DanileeNatsumi In reply to BrannegXy [2021-01-11 11:56:54 +0000 UTC]

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DanileeNatsumi In reply to TESM [2019-11-06 17:38:38 +0000 UTC]

Hello Matt,

     I wish you success in opening the community's mind and heart.

Sincerely,
Danilee N.,
DAcatholics Staff.

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DanileeNatsumi In reply to NekoSenshey [2019-07-29 04:33:54 +0000 UTC]

Hello CUTEYAOIFAN-Shey ,

     Thank you for bringing this inquiry to our attention.  I looked up the group to see if its content violates deviantART's Etiquette policy , but all traces of the group have been removed from the deviantART domain.  I am inclined to believe that the group violated site rules and was forcibly closed by the site administrators.  

Sincerely,
Danilee N.,
DAcatholics Staff.

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Automatoinette In reply to NekoSenshey [2019-07-25 18:44:02 +0000 UTC]

Oh, that's disgusting. I do wonder, as "politically correct" as websites like this are getting, if the admins would do anything about it. As someone said, anti-Catholicism is the only acceptable prejudice.

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TESM In reply to NekoSenshey [2019-07-17 17:14:15 +0000 UTC]

It certainly sounds offensive, but I bet DA doesn't do anything about it.

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TESM In reply to Big-bad-Rocket [2019-07-17 17:15:06 +0000 UTC]

Late reply, but it is.

I read them through the work "The Story of a Love" edited by Bishop Ahern, which is a nice compilation.

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Big-bad-Rocket In reply to TESM [2019-07-18 06:16:52 +0000 UTC]

Have you seen the film that was made a few years ago?

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TESM In reply to Big-bad-Rocket [2019-07-19 12:55:02 +0000 UTC]

I last saw a film of her life some 10 years ago, but not a recent one.

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Big-bad-Rocket In reply to TESM [2019-07-20 20:50:23 +0000 UTC]

Any good?

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TESM In reply to Big-bad-Rocket [2019-07-21 03:00:02 +0000 UTC]

For sure. I still remember it after all this time, at least.

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Big-bad-Rocket In reply to TESM [2019-11-12 10:26:34 +0000 UTC]

Do you know the prayer?

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TESM In reply to Big-bad-Rocket [2019-11-12 17:10:13 +0000 UTC]

I can't say I recall it very well.

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Big-bad-Rocket In reply to TESM [2019-11-13 16:51:58 +0000 UTC]

O Little Flower of Jesus, ever consoling troubled souls with heavenly graces, in your unfailing intercession I place my confident trust. From the heart of our divine Saviour, petition the blessings of which I stand in greatest need (mention your intention here).

Shower upon me your promised roses of virtue and grace,Dear St. Therese, so that swiftly advancing in sanctity and perfect love of neighbor, I may someday receive the crown of life eternal. Amen~

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DanileeNatsumi In reply to godofwarlover [2018-04-05 01:41:52 +0000 UTC]

Hello godofwarlover ,

    Thank you for your inquiry, and many apologies for a belated reply.  As a general rule, the Admins of the DAcatholics will answer all well-constructed inquiries, but not immediately.  You are always welcome to ask inquiries, but you will receive more immediate answers from your local priest, parish, or Catholic forums monitored by scholarly experts.  That stated, I'll proceed to answer your inquiry.

     In simple English, the Ordeal of the Bitter Water featured in Numbers 5 is not a discussion of abortion.  The bitter water featured in Numbers 5 is a mysterious concoction (symbolic of uncleanliness and malice) that will be a testament to the consumer's fidelity, or will negatively effect her reproductive system (consider the symbolic meaning of 'bitter; bitterness' and 'water' in the entirety of The Scripture).  The exact medical condition the consumer will develop is not specified (see Catholic Forums thread below for a lay theory), but she will become barren (i.e., 'rot'; see provided formal translation below for details).  Should the consumer be proven innocent, she will maintain her fertility.  Any interpretations of abortion (e.g., 'miscarriage' as used in informal biblical translations) in The Scripture is likely a grave misunderstanding of liberally transcribed text (i.e., informal; not word-for-word; focuses on the translator's functional interpretation of source material).  

     Please let me know if my reply answers your question.  Feel free to ask more questions, should any arise.

