Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: Faith and Feelings

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture, Oct 06, 2025

 Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He writes regularly for a number of Catholic websites and magazines.  See full bio.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’” (Lk 17:5) Faith is not a consoling feeling; faith is a choice with God’s grace; faith is obedient to God’s revelation; and faith overcomes fear.

Faith is a supernatural virtue by which, inspired and assisted by the grace of God, we believe that the things which He has revealed are true, not because of the intrinsic truth of the things perceived by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of God Himself, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. (Vatican I, Dei Filius, Chapter 3)

The reliable authority of the Church is essential to faith. A deliberate clerical lie assaults the Church’s authority and undermines faith. However, the Church has a remedy for doctrinal misstatements and lies: Authentic teaching authority aligns with Sacred Tradition and Scriptures. Always allowing for the give-and-take of healthy theological speculation, ask: What has the Church always taught?

Faith is a choice with God’s grace, not a feeling. …

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