Considering Converting to Catholicism

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mustang
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Mustang

Guest
Hi, I am 17 and I was raised in the Methodist faith. I have always felt very close with God. When I was 10 I was baptized into the United Methodist Church (with Water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). I also have done other work with different Pastors at Reformed churches, so i would call myself a Calvinist. I have spent much of my life condemning the Catholic Church and calling them heretics, etc. I truly regret because I now believe the Catholic Church is the true church founded by Christ. Over time, I have come to see what mainline Protestantism stands for: division, homosexuality, abortion, etc. Church is a social club where you go sing songs and eat snacks. I almost dread it because it is terribly disrespectful to our Lord. As someone with reformed beliefs, I have had this mindset that I do not need to ever repent of my sins because Jesus Christ has chosen me to be saved and no matter what I do I am going to heaven. I have prayed and literally told God that I am going to heaven 100% and I look back and I’m sick to have said something like that. Let me get to point, I want to convert to Catholicism. I have some questions.
  1. I have said so many bad things about the Catholic Church, so many. I have told other people these things and shaped their views about the Catholic Church. I truly regret all of this because while proudly thinking I am standing up for God, I have really been blaspheming his Holy Name. Will He/the Church forgive me for all of this?
  2. What should I do next? Everything that I have seen says my Methodist Baptism would be valid and that I wouldn’t have to be baptized again.
  3. So this is where I am confused and scared. For a Catechumen, if something were to happen to them before they could be baptized/confirmed they could be saved by Baptism of Desire. Since I have already been baptized, and it would take a long time to be confirmed and receive the other sacraments, how could I obtain forgiveness of sins without being able to go to Confession? Of course part of it is I don’t want to go To Hell, but a huge part of it is I just want to be right with God. I went from praying proudly to now I feel like he won’t even listen to me. And I’m not certain what mortal sin is, but I know that I have done things before that I knew for certain God didn’t want me to do, so I am sure that I have some mortal sin. Please help.
  4. Please have mercy on me: I struggle with the idea of praying to Mary. I have been raised (not by my parents, but churches) that praying to Mary or any saints originates from Pagan religions and that it will send you to Hell. Please help and pray for me so that I can better understand this.
    I have been thinking about this for over half a year and I finally realize I want to do it. It’s just so difficult because everyone I know is Protestant. My mother has been very supportive, but I couldn’t imagine telling anyone else (yet I would gladly do so (Luke 14:26-33). Please have mercy and give advice on what I should do, specifically in the area of being made right with God without being able to Confess, and regarding all the things that I have said about the Catholic Church. Thank you and God Bless.
 
Mustang said:
I have said so many bad things about the Catholic Church, so many. I have told other people these things and shaped their views about the Catholic Church. I truly regret all of this because while proudly thinking I am standing up for God, I have really been blaspheming his Holy Name. Will He/the Church forgive me for all of this?
Click to expand...
As Catholics, we firmly believe that God’s mercy and forgiveness is far more abundant and capable than any of our attempts to do evil (to sin). Thus, through the ministry of the Church, you can be forgiven. It is possible that the penance you may receive could be in some way undoing the effects of those remarks (but that is purely speculation)
Mustang said:
What should I do next? Everything that I have seen says my Methodist Baptism would be valid and that I wouldn’t have to be baptized again.
Click to expand...
I believe there is an organisation called RCIA. I haven’t used of them, but a lot of people on these forums strongly recommend going to them
Mustang said:
So this is where I am confused and scared. For a Catechumen, if something were to happen to them before they could be baptized/confirmed they could be saved by Baptism of Desire. Since I have already been baptized, and it would take a long time to be confirmed and receive the other sacraments, how could I obtain forgiveness of sins without being able to go to Confession? Of course part of it is I don’t want to go To Hell, but a huge part of it is I just want to be right with God. I went from praying proudly to now I feel like he won’t even listen to me. And I’m not certain what mortal sin is, but I know that I have done things before that I knew for certain God didn’t want me to do, so I am sure that I have some mortal sin. Please help.
Click to expand...
The thing to bear in mind is that you cannot commit a mortal sin without knowing that you have committed a mortal sin. Secondly, through an act of true perfect contrition with a resolution to sin to more and to get to confession asap, that can act as a form of confession (if you will a temporary confession). However, since you are not a full Catholic yet, I’m not sure how that works. Have a chat with a priest about, and indeed, any other questions you have
Mustang said:
Please have mercy on me: I struggle with the idea of praying to Mary. I have been raised (not by my parents, but churches) that praying to Mary or any saints originates from Pagan religions and that it will send you to Hell. Please help and pray for me so that I can better understand this.
Click to expand...
If it really is such a struggle for you, then pray to the Trinity for help with it.

