How long is this process and what all does it involve? I am looking into this process for me. I got married by a judge and my husband is not religious. I want to get ur marriage recognized in the church because I did miss out in that testament. I think our main concerns is the priest convincing my spouse to convert when he doesn't have an interest in it. He was baptized LDS and they don't believe in the Holy Trinity so I personally don't consider them Christian. Would he need his baptism papers?

Hi, everyone.

I don't really know how to explain this, but, in few words: recently I have become religious, however, I am not baptized yet, I am still a teenager and I would rather wait until adulthood. But, in my state of non-baptized, is it allowed to pray and go to Mass?

I was taking a shower the other day and noticed that my shampoo has hemp seed oil in it. I was wondering what The Church’s stance is on marijuana cbds and hemp, since at the chiropractic office I work at we also have a cbd based cooling cream that we’ve used 1 or 3 times. I’m pretty sure getting high is of grave matter (I’ve heard stories of ppl get possessed by using drugs and my former hippie grandpa said the last time he used marijuana he saw demons and it convinced him to stop). I don’t desire to use weed or cbds really But I don’t think cbds and hemp get you high and I’m curious whether or not we can use those types of products. And most importantly can I use that shampoo or do I need to find a new shampoo soon cause tomorrow is my shampooing day.

Im not sure what I was supposed to learn from this, I've been thinking about it all day and I'm still confused as to why he'd tell me to read this instead of saying some prayers.

I have a lot of questions related to OCIA and my return to Catholicism after decades of atheism. I'm on fire with this return. Our pastor is the OCIA teacher. I also want to run some past experiences by the priest in my parish to see if I should interpret them as spiritual or not. My questions are constantly on my mind. I know I need to speak with our priest. I try to schedule time with him. Sometimes he is available. Sometimes it seems like he's avoiding me. We have only one pastor. So, any advice for how I should proceed?

my grandma has been diagnosed with cancer and is really ill. i’ve had this urge to go to the church she’s been going to for decades and i used to go with her when i was younger. i’m not sure if it’s to feel closer to her? but there’s something inside that’s telling me to go. I’ve always wanted to believe in god but it’s like there’s a wall that’s stopping me from accepting it? i don’t know if that makes sense. but since she’s got ill there’s a nagging in my brain that’s telling me to go.

Has anyone gone to confession and the priest simply didn't show up? I took time off work drove 15 min away and no priest for confession. This has never happened before, the homily this past weekend our priest even talked about confession and he isn't even here. There were about 10 of us sitting and waiting. We didn't even get a notice on the parish Facebook page or anything. I am really sad because I needed to go this week and there isn't any other time I can go. There is no confession this upcoming Thursday.

I know I'm not going to hell but who do I reach out too so the next time a priest can't make it they can announce it over mass or have the office post it on social media. I'm trying so hard to not be mad. I saw him 15 min after the set confession time getting into his robes for noon mass.

I am sitting 15 feet sway from Bishop Strickland at O’hare. I nodded and said Good evening Father when he walked past me. Then I realized he’s a Bishop. As a non-catholic, how should I have addressed him?

He is traveling alone so I don’t want bother him. Please pray for him.

Thanks!

Greetings, Fathers.

I’ve already prayed about it and discerned that my son (10) and I (in solidarity) won’t line up to receive the Precious Blood when offered at Mass but I’m interested in any answer you might give, please.

My Son received his First Communion 18 months ago, under both species. And now, in our Diocese, the Bishop has advocated that both species be available for everyone, each Mass. My son regularly has taken the chalice, barring illness, and I’ve allowed that, seeing no issue as he is a fully initiated member of the church. (Confirmation is prior to Communion, in our Diocese).

On Sunday the senior server approached me after Mass and said that Father had asked me to stop my son from receiving the chalice, as some parishioners had indicated to Fr that they think my son is too young, and shouldn’t take it. Father did not speak to me directly, but I understood the message well enough.

I’m aware I can make an appointment to ask about this if I want to, but I know Fr has a lot of demand on his time, and I’ve already resolved as above, and communicated to my son, the same. I don’t know the history or motivation of any person who may have raised this with Father, but I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, and also teach my son that giving way, in non essentials, is an act of charity and obedience.

I guess my questions are - is this a common misunderstanding or occurrence? Have I been wrong in allowing him to receive the Precious Blood at his age? Would you handle the situation the same, as a priest?

I did initially feel mild irritation at being policed about this but am at peace with my decision now. I’m just interested in what you might think, if you are happy to reply.

Thank you, and God bless

If someone made it publicly known she used a Holy Death (Santa Muerte) curse? ( I'm not sure proper term) on someone. How can that person be freed from it? Said person is medically sick so using his sickness, i assume, in the prayer/curse against him.

As a laity, I want to try to start creating daily reflection. I’m no scholar and I’m not like those apologetics and Scott Hahn.

I feel like flipping through pages, looking at cross references, is hurting my head and not understanding the context here.