Sincerely,
Danilee N.,
DAcatholics Staff

Further reading:
Numbers 5 : A formal translation of Numbers 5, written in Greek, English, and Latin.
Evangelical dictionary: "Bitter, bitterness" entry. (Consider the use of 'bitter' in reference to the Bible's entirety.)
Catholic Answers Forum: Ordeal of the Bitter Water discussion thread.

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godofwarlover In reply to DanileeNatsumi [2018-04-06 02:46:53 +0000 UTC]

Okay then, thank you

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TESM In reply to DeusCaritasEst [2018-03-03 02:52:05 +0000 UTC]

It may be because of the size of the tweets above--at least in desktop mode.

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DeusCaritasEst In reply to TESM [2018-03-03 18:04:37 +0000 UTC]

Hm, thanks, I'll look into that.

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TESM In reply to PeteSeeger [2018-03-03 02:51:05 +0000 UTC]

It does not oppose common law marriages as such, but common law marriages lack the precision of form and intent. Plenty of people live together for a while, and while they are technically married, they have not exchanged vows. I have seen an increase of couples who live like this, have a child, and one spouse leaves the other with little consequence.

The sacrament is what is called a "public" and vocational sacrament, whereby the Church witnesses the sacrament, as well as the people. The purpose is not only for the Church to celebrate the union with that couple, but for the whole community to witness to and (in some ways) encourage/ensure their fidelity--i.e., now people know they are married; we will help them live their married life.

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DanileeNatsumi In reply to PeteSeeger [2018-01-15 17:12:55 +0000 UTC]

Hello PeteSeeger ,

   Many apologies for replying a month late.  I cannot write on behalf of the other staff members, but I have been busy during the Advent and New Years seasons.  Like many aspects of Catholic theology, the End Times is a multifaceted mystery that is not easily explained.  What do you inquire when you write, 'straight answer'?  I know it is improper to answer a question with a question of my own, but I would like to better understand your inquiry and reply appropriately.  I look forward to reading your feedback. 

Sincerely,
Danilee N.
DAcatholics Staff.

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PeteSeeger In reply to DanileeNatsumi [2018-01-15 17:26:08 +0000 UTC]

The long and short of it is: what does the Church teach about the End Times? Is it going to literally happen? Is the Book of Revelation more of a parable about holding out in the face of sin? Are the Two Beasts actually going to come to menace us? Any knowledge you have that might paint a clearer picture of what the End Times are supposed to mean to us is helpful.

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DanileeNatsumi In reply to PeteSeeger [2018-01-20 05:42:12 +0000 UTC]

Hello PeteSeeger ,

   Thank you for your feedback.  I realise that another deviant, Foreign-Grid , has kindly answered your inquiry.  Her reply is mostly accurate albeit fragmented and tangential; thus, I'd like to add some clarity whilst providing you with additional resources to further your understanding on the End Times.  You will learn far more information from reading the provided links than what I have written below.  
__________

   The 'long and short' answer to your inquiry is that Catholicism preaches the reality of the End Times , but the Book of Revelations should not be interpreted as a literal sequence of events that will occur.  Catholic Scholars generally agree that John the Apostle's vision is most likely imaginary and influenced by the visions of predating prophets and the sociopolitical climate of John's time.  The two beasts are a reference to beasts mentioned in the Old Testament in reflection of Christian Persecution at the hands of Rome.  John's writing may be highly fantastic, but there remains truth to his vision.  By cross referencing John's vision with other books in the old and new testament (e.g., fall of grace; redemption), scholars have every reason to believe that an End Times will occur.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church 668-677 explains the nature of the End Times (visit the first embedded URL or click here for a condensed analysis of CCC 668-677).  Feel free to ask more questions, should you have difficulty interpreting any of the information above.  Feel free to ask more questions on other topics as well.

Sincerely,
Danilee N.
DAcatholics Staff.

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Foreign-Grid In reply to PeteSeeger [2018-01-18 11:19:34 +0000 UTC]

The Book of Revelation is seen to be more symbolic as it utilizes heavy imagery, but this generally is taken more in allegorical sense. For example, 

"The dragon swept a third of the stars in the sky"

Is generally interpreted to be an illustration of how Satan and a third of the angels fell. 

