I've  been reading some of these threads and it brought up the  question of what it takes to get into heaven.  There are probably as many ideas as there  are people here.  I'm sure Mother Church has  pointed the way, but since we can each only take one path  of the many offered, what do you think?  Or which path have you chosen?

The only answer to this is what Christ told His apostles; namely to do our best to enter through the narrow gate, because the path that leads to destruction is broad. We should do everything we can to secure our eternal salvation through the gifts which Christ has bestowed upon His Church.

We have many examples of Saints. Let us do as them, for they are signposts to Heaven.

I remember you as a kind man, SS.  You reinforce that.  Thank you both for responding.  What can one think when they  ask a question and no  one answers????

I noticed, SS, that you named several things or paths you take.   I can say the same, and I'm sure it was the same  with the saints.  At least they all seemed a bit  different from each other to me.  What exactly lights your fire or impels you onward on your journey?  Or do they all have the same affect on you?  For instance, Don Bosco  was inspired by the love of St Frances de Sales.  The Psalms speak of meditating on God's law day and night.  I'm not one to go into trances over the laws, but some things bind my attention.   :jumping2:

But where's the fun in it?  Is this what caused the saints to go into trances?  Something did.

I know, s2srea. People cannot just go around thinking they're saved just because they wear the Brown Scapular. It has to be sincere. And even if you wear it, you likely will still have to go to Purgatory before getting to Heaven (although if you wear it at death, it takes time off Purgatory).

Thanks for the compliment, Trinity. To answer your question, most religious (Traditional Catholic) things have about the same affect on me, but some more than others. I always get chills when I think of Our Lady of Fatima and what happened during those Apparitions. It was those events that actually inspired me to say the Rosary everyday. When I was a Novus Ordite, I just said the Rosary on Sundays and rarely any other day. But after I found Traditional Catholicism and learned of Fatima, I wanted to say the Rosary everyday. I'm also inspired by the works and writings of Padre Pio. He was a great man, and is a great Saint.

The Saints prefered religious things that reminded them of or kept them close to God. The Saints weren't forced to accept God and reject the modern-world, they chose to.

God is behind the good laws. These moral laws, such as "No killing, no stealing, no lying, etc." should be followed by people because people who obey these laws are pleasing God. You do, however, have a right to dis-obey any laws the government tries to enforece that are dis-pleasing to God.

Sorry, I missed your previous post, SS.  So it was Our Lady of Fatima who inspired you.  My favorite story of Our Lady is the wedding at Cana.  Whenever I think something is too small or unimportant to take to her, I remember her concern for a bit of embarrassment.  Yes, Our Lady is one of the "things" which spurs me on.  And feeds me.

Like I said, I have no problem with the laws and no desire to break them.  They just don't kindle any fire in me.  Remember the absent minded professor?  Got so caught up in his work he forgot his wedding.  No hardship in something you get that caught up in.  The hardship is in leaving it.  The saints could hardly be brought  back to earth when they got caught up in God.  Who gets that caught up in the law?

I like the path St. Therese of the Child Jesus,  she made it simple and pure.  Getting to Heaven shouldn't be complicated and it isn't if you foster a true devotion to Mary.  Pray for this devotion, because Mary will make sure that you are brought to her Son, Jesus Christ.  

This is the problem with other so-called Christians, they dis-honor His mother and will not give her the title she deserves, therefore they find themselves within a smorgasbord religion, picking and choosing what they want and leaving behind what they do not want.  

Also learn to trust God, "Sacred Heart of Jesus I Trust in Thee", a little prayer that should be said when you are making decisions, or when something happens that you do not understand why it happened.  God does not allow us any crosses that we can not endure.  Yet, as He took up His Cross, so we too will have them.  Expect them!

Keep the Faith!