Also as an additional point, the meme format of ‘#things Jesus never said’ can help you to take a comical look at the whole thing if you’re not in the mindset for full-on Catholicism 101
 
On this Forum, you will no doubt get an assortment of half-baked ideas interspersed with more knowledgeable information. So I think your best bet is, as CajunJoy says, to make an appointment with a Catholic Church administrator who can set you up with a priest with whom you can express your desire to convert as well as all your questions and concerns.
 
Last edited:
🙂 Welcome (to the journey) home, Mustang! God loves you very much, and He has invited you! You can walk forward in confidence that He is with you each step of the way, not just at the very end.

In answer to your questions:
  1. ABSOLUTELY! 😄 God will forgive you immediately (I mean technically, He forgave you from the cross millennia before you were born; but you will be able to receive His forgiveness in the confessional!), and with profound delight, and all the angels and saints in heaven will delight with him! Many of us, prior to converting to Catholicism, have spread all sorts of terrible things in the world which we regret once we realize the truth. God just asks that you let yourself realize the truth, and let yourself regret your sins (as you say you truly do!), and He is so immensely happy to be finding a lost sheep like you, and carrying you home to His Church. 🙂 You are wanted, and loved.
  2. Next: Contact your local priest/parish to sign up for RCIA! Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Usually a series of regular short classes to make sure you understand the faith you’re entering. They’ll walk you through every step. Usually RCIA is about 9 months (and they can double check about your baptism; if you have a baptismal certificate that will help), and then you receive the sacrament of Confirmation (like a personal Pentecost), often at Easter Vigil, but it’s possible for it to happen at other times of year.
 
  1. I imagine you probably do have the burden of mortal sin on your soul (I certainly did prior to my first Confession and Confirmation). In our fallen world, that’s to be expected. It’s a legitimately heavy burden, and it’s appropriate for us to feel sorrow and dismay about it (this recognition of our dangerous situation is part of what propels us back into God’s arms in the sacrament of Reconciliation). At the same time, while we are bound to do our best to follow God’s will as we understand it (seeking Confirmation and Confession, as you rightly desire) – God is not ‘bound’ by the sacraments He gives us. As part of the normal course of events, He did give them to us and He desires us to seek them out as His chosen manner of sanctifying us – but if you were to die in a state of perfect contrition (seeking Confession but simply being unable to access it before death, whether for reasons of geographic distance or not yet being Confirmed Catholic), we believe that God deals according to our dispositions, and your perfect contrition will please God. Now that said, assuming you don’t die first (which is probably the case, haha – that you’ll live), God will presumably allow you to experience the sacramental life of His Church in the normal way. That is, our mortal (and venial) sins do separate us from God, prior to Confession. That’s a reality and why Confession is such a blessing. At the same time, remember: God is with you NOW, and He is very pleased with each small step you are taking along the path upon which He is calling you. He intends to walk you through to the end: it’s just that He allows our lives and our growth to be journeys we genuinely have to walk, not just instant fixes.
  2. Praying for you! And please don’t worry too much upfront about initial apprehensions/misunderstandings about Mary and the saints. It’s common to come in with misunderstandings (secular/Protestant culture seems to have a lot of misinformation about it), and in the end Mary and the saints all point back to Jesus.
Lots more could be said but for character count. Haha. Overall: Praise God for His good work in you! It sounds like He is blessing you richly, in guiding you home to His Church, and it is such a privilege and blessing to be led home at your young age, with so much of this life ahead of you.
 
