Cold feet setting in re: converting

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legaleagle

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Hi, I’ve posted on here only a few times. I’ve been thinking of becoming a Catholic and basically this summer, I made it my job to study and read as much as I could about Catholic teachings. I’ve been attending Catholic churches since the spring and have been trying to get to daily mass once or twice a week.

The biggest attraction for me is the conservative moral stance of the Church and the Real Presence. I am drawn to my local Catholic church building all the time. Often, I will spend an hour or more on a Sunday afternoon, at the church just praying and adoring. Sometimes I’m the only one in there and it’s so peaceful.

Problem is: I left the Baptist church for Anglicanism (I call it Catholic Lite) and while in the Anglican church, I discovered the beauty of liturgy and the Sacraments. Now that I’ve been attending the Catholic church, I really miss receiving Communion (which I can take at the Anglican church). So I suppose impatience is part of my problem and I’m embarrassed to admit that becuase I know in my heart that the Anglicans do not have valid Apostolic succession which in turn, affects the Eucharist.

I was suposed to call the church office this week to see if I can meet with the priest (apparently one can’t just drop in) and discuss all of this. But now, I’m starting to get super scared and have majorly cold feet. RCIA is starting up in a couple of weeks (I haven’t called the director for that yet either because I’m not even sure how that works since some people get received into the church and I’ve been a baptized practicing Christian since childhood).

I guess my problem is that I’m worrying about taking the plunge because I know I haven’t figured out all of my reservations yet (communion of saints, devotion to Mary, etc). And I’m second-guessing all of my feelings because I don’t feel at peace and I’m not sure if that means I shouldn’t become Catholic. Sorry for rambling, but I’m so confused right now!

I guess my question, if I have one, is does that lack of inner peace mean I’m on the wrong path?

Thanks for any advice, prayers, etc that you can offer me.
 
No, I wouldn’t worry about it. I was scared the whole time. I still am, but I also know I did the right thing.
It’s only a few months until you can receive – and you will see the difference. Keep swimming.👍
 
Keep wading on in, the Tiber is not all that wide for an Anglican, although it can be very deep for everyone.

Talk to the local priest, and perhaps to someone in the Bishop’s office. Your length of study etc. can speed up the process a lot. RCIA is designed for the unbaptized and unchurched.

The process is worth it.
 
Hello legaleagle,

With your emphasis on adoring the Real Presence of our Eucharistic Lord Jesus Christ, you are on the right path.

As a cradle Catholic, I sometimes wonder about my devotion to Mary. It certainly isn’t perfect! One time going to Confession it was almost humorous because the priest was a convert from Protestantism, and I tried with my poor communication skills to explain my emotional difficulty with relating to Mary. The priest with his background I think tried to offer me understanding from the point of view of the intellectual acceptance of Mary as the Mother of God and said he “knew how I felt”! (am not really sure that he did …) :o Each of us Catholics has room to grow, whether we’re cradle or convert. (And he was an excellent priest, just to be clear on that point.)

Keep your eyes on the prize … Jesus Christ. He’s well worth waiting for to receive validly in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Praying for you.

:blessyou:
 
I know how you feel - I went through RCIA last year and was welcomed into the Church this April. Its a bit like getting married; you might get cold feet before and a ton of doubts, but you know you did the right thing in the end. 🙂 If you’re just starting RCIA, theres no commitment to go forward at the early stages, so whatever reservations/issues you have right now can be addressed during the course, so don’t worry. You should definitely keep persevering and attend RCIA. If you want to talk more about this with someone who has recently been where you are, feel free to PM me. 😃
 
I say keep going. A thousand worries are not a reason not to do what you know is right.

When I went through RCIA I had been going to Mass for almost a year already, plus 18 months of RCIA made it almost an eternity before I was able to receive. To me though it was something akin to absitinence before marriage. I could have simply joined the line and received our Lord, and was told by a few people that that was O.K. But I knew it wasnt and abstained. It was worth it when I could finally receive!!!

