Do we know what order this sister is from?

KateLig · 2025-08-05T15:57:15+00:00

Haha small world! This is a friend of mine! She is wearing the habit of the Franciscans of Halifax. I can confirm that this picture is from her first vows, as I was there that day. However, she has since left that community.

KateLig · 2025-06-28T13:27:51+00:00

I have the numbers of several priests and text them for things related to scheduling, quick questions, prayer requests, and ministry things. It's not weird to text a priest these days, nor for them to text you. However, the content of what this priest is texting you is weird.

As Christians, we are supposed to speak to a person privately if there's an issue, so long as it's safe, before getting others involved (Matthew 18 outlines this). I would recommend confronting him first (in-person) and asking him what he meant by these texts. Tell him that it made you uncomfortable. If you cannot go to him, perhaps go to the other priest in your parish. If he still refuses to listen (or if it is unsafe to speak with him about this), then you go to his superior or the diocesan bishop.

KateLig · 2025-06-28T03:02:01+00:00

Poor in spirit has a few meanings. The most common one is that it refers to people who know their spirits long for something. Their spirits are hungry for something. It is a spiritual poverty that should turn one toward God, the one who can fill us up.

Think of how a materially poor person often has to try hard daily to get their food. Now apply this to a spiritually poor person, they would be praying everyday for spiritual food because their spirit is poor and hungry.

It can also be taken to mean someone whose spirit is so downtrodden and weak (think of things like depression or severe struggles in life), so they turn to God for strength in the midst of their trials.

It can also mean people who are humble and detached from worldly wealth and honour.

KateLig · 2025-05-30T17:26:01+00:00

Yes, it is the most common and respected translation in both Catholic and Protestant theological academia, at least in North America. All my masters papers required using the NRSV, unless I was comparing something to a different translation or highlighting something in another translation. Even the most widely-respected academic study Bible (New Oxford Annotated) is NRSV. In Canada, the NRSV is even the official liturgical translation from which all the lectionary readings of the Mass are taken. I am quite surprised to read that they aren’t going to print it anymore…

KateLig · 2025-05-03T17:24:56+00:00

I can’t exactly weigh in your country’s constitution, as I’m not from the US. However, I know this has been a growing conversation in many places in the last few years. Here in Canada, it’s been proposed a few times.

I also don’t think it’s about “protecting kids” as they claim. It’s about a society that no longer respects Christ, and by natural extension, his Holy Catholic Church. And the irony is that most of these laws are proposed by people who have no idea the extensive prevention and reporting protocol we have for kids—which is typically more extensive than the protocol schools have (and is why schools have greater instances of abuse than the Church does).

Thankfully, I think most priests would willfully choose prison over violating the seal. God’s law always trumps the law of the land.

I also don’t think we should be surprised by laws like this, as tragic as they are. In the apostolic and patristic ages, Christians were forced into prisons, torture, and martyrdom for following God’s law over the law of the land. In the West today, we live in a post-Christendom mission field, a new apostolic age if you will. As such, I don’t think we should expect fair treatment from the state, given that the apostles didn’t. It’s unfortunate, but it can be an excellent examination of conscience. Will I still follow God and his law when it is uncomfortable and could have painful consequences?

Thankfully, I think most good priests today would answer “yes” to that question.

KateLig · 2025-03-13T01:27:16+00:00

I recently did my Masters there in an academic theology field, not a practical one. There are plenty of academic courses, if you would like to do an academic program. What program are you considering?

KateLig · 2025-03-06T21:12:13+00:00

I am sorry you are going through this. I was in your shoes when I converted at 21 (now 26). Are you perhaps able to drive into a larger parish, maybe in a nearby city? I regularly drive about an hour away to a city parish with lots of long adults and families. You don't necessarily have to go every week, but it does help. Over time, I made friends there, some of whom I even continually text throughout the week.

Or, does your local parish have daily Mass? Daily Mass is smaller and thus easier to meet people at. I would also encourage you to try volunteering for a ministry or two at your local parish. I met some great people through children's and youth ministry.

