If I'm not Catholic, then what am I?

[benedictus2]

Mercygate, why should I watch out if things are getting easier?

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I’ll put my two cents here. Because the devil never rests to waylay anyone.

There is a tendency to let our guard down and become complacent. Keep doing the adoration, going to confession,etc and you will be fine.

Check out St Ignatius rules on the discernment of spirits. This is an excellent guide.

 

[benedictus2]

Avoid creating a shopping around system. Don’t make this a pick and chose exercise, where YOU decide whats acceptable or not and then go shopping for a faith that will accommodate what YOU believe.

It’s hard. But stick with your RCIA and ask questions of the catechist and your priest. They should be able to give you full and comprehensive answers.

If the answers dont suit you, then pray for the grace to understand and accept the teachings of Mother Church.

Ive had a REAL hard time with the chastity issues. But since having my heart opened to God, Ive come to realise the teaching in the catechism right. Now I could make all sorts of arguements as to why its wrong, or dumb, but where will that get me? When you read and research the churches teachings properly you realise that what She is doing is freeing you from a type of slavery to your own desires. And the discipline and self control are liberating. Dont get me wrong - I struggle like you wouldnt believe every day !!! But Im free and getting more free every day. And another thing I thought about as Im dealing with this - do I really want to receive the Body of Christ with a hand and fingers that has been doing THAT !!!
No. The Churches teaching is right on the money.

Forgiveness - ONLY Christ can forgive our sins. But we receive this through His priests, as they have been given the authority here on earth to absolve in His Name. You also have the added bonus of getting some spiritual direction and support from another human being. To me, thats much more attractive than just saying sorry in your bedroom.

Holy Days of Obligation - I just wish I could make every day a Holy day and get to mass every day. Whether it’s in the Bible or not.

I hope you stick with your journey and get your questions answered so you can stay on the straight and narrow.

Bruxilda.

Wow! I missed this post before. But this is simply brilliant.

 

[TBolt1000T]

I was half joking about being careful if things are getting easier – Old Scratch loves to wiggle in where you are starting to feel comfortable.

But if you have a lot of backup, people who are spiritually astute and have experience with the kinds of things that you are wrestling with, then you are in good shape. For my :twocents: I would like you to have access to a good pastoral person: a priest or Religious. Someone who is experienced in the discernment of where your struggles are coming from and can counsel you on working through them.

Thanks for the warning, and the advice. I do have at least two friends that can back me up if I need them, and some of my family members are also Catholic. One o my friends is a transitional decan, who hopes to become a priest soon. I do think that praying before the Blessed Sacrament is helping me a whole lot, and having the Blessed Virgin Mary on my side is also a big plus. Please continue to pray for me.

 

[wina]

Thanks for the warning, and the advice. I do have at least two friends that can back me up if I need them, and some of my family members are also Catholic. One o my friends is a transitional decan, who hopes to become a priest soon. I do think that praying before the Blessed Sacrament is helping me a whole lot, and having the Blessed Virgin Mary on my side is also a big plus. Please continue to pray for me.

Absolutely TBolt, you are in my prayer

 

[TBolt1000T]

PraRFLEsEkHm:

If you can make a perfect act of contrition, absolution in the standard form is not needed (although encouraged).

What do I do with the following quote from canon law then?

“Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless
there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition
which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.”

Canon law appears to say that a perfect act of contrition has to include the resolution to confess to a priest. I’m really confused now…

BTW, I got the quote from Can. 916 from this thread.

 

[jmcrae]

What do I do with the following quote from canon law then?

“Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless
there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition
which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.”

Canon law appears to say that a perfect act of contrition has to include the resolution to confess to a priest. I’m really confused now…

BTW, I got the quote from Can. 916 from this thread.

Yes, this is accurate. For a baptized convert, “as soon as possible” is the appointment scheduled during Lent by the RCIA coordinator. You are not required to jump the gun, or do anything without the proper preparation.

 

[mercygate]

What do I do with the following quote from canon law then?

“Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless
there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition
which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.”

Canon law appears to say that a perfect act of contrition has to include the resolution to confess to a priest. I’m really confused now…

BTW, I got the quote from Can. 916 from this thread.

Clearly, confession IS needed (as canon 916 states). Confession would be “not needed” only in a situation (like you’re on an airplane that is going down) where it would not be possible to go to confession.