Advice on Conversion

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WD615

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So, I’m currently a member of a church of Christ. However, after a long period of thought and research I started to see the truths of the Catholic Church and its authority. It certainly wasn’t my first choice. I live in the Bible Belt where Catholics are just sorta odd and different (maybe not even Christians). I even considered Eastern Orthodoxy when I realized the history of Christianity, beliefs of the early church, etc. However, once I finally considered the Catholic Church it became clear to me that it was right and I should join.

I was never extremely antagonistic to Catholics and am happy with this decision. It is a joy to grow closer to God. However, the biggest struggle with all this has been with my wife. She was extremely upset when I told her and still is. She disagrees with the usual stuff (confession, beliefs on Mary, etc.). She doesn’t like the Catholic Church and doesn’t want to join, and blames me for dividing our household. I’m just not sure what to do. If I could have, I would have converted months ago, however, I am sort of lost as to what to do right now.

To make matters worse, some members of her family have considered joining my current church. I love that church and what it’s doing, and would love to have them join otherwise, but I wouldn’t make the decision to leave except after careful consideration.

I don’t want to convert without my wife, or start attending without her. However, the urgency and importance of Jesus’ teachings on discipleship seem pretty clear. (Luke 9:57-62) and (Luke 14:26). I know I’ll have to convert at some point, I’m just lost about how to do it, I guess.

Any advice on all this? And prayers surely would be appreciated.
 
Thanks for the recommendation. And should I just start looking for a church to attend in my area? I guess that’d be the next step, but what does conversion for someone already baptized entail? I’ve heard of RCIA, but it seems geared towards non-Christians.

Also, any advice on how to break the news to my family or what to say? I’m sure some won’t be happy, but they’ll be no way to keep this a secret.

If anyone has any personal stories, it’d be nice to hear how someone else dealt with this
 
I recommend you visit your local parish and sit down with a priest- they can explain the conversion process and also advise you on RCIA.

Someone validly baptized (a priest can advise on this, most trinitarian baptisms are) is referred to as a candidate and someone not baptised would be a catachumen. There is an emphasis throughout the process on the difference between the two but both go through the same basic instruction

My understanding is that someone who is already baptised can make a confession and receive the eucharist without RCIA if their priest determines they are properly disposed but some form of instruction would still be necessary to satisfy the educational requirement for confirmation. An added benefit of the RCIA process is that it makes you an intimate part of the community from day 1 vs merely showing up on your own.

Not sure how much time you have spent on Catholic Answers but there is a wealth of free information you could share with your family/wife if they are interested. In my own family I am the only person who will be Catholic (this easter:thumbsup:) so I know it can be difficult to find a balance between being charitable and also witnessing to the truth.

Prayers for you on your journey and especially for peace in your household.
 
I would a build a case with evidence you can gather it from many books and online sources

and inform you wife your decision and ask her that with the evidence this is the truth and you would like her to join with you.

my wife is non-denom and she is currently attending RCIA and with all my studies here and books and looking at the early church fathers she agree’s that the Catholic church is the one true Apostolic church

prayers go out to you ;D
 
I would simply tell your family that God is calling you to the Catholic Church. Who would argue with Him? Tell them you need their support and ask that they respect your decision to follow His path for you. Be loving and ask for loving in return, too.

I think it won’t be as bad as you might expect…

Prayers! I’m proud of you.
 
Praised be the Lord for leading you to the true Faith! This is a great gift, and I suppose your joining the Church (when it finally happens) will be an event that you will cherish all your life. I pray that you may have the courage and the grace to continue your plan, and may God bless you.

I am not a convert myself, so I don’t think I am qualified to give you advice. However, I had recently read some books and anthologies written by converts. For example, there is Scott Hahn’s “Rome Sweet Home”, where he wrote about his personal struggles (His wife also converted, as he wrote in the book). Then there is the two volume book “Surprised by Truth” by Patrick Madrid, which is an anthology of writings by people who found their way to the Catholic Church. These books may be available at Ebay or Amazon.com, if you do a search. Perhaps reading other converts’ own testimonies will give you some “tips” on how to go about carrying out your plan to join the Catholic Church, and what to expect.

I’ll say a prayer tonight for your wife, and I ask that you do, too.
 