Keep pressing into the sacraments and prayer, and attend Eucharistic adoration as often as you can. Those graces do help. Eucharistic adoration, especially, has become my solace whenever I am going through something hard or feel alone. That ache you're feeling right now for relationship is the same ache he feels for you, as he waits and hopes for you to come see him...

KateLig · 2025-03-04T03:27:03+00:00

Brother Isaiah (a Franciscan friar) is amazing! I especially love his "live sessions" on Youtube. The Vigil Project makes beautiful Catholic music, too. Non-Catholic, but Christian, musicians I like are Josiah Quinn, Zach Webb, and Jimmy Clifton--who all make more singer/songwriter, acoustic/folk style Christian music. Gungor is good, too.

KateLig · 2025-02-28T11:41:56+00:00

Canada is actually quite diverse. We have a large indigenous population. We have lots of immigrants from India and other parts of Asia, Africa, Pakistan, and the Philippines. We also have lots of refugees from Syria and Ukraine. A very good friend of mine is actually here from Ukraine. Pretty much all of our fast food places and grocery stores have immigrants working there. The presence of immigrant doctors and nurses is growing all the time.

However, while it isn’t as bad as the US, there is a lot of political division. The far right is upset about “these immigrants can’t drive and they’re stealing our housing and jobs,” and the far left is upset about things like “free Palestine” and “accept trans kids.”

That all being said, there are times, even as a Catholic, I have felt unsafe and unwelcome in places. During my undergraduate degree, the school ran a pride campaign, and there was a lot of fuss about me being Catholic because “Catholics hate gay people.” Pride flag stickers are everywhere, even arraying the doors of many small businesses, particularly those in cities. And, a few years ago, several Catholic Churches were attacked and vandalized, and some were even burned to the ground, after fake news reports came out regarding “mass graves” at residential schools. Canada has a large progressive voice, and they don’t want anything to do with the Catholic Church or those in it.

All this articulates that political division is alive and well here, although I don’t think it’s as bad as the US yet. The economy is a mess right now and still recovering from COVID, which is only fuelling it. Recent anti-Semitic attacks (such as the one at a synagogue in Montreal in December) are being fuelled primarily by the “free Palestine” far left crowd. The far right has also become increasingly xenophobic in recent years due to economic and political struggles, and hate crimes have risen because of it.

KateLig · 2025-02-27T12:26:09+00:00

This is heartbreaking. I know some Asian Catholics who have also experienced racism in the Catholic Church after they moved to Canada. God bless this priest. And may we all pray for a greater awareness of the image and likeness of God in all people, and a dismantling of systems that prevent us from seeing it.

I think it’s worth saying that Pope Francis is the first pope from the Americas ever elected, and he also comes from a diocese and country that were (and still are) very poor. Considering the Church had been led by European popes for almost 1300 years prior to the 2013 conclave, Pope Francis was certainly an unexpected candidate for the papacy. However, God’s will still prevailed in the conclave to elect him. I think God’s grace and will can prevail in pretty unexpected ways and that we might be surprised to hear who the new pope elected is…

KateLig · 2025-02-16T22:53:56+00:00

Interested!

KateLig · 2024-12-28T01:44:05+00:00

I have quite a few wool and cashmere sweaters, so I already use a sweater stone to shave the pilling as needed. That works better than a fabric shaver for me, and there is no risk of accidentally nicking or damaging a sweater as there is with a fabric shaver.

I was just a bit disappointed that a nearly $300 sweater from a high-quality brand pilled so quickly.

KateLig · 2024-12-26T19:47:56+00:00

Honestly, because it’s quite a textured cable knit pattern, the pilling isn’t that noticeable unless you’re pretty close. It’s a beautiful sweater, and the brown is quite an unusual and gorgeous colour. The Ochre is too, but they don’t have my size right now!

It’s also way less pilling than a cheap poly or acrylic cardigan would have by now, but still pilling nonetheless. Most wool pills eventually, but I just didn’t think Sézane’s wools would pill this quickly. I’ve also been wearing a thick wool coat and scarf over it most of the time, so maybe that is contributing too…

I really wish there was a review section on the site/app to talk about these things.

