L
Lance
Guest
What an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
- Status
E
EDKidd
Guest
Wow. You all have come so far and my story pales into insignificance I’m afraid but here goes anyway. I suppose I come from an agnostic background, though apparently my paternal grandparents were Baptists, though I was always encouraged by my Mum to answer “Church of England” if ever asked about having a particular faith. My walk began aged 24 when “I became a Christain” and started attending a non-denominational church which I believe now was based on an American Evangelical model - I was there for three years and learned lots about both having a faith and living by that faith. I left that church absolutely convinced that what I had been taught over the three years was right and that everything else - including and especially Catholicism - was wrong. I left that church due to a move back to the north of England and started attending an Anglican church basically because my wife had attended as a young girl. I remained there for some years, attending every now and then but not really getting anything out of it at all. I suppose at this moment in time I am still a member of that church, though I do feel God moving me somewhere else. I have been interested in becomming a Catholic for a longer time that I would probably admit to and I find that from reading and attempting to understand my interest in becomming a Catholic has moved to a NEED to become a Catholic. I have never felt such a longing in my entire life. Lots of posters on this forum refer to"coming home." I have never really understood that until just recently. So my walk is about to resume I hope. I just wanted to end by saying that you are all such great witnesses to the Chuch and I hope to be home soon.
God bless you all
God bless you all
P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
My Baptist finace and I went to Easter Vigil at the Cathedral last year, and I was embarressed at the 10 or so people coming into the Church. I was telling him all about the wonder and fabulousness of the Vigil, and then it was just kinda…there. There was none of the majesty and beauty I remembered from previous Vigils, and the people comins in where also just kinda there.
C
Cairisti
Guest
Convert from Southern Baptist. Grew up Baptist, but fell away during college (even though I attended the largest Baptist University - Baylor), and attended the Methodist Church from another 20 years. After a few looks at Orthodoxyand Episcopalian, ect , I became Catholic last year at the Easter Vigil. 
V
Verita
Guest
I consider myself converted and am currently waiting to enter the Church. Unfortunately, it won’t be happening this Easter. 
I grew up in a non denominational church as part of a very religious family. My grandfather was our pastor until he died and afterward we attended the church where my uncle was pastor. As a teenager I participated in 3 summer missions trips overseas and even attended a Baptist college, Liberty University, for a year. All in all, I was very strong in my faith.
And then I met my future husband, a cradle Catholic. In response to my fervent faith, he made an in depth study of Catholicism and by the time we married he was able to put my simplistic and surprisingly contradictory beliefs to shame. Oh how I used to yell at him in my shock and embarrassment! But eventually, I could do nothing but see the truth he presented and accept it. After all, the truth is the most important thing.
I started an RCIA program last year, but do to rampant heresy and frequent abuse in the parrish we were attending, we were forced to leave. I certainly didn’t want my children raised and educated there. We have yet to establish ourselves in another parrish so right now my conversion is on hold. I am hoping that we will find a suitable parrish soon and though I won’t be able to join the Church this Easter vigil, I’m hoping to find a priest to work with me so I don’t have to wait for another year! I am eager to participate in the Eucharist and at times feel a keen need for the confessional.
I grew up in a non denominational church as part of a very religious family. My grandfather was our pastor until he died and afterward we attended the church where my uncle was pastor. As a teenager I participated in 3 summer missions trips overseas and even attended a Baptist college, Liberty University, for a year. All in all, I was very strong in my faith.
And then I met my future husband, a cradle Catholic. In response to my fervent faith, he made an in depth study of Catholicism and by the time we married he was able to put my simplistic and surprisingly contradictory beliefs to shame. Oh how I used to yell at him in my shock and embarrassment! But eventually, I could do nothing but see the truth he presented and accept it. After all, the truth is the most important thing.
I started an RCIA program last year, but do to rampant heresy and frequent abuse in the parrish we were attending, we were forced to leave. I certainly didn’t want my children raised and educated there. We have yet to establish ourselves in another parrish so right now my conversion is on hold. I am hoping that we will find a suitable parrish soon and though I won’t be able to join the Church this Easter vigil, I’m hoping to find a priest to work with me so I don’t have to wait for another year! I am eager to participate in the Eucharist and at times feel a keen need for the confessional.
L
Lady_Cygnus
Guest
Cradle catholic until I reached college when I became more cafeteria Catholic. Then at the end of college I was challenged by a non-denominational bible group and got so fed up that I flirted with being agnostic for about a month. After that I actually began studying my faith and since then it has been a gradual strengthening of my faith.
