6.19. Is there a guide for Catholics discerning if sedevacantism is true and how to return to the unchanging, pre-Vatican II Catholic faith?

Yes, this pathway is designed to be prayerful, structured, and gradual, respecting your conscience and your love for Christ and His Church.

STEP 1: Pray Daily for Light and Courage

Before anything else, ask God to guide you. If you are sincerely seeking the truth, He will answer.

Daily Prayer Suggestions:

• 3 Hail Marys for purity of intention and clarity of thought

• Holy Rosary (especially the Sorrowful Mysteries)

• Spiritual Communion if you cannot attend a traditional Mass

• Short prayer:

  “O Lord, if I am in error, correct me. If I am right, confirm me. Lead me by Your truth, whatever the cost.”

STEP 2: Study the Church’s Pre-Vatican II Teaching

Compare the Catholic Faith before Vatican II with what is now taught. Focus on key doctrines that Vatican II changed or obscured.

Recommended Readings:

• Catechism of the Council of Trent

• Catechism of St. Pius X

• Encyclicals:

  • Quanta Cura and Syllabus of Errors (Pius IX)

  • Pascendi (Pius X – condemns Modernism)

  • Mortalium Animos (Pius XI – against ecumenism)

  • Mediator Dei (Pius XII – on the liturgy)

  • Quas Primas (Pius XI – on Christ the King)

Compare with the erroneous Vatican II documents:

• Dignitatis Humanae (religious liberty)

• Nostra Aetate (non-Christian religions)

• Unitatis Redintegratio (ecumenism)

• Sacrosanctum Concilium (liturgical reform)

Ask: Can both be true? Or has something changed?

STEP 3: Understand the Crisis in the Church

Once you see doctrinal contradictions, learn how the Church explained what happens when popes, bishops, or councils fall into error.

Study Topics:

• Heresy and loss of office (St. Robert Bellarmine, Canon 188.4)

• The indefectibility of the Church and the possibility of a papal vacancy

• Why Vatican II was not a dogmatic council and how it contradicts past infallible teaching

Good Resources:

• “The Great Apostasy” by Fr. Joaquín Sáenz y Arriaga

• “Tumultuous Times” by Frs. Radecki

• Works by Bp. Donald Sanborn and Most Holy Trinity Seminary

• Short essays from traditionalmass.org or novusordowatch.org

• Lots of links to other good resources here

• Lots of good videos and articles here and here

• Join the True Catholic Faith group chat on Telegram

STEP 4: Visit a Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), If Possible

Even if you don’t understand Latin yet, attend and observe. The focus, reverence, silence, and theology of the Traditional Latin Mass speak volumes.

Where to Look:

• Independent chapels (not affiliated with the Vatican II structure)

• CMRI, SSPV, RCI, IMBC, or priests trained under pre-1968 rites

• Avoid diocesan “TLMs” that accept Vatican II and the Novus Ordo

If no Mass is available nearby, pray the Missal readings and make a spiritual communion.

STEP 5: Begin Catechesis in the Traditional Faith

Begin relearning your faith as it was always taught.

Recommended Tools:

• Baltimore Catechism No. 3

• My Catholic Faith (by Bp. Morrow – pre-Vatican II classic)

• This Is the Faith (Canon Francis Ripley)

• The Catechism Explained (Fr. Spirago)

Read slowly, prayerfully. Let the truth reshape your understanding.

STEP 6: Speak with a Traditional Priest or Faithful

When ready, reach out. Don’t isolate yourself. Ask questions. They’ve likely walked this road too.

How to Engage:

• Request spiritual direction

• Ask about confession and how to return fully to the sacramental life

• Be honest about your doubts and concerns

STEP 7: Discern the Right Time to Withdraw from the Novus Ordo

This moment varies for each soul. When you are morally certain the Novus Ordo religion is not the Catholic Church, you are no longer bound to participate in it—and in fact, it becomes an act of fidelity to walk away.

“Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord.”

— St. Paul, 2 Corinthians 6:17

Do this with charity and clarity, especially for your family. Lead them with love, not force. Let the truth bear fruit in its own time.

BONUS: Keep a Journal

Record what you’re reading, the questions you have, how you feel, and how your understanding grows. It will help track your journey and give you peace later.

Final Encouragement:

You are not crazy. You are not alone. You are responding to God’s grace. And while the path may seem lonely, it leads to peace, clarity, and eternal truth.

“The truth shall make you free.”

— Jesus Christ, John 8:32

“Hold fast the traditions which you have learned...”

— St. Paul, 2 Thessalonians 2:15