It is true. Born Protestant (Baptist) then "knew it all" and became atheist, but knew deep-down it wasn't true/there was a God. Now a Catholic thanks be to God.
On fire cradle Catholic here. We are out there, took 50 years. Was blind but now I see. I was in love with my sin. Took a vision of the Lord weeping to see how I was hurting him. So sorry for my blindness. It's all true. The Catholic faith. It's all true.
Visions/locutions are not the way God communicates with us now that the Scriptures are complete. If he did, then those that did not receive a vision or a message with extrabiblical information from God would have an argument in their defense at their judgment. Those that would have believed in God and his Son if they had received some proof would claim that they did not receive the evidence that you did. Do you see the problem?
Scriptures existence doesnt make our spiritual life static, @@dfkuz We know, from scriture, that St Paul had his visions well after Christ's ascension to heaven. Yet, he would have been one of many persecutors. Many people encounter/ experience Christ, or the Holy Spirit. It is not for us to put constraints on how God might meet us, or meet others, right?
@@kvin949 Paul received his visions and messages from Christ while the Holy Scriptures were still being written (mostly by him) so it was still in order for supernatural communication at that time. When scripture was complete, that need became defunct and abruptly ceased. It's not merely a coincidence that it was in the LAST letter Paul wrote, and the LAST book of the entire Bible, Colossians, that Paul warned believers from that point on to avoid seeking supernatural contact (with angels, but I take it to mean all supernatural beings). Paul knew the scriptures had everything necessary for us to know how to obtain eternal life - through completely placing our faith in Jesus Christ - and there was no further need for communication from heaven. This is how we know that if we do encounter those that say they saw a vision or heard telepathic voices, that those people are not yet saved by truly trusting Christ. I know this from experience because I am one, that when I was unsaved, I did have paranormal contact; and luckily, even in my unregenerated condition, I instinctively realized that I had been contacted by demonic spirits. My testimony of that is accessible using a link in my profile on my TH-cam account. Just click my photo to get there and then copy and paste the link into your browser. I would have liked to make it a clickable link but TH-cam won't let me.
@@MaryJo18 Yes, I agree. My paternal grandmother and her sister were Jewish, but I was born and raised Roman Catholic. I loved them dearly and was very close to both of them. Thank you for your reminder to pray for the conversion of our beloved Jewish brothers and sisters.
I can't say enough about how your testimony was an answer to my prayers! You articulated so well some of my experiences and how God knows our needs! I really appreciated what you said about accepting your weaknesses! I'm learning to be gentle with myself 🙏🏾 Eddie you are a thoughtful Host!
This lovely woman has an amazing ability to both critically think and has a wonderful amount of common sense. God has blessed her, and I'm so happy for her!
I want to thank Fr. Tony Galati for doing my RCIA. God bless him as he had to put up with me & my incessant question. I’m grateful for my sponsor Linda who walked with me not only to confirmation at Easter Vigil but also thru very difficult times and gave of herself & shared her family with me when I needed a lot of grace. Thank you Eddie the Edifier for being such a gracious & kind host & allowing me to ramble on off topic. And I’d like to thank my guardian angel too. Our Lady, the saints & our triune God. Alleluia! Ave Maria 😊🌹🙏
What a wonderful episode. Nikki speaks so matter-of-factly, but she is speaking deep truths left and right, and gives Eddie a true nickname right there at the end. What a gift. I never thought of myself as an atheist in my life prior to my conversion and baptism into the Catholic Church six months ago, but i saw many many parallels in my former worldview and with what Nikki succinctly described. Praise God for his gracious intervention in my life and in the lives of so many. Thank you Nikki and Eddie!
Cradle Catholic, even as a child I loved and still love my faith. Love listening to the conversion stories, it makes me appreciate my catholic faith but reignite that flame and at 62 I'm still learning, reading & listening. That's the beauty of the faith, it's not stagnate....
Yip. 60 years happy-clappy, Bible-punching, door-knocking Protestant until earlier this year I started to do my own research and discovered the early church Fathers were Catholic 😮 What? 🙈 I'm also now on my journey 'home' 🙌🙏
As a cradle Catholic, it's hard for me to comprehend the mindset of a non-believer. Thanks for reminding us of the gift of faith. I hope your testimony helps many others to come to faith. Many in the LGTBQ and atheist communities fake happiness, live a facade. May your story give them the courage and honesty to pursue truth.
We need more Jews in the Catholic Church. They bring an intuitive understanding of the continuation between Judaism and Catholicism that takes us cradle Catholics so much effort and grace from the Holy Spirit to acquire. Pray for all Jews to accept Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah.
In Judaism our traditions and Rabbinic teachings are very important as well as our actions. Protestants are always screaming at the Jews for following men, not the word of God and trying to be saved by works. All of this dates back to the Reformation with solo scriptura and sola fide. There is much more affinity between Judaism and Catholicism in spite of Martin Luther's expectation that all the Jews would follow him now that he "cleaned up" Christianity. When the Jews did not follow Martin Luther and convert, he viciously turned against them. The Nazis made good use of his writings and many historians draw a direct line from the father of Protestant Christianity to the Holocaust.
I understand that many converts today from Judaism to Christianity want to retain some elements of Judaism but this is something new. Historically the Church did everything it could to separate the two faiths. During the time of the Inquisition even using olive oil instead of lard could bring you before the Inquisition. When I was a child, most Jews who left Judaism wanted to erase all connection with Jews or Judaism. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was raised Catholic and did not learn until age 59 that both her parents were born and raised in Jewish families. I personally know of other Jews who converted to Catholicism and kept their Jewish background hidden.
You hit the nail on the head - many people, both in and outside the Church are too lazy or too self-satisfied to search for the Truth or dig deeper. Jesus promised that if we sought the truth, we would find it, and you did. And Truth is not a something, it's a Somebody, Jesus Christ. God be praised!