M
Mannyfit75
Guest
I’m cradle Catholic and a revert. I’m deep in my faith, and try to live out a Christian life…It isn’t easy
A
Aineiora
Guest
I chose “I am a Catholic who is learning and growing “ because of my daughter. I was raised Catholic and pretty much always attended weekly Mass during my growing up years and received the Sacraments in the usual order. My husband is a convert—he only attended a non-denominational church very sporadically for just a few years in his teens, but he is very spiritual and thoughtful man. While raising our kids we went to weekly Mass, mostly at a Benedictine Abbey nearby. It was there that our daughter first got the calling of her vocation to be in religious life. She took the sacramental life of the Church very seriously (more so than her parents, unfortunately) and told us of her calling when she was 13. To make a long story short, she is now 22 and will be entering a contemplative Carmelite order on Ascension Thursday.
In trying to gain an understanding of her decision, coupled with our daughter’s gentle but firm persuasion, my husband and I have delved more deeply into our faith in the past few years and are growing in our appreciation of our beautiful faith. Many in our extended family do not fully comprehend nor accept her decision, but we are hopeful that God’s graces will enter their hearts as they did ours. Anyway, that’s my story.
In trying to gain an understanding of her decision, coupled with our daughter’s gentle but firm persuasion, my husband and I have delved more deeply into our faith in the past few years and are growing in our appreciation of our beautiful faith. Many in our extended family do not fully comprehend nor accept her decision, but we are hopeful that God’s graces will enter their hearts as they did ours. Anyway, that’s my story.
L
Lady_Cygnus
Guest
pugnacious…I love that wordI’m not sure why people have to be both pugnacious and defensive.
If you are strong in your faith, then you don’t need to do some of these things…
for example, heaven forfend, you can even allow people to disagree
By the way (a tad off topic) - providing condoms to prevent aids is like giving a police officer a bullet proof jacket and telling him it will protect his head as well.
P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
Congratulations! I wondered for a logn time whether I was being called to the religious life, but I see now that God gave me the vocation of motherhood and marriage.
Many people, both in and outside the Church don’t understand the calling to religious life. The preisthood some people get, but religious life is not as visible, so it is hard to understand.
And question- when you say contemplative order, is she going to be cloistered, or not?
S
SusanG
Guest
Me, I’m a convert. Was: dyed in the wool, mouth shut, head covered Plymouth Brethren woman.
Converted: technically in 2004. My parents, despite our very protestant beliefs had the fortunate leaning to send me to Catholic Schools. It was here that I learned bits and pieces of Catholic faith and teachings, including a tremendous respect for Mary. (don’t get me wrong- I was a protestant apologist even then- those poor nuns didn’t know what to do with me.)
Fast forward: dissatisfied with loosening morality, lack of a church that ‘fit’ in our new province I set out as all good Brethren were taught to find a denom I could call home. All my Bible studies, years of hearing “be a Berean” really came in useful. ‘Problem’ was: without the guidance of the deacons and elders from my former church I was left to figure this out on my own.
Picture this: Sitting at my computer, Bible on my lap…shouting out to my husband “Listen to this…(pick a quote any quote- John 6 works) What do you think that means? Well guess what? That’s what the Catholic Church teaches!” I furiously set about to prove myself wrong- I couldn’t actually be finding truth in ‘that’ church- and yet I did.
So- that’s my story. At this point I come here to learn, so that I can continue with my love of apologetics, this time for the “Home team”.
Peace.
Converted: technically in 2004. My parents, despite our very protestant beliefs had the fortunate leaning to send me to Catholic Schools. It was here that I learned bits and pieces of Catholic faith and teachings, including a tremendous respect for Mary. (don’t get me wrong- I was a protestant apologist even then- those poor nuns didn’t know what to do with me.)
Fast forward: dissatisfied with loosening morality, lack of a church that ‘fit’ in our new province I set out as all good Brethren were taught to find a denom I could call home. All my Bible studies, years of hearing “be a Berean” really came in useful. ‘Problem’ was: without the guidance of the deacons and elders from my former church I was left to figure this out on my own.
Picture this: Sitting at my computer, Bible on my lap…shouting out to my husband “Listen to this…(pick a quote any quote- John 6 works) What do you think that means? Well guess what? That’s what the Catholic Church teaches!” I furiously set about to prove myself wrong- I couldn’t actually be finding truth in ‘that’ church- and yet I did.
