My faith often gets integrated into the writings that I do here, because it’s a huge part of who I am, and it informs the way that I think. However, until now, I have never publicly explained my reasons for converting to the Catholic Church, nor how that came about. I decided that it was time to change that.
Thank you for posting this, Sarah! Must admit I almost shed a tear or two, reminding me of a beatuiful prayer from the Roman Missal (1962):
ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, Who, to quench the thirst of Thy people, didst draw a fountain of living water out of a rock, draw from our stony hearts tears of compunction, that we may be able to mourn for our sins and win forgiveness for them by Thy mercy. Through our Lord.
Thank you for the video today, Sarah. I left a lengthy comment, but I think yourube might have scrubbed it because I included addresses for a few other channels for you.
The short version: Great video. Love your book. Here are some beneficial channels for you to check out...
Catholic youtube channels I highly recommend:
"A Catholic Take" - with Joe McClane @ josephmcclane
"Return To Tradition" - with Dr Anthony Stine @ ReturnToTradition
"Sensus Fidelium" - @ SensusFidelium
"Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò" - @CarloMariaVigano-sg7tp
Hi Sarah, thanks for telling us your story. If your are not familiar with Fr. Nix, then I strongly suggest you take a look as I am sure you will appreciate his wisdom and perspective: https://padreperegrino.org/
I hope and pray 🙏that you read the Bible one day soon Sarah and know that you cannot earn salvation (confessing sins to a priest; Eucharist, or any kind of works etc those are traditions of men and are not Biblical) because it's a gift of God and the ONLY way to Heaven is through Christ and what He did on the cross for your sins. (John 14:6) No one can earn a gift, then it wouldn't be a gift. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Jesus said "no one is good except God alone". (Mark 10:18)
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5)
The Bible says, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) The Bible is our instruction manual for life, which God gave us to read, but the devil loves to use religion to steer people away from the TRUTH.
Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6)
It's not Jesus plus something, it's Jesus alone - He paid OUR debt for sin and rose from the dead on the third day. God came to earth in the form of a man, Jesus Christ, and took OUR punishment for sin. (Ever lied? Stolen? Lusted? those are sins and the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23) He loves us so much and planned from the beginning to bring us a Savior to save us from eternal damnation in hell. (John 3:16) That's the difference between Catholics and Christians - Christians understand there is NOTHING WE can do, only what Christ did for us. And if we put our faith and trust in Him, we can have assurance of eternal life with Him. I hope one day you will see the light and know the truth Sarah. 🙏
The over 500 years of Protestant heresies repeated over and over again is not going to convince a Catholic to believe them. If the Catholic Church taught all of the errors the Protestants claim, then God would have condemned all of the people since Christ and for 15 centuries to eternal damnation because He didn't care they weren't being taught the truth. So what Protestants are really saying is that God allowed lie upon lie for centuries to be taught and did not care that millions of souls were damned.
I suggest you buy a complete Bible. The protestant version removed several books a few hundred years ago (which, in itself, is considered heretical).
These are bits and pieces of verse and contemplations I have gathered over the past couple of years, from the internet and Scripture, which answer the most common protestant objections and claims (such as yours), that perpetually come up even though they've been thoroughly refuted time and time again. Again, most these are not my words. I have simply read them and kept them for future use and study. I hope you learn from them, as I have (a former protestant, former atheist, and former pagan).
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James 2:14-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead
[14] What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? [17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
[18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. [24] You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. [25] And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? [26] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Titus 3:1-11
Be Ready for Every Good Work
[1] Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [2] to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. [3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. [4] But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [8] The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. [9] But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. [10] As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, [11] knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Philippians 2:12-13
“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Catholicism is the One True Holy Universal and Apostolic Church, Started by Christ, with St Peter.
Protestantism is a rebellion against Christ's Church.
47,000+ different protestant denominations that cannot agree on doctrine and theology.
1 Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church that literally compiled the Holy Bible.
Learn Church history. Buy a Rosary. Talk to God instead of blaspheming against the Church he created with the world's first Pope, St Peter.
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www . thedivinemercy . org
Intercession Prayer to Saints and Mary
Hebrews 11:1-12:1 "Seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [in other words, the heroes and martyrs of the faith from ages past], let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."
James 5:16-18: 'The prayer of the good man has powerful effect."
Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4: "In heaven the elders and angels offer up the prayers of the saints [on earth] as incense before the throne of God."
"The doctrine of the invocation of the angels and saints also fits well with the wider pattern of the Christian Faith. Our growth in faith and holiness is aided by the intercession of other members of the Body of Christ (Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 3:11-13; 1 Tim 2:1-4), and the Church on earth and in heaven are evidently united in some way in Christ (Heb 12:22-24)."
