Does praying for the sick imply that we can change God's mind?

Does praying for the sick imply that we can change God's mind?

Full Question

I've been having trouble lately defending the practice of praying for those who are sick. Praying that those who are ill and their loved ones would accept God's will, whatever that may be—that type of prayer makes sense to me. But doesn't praying for someone's healing imply that we have some control over God's will? If God felt it was time to bring a sick person home to him, would everyone's prayers for healing somehow change God's mind, as if what we wanted was better for the world than God's plan? And if prayer can accomplish that, it seems unfair to the sick person who has no one to pray for him.

Answer

Do you think that those people who asked Jesus to heal them in the Gospels should have kept quiet? If Jesus wanted to heal them, he would know their need and respond if he chose to. But the fact is that Jesus told us to ask for what we need (cf. Mk 11:24, Lk 18:1). He obviously wanted those people to express their confidence in his power and love. So it is with us. It is not a matter of trying to change God’s mind. God may very well intend to heal certain sick persons if they ask him to. The prayer of petition requires faith. It is good for us, and he always wants what is good for us.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

What happens to an object when it is blessed?

What happens to an object when it is blessed?

Full Question

I've always wondered what the Catholic Church means by "blessing," especially in blessing objects. Does the object bear a new and real virtue?

Answer

Briefly, a blessing on an object is a prayer that praises God for the act of creating this object and implores that the object be used for his greater glory. The Catechism puts it this way:

Among sacramentals, blessings (of persons, meals, objects, and places) come first. Every blessing praises God and prays for his gifts. In Christ, Christians are blessed by God the Father "with every spiritual blessing." This is why the Church imparts blessings by invoking the name of Jesus, usually while making the holy sign of the cross of Christ. (CCC 1671)

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Is Jesus present for 15 minutes after we receive him in the Eucharist?

Is Jesus present for 15 minutes after we receive him in the Eucharist?

Full Question

I have heard that Jesus is present in a very special way for 15 minutes after you receive his precious body and blood. Is this true? My RCIA director does not believe this.

Answer

It usually takes about ten minutes for the host and the precious blood to be diluted and assimilated in the stomach. During these minutes the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ reside sacramentally within the person’s body in the most intimate of communions.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

If I'm not praying a novena exactly as prescribed to obtain an answer, must I start over?

If I'm not praying a novena exactly as prescribed to obtain an answer, must I start over?

Full Question

I am currently praying the novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux in hopes that she will give me a rose in answer to my question. I've discovered that I haven't been praying the novena in the exact way prescribed for obtaining an answer. Must I start over?

Answer

St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897) is famous for promising to send down a shower of roses as signs of her prayers for people after her death. The image of a shower of roses is just that: an image of the graces she promised to ask for and, through his love, obtain from God for those who prayed for her intercession. Some people who have prayed for Thérèse’s intercession have discovered roses in unexpected or unlikely places while praying the novena and have taken such sightings as a tangible sign of Thérèse’s intercession on their behalf.

While such a favor is a lovely reminder of this saint’s intercession, there is something of which you should be careful. If you approach this novena from the perspective that, if you pray it in exactly the right way, you will be rewarded with a rose in answer to your question, you are engaging in superstition.

The Catechism warns,

Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition. (2111)

A novena is simply the pious practice of praying for a particular intention nine times. It is usually done with one prayer over a nine-day period but can be done by praying the same prayer nine times in a row. Any formal, informal, or spontaneous prayer done in a set of nine times constitutes a novena. You may use a formal novena that is approved for devotional use or you may put together your own set of prayers for your private use. The only requirement is that the prayers not be said with the intention to manipulate an answer from God. Whatever they are—if they are said faithfully and with trust in God that he will answer your prayer in the manner he wills to do so—they are fine.

So, in short, no, you don’t have to start over this novena; but you must abandon any thought that saying a novena will be automatically rewarded with the response you have specified. 

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Do we still use the terms mortal and venial in reference to sin?

Do we still use the terms mortal and venial in reference to sin?

Answer

Mortal (deadly) and venial are still terms used by the Church to distinguish serious sin from less serious sin (cf. CCC 1855). Mortal sin is mentioned also in 1 John 5:16–17: "If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal."

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Can you explain where America is in biblical prophecy, if at all?

