What does the Catholic Church do when someone claims the Virgin Mary is appearing to them? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists explain how the Church investigates reported apparitions and discerns whether they are authentic. The conversation also explores why Jewish Bibles do not include Maccabees despite the importance of Hanukkah, why Catholics believe Jesus has two natures, and how to better understand St. John Henry Newman’s famous quote about history and Catholicism. Additional questions cover biblical support for confession and Communion obligations, who Jesus was referring to when He said “Father, forgive them,” how Catholics recognize ex cathedra teachings, and when the Eucharist becomes the Body and Blood of Christ. The episode concludes with advice for non-Catholics discerning whether the Catholic Church is true.

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Questions Covered:

• 01:58 – If a person claims that Mary is appearing to them, how is that dealt with in the Church? 
• 12:50 – Since Hanukkah is big in the Jewish tradition, why don’t they have Maccabees in their bible? 
• 20:50 – Why do Catholics believe that Jesus has two natures vs. one nature? 
• 22:56 – How do I better understand Newman’s quote, “to be rooted in history is to be Catholic?” I’ve been looking into history, and I’m not convinced. 
• 28:54 – What bible verse could I use to back up the claim that we should go to confession and communion at least once a 
• 33:59 – When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” who was guilty? 
• 37:44 – How do I know when something is declared ex cathedra? How can I brush up more on papal infallibility? 
• 42:30 – When exactly does the Eucharist become Jesus? 
• 48:35 – I’m not Catholic. How do I know if Catholicism is the right way to go?