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mt 5:8); "Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face" (1 Cor 13:12); "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is" (1 Jn 3:2).
“[The Shepherd said:] ‘But those who are weak and slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask him. But you, [Hermas,] having been strengthened by the holy angel [you saw], and having obtained from him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from him?’” (The Shepherd 3:5:4 [A.D. 80]).
CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA
“In this way is he [the true Christian] always pure for prayer. He also prays in the society of angels, as being already of angelic rank, and he is never out of their holy keeping; and though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him [in prayer]” (Miscellanies 7:12 [A.D. 208]).
ORIGEN
“But not the high priest [Christ] alone prays for those who pray sincerely, but also the angels . . . as also the souls of the saints who have already fallen asleep” (Prayer 11 [A.D. 233]).
CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE
“Let us remember one another in concord and unanimity. Let us on both sides [of death] always pray for one another. Let us relieve burdens and afflictions by mutual love, that if one of us, by the swiftness of divine condescension, shall go hence first, our love may continue in the presence of the Lord, and our prayers for our brethren and sisters not cease in the presence of the Father’s mercy” (Letters 56[60]:5 [A.D. 253]).
ANONYMOUS
“Atticus, sleep in peace, secure in your safety, and pray anxiously for our sins” (funerary inscription near St. Sabina’s in Rome [A.D. 300]).
“Pray for your parents, Matronata Matrona. She lived one year, fifty-two days” (ibid.).
“Mother of God, [listen to] my petitions; do not disregard us in adversity, but rescue us from danger” (Rylands Papyrus 3 [A.D. 350]).
METHODIUS
“Hail to you for ever, Virgin Mother of God, our unceasing joy, for to you do I turn again. You are the beginning of our feast; you are its middle and end; the pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom; the fat of every victim, the living altar of the Bread of Life [Jesus]. Hail, you treasure of the love of God. Hail, you fount of the Son’s love for man. . . . You gleamed, sweet gift-bestowing Mother, with the light of the sun; you gleamed with the insupportable fires of a most fervent charity, bringing forth in the end that which was conceived of you . . . making manifest the mystery hidden and unspeakable, the invisible Son of the Father—the Prince of Peace, who in a marvelous manner showed himself as less than all littleness” (Oration on Simeon and Anna 14 [A.D. 305]).
“Therefore, we pray [ask] you, the most excellent among women, who glories in the confidence of your maternal honors, that you would unceasingly keep us in remembrance. O holy Mother of God, remember us, I say, who make our boast in you, and who in august hymns celebrate the memory, which will ever live, and never fade away” (ibid.).
“And you also, O honored and venerable Simeon, you earliest host of our holy religion, and teacher of the resurrection of the faithful, do be our patron and advocate with that Savior God, whom you were deemed worthy to receive into your arms. We, together with you, sing our praises to Christ, who has the power of life and death, saying, ‘You are the true Light, proceeding from the true Light; the true God, begotten of the true God’” (ibid.).
CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
“Then [during the Eucharistic prayer] we make mention also of those who have already fallen asleep: first, the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications God would receive our petition . . . ” (Catechetical Lectures 23:9 [A.D. 350]).
HILARY OF POITIERS
“To those who wish to stand [in God’s grace], neither the guardianship of saints nor the defenses of angels are wanting” (Commentary on the Psalms 124:5:6 [A.D. 365]).
EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
“You victorious martyrs who endured torments gladly for the sake of the God and Savior, you who have boldness of speech toward the Lord himself, you saints, intercede for us who are timid and sinful men, full of sloth, that the grace of Christ may come upon us, and enlighten the hearts of all of us so that we may love him” (Commentary on Mark [A.D. 370]).
“Remember me, you heirs of God, you brethren of Christ; supplicate the Savior earnestly for me, that I may be freed through Christ from him that fights against me day by day” (The Fear at the End of Life [A.D. 370]).
THE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL
“By the command of your only-begotten Son we communicate with the memory of your saints . . . by whose prayers and supplications have mercy upon us all, and deliver us for the sake of your holy name” (Liturgy of St. Basil [A.D. 373]).
PECTORIUS
“Aschandius, my father, dearly beloved of my heart, with my sweet mother and my brethren, remember your Pectorius in the peace of the Fish [Christ]” (Epitaph of Pectorius [A.D. 375]).
GREGORY OF NAZIANZ
“May you [Cyprian] look down from above propitiously upon us, and guide our word and life; and shepherd this sacred flock . . . gladden the Holy Trinity, before which you stand” (Orations 17[24] [A.D. 380]).