The study of Revelations is really complicated overall. Some of it has already happened, another part of it overlaps with what is interpreted to what will also happen, and some of it is purely end times.

Here is an explanation of the latter:
"The book of Revelation makes heavy use of symbolism and what many commentators describe as “code” language. Some scholars suggest that these codes were intended to protect the early Christians from the Roman authorities, in the event that this work was discovered by enemies of the Church. I am not inclined to view this as a primary reason for such “codes.” For the content of the work which is not encoded would have been sufficient evidence against Christians by their enemies. Rather, the heavy use of symbolism in this work is in line with prophetic and apocalyptic writing in general. In fact, much of the symbolism can be interpreted by a careful study of the prophetic and apocalyptic works of the past, such as the writings of Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Daniel. That is not to say that St. John simply borrowed upon these works, as though this was a purely human endeavor. Rather, as St. John himself describes, this was a vision granted to him by the Lord and it was the Lord who worked within the framework of the past and what was familiar to St. John and others to teach about the present and the future. 

In line with Dr. Scott Hahn and some other scholars, I am of the opinion that the initial fulfillment of this work is to be found in the judgment upon apostate Jerusalem in its destruction by the Roman Empire of 70 AD. In effect, apostate Jerusalem became the unfaithful Whore of Babylon who was replaced by the faithful Bride of the Lamb, which is the New Israel—the Church. There is much evidence for this approach within the text, most especially in light of the fact that the prophets of the past used the image of a whore to describe the unfaithful covenant people, not a pagan empire which had no relationship with the Lord in the first place. The Roman Empire does factor into this work as the unholy partner of apostate Judaism, both of which attempted to destroy the Lamb and the Bride. This can be seen in the image of the Whore (apostate Judaism) riding upon the Beast (the Roman Empire), both of which go down to perdition. And even as we can see this as the original historical fulfillment of this work, we acknowledge that this anticipates a final apocalypse in which the enemies of God will go down. 

As a final note and disclaimer: in no way may this interpretation be interpreted as anti-Jewish, for the judgment was upon the apostate element of Judaism who made themselves enemies of the Covenant and God. No more than we would say that the prophet Jeremiah was anti-Semitic for warning of the destruction of Jerusalem for its unfaithfulness in its first destruction should we regard St. John and those who properly read his work this way think it anti-Semitic to view this in terms of the second destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. No wonder the prophets factor into this work of Revelation so much, as they describe the same circumstances and consequences."-Father Echert

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Foreign-Grid In reply to PeteSeeger [2018-01-18 11:33:00 +0000 UTC]

Oh it exists. But magic (in the real world) is generally just the utilization of demonic powers.

I know a lot of avowed pagans and witches and basically they say they use spirits and energy to cast their spells. (doing spirit bindings, summoning the 'dead' and what not) Furthermore, their stuff WORKS otherwise they probably wouldn't brag about it so much nor continue doing it. They are otherwise rather logical people.

There are also several converts in the catholic church that came from paganism and satanism that would tell you the same.

Exorcists and the Catholic Church teach that any 'power' that is not of God is from the demonic, and humans cannot 'wield' power that is from God. God wields us and manifests his power through is if he does at all. (I say 'wield' because a slave to darkness cannot truly and completely 'wield' power because it is always on loan)

If you want to hear any talks or conversion stories just let me know if you want more proof of this stuff.

And it's not permissible to interact with it under any circumstances because of it's spiritual reality. 
Furthermore it's against the teaching in the bible. 
“Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortuneteller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead.  Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord…” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

and this is said because it is a grave sin against the first commandment to purposefully consult demons
“You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all of your strength” (Matthew 22:37)

"The Catechism of the Catholic Church in discussing the first commandment repeats the condemnation of divination:  “All forms of divination are to be rejected:  recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future.  Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers.  They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (#2116).  Any practice which utilizes occult powers– whether to inflict harm or to manifest some good– are condemned as contrary to true religion.  These practices are generally considered mortal sins.  Any invocation of the devil would clearly be considered mortal sin...

