Catholics/God's will or...

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 8/28/2010


Question
Hello Father. Some catholics on-line always emphasis alot on Sacraments.
And tell others that they have to relocate to places when Sacraments are available. But I wonder whether it is really God's will or just their opinion. What about converts in non christian theocracies,or in places where priests are few and Masses even fewer? Do they all have a calling to go out and immigarate for the sake of their salvation? I know it is fine, but I wonder if it is really a must? They say that one has a duty to seek Sacraments and without them salvation is impractical. What if all christians quit a Country?
Thanks alot!

Answer
Hi, Farnaz:

Considering that the Eucharistic celebration is the "Source and Summit" of Christian Faith, it certainly takes a top priority.  I would say that one trying to live the fullness of the Catholic Faith where few Sacraments are available will have a more difficult time keeping and persevering in that Faith.  The question a Catholic must ask him/herself is: "What is the best and most practical way for me to stay connected to the Catholic Faith and practices in my current circumstances?"  Without the Sacraments and regular celebrations of the Mass, one certainly has a harder time living out the fullness of that ecclesial communion in the Church, united one to another in the Body of Christ, and the Apostolic Authority of the Bishops in union with the Pope.  I hope this helps.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.