Loved the testimony, obviously a brilliant woman. Thanks for having the honesty to expose atheism. Love your connection to Mary and the saints. Welcome to the family dear sister. Praise God for your healing🙌🙌
I am a convert from 2017 and am still very much "on fire" as your guest says. However, eventually there does come a point where the graces that God gives you and the nearness He allows you to feel go away. Then what happens next is you fall into spiritual dryness. It can feel like God has gone away. Maybe life's struggles intensify, maybe there's a health issue, or some manner of emotional pain, a death, or a job loss and God doesn't seem real or near anymore. During these times, cry out to Him with all you have. He is there every step of the way. These are the times that strengthen your relationship with Him. It may be a repetitive sin that is causing the dryness, it may be that you're not devoting the time to prayer and study, it could be that God needs to teach you to lean on Him. Persevere through the dryness brothers and sisters. You will come out on the other side with a stronger, closer relationship to Him. Don't stop believing, don't stop praying.
Nikki, thank you so much for pointing out the sin of pride in your thinking; I still struggle with it every day, except during the Consecration at Mass... that breaks me every time, at least for a small while. I'm a returning Catholic with a lot of baggage and hope to be reunited with the Church in full at some time in the not too distant future.
My Father-in-law has MS. He was afflicted in the 1990s and is now in long term care. We've prayed for a miracle of healing for him, but it has never happened. But he has joy. His smile lights up the room. He can barely speak anymore, but he can pray the rosary. He also has help and helpers who give him some dignity. He is primarily the reason why my wife and I were open to life. We have seven kids, and the pressure to just give up Catholic moral teaching was hard. But every time my wife, in particular, was tempted to do something to end our fertility for good, she would think about her father and how much he endures all the time. And that smile. That faith. My youngest is seven now. My oldest is doing a second year physics degree. I have been so blessed by all of my kids. And a lot of that has to do with the example of my wife's Father. Does seven kids increase difficulties - sure. But also blessings. Now his wife, my mother in law, has mantel cell lymphoma. She beat the cancer into remission last spring, but now has relapsed. Her faith is also an inspiration to me. How much she does to support her husband. How much she dedicates her life to praying for her kids and her grandkids. This next round of treatments will not be fun. But she believes in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting. This pain and suffering will pass. The cross lets us confront reality as it is, in all its misery but also all of its beauty. Death does not have the final word. Our Lord, the first born from the dead, has shown us that. Nikki's miracle, just erasing MS and Cancer all in one moment... that is testimony to this as well. Death does not have the final word. Thank you for sharing your conversion story Nikki. God bless!
A beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you, Nikki. I am very inspired especially by what you said about the Blessed Mother Mary and suffering. I've listened to a number of stories from people of Jewish background who converted to Christianity because of a mystical experience. You are indeed a special people and i believe you have a special mission. Joining you all in your prayers.
Thank you so much for this episode. It was wonderful to hear the testimony of another Jewish Catholic. I'm one myself as well. I was born and raised protestant, became Jewish, but thanks be to God I entered the fullness of faith; into the Catholic Church about a year ago. Sometimes people don't understand how you can call yourself Jewish Catholic, but I guess they forget Jesus, our Lady, the disciples, St Paul, etc..., were all Jewish too:). I'd be happy to tell more about my own path to the Catholic faith, but I wouldn't be able to do this publicly (I can explain this if needed). God bless you for all your work!
What a wonderful woman. Amazing story. And she learned a lot of Catholicism in a short time. I'm ashamed to say I considered myself an atheist at one time too. Similarly I came to faith from observing how orderly and constructed the universe was put together. Science made me believe in God! Peace.
I’m Catholic, I’m gay. I’m so so happy she mentioned the LGBT, the way she did. They say they’re happy. All I see is sorrow, sadness and copping. Please pray for us. We, as gay men and women need it. Love you all.
It is reported that the Catholic Church in the United States is having a difficult time finding priests because American men do not want to stay celibate and never marry a woman. Because of this, many priests are homosexual by inclination because they don't mind never marrying a woman. Some point to the unnatural celibacy which leads to perversion and abuse. (I do not know how accurate these reports are and I apologize if inaccurate.) It seems like allowing priests to marry is a simple solution. When I was a child, Catholics did not eat meat on Friday, the mass was in Latin, and nuns wore a habit. There is nothing in the Bible to prevent priests from marrying and this requirement does not even date from the beginning of the Church. It is a great mystery why the Church retains such an outdated and counterproductive practice. Is it simply to emphasize that Catholics are not Protestants?
@@stephenfisher3721You said a few things that are incorrect about the discipline of priestly celibacy especially your last opinion. Take a look at an article entitled “Celibacy and the Priesthood.” I think it will answer most of your questions.
Yes, offer it up. My mother used to tell me (when I complained of something hurting) to offer the pain up to the lowest soul in purgatory. Mother Angelica offered up to release souls out of purgatory. 🤗
***"A Life Without Mystery Lacks Light." --Hebrew Wisdom. Welcome Home, Nikki! Unending Light Is Within the Source and Summit Mystery of the Holy Eucharist in our Tabernacles! +Peace+ & All Good!*** 😇
Messianic Jews are not Catholic and have more in common with Protestant denominations. I am Catholic, but I am grateful for Protestantism because it led me back to Catholicism after 40 years of seeking the truth. That search revealed that Protestantism is a denial of the full truth of Christ and the core deceit at the centre of the heresies of the end times we are now experiencing. Like all of Satan's lies, it is built on half truths and personal subjective interpretations of the scriptures while denying the traditions that brought the scriptures into being from the beginning.
Messianic Jews are Christians who keep many of the trappings of the Torah and celebrate the 7 Jewish feasts as outlined therein. Very few were raised in Judaism prior to becoming Christian. A Jewish Catholic is someone who was raised in Judaism prior to becoming Catholic.
