Four years ago I pleaded with the princes of the Church, asking them not to change Catholic doctrine on communion for the divorced and remarried without annulment. I did something I don't often do: I offered up my shame, the sins of my youth, and the state of my spiritual and physical life as a witness to the mighty and unmerited grace of God. I opened up my private life—which cost me much—for the Church's benefit.
I do so again during this perilous time when sin crouches at the door seeking to devour us.
I am a convert who obeyed St. John Paul II's exhortation in Familiaris Consortio to live as brother and sister during the annulment process until my husband and I entered into full communion with the Church, at which time She—the Church through her faithful priest—convalidated our marriage. So precious was the Lord, the faith, and the Church that I counted it as nothing to set aside the love of the man I considered husband for years. Is it because I am especially holy? As St. Paul says, I do not even judge myself. I leave it to God. I am not called to measure my holiness; I am called to faithfulness in all things.
Read the rest at First Things