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Traditional Catholic Faith => The Sacred: Catholic Liturgy, Chant, Prayers => Topic started by: ajpirc on June 25, 2011, 04:12:11 PM

Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: ajpirc on June 25, 2011, 04:12:11 PM
Hello everybody,

I am a traditional 16 year old Catholic that's discerning the priesthood. I support Pope Benedict XVI. I don't think Vatican II should have ever happened, but I feel like a schismatic when I say that. I know Vatican II wasn't infallible and therefore error and heresy could have slipped into the docuмents, but Pope Paul VI bound the docuмents on us. I've read many articles on Vatican II teaching Modernism while ALL of the clergy there were under the Oath Against Modernism. I am totally against modernism and all for tradition. Could someone help me? I don't know where to begin.

Thank You

P.S. I may have posted this in the wrong section.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: Exilenomore on June 25, 2011, 04:48:35 PM
Welcome to the forum. I think the first thing you need to do is to seek instruction in the faith. If you can find one, read a good pre-conciliar catechism which is known for it's unadulterated presentation of the faith. It is necessary to acquire the basic knowledge of traditional catholic doctrine to stand strong in these dark times.

It is very important to learn how and what to believe in the way that our fathers did, so that you stand strong against the winds of novelty and grow in your understanding of today's crisis.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: ajpirc on June 25, 2011, 05:23:11 PM
Quote from: Exilenomore
If you can find one, read a good pre-conciliar catechism which is known for it's unadulterated presentation of the faith.


Thank You, Exilenomore, for the greeting and thank you for the advive. It was actually yesterday when I found out about Pope St. Pius X's Catechism. He was a great Pope and it is a great catechism. I find it hard to read my Catechism of the Catholic Church now because it's mostly based on the fallible docuмents of Vatican II.

Do you know if Vatican II contradicted any Catholic Tradition?
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: the smart sheep on June 25, 2011, 05:35:34 PM
Quote from: ajpirc
Hello everybody,

I am a traditional 16 year old Catholic that's discerning the priesthood..
:applause:

Just joined also. I think you came to the right place.

Ill add you to my intentions. :pray:

the smart sheep
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: Jaynek on June 25, 2011, 05:40:17 PM
Quote from: ajpirc

Do you know if Vatican II contradicted any Catholic Tradition?


Some people say no.  Some people say yes. The Vatican II docuмents are ambiguous enough that it is possible to see it both ways.  Pope Benedict says that Vatican II must be interpreted in a way that is consistent with previous teaching, but there are people who think that this is not possible on some points.

If you are just starting out, you may be better off working on more basic issues.  You are likely to get a lot of conflicting answers to this question and it could confuse you.  I think the suggestion to get a Catechism is good.  I like the Baltimore Catechism.  I was just looking this up and discovered that it is available online:
http://www.catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: ajpirc on June 25, 2011, 06:09:11 PM
Thank you the smart sheepand Jaynek
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: Jaynek on June 25, 2011, 06:49:28 PM
ajpirc, are you able to attend a Traditional Latin Mass? Is that what you meant by calling yourself traditional?  As well as attending Mass, cultivate the habit of frequent Confession and saying the Rosary.  Simply acquiring knowledge will not serve you if it is not grounded in a strong devotional life.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: parentsfortruth on June 25, 2011, 06:55:43 PM
I just bumped an old thread in the Crisis section you might be interested in reading regarding the Freemasons' plot against the Church.

Take particular note of the 1947 docuмent, that reveals that the Freemasons knew about the "council" using the term "post-conciliar" when it was a "total shock" to everyone in the Church that John XXIII was calling a council in 1962.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: Jaynek on June 25, 2011, 08:01:44 PM
ParentsforTruth, I can understand that you find that old thread interesting, but I question that it is a good place to start for someone who has asked were to begin.  It seems to me that people should begin with what is commonly acknowledged as true and helpful.  After there is a foundation of this basic knowledge people can look into more controversial questions.  