So- that’s my story. At this point I come here to learn, so that I can continue with my love of apologetics, this time for the “Home team”.
Peace.
W
wanner47
Guest
I was born, baptized, raised, and married in the ELCA Lutheran Church, as was my husband.
However, my husband’s best friend is a devout Catholic, and he and my husband used to have long theological conversations.
About two years after we were married, my husband told me that his conversations with his friend had convinced him that Catholicism had the fullness of God’s truth, and he was going to convert.
I wasn’t happy because of all the things I “knew” about Catholicism. I decided to go to RCIA with him, though, because I figured that if we were going to raise our children Catholic, I should know more about Catholicism.
During the course of RCIA, I learned that everything I had “known” about Catholicism was a myth, a half-truth, or blatantly false. I decided to convert after attending the Easter Vigil service, which completely blew me away.
My husband and I were confirmed into Catholicism on May 28, 2003, at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, MN. (We were originally going to be confirmed at Pentecost, but we ended up moving out of state on May 31 so we had to move up our confirmation by a week.)
We try to return every year for the Easter Vigil service. Our daughter was born January 13, 2005 and she was baptized into Catholicism on May 28, 2005 - two years to the day that we were confirmed.
However, my husband’s best friend is a devout Catholic, and he and my husband used to have long theological conversations.
About two years after we were married, my husband told me that his conversations with his friend had convinced him that Catholicism had the fullness of God’s truth, and he was going to convert.
I wasn’t happy because of all the things I “knew” about Catholicism. I decided to go to RCIA with him, though, because I figured that if we were going to raise our children Catholic, I should know more about Catholicism.
During the course of RCIA, I learned that everything I had “known” about Catholicism was a myth, a half-truth, or blatantly false. I decided to convert after attending the Easter Vigil service, which completely blew me away.
My husband and I were confirmed into Catholicism on May 28, 2003, at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, MN. (We were originally going to be confirmed at Pentecost, but we ended up moving out of state on May 31 so we had to move up our confirmation by a week.)
We try to return every year for the Easter Vigil service. Our daughter was born January 13, 2005 and she was baptized into Catholicism on May 28, 2005 - two years to the day that we were confirmed.
K
KennC
Guest
I know just what you mean, my daughter and I never miss Easter Vigil.
W
wanner47
Guest
This particular Easter Vigil service was at the Basilica of St. Mary, so it was incredible… incense, full choir, “Jesus Christ Has Risen Today” complete with brass band, bonfire outside prior to the service, and then following the priest as he carried the light of God back into the church… it was just amazing.
The service was 3 hours long but I didn’t want it to end, and I had NEVER felt that way about Mass before.
S
Sarabande
Guest
I would agree. Easter Vigil is also one of my favorites. My husband and I are both musicians at our Cathedral Basilica where we live and although Holy Week can be grueling as a musician, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday make it totally worth it.
K
KennC
Guest
I know, … isn’t that something! I came into the Church at our little St Marys here which is quite small but close and intimate. When the light of Christ was coming into the Church passed from one to another, it’s amasing how much light is actually produced.
I love the incense as well, I was able to bring some Frankincense back from Oman with me for Fr Dave.
Happy Easter !!!
C
catsrus
Guest
Convert here.
By way of methodist, lutheran & jwism.
By way of methodist, lutheran & jwism.
K
KennC
Guest
I havn’t played with the Choir now for some time and miss it but I had the distinct pleasure of playing for our Easter Vigil as well. Mind you I was always a little torn, sitting with the folks taking it all in??, or the joy of playing with the Choir?? On one hand I could enjoy the music, but then again be part of it as well … 50/50??
Happy Easter,
L
Lance
Guest
I emailed them and have not gotten a response. To be fair, if they are anything like our parish they are probably loaded with much more important matters and will get to it when they have a chance. It seems that most parish staffs are 2 or 3 people under what they really need. This was 35 years ago and I am sure Father has moved many times since then so it will probably take some time to track him down.
H
homewardbound
Guest
Convert/Non-Catholic trying to convert fully
I am converted entirely. I’m just waiting for the process. Tried RCIA, but it was at a screwed up parish and I decided I didn’t want to enter the Church that way.
Here’s my conversion story for anyone interested:
Born to two non religious people who cared absolutely nothing for me. By age 5, was adopted by my maternal grandparents cause they had finally found out the physical abuse I was enduring.
