<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I am so sorry for all the pain you've endured.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Thanks, Sheryl---but pain and suffering are human conditions that can bring you closer to God. I'm deeply and profoundly greatful (most of the time ) of God's presence in my life, to help me through these times.

I have a stupid quesiton. I haven't been to confession in a million years but I remember going in and confessing, sometimes I even lied because I had nothing to confess about but it gauranteed me a confession for the next week, hey, I was a kid. Anyway, I remember confessing my sins to the father and then being told to do so many Hail Mary's and Our Fathers and whatever else. Was doing that freeing me from my sins?

Shedawg:<P>Yup. Prayful penance. It's only been a quarter million years since I've been, and I really need to go again.

so then, all of us married for the second, third etc time can pray our way to forgiveness for this sin we are committing?<P>A off topic question for you though, do you know how to do the rosary? I have a set of rosarys and I keep them close at all times but don't know all the prayers that go to it. And are there certain times of the day to do this or is it just a matter of when you have time? I recall my Grnadmother doing it once in the morning and once in the evening and you had better not speak to her while she doing it either.<BR>And, can you explain the lighting of a candle in the church? I recall doing this a few times as a child but can't remember why, except once it was in prayer for a very ill friend.

Hi shedawg, I bet you know the answer to that first question you wrote, eh?<P>I have always wanted to know more about the rosery too... is it sacreligious to use it if you aren't Catholic?<P>...and while we're at it, the Episcopal church says, in the readings, that we are a part of the "<B>one</B> Holy and catholic church" (little c, emphesis mine) which means what then? Universal??? I looked it up in the dictionary, and it said, "universal" and "embracing all Christian beliefs"... what's that???

Nyneve<BR>I personally wouldn't believe it sacreligious to do the rosary.<BR>Here's my personal opinion on religion. I think that all religions have one basic common ground, to follow the word of Jesus and live our lives the way he wanted. Or atleast attempt to!<BR>They all represent one GOD although called by differing names.<BR>I believe you can take bits and pieces from each religion even though you are of one particular faith, and apply it to your life and your faith and your worship.<BR>I am catholic, although not devote, but I will put a manora and Im sure I spelt that wrong, in my window at Christmas time. I dont recall the church ever saying not to and I've never asked, I also let my kids play with dredals too. Is that sacreligious?<P>But I do hope k comes back and tells us how to do the rosary. I find alot of comfort in having my rosary beads with me so knowing how to use them correctly would be nice too.

I'm like you, shedawg, in that I am interested in lots of religions... kind of take what I need from each... although, for me, the core is Jesus Christ, no matter what.<P>I think K will be back, probably in the morning... I really do want to know more about the rosary beads... I think they're lovely, and want to understand the significance of them.<P>Have a nice night, shedawg. See you tomorrow!!

I'll refer you to a web site for the <A HREF="http://www.familyrosary.org" TARGET=_blank>Rosary</A>, including the <A HREF="http://www.familyrosary.org/bk-hist.htm" TARGET=_blank>history</A>. A fully illustrated "how to" is shown <A HREF="http://www.familyrosary.org/method.htm" TARGET=_blank>here</A>.<P>Lighting candles for petitions to God is a tradition of the Catholic church, but I'm not familiar with the history. There's a <A HREF="http://www.catholic.org" TARGET=_blank>Catholic site</A> where you might be able to find more about this topic.<P>Sheryl, Jesus established "one" unified "catholic" church. The Catholic church is (perhaps arguably---my church history is weak) that "fundamental" church. The Catholic church has had discussions with different Protestant sects over the years on "reunification"---if not in heirarchy, at least in how we view the bible, sacrements, etc. Christ calls Christians to be united---not divided. And you using the rosary in no way would be considered sacreligious.<P>God bless, ladies.