“Yes, I am well assured that [my father’s] intercession is of more avail now than was his instruction in former days, since he is closer to God, now that he has shaken off his bodily fetters, and freed his mind from the clay that obscured it, and holds conversation naked with the nakedness of the prime and purest mind . . . ” (ibid., 18:4).
GREGORY OF NYSSA
“[Ephraim], you who are standing at the divine altar [in heaven] . . . bear us all in remembrance, petitioning for us the remission of sins, and the fruition of an everlasting kingdom” (Sermon on Ephraim the Syrian [A.D. 380]).
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
“He that wears the purple [i.e., a royal man] . . . stands begging of the saints to be his patrons with God, and he that wears a diadem begs the tentmaker [Paul] and the fisherman [Peter] as patrons, even though they be dead” (Homilies on Second Corinthians 26 [A.D. 392]).
“When you perceive that God is chastening you, fly not to his enemies . . . but to his friends, the martyrs, the saints, and those who were pleasing to him, and who have great power [in God]” (Orations 8:6 [A.D. 396]).
AMBROSE OF MILAN
“May Peter, who wept so efficaciously for himself, weep for us and turn towards us Christ’s benign countenance” (The Six Days Work 5:25:90 [A.D. 393]).
JEROME
“You say in your book that while we live we are able to pray for each other, but afterwards when we have died, the prayer of no person for another can be heard. . . . But if the apostles and martyrs while still in the body can pray for others, at a time when they ought still be solicitous about themselves, how much more will they do so after their crowns, victories, and triumphs?” (Against Vigilantius 6 [A.D. 406]).
AUGUSTINE
“A Christian people celebrates together in religious solemnity the memorials of the martyrs, both to encourage their being imitated and so that it can share in their merits and be aided by their prayers” (Against Faustus the Manichean [A.D. 400]).
“There is an ecclesiastical discipline, as the faithful know, when the names of the martyrs are read aloud in that place at the altar of God, where prayer is not offered for them. Prayer, however, is offered for the dead who are remembered. For it is wrong to pray for a martyr, to whose prayers we ought ourselves be commended” (Sermons 159:1 [A.D. 411]).
“At the Lord’s table we do not commemorate martyrs in the same way that we do others who rest in peace so as to pray for them, but rather that they may pray for us that we may follow in their footsteps” (Homilies on John 84 [A.D. 416]).
“Neither are the souls of the pious dead separated from the Church which even now is the kingdom of Christ. Otherwise there would be no remembrance of them at the altar of God in the communication of the Body of Christ” (The City of God 20:9:2 [A.D. 419]).
In Matthew 23:9 Jesus says, "And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." Many people interpret this to mean, "Do not call a priest "father," and do not call your dad "father." Some who hold this opinion go further and believe that calling a priest "father" violates Scripture because it seemingly involves the rejection of a direct command from Jesus. This is a common objection to the Catholic Church. But, if we believe the conclusion that it is wrong to call others "father," then what are we to make of the Scriptures that contradict this one? For example, in Mark 7:9-13, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for not honoring their "fathers." Furthermore, calling the apostles and their successors "father" was common within the early Christian communities (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Jn. 2:12; Acts 7:2; 22:1). As in the case of all scriptural interpretations, we must understand this passage in light of the rest of Scripture (cf. 2 Pet. 1:20; 3:16). This interpretative principle is called the analogy of faith (Catechism, no. 114).
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Priests Confession Absolution Forgiveness
John 20:19-23
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
[19] On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” [20] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” [22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Matthew 16:18-20
[18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [20] Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Acts 1:21-26
[21] So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” [23] And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen [25] to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” [26] And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 14:19-23
Paul Stoned at Lystra
[19] But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. [20] But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. [21] When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, [22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. [23] And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts 16:4-5
[4] As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. [5] So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Titus 1:5-16
Qualifications for Elders
[5] This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—[6] if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. [7] For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, [8] but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. [9] He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
[10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. [11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. [12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” [13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. [16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
James 5:13-20
The Prayer of Faith
[13] Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. [14] Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. [17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. [18] Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
[19] My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, [20] let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
The Holy Catholic Church has been the true Church since St Peter. Luther was envious and angry that he was not to be made a bishop or cardinal. He was also upset over the indulgences offered by the papacy of the time, but that is not a fault of Christ's Church... that is a failing of the humans in those positions of authority at that time. By the way, Luther always considered himself Catholic, prayed his Rosary, and adored the Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints.
Back to the point... to rebel against 1500 years of established doctrine, Tradition, and theology Started by Jesus and continued by his Apostles and their Successors, was simply an insane and demonically misled action.