Can you explain where America is in biblical prophecy, if at all?

Answer

America is not mentioned in Scripture at all. Biblical prophecy, to the extent that we understand its meaning, applies to us as human beings, not necessarily to us as Americans. Of course, our country must strive to create a just society and build a culture of life, as the Holy Father has admonished us; but that applies to all societies and countries at all times, in the past, present, and future.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Can angels appear in the shape of animals?

Can angels appear in the shape of animals, such as a dog or cat?

Answer

An angel is pure spirit and, as such, has no shape. A body is a material thing; while material things change and die, pure spiritual beings do not. But for the purpose of interacting with us, an angel may at times assume a shape in order to fulfill the purpose God intends for the angel to accomplish.

If for the purpose of the angel’s visit to be accomplished the angel wants to be recognized, the angel would most likely assume a shape that would allow this. But the purpose of an angel’s visit may require an angel to go unrecognized. The author of Hebrews warns Christians, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb 13:2).

God the Holy Spirit was willing to appear as a dove (cf. Mt 3:16, Mk 1:10, Lk 3:22, Jn 1:32). There is no reason in principle that an angel could not appear in animal form.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Don't the stories of Enoch and Elijah disprove that heaven was closed?

Don't the stories of Enoch and Elijah disprove that heaven was closed?

Answer

The Church teaches that heaven was closed until Jesus redeemed humanity. Enoch and Elijah were redeemed by Jesus but entered heaven early. They were exceptions. God can do that!

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Does the Bible say marriage is for a man and a woman?

Does the Bible say marriage is for a man and a woman?

Answer

Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God with Adam and Eve. Genesis 2:24 states: "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh".

In Matthew 19:4–5 we see Jesus reaffirming this: "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one’?"

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Did Jesus have free will?

Did Jesus have free will?

Answer

If Jesus did not have free will, we are all in trouble. First of all, God cannot give what he does not have. So if he gave us free will, then he must have it also. We are redeemed because Jesus freely chose to suffer and die for us. There can be no love without the free choice to love.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Could you explain anathema?

Could you explain anathema? Does the Church teach that Protestants are anathema because they don't agree with the Church?

Answer

The use of the word anathema has evolved during the history of the Church, and today it means the same thing as excommunication. (The word anathema is no longer officially used.) Because a person must be a Catholic to be anathema (excommunicated) the term does not apply to Protestants.

Can I receive communion on the tongue?

Can I receive communion on the tongue?

Full Question

Because of a mild disability, it is difficult for me to receive the host in the hand. Communion time has become very stressful as I have dropped the host once already. I was taught to receive in my hand in CCD. Can I receive on the tongue instead?

Answer

The norm (traditional method) for receiving Holy Communion is on the tongue, but the Holy See granted an indult allowing the faithful to receive in the hand (except in cases of intinction).

The new General Instruction of the Roman Missal specifically provides that "the consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant" (160).

The following response appeared in the April 1999 issue of Notitiae, the official publication of the Congregation for Divine Worship, regarding the reception of Communion:

Certainly it is clear from the very documents of the Holy See that in dioceses where the eucharistic bread is put in the hands of the faithful, the right to receive the eucharistic bread on the tongue still remains intact to the faithful. Therefore, those who restrict communicants to receive Holy Communion only in the hands are acting against the norms, as are those who refuse to Christ’s faithful [the right] to receive Communion in the hand in dioceses that enjoy this indult.

With attention to the norms concerning the distribution of Holy Communion, ordinary and extraordinary ministers should take care in a particular way that the host is consumed at once by Christ’s faithful, so that no one goes away with the eucharistic species in his hand.

However, let all remember that the time-honored tradition is to receive the host on the tongue. The celebrant priest, if there is a present danger of sacrilege, should not give the faithful communion in the hand, and he should make them aware of the reason for the way of proceeding. 

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Who is the patron saint of healing?

Who is the patron saint of healing?

Full Question

Who is the patron saint of healing? My son-in-law would like to choose that saint's name for his confirmation name.

Answer

The possibilities are endless, as there are saints to pray to for just about every ache and pain known to man. If your son is looking for a saint with a special interest in praying for those involved in the healing sciences, there are several choices: Luke (patron of physicians), Camillus de Lellis (patron of nurses), and Raphael the archangel (whose name means "God has healed").