Messianic Jews are a Protestant group who often think they need to combine the old testament Judaism with belief in Christ. Jewish Catholics are ethnic Jewish who become Catholic
It seems like many Jewish converts start talking about anti Semitism soon after (Trent Horne, Gavin Ashenden, Dawn Eden Goldstein etc). Lets hope she is not one of those converts.
As a Catholic I am very much aligned with my Jewish friends and family. I actually feel anti Catholicism from them! It goes both ways but I see them as Gods people. ❤
I hope you are not making this statement because you yourself are anti-semitic. I question your statement that Jewish converts start talking about anti-semitism soon after conversion. Of the three people you mentioned, only Dawn Eden Goldstein even comes close. According to what I found on the Internet, Dawn Eden Goldstein was raised in a Reform Jewish household but first converted to Protestant Christianity. She actually converted to Catholicism from Protestantism. (Traditional Judaism defines a Jew differently from Reform Judaism and I could not tell if she even met the traditional criteria to be born a Jew). However, the Internet does mention that "Goldstein praised Chesterton for many things but also accused him of antisemitism and racial prejudice, sins for which she called the Chesterton community to repent." Trent Horne was not raised as a Jew. His father was Jewish but not his mother. Under Orthodox Jewish religious law, only the child of a Jewish mother is born Jewish. Reform Judaism includes patrilineal descent but only when the child is raised in the Jewish religion and participates regularly and exclusively in Jewish religious life. So Trent Horne was never considered a Jew by Judaism. We can only say that he has a Jewish father. As to making statements about anti-semitism, I did not find a record of him doing so. Gavin Ashenden was formerly a priest of the Church of England, and subsequently a Anglican bishop before he became a Catholic. (If he had any Jewish ancestry, I did not find it mentioned). It is very strange that you are mentioning people whose Judaism meant next to nothing to them and hardly fit the definition of Jewish convert. Why not mention Jewish converts to Catholicism who really were Jews and took their Judaism seriously? What about Israel Zolli or Jean-Marie Lustiger? Until his conversion from Judaism to Catholicism in February 1945, Israel Zolli was the chief rabbi in Rome's Jewish community from 1940 to 1945. Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, maintained his cultural identity as a Jew even after converting to Catholicism. I find no record of Israel Zolli or Jean-Marie Lustiger talking about anti-semitism soon after converting but with people like you probably they should have.
ok, so should Catholics from a n historicallh persecuted group not use the racism againsgt them in their testimonies??? As a Black Catholic I am a Christian DESPITE white supremacy and I call it what it is...demonic activity. She is still ethnically Jewish and that , with all its story is a testimony and if folks can't here that, they should pray for the Hily spirit's light and power.
Oh, my! "On fire" is the worst possible choice of words. During the Inquistion many Catholics of Jewish origin were literally ON FIRE as the flames of the auto-da-fé burned them to DEATH! At various points in Spanish history, Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism. In 1492, all Jews in Spain had the choice to accept Jesus or leave the country. With the passage of time, most of the descendants of the Jews who had converted were sincere Christians but the Gentile Christians hated the Jews and established the Inquisition. It went way beyond any religious suspicion since it was racist. There were also financial incentives resulting from the confiscation of property. Benzion Netanyahu, the father of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was an historian who expertly wrote about this period. Even using olive oil instead of lard was enough to bring you before the Inquisition. All these modern day Jewish converts to Catholicism who bring some Jewish customs to their Catholic practice would certainly have found themselves before the Inquisition ON FIRE (not in a good way!)
I am a simple person who is losing faith. I have one question: We say that our God (I am currently Episcopalian) (triune) is the one, true, and only living God. All others are pagan and idolatry. And that the only way to access paradise (heaven) is through faith in Jesus Christ. Here is my question: If I went back to the height of the Egyptian culture (19th dynasty) and asked a priest of Amun-Ra (or maybe just a random person on the street) if Amun was fake and powerless, do you think they would say "Well now that you mention it, yup, your right." Or do you think they would burn me at the stake for blasphemy. Assuming the Amun-Ra priest would say his god is real (with evidence to back it up), why should I see our God as any different?
Praying for you! Perhaps you could seek out counsel, so your situation can be fully understood. Short answer: the Resurrection and its proof changes everything. Forever. For those not exposed to Christ and the Gospel, check the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1790-1794. Only One Truth even if not fully realized in all times and cultures. God will judge the culpability of those ancient people.
It is in every man’s dna to seek God. Every culture in every time and corner of the globe attests to this. Insofar as religions attempt to find God, they are all doing good. There is, however, one point in history where God revealed himself and lived among us so that we no longer had to search for Him. Just look to the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection and his life and miracles. Keep seeking
St John described the enemies of mankind as Jews who are not Jews. This always puzzled me untiI I understood many Jews were atheists and the word Jew today is an ethnic descriptor first and religious descriptor second and Rabbinic Jewish religion that is based on the Talmud is basically the same as Islam and its Quran. I.e. they are both fundamendally denials of Christ's divinity.
I am a Jew. During all my years of religious education by my teachers who were Orthodox Rabbis, Jesus or Christianity was not mentioned once. Jesus is simply not part of our religion. He is ignored.
When I was growing up, Catholics did not read the Bible and form their own interpretations; that was a Protestant thing. Several recent Popes have called the Jews "our elder brothers in faith". I don't know why you single handedly want to insult Jews, act like a Protestant, and set back all amazing advances in Catholic - Jewish relations.
Jesús is Jewish. He is the fulfillment of the Jewish scriptures. He loves you and he is calling you to know the Truth. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob bless you in your journey into the fullness that He has for you.
@stephenfisher3721 When the Jews accept Christ as the Messiah, we can be judaochristians. But until then Jews are deniers of Christ, no different to Muslims.