Luther was wrong. So were all the other rebellious men who broke away from the Church to do their own thing because they didn't like obeying the Word of God or the Church he created.
It's very simple. Protestantism is a rebellion against God Almighty. It always has been. That's why it is fractured, secular, and moving into a deep, deep progressive apostasy.
An excellent, logical, yet fantastically simple argument for proof of the validity of the Catholic Church, as the one true Christian Church:
Who created the Lutheran Church? Martin Luther.
Who created the Calvinist Church? John Calvin.
Methodist? John Wesley. Anglican? Henry the 8th.
Presbyterianism? John Knox. Mormon? Joseph Smith.
Quaker? George Fox. Amish? Jakob Amman.
Baptist? John Smyth. Pentecost? Charles Parham.
But the Catholic Church? Who began that one?
Christ Jesus... when he turned to St. Peter the Apostle and said,
(Matthew chapter 16)
"13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare′a Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man [the Messiah] is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli′jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do You say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter [Petra (rock)], and on this rock [Peter] I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” "
St. Peter was the first Pope. The word 'Pope' literally means "father" or "patriarch." St Peter was the first Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ, the Catholic (Universal) Church.
To deny any of this is to simply not understand Scripture and not accept history. It is delusion to disbelieve the Roman Catholic Church is not the Bride of Christ.
While I do not condone anything the current "pope" has done, as he is human and is in obvious error, greatly, his actions do not condemn the Church. They condemn him. Anyone who acts against Christ and his Word is also condemning themselves. Not the Church. The Church belongs to God. It always will.
I strongly suggest you buy a proper Bible (with either the Catholic 73 books, the Coptic 73 books, the Eastern Orthodox 76 books, or even the Ethiopian Oriental 81 books). The protestants removed books that did not fit their contemporary narrative (much like gnostics, mormons, jehovah witnesses, etc.).
Read the full Bible and see how misled the reformation rebellion was.
One of the greatest tricks the devil ever pulled on the Christian world... "the reformation."
It is no coincidence that the "Enlightenment" movement started soon after, eventually ushering in secularism, modernism, progressivism, socialism, communism, and eventually... the broken world we now live in.
I pray for Jesus to open your eyes and heart to the truth as well Mr. Thompson. 🙏When my flesh dies, I will immediately be with the Lord in Paradise, I pray that for you and Sarah as well.
Thank you sharing your conversion! I truly appreciate your insight and wisdom on many topics of what you write about, but I was raised up catholic and by my life experience I was as brought to repentance and started reading the Bible and became a Christian! The real thing is believing in Jesus Christ and having the spirit of God within us! On a side note my father always says to me “ when was I coming back to the big leagues “ much love and prayers! Godspeed
You are certainly correct that the Catholic faith is true. But as you said you converted just three years ago, I pray you come to realize that the faith of Francis and the priests, bishops and cardinals that support him is not at all the true Catholic religion. Nor was the faith of any of those calling themself pope: John XXIII, Paul XVI, John Paul 1, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI.
The church after the Second Vatican Council is a counterfeit. It is not the true Catholic Church.
You said you study to know about the subjects you speak about. I beg you study what the Catholic Church always taught prior to the Second Vatican Council and what the council taught and you will find there are many contradictions (and downright heretical teachings).
The most important of these contradictions (or actually, heresies) is the council's teaching on who and what the Catholic Church is and what Her mission is. The other major heresies concern religious liberty, ecumenism, and collegeiality.
Worst of all is the invention of a mass that is an abomination and not at all Catholic in essence and practice. It makes a mockery of Christ's sacrifice and elevates man above God. It is a service just like Protestantism but even worse because it teaches the worst heresy in history, that of Modernism which St. Pope Pius X rightly called the synthesis of heresies.
I beg you to read his papal encyclicals: Lamentabili Sane (Syllabus Condemning The Errors Of The Modernists); Pascendi Dominici Gregis (On The Doctrine Of The Modernsists); Praestantia Scripturae (On The Bible Against The Modernists); The Oath Against Modernism.
And read this encyclical of Pope Gregory XVI: Mirari Vos (On Liberalism And Religious Indifferentism) because the heresy of Modernism teaches religious indifferentism, or a rejection of the true Catholic religion, as it teaches the Catholic religion merely subsists in Christianity and all those who believe in Christ are members of Christ's Church.
To learn the true Catholic faith, please turn to the priests and bishops who adhere to the truth that the church since Vatican II is not the true Catholic Church and they are sedevacantists.
