This Holiness is a journey of prayer, supplication, humility, dedication to learning and growing in the faith and holiness. It also includes submission to Christ through His Church and accepting, even if we don’t understand them, certain doctrines (such as marian doctrines or transubstantiation). These are bound in heaven as they are bound upon earth.

 

[JRKH]

AH - Now I see a little better the direction of your queries.

Thank you for your considered response. I have huge issues with all things catholic at the moment but Im still curious. My biggest stumbling blocks are the whole Papal thing, the corrupt politics as I see them, the whole statue, pictures, scapulas thing.

It is obvious from your signature and your comment here that you are a politically aware person. That being said I will attempt to comment. The purpose for the authority of the Pope is to be the “Final arbiter” for Christ on earth. This is strongly based in the Bible. Also it is important to note that no Pope ever acts imulsively or alone on any important issue but rather works with and through the magisterium of the Church.
As to corrupt Politics, you’d need to be more specific, but basically I’d ignore much of that until you come to grips with the Actual teachings of the Church.

I believe in God. Any religion I would adhere to would have to have God, and only God, as it’s entire and sole focus.

And the Catholic Church agrees with you completely. God is our entire Good, and our Entire Hope and Our entire Goal.

For me, personally, the whole saints, rituals, thing is just a waste of time and a distraction. My entire and only concern would be on God alone.

This would certainly be an option. In fact I also have tended toward “ignoring” the saints and remaining focused fully on The Father and on Christ.
As I have grown in faith I have recognized the power of the saints to do good and to be guides for us. So there is good to be gleaned from them if you so choose.

That is why Im especially interested in catolics believe in the Eucharist. I cant think of anything more awesome.

Me either.

Have you considered trying to take a RCIA course just for informational purposes? Like the ads read, no purchase necessary.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

Thanks again lilyM and Reuben. Is it permissible to join a church program to explore catholicism rather than with the intention of being a catholic. Im very far from that position, but it is the real presence belief of the church that attracts me.

Check at a local parish. You might be able to get into an RCIA program, though I think most are already underway, or you might be able to get hooked up with someone one-on-one. Priests are terribly busy these days, but it your persistant I’m sure that something can be done.

LilyM I see your point. But it seems to me - well now anyways - that any prayer to anyone else is taking away from prayertime I could be giving to God. I believe God knows all my needs and will provide for me. I offer prayers of thanks and petition to God. I really dont understand why I would pray to X to pray for me to God when I can pray to God. Its not really just me and God as you describe it - surely everything we do and say should be focused on God and God alone. Its like me asking my sister to say Hi and thanks to my mother. Why would I do that? Surely my mother would appreciate me going directly to her and saying Hi and thanks, rather than hearing it second hand through my sister

Lily is a wonderful person and expresses a view you will find with most catholics I expect. However there is no impediment to taking things straight to Dad (God the Father) if that is what you feel comfortable with. In fact most of my prayers are addressed to “Almighty Father”.
Of course, as you grow in your spiritual life you may find a saint that particularly attracts you, say be reading about them or something. Then, if you are so inclined, you may choose to ask for their help and intercession. Again no-problem. You may also find, after studying things like the aparitions at Lourdes or Fatima, that you are inclined to pray the Rosary - Go right ahead.
Then again you might continue ot simply address all of your prayers directly to God the Father. No - Problem

In terms of authority - I dont think Id have an issue there. I just might not agree with it all. I can accept authority without agreeing with some of the issues. Im ex military - I carried out commands all day long, left right and centre - I maybe agreed with like 10% of them

The great advantage of The Church is that it is so old. The doctrines and teachings have developed in God’s time over many centuries. Also these are guarded by a large group of learned men (magisterium) as well as being protected by the Holy Spirit.
These men have studied on subject after subject and basically “do the work for us”. By that I mean that, if we don’t have the time to read up on and thoroughly understand each doctrine, we can be assured that a large and learned group did do just that, and did so prayerfully.
Personally I think that is awesome

Peace
James

 

[Guyonthestreet]

James - thank you very much for the time you took in replying. Ive just been to another thread where someone said to be christian is by default to be pro Israel. I wrote something like well thats it for me then, as I can never, and will never be pro Israel.

Then I read your post. And Im kinda back to where I was. Curious again.