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Is homilies allowed by lay persons....

The pastor of my church has been allowing a retired nun to give the homilies during Mass. Is this allowed?

Answer

No. Here is the relevant text from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (revised edition, 2002):

The homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate. (66)

As you can see, it is preferred that the celebrating priest gives the homily himself. In particular circumstances a bishop, deacon, or another priest can give the homily. But it is never to be given by a lay person. 

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Can a bishop prohibit receiving Communion on the tongue?

Can a bishop prohibit receiving Communion on the tongue?

Full Question

Recently I was attending Mass in another diocese, and when I approached the extraordinary minister of the Eucharist to receive on the tongue, I was denied Communion. Not wanting to make a scene, but fairly confident of my rights, I whispered that I can receive this way. The minister apologized but said that the bishop does not permit Communion on the tongue. How can this be?

Answer

The universal law of the Latin rite is that we receive Communion on the tongue. To receive in the hand is an indult or special permission that does not exist in most parts of the world. By law, it is a right of the faithful to receive on the tongue, and the faithful must not have their rights denied.

The Vatican promotes Communion on the tongue not only for its long tradition but because it "expresses the faithful’s reverence for the Eucharist" and "removes the danger of profanation of the sacred species" (Memorial Domini 1277).

Since the indult was granted, profanation of the sacred species does now occur. John Paul II states,

In some countries the practice of receiving Communion in the hand has been introduced. This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. However, cases of a deplorable lack of respect toward the eucharistic species have been reported, cases that are imputable not only to the individuals guilty of such behavior but also to the pastors of the church who have not been vigilant enough regarding the attitude of the faithful toward the Eucharist. It also happens, on occasion, that the free choice of those who prefer to continue the practice of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue is not taken into account in those places where the distribution of Communion in the hand has been authorized. (Dominicae Cenae 11.9)

The new GIRM, in its directives for distributing Communion, states,

The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. . . . The priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, Corpus Christi (the body of Christ). The communicant replies Amen and receives the sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed and if the communicant so chooses, in the hand. (160–161)

Notice that it says, "The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant." It does not say, "At the discretion of the extraordinary minister of the Eucharist" or "at the discretion of the priest or bishop." 

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Should first confession be held after First Communion,...

Should first confession be held after First Communion, and did the Church change the form of confession?

Full Question

Our parish is having First Communion in the second grade and first confession in the fourth grade. Is that right? Also, when I go to confession, my priest does not want to know my sins or how many times I committed them. Did the Church change the way we go to confession?

Answer

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Children must go to the sacrament of penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time" (1457). This is backed up by the Code of Canon Law 914.

The Church has not changed the requirements for confessing our sins in confession. Canon 988 states, "A member of the Christian faithful is obliged to confess in kind and number all serious sins committed after baptism and not yet directly remitted through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession, of which one is conscious after diligent examination of conscience."

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

If non-Catholic parents request that their Catholic....

If non-Catholic parents request that their Catholic children cremate them and spread their ashes somewhere, can the children honor the request?

Answer

"The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires" (Order of Christian Funerals 416).

While cremated remains can be committed to the sea or to the ground in an urn, coffin, or other suitable container, the Church believes that the scattering of ashes is an irreverent treatment of the human body. In light of this it would not be appropriate to promise to scatter another person’s ashes, even those of a non-Catholic, and it may cause scandal to do so.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

If thousands of voters were disenfranchised in an election, .....

If thousands of voters were disenfranchised in an election, would it be immoral on the part of those responsible?

Answer

If anyone with the power to do so freely and knowingly sabotaged another’s right to vote with the intention of changing the outcome of an election that would be a grave injustice.

It also would be a grave injustice to accuse another of doing such a thing if there is reasonable evidence that such accusations may be false.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

Drinking From My Saucer - Poem

  Drinking From My Saucer

        I've never made a fortune, and

        it's probably too late now.

        But I don't worry about that much,

        I'm happy anyhow.

        And, as I go along life's way, 

        I'm reaping better than I sowed.

        I'm drinking from my saucer,

        'Cause my cup has overflowed.

        Haven't got a lot of riches, 

        And sometimes the going's tough!

        But, I've got loving ones all around me, 

        And that makes me rich enough.

