Can I convert?

[trumpet152]

I’m a college student currently living at home who wants to convert to the Catholic faith. My family is protestant. They will not even let me buy The Catechism. So for the next three months (while I’m, at home), I’m stuck. By my families rules I can’t convert; I can’t confess; I can’t take the sacrement; I can’t even attend the Mass. Should I ignore them and find ways to do pursue Catholicim anyway? In the mean time, what happens if I die?

 

[1ke]

trumpet152:

I’m a college student currently living at home who wants to convert to the Catholic faith. My family is protestant. They will not even let me buy The Catechism. So for the next three months (while I’m, at home), I’m stuck. By my families rules I can’t convert; I can’t confess; I can’t take the sacrement; I can’t even attend the Mass. Should I ignore them and find ways to do pursue Catholicim anyway? In the mean time, what happens if I die?

I’d suggest that you honor your parents wishes while you live with them. Once out on your own, pursue initiation into the Church. Pray and discern these next three months. God will give you the grace you need.

Do not be troubled about what might happen if you were to die. God is just, but above all merciful. He knows your heart’s desire to be joined to His Church. If you are already baptized, then you are already a member of the Church. If not yet baptized, the Church recognizes baptism of desire.

 

[JCPhoenix]

Your journey in faith does not belong to your family…it is between you and God, but it does affect your family.

If you live under their roof, you do have to, out of respect, follow their wishes. However, that said, they do not have the right to forbid you from attending Mass or studying the Catholic faith.

So you cannot buy a Catechism…find someone to lend you theirs or go to the Library.

I would definitely suggest you find a good, faithful priest and make an appointment with him. Tell him what you are experiencing and follow his recommendations. Find other Catholics and at your college, if there are any, find a Catholic group to fraternize with.

And if at all possible, move out of your parents’ home.

But always be respectful to your parents and their wishes. It’s ok to disagree, but see if you can find out what their real objections are. Are then anti-Catholic? Why? What is their perception of the Church? Are they afraid they’ll lose their son? Are you their only child? Etc.

God bless you and keep you on this journey. You do not go alone. I’ll be praying for you and your family.

 

[JohnPaul0]

1ke:

I’d suggest that you honor your parents wishes while you live with them. Once out on your own, pursue initiation into the Church. Pray and discern these next three months. God will give you the grace you need.

Do not be troubled about what might happen if you were to die. God is just, but above all merciful. He knows your heart’s desire to be joined to His Church. If you are already baptized, then you are already a member of the Church. If not yet baptized, the Church recognizes baptism of desire.

I complete agree with 1ke. Three months may seem like a long time now, but it will pass. You still have the rest of your life of relationship with your family. Respect their wishes now. Don’t create bitterness which could last a lifetime.

And yes, you have nothing to worry about in the unlikely event that you would pass away in the next three months, exactly as 1ke said.

Think of Jesus, He had to wait 33 years to save the world.

 

[Catolico]

trumpet152:

They will not even let me buy The Catechism.

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Good luck

 

[Pax]

Trumpet152,

You are in my prayers.

 

[trumpet152]

Thank you all so much. I will take this advice to heart.

 

[rayne89]

trumpet do you have cable or dsl internet service. If you do you can watch the Mass online. Dial up comes in somewhat choppy.

ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp

It’s on at noon and midnight.

ewtn.com/tv/index.asp

ewtn.com/faith/index.asp
There’s also many other great programs you can watch on EWTN.

Catholic Answers has great support, and keep coming to the forum. We’re here to support and encourage each other.

catholic.com/radio.asp

Here’s some other links
catholic-convert.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1

bringyou.to/apologetics/audio.htm

scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm
usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/

 

[Sgt_Sweaters]

I respectfully disagree with 1ke.

What will it merit if you stall until you are out of the house? Will you hide your faith from them even then? Conflict will come sooner or later, hard as it might be. Consider Christ’s words:

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" ‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

That said, it will be very hard, but you’ve got good prayer support here. We’re all called to the Catholic faith, and some of us (myself included) discovered this while surrounded by Protestantism.

God bless you in your journey.

-Joel

 

[Reepicheep]

Sgt Sweaters:

I respectfully disagree with 1ke.

What will it merit if you stall until you are out of the house? Will you hide your faith from them even then? Conflict will come sooner or later, hard as it might be. Consider Christ’s words:

That said, it will be very hard, but you’ve got good prayer support here. We’re all called to the Catholic faith, and some of us (myself included) discovered this while surrounded by Protestantism.

God bless you in your journey.

-Joel

Sgt Sweaters:
I don’t think 1ke was advising trumpet to be deceptive about his faith, only to respect his family’s wishes not to bring the Cathecism into their house. From trumpet’s words, the family is already quite clear that he wants to be a Catholic.

Trumpet, do not fear. God will not permit you to be denied your chance to follow His will. In the meantime, honor your father and your mother, as His commandment says --that also is His will.
May the peace of Christ, which is beyond all understanding, be with you all your days.