@stephenfisher3721 I am nearly 70, born Catholic, and growing up, I was fully aware of the bible and its content. The Catholic Mass is based entirely on the scriptures, and further, the bible was put together and authorised as God inspired by the Catholic Church 400 years after Christ's resurrection. When Jews accept Christ as God, we can agree that progress has been made. Until then, they are no different to Muslims, pagans etc, wrt to their rejection of the Divinity of Christ, and Judae-christianity remains an oxymoron. PS Read the Catholic catechism and the history of the Church and educate yourself.
Nikki, what you and all Bible students desperately need to learn is that the scriptures need to be rightly divided (because not every word is for us today) and how to do it! Genesis through Acts was all pertaining to God’s relationship with his chosen people. The epistles written after Acts were written to the churches of Paul that had Jewish pastors and contained exhortation for the Jews and Greeks dealing with their disappointment over their kingdom with Jesus on the throne not having come. ONLY Ephesians and Colossians directly apply to believers today and not every verse in those two does! Bottom line: the nation of Judah did not accept the Messiah so God withdrew the kingdom offer and divorced them in Acts 28:28. All unsaved people from that point on are considered to be pagan Gentiles (that includes “Jews”) who can be saved eternally - according to the mystery (Eph 3:9; Col 1:25-26) not made known til prophecy failed - by accepting God’s gift in Ephesians 2:8&9. Stick with Ephesians and Colossians and you will not go wrong; it’s all grace!
I am quite disturbed by some of the comments made by Catholics to this video. As a Jew, I have come to accept the aggressive proselytizing and anti-semitism from some Protestants but I expected something different from Roman Catholics. The Catholic Church has a long history of hatred, violence, and persecution against Jews but since the end of World War II, the Church has made a surprising but wonderful 180° turn to make amends. Several Popes have called the Jews "our elder brothers in faith". I am quite aware of notorious Catholic anti-semites such as Candace Owens and Mel Gibson but I thought they belonged to an unapproved heretical sect of Catholicism but perhaps their odious and erroneous views are widespread among all Catholics in spite of Nostra Aetate and many blessed Popes including and not limited to Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.
Truth. Antisemitism, like racism is an abomination, and yet can be found in the human heart regardless of faith. True Catholicism condemns it, but since the Catholic church is comprised of imperfect human beings it too will have members who are antisemitic. Candace Owens isn't yet dry from her baptism and cannot speak for the Catholic faith in any credible way. It's disgraceful that some well-known Catholics with platforms have made the mistake of lifting her up to the public, giving her speaking engagements, etc... when she's a neophyte who instead needs their protection, guidance and prayers.
No. Antisemitism is not widespread among Catholic Christians. I have been a Catholic Christian for decades and I never heard anything antisemitic from a Bishop, Priest or member of the laity. On the contrary we are taught to love all people and pray for them.
Anybody can freely come and observe the mass. Everyone is invited. You can do it from the back without talking to anyone. The only thing you can't do is eat Christ's body in the eucharist (think of mana from the desert, but this we know what it is) so just don't stand in the line near the end of the mass. Even if you do, just cover your mouth and preist will give you a blessing. Come and see.
Personal testimony are not impressive. People change in time and it's not jesus comment to Nicodemus you must be born again or born anew or born from above. It's a subjective point of view.
"We're blinded by pride" - so true for all of us.
It is true. Born Protestant (Baptist) then "knew it all" and became atheist, but knew deep-down it wasn't true/there was a God. Now a Catholic thanks be to God.
@@valwhelan3533 Welcome home!
Agree.
And it's the most damaging vice.
I know her she is a very smart lady and I chose her as my sponsor when I came to the Catholic church
Love you, Cam 🥰
@@pdxnikki1Nikki❤ thank you so much for sharing your story!
Love this woman. Intelligence, humility, honesty… amazing story
On fire cradle Catholic here. We are out there, took 50 years. Was blind but now I see. I was in love with my sin. Took a vision of the Lord weeping to see how I was hurting him. So sorry for my blindness. It's all true. The Catholic faith. It's all true.
Visions/locutions are not the way God communicates with us now that the Scriptures are complete. If he did, then those that did not receive a vision or a message with extrabiblical information from God would have an argument in their defense at their judgment. Those that would have believed in God and his Son if they had received some proof would claim that they did not receive the evidence that you did. Do you see the problem?
Scriptures existence doesnt make our spiritual life static, @@dfkuz
We know, from scriture, that St Paul had his visions well after Christ's ascension to heaven. Yet, he would have been one of many persecutors.
Many people encounter/ experience Christ, or the Holy Spirit.
It is not for us to put constraints on how God might meet us, or meet others, right?
Me too! 😁
@@kvin949 Paul received his visions and messages from Christ while the Holy Scriptures were still being written (mostly by him) so it was still in order for supernatural communication at that time. When scripture was complete, that need became defunct and abruptly ceased. It's not merely a coincidence that it was in the LAST letter Paul wrote, and the LAST book of the entire Bible, Colossians, that Paul warned believers from that point on to avoid seeking supernatural contact (with angels, but I take it to mean all supernatural beings). Paul knew the scriptures had everything necessary for us to know how to obtain eternal life - through completely placing our faith in Jesus Christ - and there was no further need for communication from heaven. This is how we know that if we do encounter those that say they saw a vision or heard telepathic voices, that those people are not yet saved by truly trusting Christ.
I know this from experience because I am one, that when I was unsaved, I did have paranormal contact; and luckily, even in my unregenerated condition, I instinctively realized that I had been contacted by demonic spirits. My testimony of that is accessible using a link in my profile on my TH-cam account. Just click my photo to get there and then copy and paste the link into your browser. I would have liked to make it a clickable link but TH-cam won't let me.