Thank you for posting this, Sarah! Must admit I almost shed a tear or two, reminding me of a beatuiful prayer from the Roman Missal (1962):
ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, Who, to quench the thirst of Thy people, didst draw a fountain of living water out of a rock, draw from our stony hearts tears of compunction, that we may be able to mourn for our sins and win forgiveness for them by Thy mercy. Through our Lord.
Quite interesting, Sarah; thank you. I feel you speak in an old-school, polite and refined way. Warms the heart, I must say. : )
Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your conversion story.
Thank you for the video today, Sarah. I left a lengthy comment, but I think yourube might have scrubbed it because I included addresses for a few other channels for you.
The short version: Great video. Love your book. Here are some beneficial channels for you to check out...
Catholic youtube channels I highly recommend:
"A Catholic Take" - with Joe McClane @ josephmcclane
"Return To Tradition" - with Dr Anthony Stine @ ReturnToTradition
"Sensus Fidelium" - @ SensusFidelium
"Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò" - @CarloMariaVigano-sg7tp
God Bless!
Hi Sarah, thanks for telling us your story. If your are not familiar with Fr. Nix, then I strongly suggest you take a look as I am sure you will appreciate his wisdom and perspective: https://padreperegrino.org/
I hope and pray 🙏that you read the Bible one day soon Sarah and know that you cannot earn salvation (confessing sins to a priest; Eucharist, or any kind of works etc those are traditions of men and are not Biblical) because it's a gift of God and the ONLY way to Heaven is through Christ and what He did on the cross for your sins. (John 14:6) No one can earn a gift, then it wouldn't be a gift. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Jesus said "no one is good except God alone". (Mark 10:18)
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5)
The Bible says, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) The Bible is our instruction manual for life, which God gave us to read, but the devil loves to use religion to steer people away from the TRUTH.
Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6)
It's not Jesus plus something, it's Jesus alone - He paid OUR debt for sin and rose from the dead on the third day. God came to earth in the form of a man, Jesus Christ, and took OUR punishment for sin. (Ever lied? Stolen? Lusted? those are sins and the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23) He loves us so much and planned from the beginning to bring us a Savior to save us from eternal damnation in hell. (John 3:16) That's the difference between Catholics and Christians - Christians understand there is NOTHING WE can do, only what Christ did for us. And if we put our faith and trust in Him, we can have assurance of eternal life with Him. I hope one day you will see the light and know the truth Sarah. 🙏
The over 500 years of Protestant heresies repeated over and over again is not going to convince a Catholic to believe them. If the Catholic Church taught all of the errors the Protestants claim, then God would have condemned all of the people since Christ and for 15 centuries to eternal damnation because He didn't care they weren't being taught the truth. So what Protestants are really saying is that God allowed lie upon lie for centuries to be taught and did not care that millions of souls were damned.
I suggest you buy a complete Bible. The protestant version removed several books a few hundred years ago (which, in itself, is considered heretical).
These are bits and pieces of verse and contemplations I have gathered over the past couple of years, from the internet and Scripture, which answer the most common protestant objections and claims (such as yours), that perpetually come up even though they've been thoroughly refuted time and time again. Again, most these are not my words. I have simply read them and kept them for future use and study. I hope you learn from them, as I have (a former protestant, former atheist, and former pagan).
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James 2:14-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead
[14] What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? [17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
[18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. [24] You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. [25] And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? [26] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Titus 3:1-11
Be Ready for Every Good Work
[1] Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [2] to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. [3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. [4] But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [8] The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. [9] But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. [10] As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, [11] knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Philippians 2:12-13
“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Catholicism is the One True Holy Universal and Apostolic Church, Started by Christ, with St Peter.
Protestantism is a rebellion against Christ's Church.
47,000+ different protestant denominations that cannot agree on doctrine and theology.
1 Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church that literally compiled the Holy Bible.
Learn Church history. Buy a Rosary. Talk to God instead of blaspheming against the Church he created with the world's first Pope, St Peter.
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www . thedivinemercy . org
Intercession Prayer to Saints and Mary
Hebrews 11:1-12:1 "Seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [in other words, the heroes and martyrs of the faith from ages past], let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."
James 5:16-18: 'The prayer of the good man has powerful effect."
Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4: "In heaven the elders and angels offer up the prayers of the saints [on earth] as incense before the throne of God."
"The doctrine of the invocation of the angels and saints also fits well with the wider pattern of the Christian Faith. Our growth in faith and holiness is aided by the intercession of other members of the Body of Christ (Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 3:11-13; 1 Tim 2:1-4), and the Church on earth and in heaven are evidently united in some way in Christ (Heb 12:22-24)."
