1950s, Bytom, Poland

This was once a common practice in Catholic countries. What do you think about this tradition?

I have heard all the horror stories, particularly about Catholic schools in the US, and have wrongfully assumed that they all were similar. When I took a job at one as an atheist in the local, small-town, politically conservative area I live, I had no clue what to expect, but I was definitely a bit worried that I might be treated differently. Boy, was I wrong.

Throughout my life I have been judged intensely, peer-pressured, or simply treated subtly slightly different by Christians of all different sects/etc. when they’ve found out my beliefs. Being automatically treated as someone to be fixed was immediate, otherwise I was always treated as ‘other’.

In my school, there is zero of that. Absolutely ZERO. No pressure to join, and no judgement or different treatment whatsoever. I almost didn’t think that could be possible. I have been occasionally encouraged to join major mass events, but even using the word “encouraged” sounds excessive. I have learned a lot, and am encouraged to ask lots of questions. I’ve quickly realized that, despite Catholicism not being the main form of Christianity in my area, they are responsible for almost all local homeless, food-related, etc. organizations, including free meals with no questions asked for anyone at every location. This is not gloated about; it is simply seen as the obvious thing to do.

Religion courses have been taught in the past by a Rabbi. People of all faiths are encouraged to attend this school. Anytime a family or child is starting to struggle (I.e. their parents are getting divorced) the people come together to support their mental and financial wellbeings. Recently a coworker of mine casually mentioned her aunt who is married to a woman (almost unheard of in my town) and no one expressed even a sliver of judgement or awkwardness.

I could go on, but I’ll stop for now. I just wanted to say thank you, I guess, and that I apologize sincerely for being judgmental in the past.

So, I have seen a couple of these billboards recently when driving in my town and outside of town. They’ve caught my attention and got me thinking every time. (Obv not my pic. I didn’t have time to snap a pic but I was able to find one in another group here on Reddit)

What is our stance on this? I don’t know why it’s getting me so deep in thought and why it’s catching my attention so much that I’m researching it. It’s like I want to put up another billboard that says, “Well, you’re wrong.”

Matthew 28:19 (The Great Commission): Jesus instructs his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".

2 Corinthians 13:14: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

What do I, or what should I, do with it?

April 5 is the Feast of Saint Vincent Ferrer, Dominican Priest and Friar, Confessor, and Thaumaturgus

Personally, Saint Vincent is one of my Patron Saints. So to all devotees and to those who consider Saint Vincent Ferrer as their patron, may you all have a blessed celebration of his feast day.

This wonderful apostle, the “Angel of the Judgment,” was born at Valencia in Spain, in 1350, and at the age of eighteen professed in the Order of St. Dominic. After a brilliant course of study he became master of sacred theology. For three years he read only the Scriptures, and knew the whole Bible by heart. He converted the Jews of Valencia, and their synagogue became a church. Grief at the great schism then afflicting the Church reduced him to the point of death; but Our Lord Himself in glory bade him go forth to convert sinners, “for My judgment is nigh.” This miraculous apostolate lasted twenty-one years. He preached throughout Europe, in the towns and villages of Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland. Everywhere tens of thousands of sinners were reformed; Jews, infidels, and heretics were converted. Stupendous miracles enforced his words. Twice each day the “ miracle bell “ summoned the sick, the blind, the lame to be cured. Sinners the most obdurate became Saints; speaking only his native Spanish, he was understood in all tongues. Processions of ten thousand penitents followed him in perfect order. Convents, orphanages, hospitals, arose in his path. Amidst all, his humility remained profound, his prayer constant. He always prepared for preaching by prayer. Once, however, when a person of high rank was to be present at his sermon he neglected prayer for study. The nobleman was not particularly struck by the discourse which had been thus carefully worked up; but coming again to hear the Saint, unknown to the latter, the second sermon made a deep impression on his soul. When St. Vincent heard of the difference, he remarked that in the first sermon it was Vincent who had preached, but in the second, Jesus Christ. He fell ill at Vannes in Brittany, and received the crown of everlasting glory in 1419.

-Excerpted from Butler's Lives of the Saints, 1894

𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑽𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑭𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒓, 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔!

First, i would like to introduce myself. Im 14 and just start to going to church again and i make a lot of lustful sin like masturbate, watching pornagraphy, im very embrassing to say that to someone else other than God. Can someone give me advise please

I’m having a super hard time finding a dress for my baptism that has long sleeves that doesn’t scream wedding dress or bridesmaid. I specifically want long sleeves because I have self harm scars that I’d like to keep covered if possible.

If anyone has any recommendations I’d love to see them. Picture of the best dress I’ve found so far but am still on the fence as it’s giving bridesmaid to me. But I might just have to suck it up at this point as I’m running out of time!

I recently experienced a very traumatic birth experience: long labor ended up with emergency C-section, postpartum hemorrhage two times, followed by hysterectomy, life-threatening but rare condition called DIC occurred in blood transfusion, and finally bleeding was controlled by tighten uterine artery from the leg end.

I survived all of this with 4 liter blood transfusion, 3 days in ICU and 1 week hospitalization.

I walked out of hospital like a normal person just had C-section. My body went through a lot but recovered so fast and I can also lactate normally.

The OB and nurse were saying this is a miracle, my recovery is so fast and there must be an angel up there protecting me.

I then thought about the saint I pick when I got baptized 10 years ago - Saint Philomena. So I looked her up, and found out she is a “Patron Saint of Babies, Infants, and Youth, largely due to her youthful martyrdom and the widespread devotion and miracles attributed to her intercession, especially those involving children”.