 

[cardenio]

Hello to a fellow trumpet player!

1ke said the Church recognizes baptism of desire - but haven’t you already been baptized? Doesn’t the Catholic Church recognize protestant baptism as valid?

 

[Madia]

Can someone please help me with the question of how long the RCIA programs usually are? Even if our friend had the support of his family it still might be wise to wait until he’s at college so he has the time to complete the entire RCIA program.

A good Saint to pray to is Saint Monica:
catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm04.htm

and also Saint Jude:
catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj03.htm

particularly:
catholic-forum.com/saints/pray0030.htm

You’re in a delicate situation since so please pray to the Holy Spirit for the virtue of prudence. You don’t want to alienate you family but you certainly shouldn’t give up your desire to be a Catholic. Since you have access to the internet, please start reading the Catechism while you wait to return to college. Once you’re away at college, I’d recommend then entering the RCIA.

As for your question of what happens to you if you die, you have to be careful not to create a negative image of God. The same time of question would be “What if I commit a mortal sin and die on the way going to confession? Will I go to hell?” God is not a God waiting for us to fall into mortal sin so he can cast us into hell. God is a God who loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us so that we all might attain salvation.

 

[1ke]

cardenio:

Hello to a fellow trumpet player!

1ke said the Church recognizes baptism of desire - but haven’t you already been baptized? Doesn’t the Catholic Church recognize protestant baptism as valid?

I addressed both cases, if he was already baptized and if he was not. He did not specify whether he was baptized or not. Yes, the Church recognizes any valid protestant baptism. Whether or not his baptism was valid (if he is baptized) would have to be determined by the Church. For example, Mormons baptize but not validly, etc.

Therefore, if already validly baptized he is already a member of the Body of Christ. If not, then he would be incorporated through baptism of desire were he to die while still a catechumen.

 

[UKcatholicGuy]

Reepicheep:

Trumpet, do not fear. God will not permit you to be denied your chance to follow His will. In the meantime, honor your father and your mother, as His commandment says --that also is His will.
May the peace of Christ, which is beyond all understanding, be with you all your days.

Oh my. No offense (although im not sure how this won’t offend), but advice like this makes a mockery out of all the martyrs. It’s true that honoring one’s parents is a commandment. But it’s also clear that Christ did not intend for us to “honor” our parents into sin. It was Our Lord himself who said He came not to bring peace but a sword. He said his teachings will divide houses, families.

Trumpet, be brave! Think of all the men and women in the past 2,000 years who have given their lives for Christ! I know you’re situation is extremely difficult, and you will certainly be in my prayers (im jotting your name down as I type this). But Christ is worth it. He is everything. As much as your family loves you, He loves you more! Follow His call to you to fully join His Church. He will provide everything you need.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. You are in my prayers. Please PM me if you need anything.

God bless.

 

[dumspirospero]

I am tired so I will cut to the chase…I am not being uncharitable…I am just not beating around the bush…This the best advice you can receive. If you are 18 years of age or older, which I believe you are because you are a college student, then pursue your dreams without fear of fallout from your family. I converted in my early twenties…when I did it, I did it without asking permission, nor seeking it…my family was shocked but I didn’t care if it alienated me from them or not. God comes first in my life, no matter if it costs me my friends and family…God has to be a priority. Be proud of being a Catholic…you can hide it from them forever…Buy the Catechism, attend Mass, etc…wear your faith on your sleave…You are an adult and free to choose your own religion. Remember…it may be painful and cause some heartache with those you love…but the rewards are so, so great. My family fully accepts me and my faith…I may actually convert one or two of them

trumpet152:

I’m a college student currently living at home who wants to convert to the Catholic faith. My family is protestant. They will not even let me buy The Catechism. So for the next three months (while I’m, at home), I’m stuck. By my families rules I can’t convert; I can’t confess; I can’t take the sacrement; I can’t even attend the Mass. Should I ignore them and find ways to do pursue Catholicim anyway? In the mean time, what happens if I die?

 

[Reepicheep]

UKcatholicGuy:

Oh my. No offense (although im not sure how this won’t offend), but advice like this makes a mockery out of all the martyrs. It’s true that honoring one’s parents is a commandment. But it’s also clear that Christ did not intend for us to “honor” our parents into sin. It was Our Lord himself who said He came not to bring peace but a sword. He said his teachings will divide houses, families.

Trumpet, be brave! Think of all the men and women in the past 2,000 years who have given their lives for Christ! I know you’re situation is extremely difficult, and you will certainly be in my prayers (im jotting your name down as I type this). But Christ is worth it. He is everything. As much as your family loves you, He loves you more! Follow His call to you to fully join His Church. He will provide everything you need.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. You are in my prayers. Please PM me if you need anything.

God bless.

No offence taken, UKcatholicGuy. …
Going on what Trumpet has told us, I don’t think he’s in danger of sinning by respecting his family. . He can’t have the cathechism under their roof…but he’s going to leave their home in three months. I’m not counselling him to denial of God…merely to patience for the next three months.