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mt 5:8); "Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face" (1 Cor 13:12); "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is" (1 Jn 3:2).
churchfathers .org / intercession-of-the-saints
Intercession of the Saints
HERMAS
“[The Shepherd said:] ‘But those who are weak and slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask him. But you, [Hermas,] having been strengthened by the holy angel [you saw], and having obtained from him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from him?’” (The Shepherd 3:5:4 [A.D. 80]).
CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA
“In this way is he [the true Christian] always pure for prayer. He also prays in the society of angels, as being already of angelic rank, and he is never out of their holy keeping; and though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him [in prayer]” (Miscellanies 7:12 [A.D. 208]).
ORIGEN
“But not the high priest [Christ] alone prays for those who pray sincerely, but also the angels . . . as also the souls of the saints who have already fallen asleep” (Prayer 11 [A.D. 233]).
CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE
“Let us remember one another in concord and unanimity. Let us on both sides [of death] always pray for one another. Let us relieve burdens and afflictions by mutual love, that if one of us, by the swiftness of divine condescension, shall go hence first, our love may continue in the presence of the Lord, and our prayers for our brethren and sisters not cease in the presence of the Father’s mercy” (Letters 56[60]:5 [A.D. 253]).
ANONYMOUS
“Atticus, sleep in peace, secure in your safety, and pray anxiously for our sins” (funerary inscription near St. Sabina’s in Rome [A.D. 300]).
“Pray for your parents, Matronata Matrona. She lived one year, fifty-two days” (ibid.).
“Mother of God, [listen to] my petitions; do not disregard us in adversity, but rescue us from danger” (Rylands Papyrus 3 [A.D. 350]).
METHODIUS
“Hail to you for ever, Virgin Mother of God, our unceasing joy, for to you do I turn again. You are the beginning of our feast; you are its middle and end; the pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom; the fat of every victim, the living altar of the Bread of Life [Jesus]. Hail, you treasure of the love of God. Hail, you fount of the Son’s love for man. . . . You gleamed, sweet gift-bestowing Mother, with the light of the sun; you gleamed with the insupportable fires of a most fervent charity, bringing forth in the end that which was conceived of you . . . making manifest the mystery hidden and unspeakable, the invisible Son of the Father—the Prince of Peace, who in a marvelous manner showed himself as less than all littleness” (Oration on Simeon and Anna 14 [A.D. 305]).
“Therefore, we pray [ask] you, the most excellent among women, who glories in the confidence of your maternal honors, that you would unceasingly keep us in remembrance. O holy Mother of God, remember us, I say, who make our boast in you, and who in august hymns celebrate the memory, which will ever live, and never fade away” (ibid.).
“And you also, O honored and venerable Simeon, you earliest host of our holy religion, and teacher of the resurrection of the faithful, do be our patron and advocate with that Savior God, whom you were deemed worthy to receive into your arms. We, together with you, sing our praises to Christ, who has the power of life and death, saying, ‘You are the true Light, proceeding from the true Light; the true God, begotten of the true God’” (ibid.).
CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
“Then [during the Eucharistic prayer] we make mention also of those who have already fallen asleep: first, the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications God would receive our petition . . . ” (Catechetical Lectures 23:9 [A.D. 350]).
HILARY OF POITIERS
“To those who wish to stand [in God’s grace], neither the guardianship of saints nor the defenses of angels are wanting” (Commentary on the Psalms 124:5:6 [A.D. 365]).
EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN
“You victorious martyrs who endured torments gladly for the sake of the God and Savior, you who have boldness of speech toward the Lord himself, you saints, intercede for us who are timid and sinful men, full of sloth, that the grace of Christ may come upon us, and enlighten the hearts of all of us so that we may love him” (Commentary on Mark [A.D. 370]).
“Remember me, you heirs of God, you brethren of Christ; supplicate the Savior earnestly for me, that I may be freed through Christ from him that fights against me day by day” (The Fear at the End of Life [A.D. 370]).
THE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL
“By the command of your only-begotten Son we communicate with the memory of your saints . . . by whose prayers and supplications have mercy upon us all, and deliver us for the sake of your holy name” (Liturgy of St. Basil [A.D. 373]).
PECTORIUS
“Aschandius, my father, dearly beloved of my heart, with my sweet mother and my brethren, remember your Pectorius in the peace of the Fish [Christ]” (Epitaph of Pectorius [A.D. 375]).
GREGORY OF NAZIANZ
“May you [Cyprian] look down from above propitiously upon us, and guide our word and life; and shepherd this sacred flock . . . gladden the Holy Trinity, before which you stand” (Orations 17[24] [A.D. 380]).
“Yes, I am well assured that [my father’s] intercession is of more avail now than was his instruction in former days, since he is closer to God, now that he has shaken off his bodily fetters, and freed his mind from the clay that obscured it, and holds conversation naked with the nakedness of the prime and purest mind . . . ” (ibid., 18:4).