        I thank GOD for his Blessings, 

        And the Mercies HE 's bestowed.

        I'm drinking from my saucer, 

        'Cause my cup has overflowed.

        I remember times when things went wrong, 

        My faith wore somewhat thin.

        But, all at once the dark clouds broke, 

        And the sun peeped through again.

        So LORD  help me not to gripe,

        About the tough rows I have hoed.

        I'm drinking from my saucer,

        'Cause my cup has overflowed.

        If GOD gives me strength and courage, 

        When the way grows steep and rough.

        I'll not ask for other blessings, 

        I'm already blessed enough.

        And may I never be too busy, 

        To help others bear their loads.

        Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,

        'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If two people live together before marriage.....

If two people live together before marriage and do not go to confession before their wedding in a Catholic Church, is their marriage valid in the eyes of the Church?

Answer

The validity of the sacrament does not depend on the holiness of the couple.

"This is the meaning of the Church’s affirmation that the sacraments act ex opere operato [literally, ‘by the very fact of the action being performed’], i.e., by virtue of the saving work of Christ, accomplished once for all. It follows that ‘the sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient but by the power of God.’ From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and his Spirit acts in and through it, independently of the personal holiness of the minister" (CCC 1128).

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

Is it okay to hang rosary beads from your rearview mirror?

Is it okay to hang rosary beads from your rearview mirror?

Answer

If it is done as a statement of faith or for some other just purpose, hanging rosary beads on the rearview mirror would not violate canon law’s requirement that sacramentals be treated with due reverence:

Sacred objects, set aside for divine worship by dedication or blessing, are to be treated with reverence. They are not to be made over to secular or inappropriate use, even though they may belong to private persons (CIC 1171).

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Is practicing natural family planning with a contraceptive mentality grave matter?

Is practicing natural family planning with a contraceptive mentality grave matter? If done with full knowledge and consent, would it constitute a mortal sin?

Answer

For a husband and wife to refuse to have children for selfish reasons is a mortal sin—quite apart from whether they use NFP. NFP is a technique that of itself is morally neutral.

The key word here is selfish. It is possible for a husband and wife to determine not to have children for reasons that are not selfish (e.g., financial or health reasons).

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

At the Presentation, why did Mary make a sin offering?

At the Presentation, why did Mary make a sin offering (Lk 2:24, Lv 12:8) if she was without sin?

Answer

For the same reason Jesus was baptized by John, though he had no sins to repent. Mary fulfilled the Law.

According to Leviticus 12:2-8, a mother was purified forty days after the birth of a son, and she was required to offer a lamb as a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove as a sin offering. A poor woman could substitute another pigeon or turtledove for the lamb, thus offering two of them.

The purification had to do with ritual uncleanliness and didn't imply a moral fault in childbirth. As Jesus would later, Mary fulfilled all the precepts of the Law, which, clearly, wasn't written to make allowances for a sinless man (the Messiah) or his sinless mother.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Jesus and the Mud Puddle..heartwarming story

Jesus and the Mud Puddle

Howard County Sheriff Jerry Marr got a disturbing call one Saturday afternoon a few months ago.

His 6-year-old grandson, Mikey, had been hit by a car while fishing in Greentown with his dad.

The father and son were near a bridge by the Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph.

Sheriff Marr had seen the results of accidents like this and feared the worst.When he got to Saint Joseph Hospital, he rushed through the emergency room to find Mikey conscious and in fairly good spirits.

'Mikey, what happened?' Sheriff Marr asked.

Mikey replied, 'Well, Papaw, I was fishin' with Dad, and some lady runned me over. I flew into a mud puddle, and broke my fishin' pole and I didn't get to catch no fish!'

As it turned out, the impact propelled Mikey about 500 feet, over a few trees and an embankment and in to the middle of a mud puddle. His only injuries were to his right femur bone, which had broken in two places. Mikey had surgery to place pins in his leg. Otherwise the boy is fine.

Since all the boy could talk about was that his fishing pole was broken, the Sheriff went out to Wal-Mart and bought him a new one while he was in surgery so he could have it when he came out.The next day the Sheriff sat with Mikey to keep him company in the hospital. Mikey was enjoying his new fishing pole and talked about when he could go fishing again as he cast into the trash can.