What about priest? I found a website call ePriest which is a paid subscription for daily reflection so priest can prepare homilies during mass. Do they just print it and read off the script or do they google stuff to find inspiration to come up with their own?

Hey everyone, I just got baptized into the church after years of addiction, self delete attempts, and new age bs. I finished law school a few years ago, still on probation for possession of a small amount of psychedelic mushrooms and waiting to finish that to be admitted to the bar. I worked at a few offices but I don’t like law really. I love Christ and His church. Is there a way or a path to use my law degree, or even my history and political science degree to be a lay person member of the Catholic Church? Canon law? Historian?

My wife and I have been attending Saturday afternoon Mass for a couple of months and have considered starting OCIA. However, I am a contracted musician at another church until next July. I do not feel comfortable breaking this contract, as this church has many friends and some family that I would be abandoning without a musical alternative. I want to give them ample time to find my replacement. Can we start the process while only attending on Saturday Mass (and OCIA classes) and shift our attendance after my contract is up? Is this something that is done?

I had one three years ago and don’t regret it. Why? Well, for one thing, I just don’t want kids. Point blank period. Never had the desire for being a father. And I got the procedure because I wanted some peace of mind knowing that, if I eventually find myself with a woman and use protection, the likelihood of an accidental pregnancy is extremely low.

And yet, the Church considers this a permanent form of contraception. Could I get it reversed? Yes. But a) these aren’t very effective and b) I just don’t want to. I have no regrets over it, like I said.

But given this, would this bar me from becoming a full fledged member of the Church, since I’m deliberately going against something the Church forbids? Or would the priest or bishop or whomever is really in charge of getting me confirmed not really care and just cares about who I am as a person and how I plan to live my life?

I went to confession and mentioned that I struggle with premarital sex with my boyfriend, we have gone months without and then will fall, etc and I received unworthily. I said I have a hard time having full contrition (feeling sorry) but I fear going to hell.

He said that while it is a serious sin, I wouldn’t be going to hell & I shouldn’t avoid the Eucharist or confession because it is what will help me overcome this sin. He said it’s not mortal because it is not as though we’re committing it to “spite” God, and that our passions do not permit us to fully understand or consent to what we’re doing.
I was feeling some despair just because I want to be a good Catholic but we feel like this sin is one that we don’t fully feel sorry for.
I’m confused because I have heard both sides of this sin. Can someone clarify?

When people ask questions about doing something against Church teaching for grave reasons, many people advise to speak to a priest. Is this just about receiving accurate counsel and support, or is there the option for priests to give permission/dispensation for actions normally not permitted?

I understand about the principle of double effect, but I’m thinking about actions not normally discussed as being covered by this.

I'm a 34M from India, agnostic. For a couple of months I've been dating a 33F, a Catholic single mom of three. We're very aligned on values and the relationship has been great.

From the beginning, she's said she wants a partner of faith because she wants her household rooted in it. She set that aside for a while because we get along so well. Recently she told me it's best we don't get serious, because faith is non-negotiable for her and I'm not a religious man.

I care about her deeply and can see a future with her. I'm willing to explore the faith, but I don't want to fake belief or convert only to keep a relationship. That wouldn't be fair to her, her kids, or God. I'd like to be honest with myself about whether this could become real.

I planned to attend Sunday Mass today but couldn't make it. I'm hoping to go next weekend.

Is it okay to start exploring with an open mind but no belief yet?

How should I approach a parish or priest as a total beginner?

What does RCIA look like for someone in my position?

For those who came to the faith through a relationship: how did you know it was genuine?

Thank you, and please be gentle with me.

Can I talk about this topi with priest in private chat?

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Dear Fathers,

My wife recently gave birth to our second daughter by C-section. During the operation, the doctor told me very seriously that her uterine wall was extremely thin and that another pregnancy could cause a catastrophic uterine rupture, endangering both her life and the baby's.

My wife requested a tubal ligation, but the doctor did not perform it due to legal restrictions. He strongly recommended that I undergo a vasectomy instead.

I am a practicing Catholic and want to follow the Church's teachings. I plan to seek a second medical opinion to confirm the diagnosis, but if the risks are confirmed, I am seriously considering a vasectomy to protect my wife and avoid putting a future child at risk.

What would you advise me to do? Would a vasectomy be morally permissible in these circumstances?

Thank you for your guidance.

Pretty self-explanatory title... I'm fully aware of how stupid this question is but I really just want to know if holy water is drinkable. Side question, has anyone ever drank holy water? Did it taste nice?

I am so sorry for this its mostly just a shower thought I had and I really want to ask someone if it's possible to drink it

I know historically this was quite common but I am curious about what its like today. I am 21 and studying physics, I have an affinity towards science and philosophy and hope to be a part of the scientific community one day, but I have also been discerning the vocation towards priesthood. I am curious whether I could work towards a PhD after seminary or maybe get a different degree altogether, or work with a university as an associate or something? Do you have experience with this?