GREGORY OF NYSSA
“[Ephraim], you who are standing at the divine altar [in heaven] . . . bear us all in remembrance, petitioning for us the remission of sins, and the fruition of an everlasting kingdom” (Sermon on Ephraim the Syrian [A.D. 380]).
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
“He that wears the purple [i.e., a royal man] . . . stands begging of the saints to be his patrons with God, and he that wears a diadem begs the tentmaker [Paul] and the fisherman [Peter] as patrons, even though they be dead” (Homilies on Second Corinthians 26 [A.D. 392]).
“When you perceive that God is chastening you, fly not to his enemies . . . but to his friends, the martyrs, the saints, and those who were pleasing to him, and who have great power [in God]” (Orations 8:6 [A.D. 396]).
AMBROSE OF MILAN
“May Peter, who wept so efficaciously for himself, weep for us and turn towards us Christ’s benign countenance” (The Six Days Work 5:25:90 [A.D. 393]).
JEROME
“You say in your book that while we live we are able to pray for each other, but afterwards when we have died, the prayer of no person for another can be heard. . . . But if the apostles and martyrs while still in the body can pray for others, at a time when they ought still be solicitous about themselves, how much more will they do so after their crowns, victories, and triumphs?” (Against Vigilantius 6 [A.D. 406]).
AUGUSTINE
“A Christian people celebrates together in religious solemnity the memorials of the martyrs, both to encourage their being imitated and so that it can share in their merits and be aided by their prayers” (Against Faustus the Manichean [A.D. 400]).
“There is an ecclesiastical discipline, as the faithful know, when the names of the martyrs are read aloud in that place at the altar of God, where prayer is not offered for them. Prayer, however, is offered for the dead who are remembered. For it is wrong to pray for a martyr, to whose prayers we ought ourselves be commended” (Sermons 159:1 [A.D. 411]).
“At the Lord’s table we do not commemorate martyrs in the same way that we do others who rest in peace so as to pray for them, but rather that they may pray for us that we may follow in their footsteps” (Homilies on John 84 [A.D. 416]).
“Neither are the souls of the pious dead separated from the Church which even now is the kingdom of Christ. Otherwise there would be no remembrance of them at the altar of God in the communication of the Body of Christ” (The City of God 20:9:2 [A.D. 419]).
catholiceducation . org
Priest called Father
In Matthew 23:9 Jesus says, "And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." Many people interpret this to mean, "Do not call a priest "father," and do not call your dad "father." Some who hold this opinion go further and believe that calling a priest "father" violates Scripture because it seemingly involves the rejection of a direct command from Jesus. This is a common objection to the Catholic Church. But, if we believe the conclusion that it is wrong to call others "father," then what are we to make of the Scriptures that contradict this one? For example, in Mark 7:9-13, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for not honoring their "fathers." Furthermore, calling the apostles and their successors "father" was common within the early Christian communities (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Jn. 2:12; Acts 7:2; 22:1). As in the case of all scriptural interpretations, we must understand this passage in light of the rest of Scripture (cf. 2 Pet. 1:20; 3:16). This interpretative principle is called the analogy of faith (Catechism, no. 114).
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Priests Confession Absolution Forgiveness
John 20:19-23
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
[19] On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” [20] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” [22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Matthew 16:18-20
[18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [20] Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Acts 1:21-26
[21] So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” [23] And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen [25] to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” [26] And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 14:19-23
Paul Stoned at Lystra
[19] But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. [20] But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. [21] When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, [22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. [23] And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts 16:4-5
[4] As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. [5] So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Titus 1:5-16
Qualifications for Elders
[5] This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—[6] if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. [7] For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, [8] but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. [9] He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
[10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. [11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. [12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” [13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. [16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
James 5:13-20
The Prayer of Faith
[13] Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. [14] Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. [17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. [18] Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
[19] My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, [20] let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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The Holy Catholic Church has been the true Church since St Peter. Luther was envious and angry that he was not to be made a bishop or cardinal. He was also upset over the indulgences offered by the papacy of the time, but that is not a fault of Christ's Church... that is a failing of the humans in those positions of authority at that time. By the way, Luther always considered himself Catholic, prayed his Rosary, and adored the Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints.
Back to the point... to rebel against 1500 years of established doctrine, Tradition, and theology Started by Jesus and continued by his Apostles and their Successors, was simply an insane and demonically misled action.
Luther was wrong. So were all the other rebellious men who broke away from the Church to do their own thing because they didn't like obeying the Word of God or the Church he created.