When they were alone Mikey, just as matter-of-fact, said, 'Papaw, did you know Jesus is real?'

'Well,' the Sheriff replied, a little startled, 'Yes, Jesus is real to all who believe in him and love him in their hearts.'

'No,' said Mikey. 'I mean Jesus is REALLY real.'

'What do you mean?' asked the Sheriff.

'I know he's real 'cause I saw him,' said Mikey, still casting into the trash can.

'You did?' said the Sheriff.

'Yep,' said Mikey. 'When that lady runned me over and broke my fishing pole, Jesus caught me in his arms and laid me down in the mud puddle.'

Kids and The Bible...humour

Kids and The Bible...

The following comes from a Catholic elementary school test. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. Incorrect spelling has been left in:

In the first book of the bible, Guinessis. God got tired of creating the world so he took the sabbath off.

Adam and eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was Joan of ark. Noah built and ark and the animals came on in pears.

Lots wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night.

The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic genitals.

Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a jezebel like Delilah.

Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the apostles.

Moses led the Jews to the red sea where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients

The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up to mount cyanide to get the Ten Commandments

The first commandments was when eve told Adam to eat the apple.

The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

Moses died before he ever reached Canada then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.

The greatest miricle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

David was a Hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar. He fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in biblical times.

Solomon, one of Davids sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

When the three wise guys from the east side arrived they found Jesus in the manager.

Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

St. John the blacksmith dumped water on his head.

Jesus enunciated the golden rule, which says to do unto others before they do one to you. He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.

It was a miricle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.

The people who followed the lord were called the 12 Decibels.

The Epistels were the wives of the apostles.

One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

St. Paul cavorted to Christianity, he preached holy acrimony which is another name for marraige.

Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

Does the Bible teach reincarnation?

Does the Bible teach reincarnation?

Answer

No. Scripture teaches that "it is appointed that men die once, and after this comes judgment" (Heb 9:27). There is absolutely no biblical evidence for reincarnation.

Sometimes people try to find biblical warrant for reincarnation in Christ's words about John the Baptist. In Matthew 17:12 Christ says, "I tell you Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him." Matthew adds, "Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist" (Mt 17:13).

Is Jesus saying that John was the reincarnation of Elijah? No. Here's the simple reason. According to 2 Kings 2:9-18, Elijah was taken up bodily into heaven without seeing death. Thus, he wasn't a candidate for reincarnation because he was still in his original incarnation.

In Matthew 17:1-8, Moses and Elijah appear to Christ and some of his disciples at the Transfiguration. This occurs after John the Baptist has been executed by Herod Antipas. Why is it, then, that Moses and Elijah appear to Christ and his disciples, and not Moses and John the Baptist?

If Christ doesn't mean John the Baptist is the reincarnation of Elijah, what does he mean? Jesus is speaking figuratively in Matthew 17:12. He's comparing the prophetic ministry of John in the New Testament to that of Elijah in the Old. Similarly, Luke 1:17 says John "will go before him [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah."

So there's no biblical basis for reincarnation. A person who is considering reincarnation is faced with a choice of believing other alleged sources of religious truth or believing the biblical witness. To accept the former in this instance is to reject the latter.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

what's the difference between an Eastern Orthodox, an Anglican or Episcopalian priest?

From the Catholic point of view, what's the difference between an Eastern Orthodox priest and an Anglican or Episcopalian priest?

Answer

The Catholic Church accepts Eastern Orthodox orders as valid. Eastern Orthodox priests really confect the Eucharist, just as Catholic priests do. Eastern Orthodox bishops are true bishops and have the power to ordain other bishops and priests.

Anglican orders, on the other hand, are not recognized as valid by the Church. Anglican priests do not really have priestly powers, and Anglican bishops do not really have episcopal powers. Properly speaking, they are Christian laymen.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

Are Angels depicted on holy cards just ancient superstitions?

Angels as depicted on holy cards are just ancient superstitions, right?

Full Question

I don't believe in angels as shown on old holy cards. That's just ancient superstition, isn't it?

Answer

Basing your theology on art is a bad idea, especially if the art is bad. It's little wonder people who think of angels as fat, winged babies can't take the idea of angels seriously.

