Mike ShreveThe Catholic catechism teaches there are two divisions of the priesthood: the “common priesthood” (normal Catholics) and the “ministerial priesthood” (clergy). (CCC 1546-1547)[1] However, I have found that this distinction is not common knowledge...
During my years as a Catholic, the concept of “saints” was a very familiar and intriguing one. Strangely, I never questioned whether the “canonization of saints” and “praying to the saints” were acceptable and viable practices. I embraced both...
Seven sacraments are a major part of the foundation of Catholicism: baptism, holy communion, confirmation, reconciliation, extreme unction, matrimony, and holy orders. The fourth in this list is reconciliation. Catholics believe these sacred rites...
As a fervent Catholic growing up, I prayed the rosary often. In fact, I still have my original rosary in a shadow box with a picture of me in my altar boy cassock. During those formative years, running my fingers over the crucifix and fifty-nine...
As a Catholic growing up, I was never introduced to the concept of being “born again,” because the official stance of the Church is that I received this impartation from God when I was sprinkled in baptism, shortly after birth. So, why ask for...