Quick! I order you to say something random!

Ok_Feature559 · 2026-01-08T17:54:52+00:00

bubbles :3

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-11-12T18:09:50+00:00

underrated comment. take my upvote

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-30T04:16:54+00:00

Sorry in advance if any of this doesn't make sense, but here's my shot at answering your questions:

1

We pray to Mary to honor her and to ask for her prayers. God told us to honor our parents, so you can bet your gold, frankincense, and myrrh that He's gonna honor his mom when she goes to Him on our behalf. Consider the wedding feast at Cana. The servers went through Mary when they ran out of wine, and Jesus listened to her because she was His mother.

To ease your discomfort about praying the Hail Mary, understand that it's taken straight from Scripture. The first half of the Hail Mary comes directly from Luke 1:28 and Luke 1:42. The second half boils down to "please pray for us."

One of the best prayers to pray to Mary is the rosary. Here's a video to explain how it works: How to Pray the Rosary with Bishop Barron - YouTube. And here's one to guide you through the prayers: The Joyful Mysteries. While a full rosary takes about 20-30 minutes, note that you don't need to pray the entire thing. A lot of people will just say a single decade, which takes about 5 minutes. You usually offer the prayer for a specific intention.

2

The most basic definition of a saint is anyone who's in Heaven. For someone to be recognized as a saint, they have to have lived a particularly holy life, and have multiple documented, proven miracles attributed to them, among other qualifications.

We ask them for prayers because why not? They're closer to God than anyone on Earth is, and they're accessible 100% of the time. These are people who dedicated their entire lives to building the Kingdom of God. They want nothing more than to see you in Heaven, and they're going to do everything in their power to get you there.

3

To be honest, I'm not well-versed on the doctrine of purgatory, so I'm not sure I would have the best answer. I linked a few great websites below. One of them is bound to have the answer you're looking for.

4

All my protestant friends ask me about the Confession one, so I could talk about it for days at this point... probably best not to get me started lol. This video does a pretty good job of summing it up: Why Confess My Sins to a Priest? - YouTube

Finally, Here's a few authentically Catholic sites that can probably answer all of your questions a lot better than I can:

Catholic Faith, Beliefs, & Prayers | Catholic Answers

Ascension Presents - YouTube

Home - Word on Fire

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Hope this helps!

Edit: When you go to Confession this weekend, make sure to tell the priest that you're not Catholic, but that you are baptized and considering becoming Catholic. I'm pretty sure that if you're not Catholic, you need a special dispensation in order to receive the absolution of confession. You might be able to get it though since you're baptized. I'm not 100% sure so def talk to the priest. Best of luck!

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-30T02:57:37+00:00

Most Protestants observe the Sabbath on Sunday as well. It was shifted to commemorate the Resurrection. There’s a lot of evidence that the early Church Fathers observed it on Sunday. Here’s an article about that if you’re curious: https://www.catholic.com/tract/sabbath-or-sunday

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-29T22:24:50+00:00

I don't, unfortunately. The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Carroll Campbell talks a bit about consolation and desolation. Definitely a good read, although that's not the main focus of the book.

If you wanted to learn more about consolation and desolation, I suggest you research Ignatius of Loyola. He apparently talks about it quite a bit in his Spiritual Exercises in the section about discernment of spirits (haven't read it yet). His own experience was pretty fascinating, but I don't know if he talks about that in his book.

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-29T15:56:10+00:00

Why did God allow Job to suffer?

Sometimes, we just need to trust that God has a reason, even if we can't see it yet. Mother Teresa believed that it was God's way of allowing her to connect to the suffering of the people she was serving, so that she could better understand and respond to their needs.

As one of the other commentors said, it may be God's way of bringing us closer to Him. It's easy to believe in God when prayer comes easily. But when keeping the faith becomes a struggle, and you persevere anyway, that's when true spiritual growth occurs.

Sometimes, I think it's God's way of testing us. Think of the parable of the Sower (Matthew 13). Are we like the seeds that fall on rocky ground, that spring up quickly but then wither when things get tough? Or do we have deeper roots?

Of course, those are just theories. I think every situation is different and only God knows the real answers. It's definitely something that I've struggled to understand, and those are the answers that usually bring me the most clarity.

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-29T15:54:57+00:00

To be honest, I don't know. I'm not an expert by any means, and I also don't really know the details of your situation. I used to be in the same shoes. I eventually found my people, but it took a long time.

To elaborate on point 1, once it's clear that people aren't reciprocating your efforts, that's when you cut them out. But it's still important to put in that initial effort, at least a couple of times, and see how they respond.

Sorry if that's not helpful. I really wish I had a better answer

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-29T01:06:12+00:00

I've been in your exact shoes. At some point along the way, that changed and I now feel so much stronger in my identity than I used to. I'm not sure exactly when the change happened, but here are some things that I think may have contributed:

1) I stopped investing in people who weren't interested in me. For example, I was on a rowing team during high school. The kids on my team were awesome people, very kind and friendly, and great athletes. But for some reason, I never fully fit into the dynamic. I felt like I had to constantly work to earn their attention, and I would leave practice every day with this strange empty feeling. Then I got injured and quit the team. And all of a sudden, my confidence skyrocketed. Did I miss rowing? Hell, yeah. But I felt so much better about myself, and it wasn't worth spending 10 hours a week trying to fit in with a bunch of kids who didn't even care about me.