"Mary, a very Jewish mother" Fact Check: True! Amazing testimony! Wow what a miracle! Welcome Nikki!
I have a special soft spot in my heart for my Jewish brothers and sisters.
Me Too❤🇿🇦
We have to pray for their conversion
@@MaryJo18 Yes, I agree. My paternal grandmother and her sister were Jewish, but I was born and raised Roman Catholic. I loved them dearly and was very close to both of them. Thank you for your reminder to pray for the conversion of our beloved Jewish brothers and sisters.
This lady is way too intelligent and logical to fall for anything but the TRUTH! Love her story!
TH-cam notified me that you replied to one of my comments, but I don't see it anywhere here. Did you maybe delete it?
Welcome home 🏠. Many people in my family are Atheist and Scientists actual Scientists and this gives me hope for them. God bless you 💕🙏🙏
She's a convert but she talks like a cradle Catholic! This is who she was meant to be! It was in her soul already!
I can't say enough about how your testimony was an answer to my prayers! You articulated so well some of my experiences and how God knows our needs! I really appreciated what you said about accepting your weaknesses! I'm learning to be gentle with myself 🙏🏾
Eddie you are a thoughtful Host!
This lovely woman has an amazing ability to both critically think and has a wonderful amount of common sense. God has blessed her, and I'm so happy for her!
I want to thank Fr. Tony Galati for doing my RCIA. God bless him as he had to put up with me & my incessant question. I’m grateful for my sponsor Linda who walked with me not only to confirmation at Easter Vigil but also thru very difficult times and gave of herself & shared her family with me when I needed a lot of grace. Thank you Eddie the Edifier for being such a gracious & kind host & allowing me to ramble on off topic. And I’d like to thank my guardian angel too. Our Lady, the saints & our triune God. Alleluia! Ave Maria 😊🌹🙏
God bless you, Nikki!
Have met Our Lady of Loreto? She's so Jewish you'll love her. She's so protective of her little house.
What a wonderful episode. Nikki speaks so matter-of-factly, but she is speaking deep truths left and right, and gives Eddie a true nickname right there at the end. What a gift. I never thought of myself as an atheist in my life prior to my conversion and baptism into the Catholic Church six months ago, but i saw many many parallels in my former worldview and with what Nikki succinctly described. Praise God for his gracious intervention in my life and in the lives of so many. Thank you Nikki and Eddie!
“We’re kind of quiet sometimes” … incredibly wise observation on your part. Thank you for sharing!
Cradle Catholic, even as a child I loved and still love my faith. Love listening to the conversion stories, it makes me appreciate my catholic faith but reignite that flame and at 62 I'm still learning, reading & listening. That's the beauty of the faith, it's not stagnate....
Wow this is awesome thank you, that statement “truth requires humility” is so profound I’m committing it to memory
Just started but so far I so appreciate and love the lack of fluff-her clarity is wonderfully refreshing 😊❤
This was beautiful
I love your response about anti-Catholicism, “I don’t know that. I have not done the research. That sounds very bigoted and hypocritical.” Thank you!
Yip. 60 years happy-clappy, Bible-punching, door-knocking Protestant until earlier this year I started to do my own research and discovered the early church Fathers were Catholic 😮 What? 🙈 I'm also now on my journey 'home' 🙌🙏
@belindaven
ter8474 God bless your way back home❤
As a cradle Catholic, it's hard for me to comprehend the mindset of a non-believer. Thanks for reminding us of the gift of faith. I hope your testimony helps many others to come to faith. Many in the LGTBQ and atheist communities fake happiness, live a facade. May your story give them the courage and honesty to pursue truth.
Beautiful testimony, thank you for sharing, it's been so inspiring.
We need more Jews in the Catholic Church. They bring an intuitive understanding of the continuation between Judaism and Catholicism that takes us cradle Catholics so much effort and grace from the Holy Spirit to acquire.
Pray for all Jews to accept Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah.
In Judaism our traditions and Rabbinic teachings are very important as well as our actions. Protestants are always screaming at the Jews for following men, not the word of God and trying to be saved by works. All of this dates back to the Reformation with solo scriptura and sola fide. There is much more affinity between Judaism and Catholicism in spite of Martin Luther's expectation that all the Jews would follow him now that he "cleaned up" Christianity. When the Jews did not follow Martin Luther and convert, he viciously turned against them. The Nazis made good use of his writings and many historians draw a direct line from the father of Protestant Christianity to the Holocaust.
I understand that many converts today from Judaism to Christianity want to retain some elements of Judaism but this is something new.
Historically the Church did everything it could to separate the two faiths.
During the time of the Inquisition even using olive oil instead of lard could bring you before the Inquisition.
When I was a child, most Jews who left Judaism wanted to erase all connection with Jews or Judaism.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was raised Catholic and did not learn until age 59 that both her parents were born and raised in Jewish families. I personally know of other Jews who converted to Catholicism and kept their Jewish background hidden.
Such a touching testimony
Stay blessed you both Eddie and Nikki Monacelli and please pray for my family
Will do!
@@CatholicReCon Thank you so much Eddie
You hit the nail on the head - many people, both in and outside the Church are too lazy or too self-satisfied to search for the Truth or dig deeper. Jesus promised that if we sought the truth, we would find it, and you did. And Truth is not a something, it's a Somebody, Jesus Christ. God be praised!
Amen
Love this ❤
Oh man, what a powerful story and interview. God's blessings to Mrs. Monacelli.
I really enjoyed this converts story !