However, one must remember that the Church also strived to prevent witch-hysteria or crazed witch-hunts, like those in colonial Salem:  For example, Pope Nicholas I (866) prohibited the use of torture in obtaining confessions, although it was permitted by civil law and common judicial practice.  Pope Gregory VII (1080) forbade accused witches to be put to death for supposedly causing storms or crop failures.  Pope Alexander IV (1258) restricted the Inquisition to investigating only those cases of witchcraft which were clearly linked with charges of heresy. Nevertheless, despite the official precautions, torture was sometimes used and innocent people sometimes were put to death.  As it is so easy to look back in hindsight, one can see that some cases were more of delusion and of the psychological nature."

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TESM In reply to PeteSeeger [2017-11-14 04:10:27 +0000 UTC]

The short of it is that we believe that participation in magic, if it has connection to the occult, is participation in the demonic which spiritually and (at times) physically puts the individual at risk.

No Catholic is permitted to participate in anything of the occult without incurring varying degrees of grave or mortal sin, since they invite demonic influence. While it is not 100% accomplished, it is the case that having one's heart open to such influences is itself a form of self-harm.

Now, you also bring up things that are done with pious intentions from various cultures (Irish, Mexican, Italian, etc.), and sometimes are called "devotions." Any devotion, however, that does not lead one to a genuine love of God and the Church is to be avoided. Any devotion that devolves into superstition or the desire for control or power should also be avoided.

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DanileeNatsumi In reply to PeteSeeger [2017-11-07 04:07:27 +0000 UTC]

Hello PeteSeeger ,

     Thank you for your simple-yet-complex inquiry.  The question opens a lengthy discussion on religion, nature, and church's stance on either mysteries, but I should like to keep my reply as simple as possible.  I will define key terms, and then I will explain those terms in context to Catholic theology and social teaching.  This reply will not be holistic.

     Magic is generally perceived as man's attempt to invoke supernatural powers for a specific cause (e.g., communicate with lost souls; predict the future, provide a good harvest).  The Church's official definition of magic is 'the art of performing actions beyond the power of man with the aid of powers other than the Divine' (Catholic Encyclopaedia ).  The rhetoric of the Catholic definition does not explicitly state whether magic is real or unreal; nonetheless, the definition strongly opposition to any attempt to utilise magic.

     Relative to other societal concerns, the modern Church is unconcerned with examining the existence of magic.  Resultantly, individual Catholics hold vast, sometimes contradictory, beliefs on whether magic (e.g., voodoo), magical entities (e.g., faeries), or otherwise paranormal activity (e.g., authenticity of tarot card reading) exist.  Instead, the church warns that any attempt to interact with any perception of 'real magic,' whether utilised for 'good' (e.g., healing the sick), 'bad' (e.g., cursing enemies), or 'neutral' purposes, is a grave sin.

     The church concerns magical practices a grave sin for two core reasons: magic is idolatry and superstitious (Catechism, III. ).  Magic is considered idolatry and superstitious because it rejects the sufficiency of Catholic sacraments, rites, and liturgies.  By supplementing sacraments, rites, and liturgies with magic, practitioners attempt to persuade the mysteries of nature to their will, rather than fully submit and devote themselves to The Lord.

     The syncretism magic in folk Catholicism, although common and openly practiced, violates the Church's teachings.  For centuries, the Popes and others within the clerical hierarchy have called for an end of magical practice  in Christianity.

     In sum, the Church states that perceptions of the practical use of magic is sinful.  Catholics may use magical elements as imaginary constructs for story telling (e.g., 'true love's kiss' in faerie-tales), but may not practice magic as a real entity.  Catholics should not to transform sacraments, rites, and liturgies into magical ceremonies.  I hope that answers your question.  More information can be found in the provided links integrated within and after this reply.  Feel free to ask more questions, should any arise.

Sincerely,
Danilee N.,
DAcatholics Staff.


More Reading:
Summa Theologica Question 96 on the art of magic
Catholic Encyclopaedia: Occult art
Catholic Encyclopaedia: Witchcraft
Catholic Answers: the morals of magic
Catholic forums: Debate on ceremonial magic

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DanileeNatsumi In reply to DanileeNatsumi [2017-11-19 03:13:20 +0000 UTC]

//Edit: I wrote 'grave sin' when I intended to write 'mortal sin'.  Many apologies for that mistake.

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