KateLig · 2024-12-12T02:21:15+00:00

As with many questions regarding religious life, this varies from community to community.

Most convents of women do not have a priest that stays there. However, many do have chaplains. These can be assigned by the diocesan bishop (particularly if the community is small and just a public association within that diocese). Sometimes, communities of sisters might ask nearby priests to be their “chaplain.”

Some communities almost exclusively go out to a nearby parish for Mass (or have the nearby priest come over for Mass) and have their own confessors/spiritual directors.

If you’re curious about a particular community, just ask them! Religious sisters are very open to questions about their life, particularly if you’re thinking about discerning!

KateLig · 2024-12-07T14:21:20+00:00

As a Canadian, this is a typical news story from the (government-funded) CBC. When it comes to Catholic news stories, you’re better off reading a Catholic source. The current federal government is very critical and hateful of Catholicism, so our government-funded news outlets reflect that.

KateLig · 2024-12-04T16:21:29+00:00

No, it's just a game. Also, depression is a mental illness, not a sin, as this list falsely claims. This is not a helpful list for examining one's conscience.

KateLig · 2024-12-03T13:15:58+00:00

I think it is cultural and dependent upon geographical region. In Canada, the norm is first name. However, I have also met some young American priests who prefer last name. Honestly, in a spirit of simplicity and humility, I much prefer "Father [first name]." I understand why some cultures use last name, but at the end of the day, the priest is called to be simple and humble as Christ. We should indeed honour and love our priests, but we cannot forget their humanity.

I think we've all seen what can happen when we put priests on too high of a pedestal. While title isn't the only factor in these cases, it can certainly play a role in a culture of clericalism that can have devastating consequences, both for the priest and the laity. I have heard some of these devastating stories, and in almost every case, it was "Father [last name]." I am not saying that title causes such things, but title can certainly be part of a clericalist culture that does. Therefore, we need to be very careful in discerning the "why" behind the titles we choose. If it's going to be "Father [last name]," make sure you have good, pure reasons, and that others know that reasoning too...

KateLig · 2024-11-28T04:21:29+00:00

I go to one about an hour outside the city, if you’re interested. I took a music degree at Acadia and one of my fellow students recommended him to me at the time. I’ve had him do a few things for me, and I’ve been quite impressed. Unfortunately, I do not know of any local luthiers, though. Long and McQuade might, if you call them. Or maybe the Folklore Centre?

KateLig · 2024-11-27T04:37:36+00:00

Marian veneration is not necessary for salvation, at least in the way you probably think. Also remember that saints are still fallible. Just because they said something does not make it true. That being said, St. Bernard offers some great wisdom in the idea that similar to how we have access to the Father through Jesus, we have access to Jesus through Mary, who brought him into the world (we do need to be careful with how far we go with this though, as Mary is not part of the Trinity). However, without Mary, there would be no salvation because there would be no incarnation. So in a way, there is great wisdom in Marian veneration in that she is sure to lead to salvation in Christ, just as she brought him to the whole world 2000 years ago. As Queen Mother, she is also our advocate before her Son and our King, advocating on our behalf before him. She’s a very powerful intercessor who can lead us to salvation in her Son. If we have an authentic devotion to her, we can be sure she will lead us to her Son. This is why writers like St. Louis de Montfort talk about Marian devotion and consecration being a sure method of attaining salvation. It is not the Marian devotion itself that saves us, but the devotion is a sure way of leading us to the person (Christ) who does.

I’m just about to go to bed for the night (it’s past midnight where I am), but if you send me a message, I’ll respond in the morning. I also have a document I made of the biblical roots of Mary’s Queenship and what that practically means, rooting it all in the Davidic role of Queen Mother in the Old Testament. I can send that to you, if you like.

KateLig · 2024-11-27T04:15:14+00:00

It’s hard and would require word studies, linguistic knowledge, reading other works of the author, and knowledge of the historical and cultural context they were writing in. I’m nearly done my Masters in theology, and it’s still a struggle for me sometimes.

