Welcome home sir. Your story gives me hope for my son who is almost an atheist. I will keep praying. God bless you sir.

@@ritachikata I too was an atheist (an obnoxious one) from age 15 to 34. Now I’m catholic attending daily mass and I’ve never been more intellectual. I was baptist before without much real knowledge. So it didn’t take much to make me an atheist when presented with those atheist arguments. But I grew up and realized atheism was too simple to be true. And I started the process to learn.

henman09 Praise God!

Thaddeus61 Betting if he did become pope he'd choose Pope Thomas after Thomas Aquinas :P

labrynianrebel You're absolutely right.

***** Pope St. Robert Barron, Doctor of the Church. I'm calling it now. xD

Kevin Roque ^^)

Please don't scare us. That's NOT funny.

HELMY ABDULLAH hopefully Cardinal, and even Pope

***** Because I love Christianity :) Even though it is such an elusive thing to me (I've never been able to accept salvation), I love seeing the concepts that Christ and his apostles taught, in action. It reminds me to continue in my desire to one day feel YHWH's agape through his Spirit.

***** Thank you! I really appreciate it, and wish that I could explain the gap between myself.

OBLIQUE What a wonderful thing to say! I suspect that the "gap" for you is one of perception. Perhaps you think you have made too many mistakes in your life. Or perhaps you are aware of some issue, and feel that you must do better first, before you can approach God. This is a common idea. We become aware of our failings, and because we are now aware of them, we feel we must first fix them or God will not take us seriously. This thinking is a trap of the deceiver. A life preserver is needed by a drowning person. We throw it to them without conditions. We don't wait to see if they will survive, and throw it to them once they are swimming on their own. God simply does not place such conditions on us. The Church is here as a life preserver. Anyone can grab a hold. There are no conditions. If there are problems, even that seem impossible, the first step is to have hold of what you need to steady yourself. That alone can help you see the way more clearly. Since you see the good in the catholic church, do not be afraid to approach. The answers are waiting here for you.

OBLIQUE "the best picture of marriage that we have on earth in the priesthood" You are onto something there. Those are inspired words.

JeTc I phrased it that way "on purpose" :D I love inference and implication.

Jorge Campos God bless you, Jorge. Please pray especially for my health and protection.

Dear Bishop Robert Barron, take it for granted. You are already in my prayers. But now I will ask my Lord Jesus Christ especially for those intentions. May the love, healing, truth and wisdom of the Holy Spirit be always with you and the authority of God Father, almighty and omnipresent, protect you in every single moment of your life. I ask the Most Perfect Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, always protect you and restore you health; and always remember her words: "Listen, my child, to what I tell you now: do not be troubled or disturbed by anything; do not fear illness or any other distressing occurrence, or pain. Am I not your Mother? Am I not life and health? Have I not placed you on my lap and made you my responsibility? Do you need anything else?". Remember she is NOT only "Queen of Mexico", but also "Empress of the Americas", including North America: USA and Canada, this was declared by Pius XI, Pius XII and John XXIII. On his fourth visit to Mexico, from January 22 to 26, 1999, John Paul II placed at the feet of the Virgin the document of the Synod of the Americas, which on that occasion, he gave to the Church as the foundation for the New Evangelization that is only possible by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Virgin is the one that propitiates the divine work with her: "fiat". Thus, she is co-redeemer with her Son Jesus Christ. St. John Paul II´s fourth visit to Mexico coincided with the 26th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the USA, thus highlighting the great world battle for the dignity of human life. One of the most significant phrases of St. John Paul II on his first visit to Mexico, at the Basilica of Guadalupe, on that day was this: "Of my country is often said: "Poland semper fidelis". I want to be able to say also: "Mexicum semper fidelis", Therefore, Our Lady of Guadalupe will always protect you. Remember She is Daughter of God Father; Mother of God Son; and Spouse of God the Holy Spirit, above her, only God. She is the most perfect creature and She is Immaculate. Quotation: "We entrust to Santa María de Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico and the entire continent, the destiny of the American peoples and their new evangelization." John Paul II, January 1999. Dear Bishop Robert Barron, may God bless you and protect you always. Amen.