I just amazed by this coincidence, or this is a true miracle that I am survived so my baby end up has a mom.

I always said amen during communion but I never heard anyone else say amen so it felt wrong. So this one time I didn't say amen and as I was walking the priest angrily shouted "say amen!" I want to die of embarrassment I was ready to cry. Now I realize it wasn't that big of a deal and we all learn from our mistakes.

I have used methods like leaving it in vinegar but it hasn't work for me.

Hello everyone. I would love to hear your opinions on this. I saw some videos about Rosaries that don't have "INRI" above the Lord's head and it spooked me. People in videos said that these rosaries are "satanic" and are being used to hoax Christians. I was given this Rosary when I was maybe 2 years old by a nun and it's been with me my whole life but I never paid attention to this until recently. This looks like a branch with thorns and something across it. Are you familiar with Rosaries like mine? It is over 30 years old so that's why it looks this way plus when I was a kid I accidentally melted it on a candle 🤭

My Aunt just died today. I would appreciate prayers for her soul. Eternal rest grant to her oh Lord…

Just what the title says. What schools, private or public, have the most vibrant Catholic community?

So I was talking with an older, not catholic girl. I was talking about how I really liked a boy, and that I was really happy he is Christian. The convo escalated, and we started talking abt how being a teen is hard, and it eventually led to the topic of lust in general. I asked her a few questions, and she told me she isn't a virgin. She told me very minor details like "it hurt my first time" and "it was protected, we used a condom and im on birth control" we eventually ended up talking abt how we've both overcome masturbation, in no more detail than that. I also mentioned some other lust related things i overcame. She was like "this is normal, and it's good that ur faith has helped you overcome this" that was the extent of our convo. Is this sinful, should I confess it? Since nothing was in any detail idk, and bc we didn't rly talk abt sex. Pls comment!

Like every religion is going to say they are the true one. What makes Catholicism special? Wasn't Jesus a Jew?

Protestants don't care what you say actions speak louder than words. How do I know we are only venerating her.

Hello All!

I’m a Protestant who is journeying to the Catholic Faith. I recently purchased a RSV Bible and I’m curious about the pictures on the cover. I obviously know Jesus is in the center, but what are the other pictures in the four corners supposed to be? I understand they are probably all Biblical, but can anybody tell me exactly what they are? Thanks and God Bless

I spotted this crucifix in a two dollar bag at a thrift store and thought it might open. Imagine my shock when I opened it at home to find thirteen relics inside! Twelve of them have saint names (including St. Agnes) written on slips of paper.

This is such a treasure to me and I'm in total awe to have stumbled across it. I'm wondering if there's a way to tell what class the relics are? I know the crucifix was made in Germany (it has a small inscription on it), and my research online tells me these kind of reliquaries can contain first, second, or third class. All are precious, I'm just curious if there's a way to tell? Does anyone have experience with or knowledge about these types of reliquaries? The relics are tucked under the slips of paper, and the paper is fairly old and fragile. I want to be as careful with it as I can.

A few weeks ago I confessed at a different parish and I don’t think the priest said I absolve you. He said through the ministry of the church may God grant you pardon and peace father son holy spirit

So at my next confession, at the end I mentioned this and was going to repeat the sins from the previous one in case it was invalid, but the priest at the second confession stopped me and told me I was fine because I did what I was supposed to do and it wasn’t my fault.

So is this correct? Or d do I need to repeat my last two or just my one before last?

I’m not sure what I was so afraid of. I did a thorough Examination of Conscience, wrote everything down, brought some directions and just read my sins to the priest. I do feel a lot better. It made me feel more ‘Catholic’ if that makes sense. Looking even more forward to the 3rd scrutiny tomorrow and getting confirmed at the Easter Vigil.

Thanks for welcoming me to this beautiful religion and relationship with Christ.

I believe this was my first confession ever (it’s possible I did as a child but I wouldn’t remember it) at 27 years old.

It went really well! Once I entered to room with the divider (super cool btw) I was a bit nervous but the priest was super cool and welcoming, and so happy that I was there.

I confessed to as much as I could remember but forgot one (I will confess to this sin in my next confession) and the priest blessed me.

Super excited for mass tomorrow! (I will not receive communion)

I was just wondering if any of you knew if the Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner is catholic? Pope Francis celebrated his Australian Open win in 2024, but I am not sure. Thank you!

I (20M) am currently listening to Latin songs that are just so beautiful. I have found a few, but I am DESPERATELY trying to find more of them.

The ones I have right now are: Anima Christi by Marco Frisina & Coro della Diocesi di Roma https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq1KwHUd8gk&si=7Hh8Q0YA-6pBrVzn

Jesu Redemptor Omnium by Daughters of Mary https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=zchKsEEoqR4&si=13wXoZ-b4sr87eoN

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Here in Germany there seem to be more free ceremony weddings (Freie Trauung) than church weddings/ than civil wedding celebrations among the young people.

A paid speaker will talk about the couple and they stage a wedding vow ceremony that will remind us very much of a church ceremony but it's essentially non religious. The bride has a veil, sometimes the dad will bring her in. It's like witnessing actors playing church but in a nice garden.

It feels awkward for me to watch, almost blasphemous. I feel like I don't want to attend these weddings anymore. I would respect a pagan wedding more if the couple was really believing into Thor and Freya, but these empty, super expensive, money-consuming, staged settings are just making me shudder. But please tell me if I'm over the top with my aversion.

Why do so many couples want to have this empty ceremony if they could get married in church or just a civil wedding? Should catholics attend these weddings?