Blessing by a priest, should I take the easy way out?

[gritsar]

Quote:
I know the answer. I feel like I should take it myself, make the effort, out of guilt. However, I am dealing with a sick husband right now, trying to do everything that our household requires by myself, and truthfully, I'm not ready to start attending mass again. I've given it alot of thought, I have strongly considered attending mass again, but I'm just not ready to.
I attended Easter mass with my dad this year. We purposely planned our trip to visit him so that I could be there for that mass. Dad was thrilled. It would give him alot of peace if I were to re-vert to catholicism; but it has to be in my own time.

 

[M.sue]

What a beautiful gift....your father will love it no matter how or who got it blessed.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Our camera stinks, but it's made of light blue Swarovski crystals and sterling silver beads. The crucifix and the Virgin Mary medallion are made of pewter.

 

[airmechreed]

Quote:
I know the answer. I feel like I should take it myself, make the effort, out of guilt. However, I am dealing with a sick husband right now, trying to do everything that our household requires by myself, and truthfully, I'm not ready to start attending mass again. I've given it alot of thought, I have strongly considered attending mass again, but I'm just not ready to.
I attended Easter mass with my dad this year. We purposely planned our trip to visit him so that I could be there for that mass. Dad was thrilled. It would give him alot of peace if I were to re-vert to catholicism; but it has to be in my own time.

Totally understand....My wife is a cradle catholic.....I have attended mass for 15 yrs with her....still not a catholic...but have started my RCIA classes for the third time in 15 yrs. Quit going because I always ended up in a war torn country everytime I started them.....Hopefuly will get all the way through with out having to go to some far off land again. I also agree YOU have to be ready I am sure when the time is right it will be right.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I know the answer. I feel like I should take it myself, make the effort, out of guilt. However, I am dealing with a sick husband right now, trying to do everything that our household requires by myself, and truthfully, I'm not ready to start attending mass again. I've given it alot of thought, I have strongly considered attending mass again, but I'm just not ready to.
I attended Easter mass with my dad this year. We purposely planned our trip to visit him so that I could be there for that mass. Dad was thrilled. It would give him alot of peace if I were to re-vert to catholicism; but it has to be in my own time.

Totally understand....My wife is a cradle catholic.....I have attended mass for 15 yrs with her....still not a catholic...but have started my RCIA classes for the third time in 15 yrs. Quit going because I always ended up in a war torn country everytime I started them.....Hopefuly will get all the way through with out having to go to some far off land again. I also agree YOU have to be ready I am sure when the time is right it will be right.

I am doing alot of research. I never made my first communion and have forgotten alot over the years. One big thing that is holding me back. My husband is a freemason and as such is banned from ever converting to catholicism. I keep asking myself if I want to be affiliated with a church that my husband is not welcome in. I seriously doubt DH would ever want to convert and may only be interested in attending say....Christmas Eve mass with me, but still.

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
I'm not Catholic and I was wondering.

Why can't he convert to Catholicism? Is it a policy of the Catholic Church? I didn't think the Masons had any policy regarding religious affiliation. If he were to convert to Catholicism would he have to formally renounce Masonry? How would he do that?

Why does the rosary have to be blessed by a priest? Does that mean if I were to buy a rosary somewhere if has already been blessed or would I have to find a priest and have it blessed? What does blessing a rosary do to it?

Thank you

 

[HHandbasket]

As someone who does beadwork and has made many rosaries, one of the things I have found is that when I give the gift of rosary beads, the receiver has always preferred to take it to their own parish priest and have it blessed themselves before using it to pray the Rosary.

I have made and gifted a total of only 3 rosaries over the years, however, but have sold several. Whenever someone buys a rosary, it doesn't come from the store already blessed. They usually take it to their own priest to have it blessed.

I feel honored when I've gifted someone with rosary beads and they have them blessed. I feel like I also have received a piece of that blessing, even though I'm not Catholic (I think God's love reaches across religious boundaries, however).

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I'm not Catholic and I was wondering.

Why can't he convert to Catholicism? Is it a policy of the Catholic Church? I didn't think the Masons had any policy regarding religious affiliation. If he were to convert to Catholicism would he have to formally renounce Masonry? How would he do that?

Why does the rosary have to be blessed by a priest? Does that mean if I were to buy a rosary somewhere if has already been blessed or would I have to find a priest and have it blessed? What does blessing a rosary do to it?

Thank you

Canon law (1983) applies here. It calls for excommunication for belonging to any anti-Catholic organization. Note it doesn't mention the freemasons by name, however the previous revision of Canon law explicitly mentions membership in freemasons as an automatic excommunication for all catholics. I'm not sure how someone would go about denouncing the freemasons, but I know DH never would. He comes from a long line of freemasons.

To have the rosary blessed is considered a courtesy. It makes it sacramental, meaning it's holy and used for good.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Good to know, thanks.

 

[faerielady]

Quote:
It is NOT the Masons that say you can't be Catholic. It is the CATHOLICS who say you can't be a Freemason.

There are existing papal bulls issued by the Vatican specifically banning Freemasons because they are said to be in a state of grave sin and can't receive communion (notice the fine line... it doesn't say it in CANON LAW, just papal bulls). They are supposedly antithetical to the Christian doctrine, that they are deists, etc etc etc. The Catholic church believes them to be heretics, and remember that the only unforgiveable sin is heresy. The only way he could be accepted by the Catholic church would be to full renounce Freemasonry, and even then the sin is not really considered pardoned.