Why do we need the sacraments? Didn't Jesus die for us already?

Jesus died on the cross to save mankind, but he also instituted the sacraments to save mankind. Why did he do both?? Well, when Jesus died on the cross he opened to mankind the opportunity to save ourselves. His one death is worth infinitely; this means that every time we sin, Jesus's one death still keeps that door open to redemption whereas whenever Adam and Eve sinned, they were completely shut out until Jesus died for our sins. Now because his death does not completely redeem us, we need the sacraments. The sacraments rebuild our bond with God through the reception of graces: actual and sanctifying grace. Jesus's death allows us to be redeemed while the sacraments actually rebuild our relationship with God.

Basic Church Rules

Many Catholics don not know the basic rules the Church has given them to follow. These are the basic rules that you should follow to be in a state of grace with God, although it is much more beneficial to do way more than these basic expectations. First you must attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation. Secondly, go to confession at least once a year but once a month would be the better thing to do. Receive Holy Communion during Easter but receiving weekly or even daily is more encouraged. Fourth, observe laws on fasting and abstinence: one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday while not eating meat on Fridays during Lent. Finally, support the Church financially and otherwise every Sunday and holy day of obligation. So give money to your church. These are the basic rules to follow in the church, but being lukewarm gets you nowhere in life. You must be persistent and constantly strive to become closer to God.

The Real Presence

The Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ. There are many people and heresies that attack this statement, because they do not believe the real presence of Jesus Christ. The early Church fathers stated firmly that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. The Church teaches, "The doctrine of the Real Presence asserts that in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is literally and wholly present—body and blood, soul and divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine." I truly believe the Eucharist is Christ's real presence and so has the Church after it was instituted. If you feel like you want to read more about this topic, go to: "The Real Presence". This is a good website to learn more about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Miracle of Lanciano

Miracle of Lanciano:  In the Church of St. Legontian in Lanciano, Italy, the eucharist changed into real flesh and blood. This change supposedly happened because a Basilian monk there was doubting that Jesus was truly present in the Eucharist. The flesh and blood were tested and these were the results: the flesh and blood were real and human, the flesh came from the heart (myocardium, endocardium, vagus nerve, left ventricle), flesh and blood have AB blood type (identical to that found on the Shroud of Turin), proteins were present in the blood that proved that the blood was fresh, and it has remained preserved since its transformation. This transformation is very helpful for non-catholics to look at and understand what happens in the Eucharist. The Eucharist ALWAYS changes into the body and blood of Christ during mass, although it usually only changed in essence. What this means is that the bread and wine does not change physically (taste, shape, color, etc. remains the same) but its essence changes (what makes it up on the inside; it’s in no way physical). So, the Miracle of Lanciano is so interesting because it shows non-Catholics what happens but in an extreme way.

Annulment vs Divorce

Many catholics believe that an annulment is a divorce of a catholic couple but this is incorrect. A divorce is the separation of two married people and is not validated by the Church. A civil divorce can only be acknowledged if an annulment is given (church divorce). An annulment recognizes that a marriage never happened either because of unjust reasons such as someone being forced into marriage. An annulment states that a valid marriage never existed and therefore it is possible to become separated because their marriage wasnt valid. "According to the Church...a true marriage a man and a woman become one flesh before the eyes of God...However, various impediments can render an individual unable to contract marriage. For this reason (or for other reasons that render the marriage null and void), after an examination of the situation by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal, the Church can declare the nullity of a marriage, i.e., that the marriage never existed. In this case, provided the natural obligations of a previous union are discharged, the contracting parties are free to marry -Catechism of the Catholic Church"

Women as priests?

Every since the beginning of priesthood, women have tried to become a priest. Further, in 1994 Pope John Paul II formally declared that the Church does not have the power to ordain women. He stated, "Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the magisterium in its more recent documents, at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate, or the Church’s judgment that women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force. Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church’s divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Luke 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful" (OrdinatioSacerdotalis 4). I am sorry for you women out there because Jesus made man priests, not women and that is how it has been ever since. For this reason, women CAN NOT be priests.

Purgatory

Purgatory is thought about often about by church followers as a scary place. It is the place between earth and heaven where you are purified completely of your sins so that you are capable of going to heaven in a holy state. Many people are scared and terrified of the aspect of purgatory. Personally, I love the idea because it helps me realize that God loves me and tries his best to help me reach my goal of heaven. Its like bowling. In bowling, you try to knock over all the pins (go to heaven) but you don't always bowl a strike. You have to try again until you knock them over and even if its a spare you still reach your ultimate goal. This is how purgatory is; purgatory is the equivalent of trying to get that spare to reach your goal ultimate goal of Heaven. Whereas getting a gutterballs gives no chance of knocking over pins and signifies how lost you become from that goal of salvation in Hell. Catechism 1031 says that "The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire: 'As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.'"