We forgive you for any falsehoods you believed and taught. You did know the truth! You probable will not have to be re Baptized. Call a Catholic parish and ask about RCIA. They will explain what you need to know. You probable have not committed a mortal sin but you can make a perfect contrition. Tell God you want to be perfectly sorry for your sins because you have offended God who deserves all your love and get into the Catholic Church ASAP! Ask Him to help you never to sin again.
I don’t believe your church supports abortion and the like. Just some of the members may believe that!
Welcome I am happy for you!
 
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process for catechumens (unbaptized converts). However, many parishes have Candidates (baptized Christians seeking communion with the Church) go through this program as well. At least in the USA. You will have to speak to your parish to express interest. A lot of RCIA programs in the USA run from September to Easter.

As for the saints, I say they are like our older brothers and sisters who’ve finished the race and our close friends with God now, and they’re cheering us on as we’re still running. We are all one community and we all pray for each other in need. The saints pray, too. When we pray to saints we are asking for their prayers and support. They don’t hear our prayers by their own power, but because God allows them to.
 
I greatly appreciate your kind/hopeful words. I very much agree that the Lord has been very merciful to me showing me this truth and lighting a fire within me… I will be contacting my local parish soon. Again thank you for the encouragement and God bless you
 
Last edited:
Just one more thing in addition to my previous post. I notice you are 17, which means in the U.S. that you are not yet legally an adult. I wonder what your parents think about your desire to convert since I don’t see that you mention this in your OP.
 
Thank you very much for the encouragement. I will be getting in touch with my Parish shortly, thank you for the advice. God bless you.
 
Very good point, thank you for the encouragement. God bless you.
 
Can I still contact my local Parish and meet with them if I am under 18? I will be 18 soon. My mother has been skeptical But supportive so far and I think my Dad thinks I’m joking a little bit (not that I have given him any reason to think so. I think it’s just because of my past remarks about the church). So these past few months, I have turned towards supporting the church and I feel like he just don’t believe me.
 
Your parents only need to consent for you to join a RCIA class. Many classes run year round. They will graduate you when they feel you are ready. It certainly sounds like the Holy Spirit has been guiding you so have no fear. As Catholics we worship the Trinity nothing else!
 
I’m a convert and a former Calvinist too. Yes the church will forgive you. You don’t have to pray to Mary. I would encourage you to look into the beautiful theology of Mary though. Call a local parish and ask about their RCIA program. Feel free to DM me. Also, what do your parents say? If they don’t want you to become Catholic, it’s better to wait than to cause division in your family.
 
I’m not the best one to ask. Call your local parish and ask them. I would also advise you to have an honest talk with both your parents and tell them what your feelings and intentions are regarding converting to Catholicism. I am not saying this to discourage you but rather to let your parents know what you plan to do, as I believe they have a right to know.
 
Last edited:
Daniel27 said:
I believe there is an organisation called RCIA.
Click to expand...
FWIW, RCIA is a process, not an organization. Your local Catholic pastor (and his staff), after meeting you and talking with you, will determine what form that takes and how long, since you’re a baptized Christian. It could be the routine 9-18 months of classes; it could be a few weeks of individualized meetings.

Age isn’t a factor if parents consent.

RCIA for me was 6 weeks at age 16 (having been previously baptized in the ‘nondenominational’ Church of Christ — and a very antiCatholic one, at that).
 
Last edited:
Mustang said:
social club where you go sing songs and eat snacks
Click to expand...
That made me laugh lol

I just want to welcome you home. I also had a lot of misconceptions about the Church. Never thought in a million years I would convert.

Good advice so far from many people. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that while God gives us sacraments, He, Himself, is not bound to them. That means you can be forgiven outside the sacrament. It’s not the ordinary means, but it’s possible. And God is merciful – if you happen to pass before you are able to go to confession with a humble and contrite heart and ask for forgiveness directly, He is going to forgive you. Just be sure to go to confession as soon as you are able to. It is an incredible experience that never gets stale - trust me on that.
 
Thank you for the welcoming… i appreciate the kind and encouraging words, I honestly look forward to the first time I will be able to confess. God bless
 
Welcome, Mustang. I converted three years ago and your making the right move. Talk to your parish priest and begin RCIA when you can. There are many YouTube videos you can find by searching for RCIA to get you started. You may also ask your priest for some books he recommends for you to read. God Bless you on your journey home!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top