Keep on going!!!

go with God,

FSC
 
This is just a short reply as I’m on a break at work. Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words. I just called my parish office to make an appointment and without expecting it, they connected me directly to the priest! I was so scared! I now have an appointment for Thursday. While setting up the appointment, my heart was racing and I felt shaky!
 
Good luck and may God Bless and watch over you on your journey home.
 
This is so much like the problems a friend of mine is having that it’s unbelievable. Here’s how I see it. From what you said and the way you describe your problem, you just need to get some questions answered. Call up your church and talk to even the person who answers the phone. If the person is really a good Catholic, he or she should be able to shed some light on your questions. You practicly have 1 foot in the door now. You desperately need to start RCIA. There, you will find the answers to all your questions.
If I may be a bit presumtuous, I really believe this is where you belong. You’re almost there. I’m sure that the Priest, or who ever is teaching RCIA will be more than glad to help you.
Go for it. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
God Bless you and good luck.
 
Don’t feel like you have to have all the understanding first before you start RCIA.
RCIA is the place that the Catholic church provides for people who are looking for answers to their questions like Mary, the saints, communion, etc. My husband went through RCIA and enjoyed each class because he learned so much faster and was able to asked his questions and get answers right away.

Have fun and keep reading Catholic material,
Jules
 
legaleagle said:
This is just a short reply as I’m on a break at work. Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words. I just called my parish office to make an appointment and without expecting it, they connected me directly to the priest! I was so scared! I now have an appointment for Thursday. While setting up the appointment, my heart was racing and I felt shaky!
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That sounds so familiar to me lol. I am so happy for you you would not believe me if I explained it!!!

FSC
 
I just wanted to thank each person who replied. All of your comments have helped and strengthened me. Thank you so much for sharing with me. When I first posted today, I wanted to set up the appointment but was paralyzed with fear. When I read the first few replies, that gave me the courage to pick up the phone. Then afterwards, your other replies have helped me to see that I did the right thing. I’m still scared but I’m looking forward to meeting with the priest in a couple of days. I guess I had thought that this whole process would be easy - - I was naive! :crossrc:
 
Anything that is difficult to obtain (or attain) is usually that much sweeter when it is all finally over. That’s how it was for me. I was Catholic in heart and mind way before my body (confirmation) followed. Some of my reservations were familial related (my mother used to say some pretty scathing remarks about Catholicism, though not so much since I’ve converted), but like you, I also had some reservations about the communion of Saints, devotion to Mary, and ESPECIALLY about scripture AND tradition v. sola scriptura. These were eventually worked out by reading some of the apologetics tracts on Catholic Answers, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, scripturecatholic.com, and other sources.

The main thing that really struck me, though, was the words of Jesus Himself: “The gates of hell (meaning lies and untruth especially… Satan is the father of lies) shall not prevail against it (the Church)” in St. Matthew’s Gospel, and “I will be with you always until the end of time” to His first priests at the end of St. Matthew’s Gospel… Catholic priests (though not called either quite yet… the first usage of Catholic to describe the Church was in 103 AD, by Ignatious of Antioch on his way to being martyed… and priest is synomyous with elder in Sacred Scripture… priest is a variation of the Greek word “presbyteros” or… elder). So, with those promises to the Church that He founded, I came to realize that what was being taught by the Catholic Church, though I may not fully understand it at the time (and, in some areas still don’t understand… and may never truly and completely understand), was the truth, was from Truth, guided by the Holy Spirit. As I started reading the writings of the Early Church Fathers, I came to realize that what they belived and wrote down was the exact same thing the Church believes today, and though some terminology might not have been exactly the same at that time as is now (see “Priest” and “Catholic” above), the beliefs were the same. These ECF’s were taught and guided by some of the apostles, who, of course, were taught by Jesus Himself for three years. Oy vey, did the walls come crashing down after that realization! I was almost ready to jump in right then and there, but…