People who look at angels this way aren't interpreting angelic representations as they were intended. The baroque artists who covered ceilings with these bouncy, Hosanna-singing messengers didn't really think that's how angels look (can any great artist be that dumb?).

Remember, if you're going to represent angels artistically, you have to show them as something. You can't leave a blank space labeled "Pretend an angel is here." That's why when angels appear to men in the Bible, they usually take on human form. By nature they're pure spirit and as such are incapable of being seen.

In art angels traditionally have appeared as youths (winged or unwinged) or as scantily-clad infants.

However inadequate the artwork, the fact remains that angels exist. It's unfortunate that "enlightened" people today discount the existence of angels. Actually, there's nothing enlightened about such an attitude--quite the opposite: It's a species of closedmindedness.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

"She will like it now" - by Fr. Antonio

"She will like it now" - by Fr. Antonio

It was Wednesday June 5, 2002, when I received a call on my pager. - “Father Antonio, there is a woman who is dying here at the hospital in Ann Arbor. Her family is asking for a Catholic priest to come and give her the last sacrament. Can you please come?”

Sure. It would be the first experience to anoint someone after 10 months of priesthood. My ministry as a priest was more focused on giving Jesus Christ to His people through the Eucharist (saying Masses) and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (hearing confessions). I was also offering spiritual direction to a good number of people. I drove 15 minutes from home. I arrived at the hospital and entered the room.

There was a woman lying in her bed, dying. Her eyes were closed. Her family was gathered around her: the husband, the sons & their wives. They were comforting each other. I opened the book of prayers and prepared the oil. We prayed. I anointed the woman. After the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, I asked the family to pray with me the rosary. I believe that the presence of Mary can give great comfort for the woman’s soul.

The husband approached me as if he was embarrassed. He whispered saying:- "Father, my wife never believed in rosaries. She never prayed the rosary. She never liked it."

"She will like it now," I said it, with my Lebanese accent and a Maronite spirit.

We started praying the rosary. When we reached the 4th sorrowful mystery, the woman opened her eyes. The sons approached their mother to see what was going on. They were crying, amazed.

At the end of the Rosary, I asked the sons:

"What did you see?"

"Her eyes were filled with peace," one of her sons answered.

I knew that Mary was present. I knew that she comforted that woman. It didn't matter whether that woman prayed the rosary in her life or not, whether she liked it or not. It doesn't matter for Mary for she is a mother not a judge. Mary, who was present under the cross at the moment of Christ’s death, is also present at the moment of our death. This is why we pray: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I don't see why Mary had to be sinless to pass on a sinless human nature to Christ.

I don't see why Mary had to be sinless to pass on a sinless human nature to Christ.

Answer

Mary's sinlessness derives from the fact that she is the human vessel through which God himself became man. It was from her flesh that Christ received his human nature.

Because Christ is God, it's fitting that he took his humanity from a sinless human nature, although it wasn't strictly necessary that his mother be sinless for him to receive from her a sinless human nature. God could have done it another way.

Nor was it absolutely necessary that Christ be born of a virgin. He could have come into the world via the normal route. The fact that Mary was a virgin and conceived Christ isn't so much a statement about Mary as it is about the dignity of the child she carried in her womb.

Likewise (and ultimately) the Immaculate Conception isn't so much a statement about the dignity of Mary as it is a statement about the dignity of her son. It points out who he is--God incarnate.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

Is the Eastern Orthodox Church part of the Catholic Church?

Is the Eastern Orthodox Church part of the Catholic Church?

Full Question

I didn't understand your comment about the Eastern Orthodox Church being part of the Catholic Church. I thought the Orthodox were in schism.

Answer

They are. The answer to which you refer ("Quick Questions," August 1991, p. 29) spoke of Eastern-rite Catholics as part of the Catholic Church, not of the Eastern Orthodox as part of the Catholic Church. While these two groups share a similar liturgical and cultural tradition, they’re distinct.

Eastern-rite Catholics are part of the Catholic Church, despite differences in custom and liturgical practice from Western Catholics. While Eastern Orthodox Christians have much in common with Catholics, they’re still in schism--they’ve split off from the legitimate authority of the pope--and therefore aren’t Catholics.

Overcoming the rift between the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy is at the top of Pope John Paul II’s ecumenical agenda. Mistakes were made on both sides, so we should pray for the Holy Spirit’s aid in healing old wounds and restoring full communion between the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Catholic Church.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

JESUS IS WITH US EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIVES-VIDEO

What's the Catholic understanding of virtue?