Im a minimalist. I believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The catholic church teaching on the Eucharist is just awesome to me, even though I dont understand it. But if its possible to take the Body and Blood of Jesus then I want to.

Then comes all the catholic hoops and hoopla. Saints, Mary, Pope, etc. As I said, Im a minimalist.

Let me spell that out for you. I lived for many years out of a kit bag. Everything I owned, quite literally everything, fitted in there.

Upon discharge, I travelled the world on a tenere. Everything I had, everything, fitted into two saddlebags, and I had a tube for tools under the crashbars.

I came home after many years on the road, covering most of the world and nearly a quater of a million miles, and even though I have a well paid job, a very active lifestyle, and numerous interests and hobbies, everything, literally everything, that I own, will fit into a single suitcase. Since I was 18 years old, and that is a long time ago, I have lived my life in a way that with 30 minutes notice, I can have everything packed, everything I need to survive, and be outahere.

I have a minimilist mentality. If it’s not essential, Im not interested, so I dont feel like Im ever missing out on anything. Thats why I asked the question like I did. If I ever became catholic, my entire and sole focus would be on God and the Eucharist only. Everything else, to me, no matter how worthy, or interesting, is superfluous.

 

[JRKH]

James - thank you very much for the time you took in replying. Ive just been to another thread where someone said to be christian is by default to be pro Israel. I wrote something like well thats it for me then, as I can never, and will never be pro Israel.

Then I read your post. And Im kinda back to where I was. Curious again.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but until someone shows me the official Church teaching that Catholics must be pro-Isreal it remains just that - Opinion.

Im a minimalist. I believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The catholic church teaching on the Eucharist is just awesome to me, even though I dont understand it. But if its possible to take the Body and Blood of Jesus then I want to.

I believe that God is drawing you this way and since He is He isn’t going to throw any unsurmountable obsticles in your way.

Then comes all the catholic hoops and hoopla. Saints, Mary, Pope, etc. As I said, Im a minimalist.

Believe me brother I appreciate that. I spent almost 30 years out of the Church and went through a similar thing. I needed to get this whole “Christian thing” torn down to the basics. Once I did that and started building back out from there it was pretty easy. I still try to keep things simple, but I at least understand and appreciate the deep and rich body of faith and teaching available to me if I so choose.

Let me spell that out for you. I lived for many years out of a kit bag. Everything I owned, quite literally everything, fitted in there.

Upon discharge, I travelled the world on a tenere. Everything I had, everything, fitted into two saddlebags, and I had a tube for tools under the crashbars.

I came home after many years on the road, covering most of the world and nearly a quater of a million miles, and even though I have a well paid job, a very active lifestyle, and numerous interests and hobbies, everything, literally everything, that I own, will fit into a single suitcase. Since I was 18 years old, and that is a long time ago, I have lived my life in a way that with 30 minutes notice, I can have everything packed, everything I need to survive, and be outahere.

I have a minimilist mentality. If it’s not essential, Im not interested, so I dont feel like Im ever missing out on anything. Thats why I asked the question like I did. If I ever became catholic, my entire and sole focus would be on God and the Eucharist only. Everything else, to me, no matter how worthy, or interesting, is superfluous.

Gotcha - and I find no impediment in what you say. You can compare some of this to your time in the military. The military is a very large machine with many different components and pieces, specialties and disciplines - But everyone starts out in basic training.
Everyone runs the obstacle course, learns to shoot, drill and all the other stuff. It doesn’t really matter if your going to spend the rest of your hitch in an office clerking or a motor pool fixing vehicles, you still have to go through the same basic training.
The Church is similar in a way.
The Eucharist is so special a sacrament that the Church must be careful of it. She does this to preserve the Sanctity of the Sacrament, the Body and Blood of Our Dear Lord and the soul of those receiving it.
This is why The Church requires the preperation she does before accepting one into the community. It doesn’t really matter how much or little you wish to avail yourself of, you would just need to go through the training and accept the Church’s teachings and authority.

After reading through your post and understanding you a bit better, it strikes me that you are a bit like the desert hermits. A very simple Life, very Spiritual, not really wanting much in material ways. Just wanting to Love God and be as close to Him as possible.
If you choose to come into the Church you might actually feel an interest in that spirituality. - - Or not.

The more I read of your interest, the more confirmed I feel that God is truly drawing you to His Church. Please continue and hope we can continue to help.

Peace
James