Loved the testimony, obviously a brilliant woman. Thanks for having the honesty to expose atheism. Love your connection to Mary and the saints. Welcome to the family dear sister. Praise God for your healing🙌🙌
I am a convert from 2017 and am still very much "on fire" as your guest says. However, eventually there does come a point where the graces that God gives you and the nearness He allows you to feel go away. Then what happens next is you fall into spiritual dryness. It can feel like God has gone away. Maybe life's struggles intensify, maybe there's a health issue, or some manner of emotional pain, a death, or a job loss and God doesn't seem real or near anymore. During these times, cry out to Him with all you have. He is there every step of the way. These are the times that strengthen your relationship with Him. It may be a repetitive sin that is causing the dryness, it may be that you're not devoting the time to prayer and study, it could be that God needs to teach you to lean on Him. Persevere through the dryness brothers and sisters. You will come out on the other side with a stronger, closer relationship to Him. Don't stop believing, don't stop praying.
Amen❤
Thank you so much for your great testimony. God is good welcome to the plenitud of truth.
Sin causes spiritual blindness and it only took me 43 years to understand that I had been blind. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
Nikki, thank you so much for pointing out the sin of pride in your thinking; I still struggle with it every day, except during the Consecration at Mass... that breaks me every time, at least for a small while. I'm a returning Catholic with a lot of baggage and hope to be reunited with the Church in full at some time in the not too distant future.
God bless your journey back home to the True Faith🙏🙌
Praying for you, Sarah💕✝️🙏🏼
My Father-in-law has MS. He was afflicted in the 1990s and is now in long term care. We've prayed for a miracle of healing for him, but it has never happened.
But he has joy. His smile lights up the room. He can barely speak anymore, but he can pray the rosary. He also has help and helpers who give him some dignity. He is primarily the reason why my wife and I were open to life. We have seven kids, and the pressure to just give up Catholic moral teaching was hard. But every time my wife, in particular, was tempted to do something to end our fertility for good, she would think about her father and how much he endures all the time. And that smile. That faith.
My youngest is seven now. My oldest is doing a second year physics degree. I have been so blessed by all of my kids. And a lot of that has to do with the example of my wife's Father. Does seven kids increase difficulties - sure. But also blessings.
Now his wife, my mother in law, has mantel cell lymphoma. She beat the cancer into remission last spring, but now has relapsed. Her faith is also an inspiration to me. How much she does to support her husband. How much she dedicates her life to praying for her kids and her grandkids. This next round of treatments will not be fun. But she believes in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting. This pain and suffering will pass.
The cross lets us confront reality as it is, in all its misery but also all of its beauty. Death does not have the final word. Our Lord, the first born from the dead, has shown us that. Nikki's miracle, just erasing MS and Cancer all in one moment... that is testimony to this as well. Death does not have the final word.
Thank you for sharing your conversion story Nikki.
God bless!
yep, no healing, just Christians who make false claims.
🙏🏼your in-laws are Powerful prayer warriors!!🙏🏼praying for them and their entire family!!🙏🏼
❤❤❤
A beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you, Nikki. I am very inspired especially by what you said about the Blessed Mother Mary and suffering.
I've listened to a number of stories from people of Jewish background who converted to Christianity because of a mystical experience. You are indeed a special people and i believe you have a special mission.
Joining you all in your prayers.
TOTALLY LIFE CHANGING TESTIMONY. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS x
Oh my goodness Nikki?!❤❤❤❤ My heart is overwhelmed. I love your story. Thank you for sharing my beautiful friend!😍🤗
Great interview! Posted to fb.
I can't wait to listen to this. Nikki is the BEST!
I love how it all seemed to come from nowhere, just the Spirit and Our Lady leading. Gives hope for seemingly blind ally persons and situations.
Amazing testimony! I really could relate to her story.
Lovely. God bless you 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much for this episode. It was wonderful to hear the testimony of another Jewish Catholic. I'm one myself as well. I was born and raised protestant, became Jewish, but thanks be to God I entered the fullness of faith; into the Catholic Church about a year ago. Sometimes people don't understand how you can call yourself Jewish Catholic, but I guess they forget Jesus, our Lady, the disciples, St Paul, etc..., were all Jewish too:). I'd be happy to tell more about my own path to the Catholic faith, but I wouldn't be able to do this publicly (I can explain this if needed).
God bless you for all your work!
Thank you for this! Please email info@eddietrask.com. God bless.
What a wonderful woman. Amazing story. And she learned a lot of Catholicism in a short time. I'm ashamed to say I considered myself an atheist at one time too. Similarly I came to faith from observing how orderly and constructed the universe was put together. Science made me believe in God! Peace.
Oh wow, I love your tagline. It was irresistible. Lol
I was blind too, but now I see through a mirror dimly. 🙂
I’m Catholic, I’m gay. I’m so so happy she mentioned the LGBT, the way she did. They say they’re happy. All I see is sorrow, sadness and copping. Please pray for us. We, as gay men and women need it. Love you all.
It is reported that the Catholic Church in the United States is having a difficult time finding priests because American men do not want to stay celibate and never marry a woman. Because of this, many priests are homosexual by inclination because they don't mind never marrying a woman. Some point to the unnatural celibacy which leads to perversion and abuse. (I do not know how accurate these reports are and I apologize if inaccurate.)
It seems like allowing priests to marry is a simple solution. When I was a child, Catholics did not eat meat on Friday, the mass was in Latin, and nuns wore a habit. There is nothing in the Bible to prevent priests from marrying and this requirement does not even date from the beginning of the Church. It is a great mystery why the Church retains such an outdated and counterproductive practice. Is it simply to emphasize that Catholics are not Protestants?
Thanks for writing. Let me know your prayer intentions, brother.
@@stephenfisher3721You said a few things that are incorrect about the discipline of priestly celibacy especially your last opinion. Take a look at an article entitled “Celibacy and the Priesthood.” I think it will answer most of your questions.
My brother, I pray for all the same sex attracted brothers and sisters. You are my precious brothers and sisters, beloved of the Father!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@stephenfisher3721 catholics are not Protestants????
You’re comparing 1600 AD to 0000AD
So beautiful.
