Advice for converting!

[thecatholicserb]

hi! so i’m not actually sure how to post so hopefully this is a post? anyways, so i’m 16 and i’m kind of in the process of converting? to give y’all some background, my moms an ex catholic (now a prot) and my dad’s a prot. i was baptized methodist but now go to a non denominational church . i have done two years of research and have reached the conclusion that i’m going to convert. my parents know and are sort of supportive. my dad’s slightly anti catholic (the kind that grew up with the accusations but would probably come around slightly if i explained common misconceptions) and my mom has her opinions about the church but is supportive in her own way. she even gave me her old rosary which actually meant a lot to me. while they aren’t condemning my decision, they also won’t let me go to RCIA until i’m 18 (i might push for 17 bc i get my license then). i guess i do respect their decision but it’s honestly torture not getting to convert and being forced to go to non denominational church (basically a weekly hillsong united cover band concert). i do my best to live as catholic as i can if that makes sense. like i pray the rosary, build a relationship with the blessed virgin, watch online mass when we can’t make it to the hillsong cover band concert-i mean church lmfao- , and read the catholic bible. my catholic family has really been a Godsend. i’m able to talk to them and my one cousin and her mom supported me when my mother found out. it was awkward bc she did bring up the fact that some of my family was killed in the name of the croatian catholic church but i’ve been able to cope whenever she mentions that. she did talk to my brother behind my back about “all those catholic rules”. i guess what i’m asking is if anyone has any advice, coping methods or even similar stories to make me feel less alone? thank you in advance!

 

[ThomasMT]

Welcome to the faith ) Are you able to attend Holy Mass?

 

[TK421]

@thecatholicserb

When you start RCIA at 18 (or earlier if your parents allow it) you can also begin attending Mass and getting involved in the local parishes. Until then there is an endless amount of literature and prayers for you to read and right now in your life you have the opportunity to do good and to love the family and the people around you: this isn’t something that starts in RCIA or at Easter but it happens for you right now at this instant and Jesus is ready and eager to help you.

Peace.

 

[Vico]

my moms an ex catholic … some of my family was killed in the name of the croatian catholic church …

Did you know that there is in the Balkans the eastern Catholic and the Latin Catholic churches? Do you know which one your mother was baptized into?

The eastern Catholic church of Krizevci covers Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia/Kosovo.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I had to wait a few years before I was permitted to join the Church; you pray and do the best you can… keep reading and learning. Two years seems like a long time, but it’s barely a dewdrop in the field.

 

[OddBird]

I had to wait a few years before I was permitted to join the Church; you pray and do the best you can…

This.

@thecatholicserb, you are not alone. Wait it out, use that time to grow in faith. See it as a time to try and better answer to God’s call. It won’t have been useless in the end.

 

[amazingcatholic]

That is so awesome that you want to become Catholic, especially at your age! I just turned 18 and I have wanted to be Catholic ever since I was 14. Are you able to go to Mass? I do have to recommend the Coming Home Network. They have a lot of resources as well as an online group that I am a part of. I am still living at home so my parents won’t let me become Catholic but I am going to try to go to Mass. You can message me at any time if you want to talk more. Be assured of my prayers.

 

[Dlee]

It’s so good to hear you are making this decision, and yes, the wait will fly by and be worth it. I converted from Baptist to Catholic in my early 60s and had push back from my parents. So, sometimes those issues aren’t age related. Like you, I did years of research, love The Coming Home Network, EWTN, and Catholic radio. I immersed myself into Catholic reading and finally got up the nerve to walk into a Catholic Church. I’ve never regretted that day. Prayers for you and your family.

 

[Raxus]

As an aside, your Mom gifting you with her Rosary was a very nice gift, and in my opinion, might be a sign of grace being offered to her. Pray every day for her (though I’m sure you do already).

As to the rest: Seems to me that you’re doing it all right. Once you hit 17 or 18, whichever they acquiesce to first, you’ll be able to do as you like; for now, remember that they’re doing they’re best for you, and the fact that you can already build a relationship with our Momma Mary is so dang good.

Do keep us in your prayer, too!