K, The catholic church does recognize second or third marriages as long as there is annulments granted. <P>I know this for a fact, we were married in the catholic church and our marriage sponsers were in there second marriage each, and were married at the church. Both were divorced, I don't know the reasons behind it, but like I said were active in the church and were in the marriage prep course.<P>My brothers g-friend had an annulment and a civic divorce and has told my parents if her and my bother were to marry they could in the church because of her annulment and his marriage never existed to the church because it was performed by a JP.<P>

Suzzie:<P>You're completely correct with the Catholic church's acceptance of second and greater marriages. If there is an annulment in place, the marriage "never happened". The guidelines in my catechism state that this is used if either party didn't enter "freely" into the sacrament of marriage (like a shotgun wedding). There may be other ways to get an annulment---I'm not an expert.<P>I also left out the "death" clause. Obviously widowed spouses are allowed to remarry. But I didn't want to give Sheryl any ideas...

LOL LOL... <still snickering> LOL, okay, okay... I hear you...<P>I do **not** agree with the annulment process, esp. if there are children involved. No matter what, the marriage that produces children MUST be honored -- at least in my opinion. <BR>As you know, K, my H and his ex are Catholic, and neither can receive sacraments now... and that's SAD. That's the reason I asked about the rosary... I assumed, obviously incorrectly, that a church that would not allow them to partake in the Eucharist, would not allow a non-Catholic to pray the rosary. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about... that could be, ya know. <P>Thanks for the links... I really will look into it, because I'm very interested. <P>And I promise -- I am not violent, K!!! Plus, it would seem to me that the death must occur BEFORE the remarriage!!

I might be wrong but I always thought that the children would not be affected by the annulment. They still are allowed to take sacrements at my church. (the children of my sponsers) I will have to ask about this one.<P>I think sometimes the "erasing" annulment does is misconceived.

<A HREF="http://www.stpaulsprinceton.org/Pages_2nd/Ministry_Annul.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.stpaulsprinceton.org/Pages_2nd/Ministry_Annul.htm</A> <P><BR>Nyneve read this about annulment. When my H and I were separated I researched everything from child support to annulments and this is one I came across.

Hi Suz,<P>Oh, not the children... they are innocent... it is the parents (my H and his ex-W) who cannot partake. That's what I meant.

k<BR>Thanks for the links. I went and checked it out and found exactly what I was looking for.<BR>

Nyneve I could be wrong but I think the only reason why he cannot receive the eucharest is because he married you before he had an annulment and because he did not get an annulment he could not marry in the church. <P>So what have you two decided?? Is he going to remain catholic or are you going to be protestant??

Suz,<P>I'm Anglican/Episcopal, and he can receive the Eucharist (sp? I'm sorry) in my church. So, we've gone to my church, and the beliefs, for the most part, are very similiar, but much more liberal (our priests can marry, for example). Also, my priest is a woman.<P>He and I were just talking about this, because we had our wedding in front of a non-denominational minister (another woman, I like them women! ) and we prayed over our rings and our lives... it was very nice... quite Protistant (sp?, again ).<P>But, unless they get an annulment, they cannot partake in their own church, that much is sure. And our marriages are not blessed by the church, of course.

Nyneve, could you not renew your vows in your church of choice, once you make that choice. That way your marriage is recognozed by the present churches and not to worry about the past. I just feel it does not matter where you worship as long as you do so.

Actually, Suz,<P>Yes, we are considering something along those lines later on... a few years maybe... in the meantime, I am trying to be the wife I am meant to be... and have begun working with a few friends (cyber) to learn again how to pray and finally get that illusive peace.<P>My H and I are going to church this weekend, in fact, and I'm hoping I can meet some nice women... Lord knows I need some friends around here. <P>We both feel that it doesn't matter, as you say, where we worship... however, the Catholic church cares about where you worship, and since my H is Catholic... well, you can see, I'm sure, the bit of discomfort he might have. He would like to be in his church. He can't be. They will never get an annulment (and as I said, I totally agree with their choice) so... we will be looking for a new church to worship in. Same God though!! <P>

Sheryl:<P>Praying the rosary is a Catholic tradition---you won't get "in trouble" for doing something like that. You wouldn't be turned away from Lourdes either... <P>Receiving communion in a Catholic church is another issue. I believe that the rules have changed somewhat, and if a Protestant believes in transubstantiation, then they are welcome to receive communion in a Catholic church. Don't quote me on that---I'd have to look it up.