…My final reservation was that I wanted to read and know EVERY. SINGLE. WRITING and document ever produced by the Church before I was confirmed. I was praying in Church one day, mostly about that desire, and this thought just “came to me” (I’m convinced it was the voice of God): there is 2000 years worth of writings, documents, books, councils, etc… that has been produced by some of the most brilliant and most holy people (and in some cases, a most brilliant and holy person ;)) in history. It would take me SEVERAL lifetimes to even scratch the surface of the whole treasure chest. I knew then that since I had the basics, and it was time to take the final plunge.

I didn’t really need RCIA, because, like a previous poster said, that process is for unbaptized and unchurched people, and like you, at that point I had done some pretty major studying and reading… so after explaining the five years, at that point, of reading and studying I had done, I asked the priest at my territorial parish if there could be some other arrangements made (expecting the answer to be a resounding “NO!”). He agreed to meet with me one-on-one several times, to ensure that I did have the knowledge needed. Since I had studied on my own (and really didn’t know what to study) there were some gaps in my knowledge, but after a couple of months, he deemed me sufficiently prepared to receive the sacraments. I was confirmed two months after that (and could have received the sacraments that next Sunday, but I wanted to be confirmed on Pentecost Sunday). This was May 11, 2008, 12 days before my 22nd birthday… That first Holy Eucharist was most definately the best birthday present I’ve ever received.

I have to say, the journey isn’t over. There is still much that I’m learning, and I wouldn’t change it at all. I will always be a perpetual student, which is great since I love to learn. It also doesn’t hurt that even before my conversion, my three most favorite subjects were music, theology, and history. I am still amazed at what a treasure chest I’ve stumbled upon and am very excited that I’m able to spend the rest of my life studying my three loves!

I hope this brief :rolleyes: 😉 synopsis of my own conversion story helps you out anyway at all in your journey and may put at ease some of your own difficulties. Please be assured of my prayers as you are taking the first few steps on this really long, but very worthwhile journey. If you have any questions at all, feel free to post them, and I, and other great members of this board, will be more than happy to at least take a stab at them.

Pax vobiscum (peace be with you)
 
I attended the Catholic Church near my house for 3 months before going into RCIA and I joined the RCIA class in Feb so I spent another year and 2 months in RCIA. I attended Church every Sunday and when everybody else went up to receive the Eucharist, I went up crossed my arms and received the blessing. RCIA is an important process, you don’t have to wait until your 100% lined up with what the Church teaches. RCIA is the process where you discern your faith. Some issues can take a little longer to discern (such as Mary, Saints, etc). That is why it takes a year (or maybe a little less in your case) to complete the process. And when you walk up and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, you will truely being in communion with Him and His Church. God bless you on your journey!
 
Satan does a lot to prevent people from entering The Church.

And with someone who already enjoys spending hours in adoration…I can just imagine the reaction in hell.
 
I’m a little confused. I always thought RCIA was for anyone who had questions, baptised or not. Was I wrong?
 
For a long time that I was agnostic I was rather anti-Catholic, and have had a bit of a mission getting over various things. Plus I spend a lot of time feeling scared that all I’m going to do is let everyone down and make a fool of myself and those who have been helping me. Talk to the priest, mine has been an outstanding support; answering all sorts of weird and wonderful questions, sharing insights, introducing me to people in similar situations the lot. I’m still scared, but at least I have people I can voice concerns to now.

God bless,

Katherine
 
You made the first step in a thousand miles journey. RCIA will help you alot to know the Catholic Faith.
Continue your study. Continue your prayers. God bless.
 
D_Kelly said:
I’m a little confused. I always thought RCIA was for anyone who had questions, baptised or not. Was I wrong?
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Your correct, it is for any adult who is considering coming into the Catholic Church, baptized or not.
 
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