Advice for a evangelical beginning his search?

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What a nice story, po18guy…

I was really moved watching the movie on St. Bernadette’s life…powerful stuff. I feel like she is having an effect on me somehow.
The blessing is that you are aware of it. I was just stumbling blindly through life at that point! From a Protestant viewpoint, the intercession of the Saints is probably unknown. Yet, how do we explain these things?
 
I have mentioned “The Song of Bernadette” to my daughters and they both want to see it…I am heading to the library tommorrow. I hope they have it…if not, I’ll order a copy. What a perfect way for me to start a conversation…

Thanks and blessings to you.
Hi, Dean…what a heartwarming story and journey you have…you are in my prayers…and your family and new grandson.

If you like, I have an extra copy of The 13th Day…about Fatima from the memoirs of Sister Lucia, one of the visionaries of the events…pm me your adress and I will mail you a copy. It will be a nice companion to the Song of Bernadette.

God bless…
 
Hi, Dean…what a heartwarming story and journey you have…you are in my prayers…and your family and new grandson.

If you like, I have an extra copy of The 13th Day…about Fatima from the memoirs of Sister Lucia, one of the visionaries of the events…pm me your adress and I will mail you a copy. It will be a nice companion to the Song of Bernadette.

God bless…
That’d be great pablope!
Thanks so much. A pm will arrive shortly.
blessings to you.
 
God bless you, friend. I am glad that you are becoming interested in the fullness of the Church. I was raised Protestant and I recently made my confirmation and first communion… Many years of “searching” came to a bit of a plateau before I experienced the Eucharist.

I suggest attending Mass and understanding very little of it. I just remember that the Almighty God had me stop at a little rinky-dink parish in the middle of the Bible Belt where I have been told the Antichrist was coming from since I was young. There was no incense, no great statues, no wonderful paintings… but for the first time in my life, I felt close to home and close to the same God the Protestant faith had baptized me into. I later learned that that truth and closeness was felt because of the very Flesh and Blood of Our Lord being in our midst.

God bless you in your search.

PS, you will not believe how liberating confession is. My advice: if you decide to put your feet in the waters to “see it for yourself”, be sure to make a really, really good general confession. You will feel the power.
 
wow what a cool thread. Some other very good books would be anything my Patrick Madrid such as “Where is that in the Bible?” “Pope Fiction” and “150 Bible verses very CAtholic should know” Also Steve Rays web site: Catholicconvert.com and DrItaly.com. If you can take some time and so to Eucharistic Adoration nearest you is very helpful. Just kneeling or sitting in the presence of Christ is so wonderful.
God bless all of those who are seeking in this thread.
“Seek and you will find and Knock and the door will be open. For everyone who seeks, will find, knock and the door will be open”
 
Hello Reformed Radical

Are you in England?
Ray Chiddel is a friend of mine.
God bless
Mike
Hi Mike,

I’m not in England, but I did enjoy the book! I found it for my Nook, actually.

Thanks and God Bless,
R
 
I like the book Catholicism by Fr. Robert Barron. I think its the best one volume introduction to Catholicism. It really captures the Catholic vision of Christ and his Church.
 
One of my concerns is how to explain this to family and friends…the fact that I am even reading and learning about Catholicism will be enough to flip some of them out. Any of you have to deal with this?..maybe I should just keep it to myself.
Keep it to yourself until you hear one of your friends mis-state Catholic teaching. Then gently correct them. If they challenge your interpretation of a Catholic teaching, politely ask them for a source.

Best wishes!!!
 
Keep it to yourself until you hear one of your friends mis-state Catholic teaching. Then gently correct them. If they challenge your interpretation of a Catholic teaching, politely ask them for a source.

Best wishes!!!
Thanks for the good wishes, mark a.

I have already decided not to bring it up to anybody until I know enough to explain it. I think the lack of knowledge in my Catholic friends played a big part in my opinion of the Catholic Church.

I picked up S. Hahn’s 'Rome, Sweet Home" today…got a good start onit and plan to spend a good part of this evening with it.

I am really excited about this. Thanks again for the support.

Blessings to you.
 
Thanks for the good wishes, mark a.

I have already decided not to bring it up to anybody until I know enough to explain it. I think the lack of knowledge in my Catholic friends played a big part in my opinion of the Catholic Church.

I picked up S. Hahn’s 'Rome, Sweet Home" today…got a good start onit and plan to spend a good part of this evening with it.

I am really excited about this. Thanks again for the support.

Blessings to you.
In order to keep from catching them completely off-guard if you do choose to join the Church at some point, it might be wise to mention to someone that you are doing some reading about the Catholic church. It’s okay to be vague about it, and to say that you find the whole subject very confusing - but if the first they hear of your investigations into the Catholic faith is your invitation card for them to come to your Confirmation and First Holy Communion, they might make a bit of a scene - it’s good if they have a bit of a heads-up before-hand. 😉

If people start asking you things about the Catholic faith that you don’t know how to answer, you can just say something like, You know what, I haven’t gotten to that part of the book, yet. I’ll let you know when I have an answer for that.
 