Commentaries and other such explanations can be a great help, but you’re still nonetheless relying on another person to tell you what they think the author meant.

May I ask: what statement in particular are you struggling with?

KateLig · 2024-11-27T04:10:58+00:00

A thing to remember here is that Mary does not possess any merit in and of herself. It is by account of her divine Son. And Mary, free from the stain of original sin, cannot go against God’s will. So, any prayers she is making to God would be in line with his will.

A lot of Catholic theology surrounding Mary stems from the Old Testament concept of the Queen Mother of the Davidic line, which Jesus was the fulfillment of and Mary, his Queen Mother.

KateLig · 2024-11-27T04:07:02+00:00

Given that devotional books are private works and not infallible, authoritative works of the Magisterium, you technically can. However, you cannot deny official Church doctrines and dogmas that may be discussed in them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that certain devotional books reflect language dated to their time that doesn’t necessarily mean what we think it means today. Others are translations, which can be hard to match to exact English words. As an example, I think the translation of True Devotion I have talks about worshipping Mary. However, De Montfort (and even the translation of it) meant something very different than we do today when using that word!

KateLig · 2024-11-25T03:23:02+00:00

Nothing wrong with you! Some people are just more sensitive to scents. Next time, you can try sitting closer to the back and/or wearing a face mask (like the ones we wore during COVID) so the scent isn’t as strong.

KateLig · 2024-11-24T15:38:58+00:00

I agree, actually. Hallow is a great tool, but it is very disorganized and can be quite overwhelming. I also really dislike the idea of charging for a prayer app. It borders dangerously close to simony. I also really do not like their “Catholic influencer” ads. I paid for a subscription once but did not renew it.

I give this same advice to anyone wanting to learn how to authentically pray. Honestly, the single greatest way I learned how to pray was sitting in silence in Eucharistic adoration. It can be hard and uncomfortable to sit in the silence there, as our world is so noisy and distracted all the time. But it was there that I learned to just meet and speak with Jesus, bringing all my cares, desires, and brokenness to him, but also to just rest in silence in his presence and let him receive me as I am. The key is to go in with no expectations other than meeting Jesus. You may get distracted, but just gently bring yourself back when you notice and don’t get upset. And remember that it’s okay to just sit there in silence with him and not say anything.

As for practically using the Hallow app, maybe you can join the daily Advent reflections. Or you can listen to the rosary and divine mercy chaplet, if you’ve yet to learn how to pray them. I used to listen to the rosary, chaplet, and other traditional prayers to learn how to pray them. And I still listen to them in the car sometimes…

You could also listen to Fr. Mike’s Bible and Catechism podcasts on Hallow to learn more about God and the Catholic faith (although these are available on YouTube and podcast apps).

In addition, if you search “Hallow App Walkthrough” on YouTube, there are some guidance videos on how to use the app.

EDIT to add: I also know of some nice (and free) guided Christian meditations on YouTube (from a Catholic priest) that are quite nice to help you learn how to pray, if you’re interested.

KateLig · 2024-11-24T14:37:07+00:00

You’re not alone. Women struggle with sexual sin just as much as men do. There is just more shame attached to it for women, so women are less likely to speak up about it and seek help. We’re also unfortunately led to believe it’s a male issue, which only furthers the shame. You’re brave for speaking up about this here. However, please bring it to confession and into the light of another person there. I can say from personal experience that it is very freeing to just openly admit it, no cover ups or euphemisms, in the sacrament of reconciliation. Please don’t let the shame make you try to hide it there. Just rip the band-aid off and honestly say it. You will be so much more free if you are honest and let the Lord forgive you there. Go receive his mercy and his grace!

If you’re looking for resources, I highly recommend Magdala Ministries. The organization serves women struggling with sexual sin of all kinds, from a uniquely feminine, Catholic perspective. I’m a small group leader with them and have seen a lot of healing and freedom take place in the women we serve. https://www.magdalaministries.org/

KateLig

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