It is difficult enough for experienced Catholics to sort through these controversial issues.  I expect them to be confusing and even detrimental to a beginner.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: ajpirc on June 25, 2011, 10:18:09 PM
Quote from: Jaynek
ajpirc, are you able to attend a Traditional Latin Mass? Is that what you meant by calling yourself traditional?  As well as attending Mass, cultivate the habit of frequent Confession and saying the Rosary.  Simply acquiring knowledge will not serve you if it is not grounded in a strong devotional life.


I've only been to one Latin Mass a few weeks ago. My last Confession was April 2, I should probably go again. I've learned the Hail Mary in Latin; I'll probably be able to pray the entire Rosary in Latin within a few weeks.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: Jaynek on June 26, 2011, 08:04:29 AM
Quote from: ajpirc
Quote from: Jaynek
ajpirc, are you able to attend a Traditional Latin Mass? Is that what you meant by calling yourself traditional?  As well as attending Mass, cultivate the habit of frequent Confession and saying the Rosary.  Simply acquiring knowledge will not serve you if it is not grounded in a strong devotional life.


I've only been to one Latin Mass a few weeks ago. My last Confession was April 2, I should probably go again. I've learned the Hail Mary in Latin; I'll probably be able to pray the entire Rosary in Latin within a few weeks.


Go to the TLM every week if you can.  At your age, this may involve your parent's cooperation.   Would you say that your parents are supportive, neutral or opposed to traditional Catholicism?  Their attitude is likely to have a great effect on your situation.

Ideally, I recommend going to Confession every one or two weeks, especially if you are considering priesthood.  Here are some short articles that explain why and how:
http://blog.fisheaters.com/sacraments/frequent-confession/
http://blog.fisheaters.com/sacraments/frequent-confession-purpose-of-amendment/
http://blog.fisheaters.com/sacraments/still-more-about-frequent-confession/

Saying the Rosary consistently is more important than saying it in Latin, although Latin is good.  If you have an opportunity to study Latin, you should do so.  Even if you do not become a priest,  a knowledge of Latin will enhance your knowledge of your faith.  If you are a good student, consider studying it on your own.  There are programs that are suitable for self-study.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: ajpirc on June 26, 2011, 09:08:49 AM
Quote from: Jaynek
Go to the TLM every week if you can.  At your age, this may involve your parent's cooperation.   Would you say that your parents are supportive, neutral or opposed to traditional Catholicism?  Their attitude is likely to have a great effect on your situation.


The nearest TLM is about an hour and a half away. When our family went to our first Latin Mass a few weeks ago, my dad told me that that was an experience that he should only experience once in his life. My mom didn't really like it either. My brother just went along for the heck of it. They are probably neutral concerning traditional Catholicism, though.
Title: A traditional Catholic that doesnt know where to begin.
Post by: Jaynek on June 26, 2011, 02:33:51 PM
Quote from: ajpirc

The nearest TLM is about an hour and a half away. When our family went to our first Latin Mass a few weeks ago, my dad told me that that was an experience that he should only experience once in his life. My mom didn't really like it either. My brother just went along for the heck of it. They are probably neutral concerning traditional Catholicism, though.


It doesn't sound like they are going to be taking you, but they probably won't mind if you can get yourself there.  Try contacting the nearest TLM and asking if there is anyone from your area willing to give you a ride.  Pray about finding a way to get there and ask others (like on this forum) to pray for you too.  Getting to the TLM should be one of your top priorities.

I wanted to add something to what I was saying earlier about focusing on basics before looking into controversies.  CathInfo is set up in a very helpful way, with these topics kept together in the "Crisis in the Church" section.  So it will be easy for you to avoid them, if you decide to take my advice.  Another good place to get basic information on traditional Catholicism is the the Fish Eaters web site: http://www.fisheaters.com/
I wouldn't recommend the forum there to you, but the site has some helpful things for a beginner.