What's the Catholic understanding of virtue?

Full Question

As an Evangelical who's investigating Rome, I'd like some clarification (preferably biblical) on the meaning of the term "virtue," which I've always understood to mean generic holiness. In Catholic writings virtues are sometimes called "theological" and other times "moral." What's the difference?

Answer

The word "virtue" is used as a synonym for goodness or sobriety or some likable personality trait, but the Church uses the term in a much more precise way. Virtues are special graces given by God to the soul for the accomplishment of particular objectives. They inhere in the soul and are subject to strengthening or weakening. The Church distinguishes between two general categories of virtues: theological and moral.

Faith, hope, and charity are called theological virtues because they are the most important characteristics in a Christian’s life, as Paul explains in Romans 5:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 13:13. They pertain (exclusively, in the case of faith and hope, and primarily, in the case of charity) to one’s relationship with God.

Faith is the grace of believing in God’s love for us and in his revealed truths (Lk 1:45, Jn 11:25-26, Eph 2:8). Hope is the grace of trusting God will be true to his promise to save us from eternal death if we turn to him in repentance (Rom 5:2, 8:25; Heb 6:17-20; 1 Pt 1:3-5). Charity is a two-fold grace with the primary effect of moving the will to love God fervently and above all things and with the secondary effect of intensifying love for our neighbor (Dt 6:4-6; Mt 22:36-40, 25:31-46; Mk 12:28-31; Rom 13:8-10; 1 Cor 13:1-13).

Moral virtues are so called because they help us live within the moral parameters set forth by the gospel. Chief among them are prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude, also known as cardinal virtues (derived from the Latin cardo, meaning hinge, because on them hinge all other moral virtues).

Prudence is the grace to form correct judgments (Mt 10:16; 1 Pt 4:7). Justice assists us in dealing equitably with others (Prv 21:21; 1 Tm 6:11). Temperance helps us subdue our sensual appetites and make proper use of God’s creatures (1 Cor 6:12, 10:23-24). Fortitude helps us persevere despite temptations to sin and despair (Rom 8:32-35, Jas 5:10-11). Other moral virtues are humility (Mt 18:1-5), patience (Heb 10:36-37), obedience (Rom 13:1-7), chastity (1 Cor 6:15-20), piety (Eph 5:15-20), and veracity (Eph 4:15, 25).

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff

Who are the Melkites?

Who are the Melkites?

Answer

They're Byzantine Catholics who opposed the Monophysites and who were faithful to the Byzantine emperors in their support for the orthodox Christology of Chalcedon (451). Their support of the emperors is evident in their name. Melkite comes from the Arabic word malek or melek, meaning king or emperor.

Originally part of the Greek Schism, the Melkites were reunited with Rome in the 18th century.

Melkites follow the Byzantine rite in Arabic and are illustrative of the Catholic Church's unity within diversity.

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff 

If I feel I cannot defend my faith adequately, is it right to slam the door?

If I feel I cannot defend my faith adequately, isn't it right to slam the door on persistent non-Catholic missionaries?

Full Question

When missionaries come to my door, I just tell them to go away. Some are persistent, so I have to slam the door in their faces. Don't you think this is the best approach for someone who doesn't know much about the Catholic faith? I don't have confidence that I can explain the faith fully.

Answer

No, it's not the best approach, either for the missionaries or for you.

It's not the best approach for them because you look rude. What do you think that tells them about the Catholic faith? We'll tell you: It tells them the Catholic faith makes bad Christians. Now we know you're not a bad Christian, but all they know of you is the door being slammed in their faces.

Your technique is also bad for you because it gives you an excuse not to learn more about your religion. If you made a resolution to talk with missionaries in the future, you'd find yourself doing a little homework. It doesn't matter how long you've been away from school--no one is too old to learn.

Besides, learning about our faith is both easy and fun. Many Catholics kick themselves for having put off studying for too many years. Now, after just a little time with the books, they have a better appreciation for their faith and find the Mass, the Bible, and their devotions mean much more to them. Don't hide behind a door. Learn your faith--and proclaim it!

Answered by: Catholic Answers Staff