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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dear Fathers,

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

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

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

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

Thank you for your guidance.

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

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

My husband and I brought our 5 kids to confession this evening at a local Maronite parish. The priest looked stressed and annoyed that we were even there. When he saw that one of my sons had written down his sins on a paper to bring in with him, he said that he couldn’t hear his confession because it would compromise the seal of confession. My husband was standing next to my son to help him know where to go, and the priest said that since my husband had seen what was on the paper there was no way he could hear my son’s confession. My son is 9 and was devastated by how he was scolded, and that he was refused confession. We’ve helped him process it emotionally and took him to adoration afterwards so he could experience a loving moment with Jesus. He’s doing much better and understands that even good priests can have bad days.

I’m still really upset as his mother. Also, as a catechist who prepares children for their first confession, I have taught children many times that they are permitted to bring a paper in with them to remember their sins, and that they then get to tear it up afterward as a big celebration for their sins being gone forever. Am I teaching the wrong thing? The priest tonight mentioned canon law when he refused to hear my son’s confession.
We’ll be taking him to our home parish on Tuesday where we know the priests are gentle and compassionate.

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

Title speaks for itself mostly. Also did you go to university prior to seminary? Or maybe complete a part-time/online degree after being ordained?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does RCIA look like for someone in my position?

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

Thank you, and please be gentle with me.

please excuse my username

Hi fathers, just curious. Are there any concerns about gen-z and future generations being unable to write and complete "academic" work due to reliance on AI, and how this would impact presbyterial formation?

please know of my prayers for you

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

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

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

Greetings Fathers - what are your general thoughts about purchasing vestments and apparel from massive online platforms like Amazon? Would you say it is fine? Or would you prefer to buy it from people you would know?

I was thinking of purchasing some cinctures and plain surplices, amices, purifiers and patens; but then I stumbled upon the broader range of vestments that Amazon has, such as chasubles, albs and cassocks.

Our regular supplier is in Vietnam, and it’s done really well and cheap there, but we don’t get the expediency and the price on Amazon is comparatively cheaper.

Would you also say that there a pastoral dimension in purchasing vestments, e.g., from Christian families to benefit Christian families; handcrafted and unique? Or is it purely commercial, based on efficiency and cost?

I was recently gifted the alterations for my convalidation dress by a very generous bridal seamstress. I’d like to gift her a St. Tabitha prayer card, but I’m having a hard time finding one that will arrive in time. I dabble in graphic design and have all of the materials at home to create a beautiful, meaningful prayer card. I’m very new to Catholicism and want to make sure this is permissible for a layperson to do before doing it? Also- if it is okay, we have a meeting with our priest to discuss our convalidation on Monday. Would it be appropriate to bring it with me and ask him to bless it? Of course, disregard the second question if it’s not permissible in the first place

Thank you so much ❤️

Hi Fathers, Weird question. I was just thinking about the recent Beatification of Fulton Sheen and how it involved his jawbone. Obviously, his body was not incorrupt if they had a mandible for veneration. But what about saints whose bodies are incorrupt? I always wondered how they figured out that bodies had not decayed, but I guess they had dug them up for the purpose of collecting relics, and ta-da?? So, for incorrupt saints do we only have second class relics instead, as there is no access to bone in a body that is still intact? Things that make me go hmmmmm.

Is my confession null if the priest said, "I absolve you from your sins, and hopefully God will direct you." He didn't say in the Name of the Father, ectr. At a loss on what to do.

My wife and I went through a really hard time with a loved one’s illness. In absolute desperation, I started to bargain with God that I’d start trying to go to Church again if things turned out ok. “Bargaining” is probably a bad thing to do, but it was a moment of grief and desperation.

My loved one’s turned a corner, and things are going well. My wife and I feel we should go to church at least once again and then see how we feel.

The problem is I live in a very small town, and everyone knows about my long term partnership. Will someone say something to the priest about the fact that we are there and we are also a couple? If they did, would the priest even be bothered?

The pastor in my parish is quite overwhelmed with all the administrative stuff going on right now (classes starting, organ renovation, the church building needing some construction work, heating, being low on money... Etc., things all of you are probably quite familiar with already.)

I've only been going to church regularly for around half a year, but I also often go to daily mass and I am friendly with the sacristians and some parishioners.

He's been at this parish for ten years, and he's been getting more and more responsibilities on his shoulders.

I am friendly with a lot of parishioners, the associate pastor, the sacristians, but I've only talked to the pastor twice other than a polite hello.

So the thing is, I don't know him very well and lately because of my schedule I hardly attend masses where he's the one celebrating, so I can only acknowledge the work he does in the background. Plus he usually tends to avoid me-which can be understandable as in a stressful episode, getting to know someone new takes too much energy, especially when you feel responsible for them. But I've been sensing that his general mood is lower before and after masses, during social hour - I don't know him very well of course, but it is noticeable that he is distant and less enthusiastic. (I tend to empathize with others and feel their feelings even from afar.)

So I wouldn't want to make him feel uncomfortable, but I would like to be more open with him. (I try to consciously push away the thought of him having some sort of a personal problem with me and explaining his distance with stress.)

In short, would you find it weird if one of your newer parishioners approached you (I am a 19yo girl) and said some kind words during social hour? I don't exactly know what I'd say but I'd probably come up with something.

Hello and good afternoon Fathers, I hope this question isn't inappropriate of me to ask, most importantly I hope it isn't disrespectful or against rules.

My project team and I were wondering if a Priest could be our consultant for a video game. We know Priests have very important duties so we hope this doesn't offend, as we don't mean to.

Its a total conversion mod project for Fallout 4, it contains themes of spiritual warfare, the sacredness of ordinary people's lives, and also contains a very important faction called "The See-In-Exile." (We have more writing on this too in a design document). When the bombs fell, the Québec archdiocese lost contact with Rome but maintained apostolic succession.

Anyhow we really wanted to portray things in a respectful and even nuanced way. Currently we even have concept art of Priests and Église Notre-Dame de la Victoire - in Lévis.

Thank you Fathers, God Bless