WD615 said:
So, I’m currently a member of a church of Christ. However, after a long period of thought and research I started to see the truths of the Catholic Church and its authority. It certainly wasn’t my first choice. I live in the Bible Belt where Catholics are just sorta odd and different (maybe not even Christians). I even considered Eastern Orthodoxy when I realized the history of Christianity, beliefs of the early church, etc. However, once I finally considered the Catholic Church it became clear to me that it was right and I should join.

I was never extremely antagonistic to Catholics and am happy with this decision. It is a joy to grow closer to God. However, the biggest struggle with all this has been with my wife. She was extremely upset when I told her and still is. She disagrees with the usual stuff (confession, beliefs on Mary, etc.). She doesn’t like the Catholic Church and doesn’t want to join, and blames me for dividing our household. I’m just not sure what to do. If I could have, I would have converted months ago, however, I am sort of lost as to what to do right now.

To make matters worse, some members of her family have considered joining my current church. I love that church and what it’s doing, and would love to have them join otherwise, but I wouldn’t make the decision to leave except after careful consideration.

I don’t want to convert without my wife, or start attending without her. However, the urgency and importance of Jesus’ teachings on discipleship seem pretty clear. (Luke 9:57-62) and (Luke 14:26). I know I’ll have to convert at some point, I’m just lost about how to do it, I guess.

Any advice on all this? And prayers surely would be appreciated.
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With all love say to your dear wife, don’t blame me Jesus did quoting St.Luke 14:26 “if you do not hate…”.😃
 
I don’t have any brilliant advice but just wanted to share that I am a life-long Catholic who married a Protestant that was raised with negative views towards Catholicism. He grew up in the heart of the Bible belt. I had to let him take his own journey and by the glory of God, he was led to the Catholic church. But it took time. I waited a little in the beginning but eventually realized that I had to just start going to Mass without him. I never ever pressured him to even consider conversion. It was him seeing me live out my faith that made him eventually become interested. He began to really notice some major differences in my experiences at church and the ones he grew up with and he started to realize how much better those differences would be for our children (already born at that point). Once he started RCIA, he was hooked. He really liked reading books from Scott Hahn. I don’t know if your wife would be open to reading any but it’s worth a shot.

Another thing I find helpful is watching episodes of Journey Home on EWTN. You can watch old episodes on youtube. It helps me to see as many different scenarios as possible, of how people come to conversion. Some things I never would have considered would have made such a difference or sparked a new way of thinking for many. It helps me with my conversations with my husbands family.
 
KellyPalmer said:
I don’t have any brilliant advice but just wanted to share that I am a life-long Catholic who married a Protestant that was raised with negative views towards Catholicism. He grew up in the heart of the Bible belt. I had to let him take his own journey and by the glory of God, he was led to the Catholic church. But it took time. I waited a little in the beginning but eventually realized that I had to just start going to Mass without him. I never ever pressured him to even consider conversion. It was him seeing me live out my faith that made him eventually become interested. He began to really notice some major differences in my experiences at church and the ones he grew up with and he started to realize how much better those differences would be for our children (already born at that point). Once he started RCIA, he was hooked. He really liked reading books from Scott Hahn. I don’t know if your wife would be open to reading any but it’s worth a shot.

**Another thing I find helpful is watching episodes of Journey Home on EWTN. ** You can watch old episodes on youtube. It helps me to see as many different scenarios as possible, of how people come to conversion. Some things I never would have considered would have made such a difference or sparked a new way of thinking for many. It helps me with my conversations with my husbands family.
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As a revert (one who came BACK home to the Church after not practicing for years), I second this suggestion! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Marcus Grodin’s show “The Journey Home.” It is such a testimony of how the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives to draw them to the Truth of Jesus’ Church!!

:love::love::love:

OP, first step is to find the closest Catholic church, and make an appointment to speak with the pastor. RCIA is completely appropriate for baptized Christians. Conversion to the Church does not happen overnight, and you will need instruction and to make sure that you are truly ready to accept ALL of the faith. At the end of the course, you would receive your First Communion and your confirmation. Unbaptized catechumens receive baptism, Holy Eucharist (First Communion) and confirmation.

While you are waiting to speak with the pastor, you could order this book: Catholicisim for Dummies It’s been a great resource for many people on this forum.

Glad you’re here and [SIGN]Welcome Home![/SIGN]
 
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