Yes, offer it up. My mother used to tell me (when I complained of something hurting) to offer the pain up to the lowest soul in purgatory. Mother Angelica offered up to release souls out of purgatory. 🤗
***"A Life Without Mystery Lacks Light." --Hebrew Wisdom. Welcome Home, Nikki! Unending Light Is Within the Source and Summit Mystery of the Holy Eucharist in our Tabernacles! +Peace+ & All Good!*** 😇
May the Lord bless you always 🙏
Im still trying to figure out the difference in messianic Jews and Jewish Catholics
Almost all the Messianic Jews are Fundamental Evangelical Protestants in theology with some Jewish culture or ritual thrown in as window dressing.
Messianic Jews are not Catholic and have more in common with Protestant denominations.
I am Catholic, but I am grateful for Protestantism because it led me back to Catholicism after 40 years of seeking the truth. That search revealed that Protestantism is a denial of the full truth of Christ and the core deceit at the centre of the heresies of the end times we are now experiencing. Like all of Satan's lies, it is built on half truths and personal subjective interpretations of the scriptures while denying the traditions that brought the scriptures into being from the beginning.
Messianic Jews are Christians who keep many of the trappings of the Torah and celebrate the 7 Jewish feasts as outlined therein. Very few were raised in Judaism prior to becoming Christian. A Jewish Catholic is someone who was raised in Judaism prior to becoming Catholic.
Messianic Jews are a Protestant group who often think they need to combine the old testament Judaism with belief in Christ. Jewish Catholics are ethnic Jewish who become Catholic
From my understanding messianic jews are like protestants; they recognize Jesus, but don't limit his body on earth (church) to catholics.
When you experience God like you experience your own right hand. That fire continually burns and constantly gives should you accept that grace.
Amén!🇵🇪. Viva Cristo Rey! ♥️
We're just not built to even be able to imagine being dead, not existing.
Welcome to the number of brilliant jewish converts i know: st. Edith Stein, Eden Dawn. Roy scheilomn ....
2017 again Eddie! 😅
It seems like many Jewish converts start talking about anti Semitism soon after (Trent Horne, Gavin Ashenden, Dawn Eden Goldstein etc). Lets hope she is not one of those converts.
Please clarify. I don’t understand what you mean.
As a Catholic I am very much aligned with my Jewish friends and family. I actually feel anti Catholicism from them! It goes both ways but I see them as Gods people. ❤
I hope you are not making this statement because you yourself are anti-semitic.
I question your statement that Jewish converts start talking about anti-semitism soon after conversion.
Of the three people you mentioned, only Dawn Eden Goldstein even comes close.
According to what I found on the Internet, Dawn Eden Goldstein was raised in a Reform Jewish household but first converted to Protestant Christianity. She actually converted to Catholicism from Protestantism. (Traditional Judaism defines a Jew differently from Reform Judaism and I could not tell if she even met the traditional criteria to be born a Jew).
However, the Internet does mention that "Goldstein praised Chesterton for many things but also accused him of antisemitism and racial prejudice, sins for which she called the Chesterton community to repent."
Trent Horne was not raised as a Jew. His father was Jewish but not his mother. Under Orthodox Jewish religious law, only the child of a Jewish mother is born Jewish. Reform Judaism includes patrilineal descent but only when the child is raised in the Jewish religion and participates regularly and exclusively in Jewish religious life. So Trent Horne was never considered a Jew by Judaism. We can only say that he has a Jewish father. As to making statements about anti-semitism, I did not find a record of him doing so.
Gavin Ashenden was formerly a priest of the Church of England, and subsequently a Anglican bishop before he became a Catholic. (If he had any Jewish ancestry, I did not find it mentioned).
It is very strange that you are mentioning people whose Judaism meant next to nothing to them and hardly fit the definition of Jewish convert.
Why not mention Jewish converts to Catholicism who really were Jews and took their Judaism seriously?
What about Israel Zolli or Jean-Marie Lustiger?
Until his conversion from Judaism to Catholicism in February 1945, Israel Zolli was the chief rabbi in Rome's Jewish community from 1940 to 1945.
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, maintained his cultural identity as a Jew even after converting to Catholicism.
I find no record of Israel Zolli or Jean-Marie Lustiger talking about anti-semitism soon after converting but with people like you probably they should have.
ok, so should Catholics from a n historicallh persecuted group not use the racism againsgt them in their testimonies??? As a Black Catholic I am a Christian DESPITE white supremacy and I call it what it is...demonic activity. She is still ethnically Jewish and that , with all its story is a testimony and if folks can't here that, they should pray for the Hily spirit's light and power.
Hatred of groups of people should be talked about by Catholics.
Oh, my!
"On fire" is the worst possible choice of words. During the Inquistion many Catholics of Jewish origin were literally ON FIRE as the flames of the auto-da-fé burned them to DEATH!
At various points in Spanish history, Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism. In 1492, all Jews in Spain had the choice to accept Jesus or leave the country.
With the passage of time, most of the descendants of the Jews who had converted were sincere Christians but the Gentile Christians hated the Jews and established the Inquisition. It went way beyond any religious suspicion since it was racist. There were also financial incentives resulting from the confiscation of property. Benzion Netanyahu, the father of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was an historian who expertly wrote about this period.
Even using olive oil instead of lard was enough to bring you before the Inquisition. All these modern day Jewish converts to Catholicism who bring some Jewish customs to their Catholic practice would certainly have found themselves before the Inquisition ON FIRE (not in a good way!)
René Guénon showed the way 100 years ago. It is time for Islam, the rock of ages.