It's very simple. Protestantism is a rebellion against God Almighty. It always has been. That's why it is fractured, secular, and moving into a deep, deep progressive apostasy.
An excellent, logical, yet fantastically simple argument for proof of the validity of the Catholic Church, as the one true Christian Church:
Who created the Lutheran Church? Martin Luther.
Who created the Calvinist Church? John Calvin.
Methodist? John Wesley. Anglican? Henry the 8th.
Presbyterianism? John Knox. Mormon? Joseph Smith.
Quaker? George Fox. Amish? Jakob Amman.
Baptist? John Smyth. Pentecost? Charles Parham.
But the Catholic Church? Who began that one?
Christ Jesus... when he turned to St. Peter the Apostle and said,
(Matthew chapter 16)
"13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare′a Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man [the Messiah] is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli′jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do You say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter [Petra (rock)], and on this rock [Peter] I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” "
St. Peter was the first Pope. The word 'Pope' literally means "father" or "patriarch." St Peter was the first Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ, the Catholic (Universal) Church.
To deny any of this is to simply not understand Scripture and not accept history. It is delusion to disbelieve the Roman Catholic Church is not the Bride of Christ.
While I do not condone anything the current "pope" has done, as he is human and is in obvious error, greatly, his actions do not condemn the Church. They condemn him. Anyone who acts against Christ and his Word is also condemning themselves. Not the Church. The Church belongs to God. It always will.
I strongly suggest you buy a proper Bible (with either the Catholic 73 books, the Coptic 73 books, the Eastern Orthodox 76 books, or even the Ethiopian Oriental 81 books). The protestants removed books that did not fit their contemporary narrative (much like gnostics, mormons, jehovah witnesses, etc.).
Read the full Bible and see how misled the reformation rebellion was.
One of the greatest tricks the devil ever pulled on the Christian world... "the reformation."
It is no coincidence that the "Enlightenment" movement started soon after, eventually ushering in secularism, modernism, progressivism, socialism, communism, and eventually... the broken world we now live in.
I pray for Jesus to open your eyes and heart to the truth as well Mr. Thompson. 🙏When my flesh dies, I will immediately be with the Lord in Paradise, I pray that for you and Sarah as well.
Hopes and wishes do not negate Scripture and Magisterium. May God remove the scales from your eyes before it is too late.
+ In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
There are no words by Jesus Christ nor in Sacred Scripture that say who is and who is not going to Heaven.
Happy you found a church and community that sustains and brings you in service to G_d.
Thank you sharing your conversion! I truly appreciate your insight and wisdom on many topics of what you write about, but I was raised up catholic and by my life experience I was as brought to repentance and started reading the Bible and became a Christian! The real thing is believing in Jesus Christ and having the spirit of God within us! On a side note my father always says to me “ when was I coming back to the big leagues “ much love and prayers! Godspeed
You are certainly correct that the Catholic faith is true. But as you said you converted just three years ago, I pray you come to realize that the faith of Francis and the priests, bishops and cardinals that support him is not at all the true Catholic religion. Nor was the faith of any of those calling themself pope: John XXIII, Paul XVI, John Paul 1, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI.
The church after the Second Vatican Council is a counterfeit. It is not the true Catholic Church.
You said you study to know about the subjects you speak about. I beg you study what the Catholic Church always taught prior to the Second Vatican Council and what the council taught and you will find there are many contradictions (and downright heretical teachings).
The most important of these contradictions (or actually, heresies) is the council's teaching on who and what the Catholic Church is and what Her mission is. The other major heresies concern religious liberty, ecumenism, and collegeiality.
Worst of all is the invention of a mass that is an abomination and not at all Catholic in essence and practice. It makes a mockery of Christ's sacrifice and elevates man above God. It is a service just like Protestantism but even worse because it teaches the worst heresy in history, that of Modernism which St. Pope Pius X rightly called the synthesis of heresies.
I beg you to read his papal encyclicals: Lamentabili Sane (Syllabus Condemning The Errors Of The Modernists); Pascendi Dominici Gregis (On The Doctrine Of The Modernsists); Praestantia Scripturae (On The Bible Against The Modernists); The Oath Against Modernism.
And read this encyclical of Pope Gregory XVI: Mirari Vos (On Liberalism And Religious Indifferentism) because the heresy of Modernism teaches religious indifferentism, or a rejection of the true Catholic religion, as it teaches the Catholic religion merely subsists in Christianity and all those who believe in Christ are members of Christ's Church.
To learn the true Catholic faith, please turn to the priests and bishops who adhere to the truth that the church since Vatican II is not the true Catholic Church and they are sedevacantists.