Thanks maltmom - He was 6 lb, 15 oz and handsome as ever. I love Proverbs 17:6 - “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.”

I took a little time and watched a couple you-tube videos on Eucharistic Adoration. I really don’t know what to say, but this is a concept that I’ve never even heard of. I can see that this is a way to really feel the spirit of the Lord.

Keeping in mind I have just gone throught the birth of a grandson…the first thing the midwife does when the baby is born is lay the newborn on his mama’s chest for a time of “skin to skin” bonding…and a time for the baby to learn to nurse…what a wonderful way for both the mama and the baby to just experience and bask in that special love they share…adoration, if you will. I can’t help but to compare it a little with the Adoration of the Eucharist…being able to, in a way, spend some “skin to skin” with our Lord. A way to form a closer bond with Him. If I am on track here, this could be a powerful thing.
An awesome analogy. 👍
 
In order to keep from catching them completely off-guard if you do choose to join the Church at some point, it might be wise to mention to someone that you are doing some reading about the Catholic church. It’s okay to be vague about it, and to say that you find the whole subject very confusing - but if the first they hear of your investigations into the Catholic faith is your invitation card for them to come to your Confirmation and First Holy Communion, they might make a bit of a scene - it’s good if they have a bit of a heads-up before-hand. 😉

If people start asking you things about the Catholic faith that you don’t know how to answer, you can just say something like, You know what, I haven’t gotten to that part of the book, yet. I’ll let you know when I have an answer for that.
This is probably very good advice…thanks. 🙂
 
Thanks maltmom - He was 6 lb, 15 oz and handsome as ever. I love Proverbs 17:6 - “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.”
Congratulations! A miracle to behold.
I took a little time and watched a couple you-tube videos on Eucharistic Adoration. I really don’t know what to say, but this is a concept that I’ve never even heard of. I can see that this is a way to really feel the spirit of the Lord.
Watching a video of someone you admire is great. Standing in their presence is altogether different. Sooner or later at adoration, you become aware that you are in the presence of greatness. Indescribable.
Keeping in mind I have just gone throught the birth of a grandson…the first thing the midwife does when the baby is born is lay the newborn on his mama’s chest for a time of “skin to skin” bonding…and a time for the baby to learn to nurse…what a wonderful way for both the mama and the baby to just experience and bask in that special love they share…adoration, if you will. I can’t help but to compare it a little with the Adoration of the Eucharist…being able to, in a way, spend some “skin to skin” with our Lord. A way to form a closer bond with Him. If I am on track here, this could be a powerful thing.
You are definitely on track, because your heart is open to the call of our Lord. As to adoration, I became attracted to the devotion after a prayer experience. Many have experienced miracles in prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
 
Well, I just finished reading Hahn’s "Rome,Sweet Home…and boy, I am beignning to relate to a lot of what he writes about. I do want to go back and look up some of the scriptures he referenced,and maybe re-read it…The justification thing, among others, is confusing to me.

I feel like reading this book has both encouraged me…and frightened me a little. It seems like my eyes are being opened to both the Truth…and to maybe how difficult the journey might be. It’s very hard to explain the feeling I have…having to re-assess what I have believed for such a long time…knowing that what I just read made an awful lot of sense…but also knowing what that might mean.

I’m praying for God’s guidance…and for the strength to do His will.
 
Well, I just finished reading Hahn’s "Rome,Sweet Home…and boy, I am beignning to relate to a lot of what he writes about. I do want to go back and look up some of the scriptures he referenced,and maybe re-read it…The justification thing, among others, is confusing to me.

I feel like reading this book has both encouraged me…and frightened me a little. It seems like my eyes are being opened to both the Truth…and to maybe how difficult the journey might be. It’s very hard to explain the feeling I have…having to re-assess what I have believed for such a long time…knowing that what I just read made an awful lot of sense…but also knowing what that might mean.

I’m praying for God’s guidance…and for the strength to do His will.
You’re making progress. I’m so happy for you. I understand the fear. You are just going from one protestant religion to another. You are looking at changing a part of your belief system which can cause a ripple effect in every area of your life. I was there recently. It is an exciting and can be very scary time. Think of it like getting married. You love the person, want to spend the rest of your life with them, but yet you are nervous on your wedding day.

I’m still praying for you.
 
You’re making progress. I’m so happy for you. I understand the fear. You are just going from one protestant religion to another. You are looking at changing a part of your belief system which can cause a ripple effect in every area of your life. I was there recently. It is an exciting and can be very scary time. Think of it like getting married. You love the person, want to spend the rest of your life with them, but yet you are nervous on your wedding day.

I’m still praying for you.
Very good way to put this… Thanks so much for praying.

Blessings.
 
Well, I just finished reading Hahn’s "Rome,Sweet Home…and boy, I am beignning to relate to a lot of what he writes about. I do want to go back and look up some of the scriptures he referenced,and maybe re-read it…

👍 Wow…you read it overnight?
The justification thing, among others, is confusing to me.
 
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