I am a simple person who is losing faith. I have one question: We say that our God (I am currently Episcopalian) (triune) is the one, true, and only living God. All others are pagan and idolatry. And that the only way to access paradise (heaven) is through faith in Jesus Christ. Here is my question: If I went back to the height of the Egyptian culture (19th dynasty) and asked a priest of Amun-Ra (or maybe just a random person on the street) if Amun was fake and powerless, do you think they would say "Well now that you mention it, yup, your right." Or do you think they would burn me at the stake for blasphemy. Assuming the Amun-Ra priest would say his god is real (with evidence to back it up), why should I see our God as any different?
Praying for you!
Perhaps you could seek out counsel, so your situation can be fully understood.
Short answer: the Resurrection and its proof changes everything. Forever. For those not exposed to Christ and the Gospel, check the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1790-1794. Only One Truth even if not fully realized in all times and cultures. God will judge the culpability of those ancient people.
It is in every man’s dna to seek God. Every culture in every time and corner of the globe attests to this. Insofar as religions attempt to find God, they are all doing good. There is, however, one point in history where God revealed himself and lived among us so that we no longer had to search for Him. Just look to the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection and his life and miracles. Keep seeking
St John described the enemies of mankind as Jews who are not Jews. This always puzzled me untiI I understood many Jews were atheists and the word Jew today is an ethnic descriptor first and religious descriptor second and Rabbinic Jewish religion that is based on the Talmud is basically the same as Islam and its Quran. I.e. they are both fundamendally denials of Christ's divinity.
I am a Jew. During all my years of religious education by my teachers who were Orthodox Rabbis, Jesus or Christianity was not mentioned once.
Jesus is simply not part of our religion. He is ignored.
When I was growing up, Catholics did not read the Bible and form their own interpretations; that was a Protestant thing.
Several recent Popes have called the Jews "our elder brothers in faith".
I don't know why you single handedly want to insult Jews, act like a Protestant, and set back all amazing advances in Catholic - Jewish relations.
Jesús is Jewish. He is the fulfillment of the Jewish scriptures. He loves you and he is calling you to know the Truth. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob bless you in your journey into the fullness that He has for you.
@stephenfisher3721 When the Jews accept Christ as the Messiah, we can be judaochristians. But until then Jews are deniers of Christ, no different to Muslims.
@stephenfisher3721 I am nearly 70, born Catholic, and growing up, I was fully aware of the bible and its content. The Catholic Mass is based entirely on the scriptures, and further, the bible was put together and authorised as God inspired by the Catholic Church 400 years after Christ's resurrection. When Jews accept Christ as God, we can agree that progress has been made. Until then, they are no different to Muslims, pagans etc, wrt to their rejection of the Divinity of Christ, and Judae-christianity remains an oxymoron.
PS Read the Catholic catechism and the history of the Church and educate yourself.
Nikki, what you and all Bible students desperately need to learn is that the scriptures need to be rightly divided (because not every word is for us today) and how to do it! Genesis through Acts was all pertaining to God’s relationship with his chosen people. The epistles written after Acts were written to the churches of Paul that had Jewish pastors and contained exhortation for the Jews and Greeks dealing with their disappointment over their kingdom with Jesus on the throne not having come. ONLY Ephesians and Colossians directly apply to believers today and not every verse in those two does! Bottom line: the nation of Judah did not accept the Messiah so God withdrew the kingdom offer and divorced them in Acts 28:28. All unsaved people from that point on are considered to be pagan Gentiles (that includes “Jews”) who can be saved eternally - according to the mystery (Eph 3:9; Col 1:25-26) not made known til prophecy failed - by accepting God’s gift in Ephesians 2:8&9. Stick with Ephesians and Colossians and you will not go wrong; it’s all grace!
I am quite disturbed by some of the comments made by Catholics to this video.
As a Jew, I have come to accept the aggressive proselytizing and anti-semitism from some Protestants but I expected something different from Roman Catholics.
The Catholic Church has a long history of hatred, violence, and persecution against Jews but since the end of World War II, the Church has made a surprising but wonderful 180° turn to make amends.
Several Popes have called the Jews "our elder brothers in faith".
I am quite aware of notorious Catholic anti-semites such as Candace Owens and Mel Gibson but I thought they belonged to an unapproved heretical sect of Catholicism but perhaps their odious and erroneous views are widespread among all Catholics in spite of Nostra Aetate and many blessed Popes including and not limited to Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.
@@stephenfisher3721 Could you give me a specific example of an antisemitic comment that you've seen in the comment section for this video?
@@alisterrebelo9013
I have made comments individually.
At least two, I found had anti-semitic undertones.
Just read through the comments.
Truth.
Antisemitism, like racism is an abomination, and yet can be found in the human heart regardless of faith. True Catholicism condemns it, but since the Catholic church is comprised of imperfect human beings it too will have members who are antisemitic.
Candace Owens isn't yet dry from her baptism and cannot speak for the Catholic faith in any credible way. It's disgraceful that some well-known Catholics with platforms have made the mistake of lifting her up to the public, giving her speaking engagements, etc... when she's a neophyte who instead needs their protection, guidance and prayers.
No. Antisemitism is not widespread among Catholic Christians. I have been a Catholic Christian for decades and I never heard anything antisemitic from a Bishop, Priest or member of the laity. On the contrary we are taught to love all people and pray for them.
Anybody can freely come and observe the mass. Everyone is invited. You can do it from the back without talking to anyone.
The only thing you can't do is eat Christ's body in the eucharist (think of mana from the desert, but this we know what it is) so just don't stand in the line near the end of the mass.
Even if you do, just cover your mouth and preist will give you a blessing.
Come and see.
I KING OF ALL have only one thing to say about this: welcome home to Jesus Christ High King of Palestine.
Why would you accuse this woman or any other convert of pride
Very disappointing and an unneeded comment
your still blind. you went from one frying pan to another one.
Personal testimony are not impressive. People change in time and it's not jesus comment to Nicodemus you must be born again or born anew or born from above. It's a subjective point of view.