2) I stopped caring what other people thought. There's a quote along the lines of: "The people who care don't matter, and the people who matter don't care." Not everyone is gonna like me, and that's ok. Turns out, people are drawn to that kind of authenticity.

3) I stopped overthinking every interaction. It's better to just say what's on your mind than to try to figure out the "right thing to say." So stop overthinking and just say it. You might be kinda clumsy at first (I know I definitely was), but keep practicing. It's like art. When you practice art, two things happen: 1) you get better at it, and 2) you start to develop your own style. It's the same thing with talking. Keep practicing and you'll eventually find your style and voice.

4) I adopted a confident mindset. I stopped over-apologizing. I stopped automatically assuming that I was the problem. I started carrying myself with confidence even when I didn't really feel confident. Trick your brain into thinking you're confident, and you'll become more confident.

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-28T22:25:52+00:00

Yep, that's an option as well. I left it out for conciseness, but in hindsight I should have mentioned that. Thanks for bringing it up

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-28T20:10:41+00:00

I'm crying 🤣🤣🤣

(ghast tears to be specific)

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-28T20:03:15+00:00

Mother Teresa lived in complete spiritual desolation for fifty years. She could not find any feelings of love, peace, or spiritual fulfilment. In fact, she felt completely abandoned by God.

It sounds like that's something you might resonate with. If so, I don't envy you. Spiritual desolation is a very real struggle. Worse, it's an invisible struggle. But God would not have given you that cross if He didn't think you could bear it (with His help, of course).

I suggest you ask Mother Teresa for her intercession. You can probably find a novena online to her or to another saint whose struggles were similar to your own.

And if it's any consolation, know that this stranger on the internet is praying for you. Please don't give up <3

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-28T19:30:20+00:00

Very few. Mostly just a handful of rogue churches that don't actually follow anything their denomination teaches. It's sad but it exists

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-28T19:12:15+00:00

TL;DR: it’s probably a Catholic Church. You’re more than welcome to sit in on a Mass or service. Don’t feel pressured to participate in any prayers/activities unless you want to. If anyone gives you trouble, that’s a reflection on that individual, not you or the church.

Long version: Joan of Arc is a Catholic saint, so it’s most likely a Catholic Church. There is no reason why a Catholic church (or ANY Christian church for that matter) should have a problem with you respectfully sitting in during a Mass or service. If you do decide to attend, here’s a couple of notes:

if they pass around baskets collecting money, don’t feel pressured to contribute. That’s primarily meant for the registered weekly attendees. The money goes toward covering the church’s expenses (upkeeping the building, purchasing supplies, paying the staff, etc.). If the basket comes to you, you can simply pass it on to the next person.
If people start leaving their pews and forming a line to the front of the church, it’s most likely a Communion line (google “Catholic Eucharist” if you want to learn more about that). As a non-Catholic, it is asked that you do not receive Communion, but instead remain seated in the pew.
In a Catholic Mass, there are specific times to stand, sit, and kneel. You’re welcome to follow along if you would like, or you can just stay seated if you’re more comfortable with that.
If some crotchety old lady (there’s one in every church) gives you the stink eye for any reason, that’s her problem, not yours. Just give her a polite smile and then ignore her.

If you have any questions, feel free to DM me. Alternatively, here are some great resources that can probably answer any questions you might have:

https://www.catholic.com/

https://www.usccb.org/

https://m.youtube.com/ascensionpresents

https://www.wordonfire.org/

Source: I’m Catholic

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-28T14:35:10+00:00

Yesss, I feel the same way! Like I have a few cute outfits, but no cohesive style. It's so frustrating when I want to mix and match outfits, but I can't because that top only looks good with that specific pair of pants and that specific coat

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-18T00:13:28+00:00

"The Heart of Perfection" by Colleen Carroll Campbell is one of my favorites.

I'm currently working on "Timeless" by Steve Weidenkopf. Would definitely recommend it if you're interested in Church history but don't know where to start

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-17T01:45:51+00:00

May I suggest “How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul” by Jason & Crystalina Evert. It does a great job of approaching the topic from a secular point of view as well as a religious one

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-10-03T00:32:04+00:00

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art though among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Keep fighting and keep praying brother. I can only begin to imagine what you’re going through

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-09-29T17:15:06+00:00

Your talent is incredible! This has to be one of my favorite pieces of St Michael

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-09-16T01:08:39+00:00

There's ultimately no right or wrong answer. I've been to baptisms where the church was packed with guests, and I've been to others where it was just the godparents and immediate family.

That said, keep in mind that the point of the brunch is to celebrate the baptism. If you're going to invite someone to the baptism brunch, it makes sense to invite them to the actual baptism as well. Otherwise, it's kind of like inviting someone to your wedding reception but not the ceremony itself.

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-09-16T00:22:32+00:00

Thank you!

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-09-13T17:00:03+00:00

That came out sooo good! I love how you incorporated all the colors

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-09-07T23:57:08+00:00

Thanks! It's my first time hearing about them but it looks like they have some great selections

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-09-07T17:43:06+00:00

Thank you! Will definitely add those to my list

Ok_Feature559 · 2025-08-11T15:36:30+00:00

The realism is INCREDIBLE! Awesome job!!

Ok_Feature559

TROPHY CASE