I was raised Baptist. “Saved” at age 7, baptized a few months later on Feb. 14th 1993. I loved church, with all the songs and excitement. I was a very devout Baptist as a child. That all changed as my world was shattered at age 13. We were going to what my family saw as a wonderful perfect traditional Baptist church. The whole no pants for women, no dancing, no drinking, kind of place. My youth pastor, who was also the pastor’s son and 6 years older than me, decided to abuse me. This went one for two years. I finally attempted to tell my family and got out enough for them to leave the church. I had fallen into a bad mindset by then and was extremely suicidal and self harming. At 16, I was completely away from God and spent the rest of high school in a haze of illicit activities and a very abusive relationship with a guy who was my first boyfriend.
I went to the farthest university in the state that would accept me. I thought this would help me escape everything. I stopped going to church completely. My freshman year was mainly a haze, as I was just relieved to finally be out of my hometown. Sophomore year I collapsed mentally and by Jan of 06 I was in the psychiatric ward. I flunked out that spring and by the end of the semester I felt the need to escape that place as well. I had attended a Methodist church during that time a few times, and many of the people from there visited me in the hospital and the pastor spoke with me several times. One Sunday, the pastor preached on baptism. About how he was baptized as an infant and how it had a huge impact on his life. They also said the apostles creed, the whole thing. I had never heard it before and was confused by it all.
I transferred to a school closer to home, yet not too close. I mainly transferred there to be closer to a long time friend whom I had recently, on a whim, professed my love to. We’d known each other since we were 14. He was Catholic. Instead of focusing on my past so much, we began to argue about religion. Even though I had fallen away from church, I still knew all about the truth…I thought. After a few weeks of argument I was baffled at how he refuted everything I threw at him…and it made sense! I was angry for awhile, but eventually had to concede to the truth. The truth of Catholicism.
My depression and all the other things I had been diagnosed with completely vanished this past January. I’m not sure what happened to finally get me better and finally begin to forgive myself, but I know it wasn’t anything anyone here on earth did.
I break down at almost every Mass as the Eucharist is given. I love my Lord so much, the agony, all the agony I feel at not being able to receive Him and all the shame I feel at not being able to confess and finally be forgiven for everything just all comes out. I am insanely envious yet feel sorry for all the Catholics at the same time. Envious that they can have what I most desire, and sorry that they are not able to feel such agony for our Lord, its I believe the deepest agony anyone could ever feel.
I am converted entirely. I’m just waiting for the process. Tried RCIA, but it was at a screwed up parish and I decided I didn’t want to enter the Church that way.
Here’s my conversion story for anyone interested:
Born to two non religious people who cared absolutely nothing for me. By age 5, was adopted by my maternal grandparents cause they had finally found out the physical abuse I was enduring.
I was raised Baptist. “Saved” at age 7, baptized a few months later on Feb. 14th 1993. I loved church, with all the songs and excitement. I was a very devout Baptist as a child. That all changed as my world was shattered at age 13. We were going to what my family saw as a wonderful perfect traditional Baptist church. The whole no pants for women, no dancing, no drinking, kind of place. My youth pastor, who was also the pastor’s son and 6 years older than me, decided to abuse me. This went one for two years. I finally attempted to tell my family and got out enough for them to leave the church. I had fallen into a bad mindset by then and was extremely suicidal and self harming. At 16, I was completely away from God and spent the rest of high school in a haze of illicit activities and a very abusive relationship with a guy who was my first boyfriend.
I went to the farthest university in the state that would accept me. I thought this would help me escape everything. I stopped going to church completely. My freshman year was mainly a haze, as I was just relieved to finally be out of my hometown. Sophomore year I collapsed mentally and by Jan of 06 I was in the psychiatric ward. I flunked out that spring and by the end of the semester I felt the need to escape that place as well. I had attended a Methodist church during that time a few times, and many of the people from there visited me in the hospital and the pastor spoke with me several times. One Sunday, the pastor preached on baptism. About how he was baptized as an infant and how it had a huge impact on his life. They also said the apostles creed, the whole thing. I had never heard it before and was confused by it all.
I transferred to a school closer to home, yet not too close. I mainly transferred there to be closer to a long time friend whom I had recently, on a whim, professed my love to. We’d known each other since we were 14. He was Catholic. Instead of focusing on my past so much, we began to argue about religion. Even though I had fallen away from church, I still knew all about the truth…I thought. After a few weeks of argument I was baffled at how he refuted everything I threw at him…and it made sense! I was angry for awhile, but eventually had to concede to the truth. The truth of Catholicism.
My depression and all the other things I had been diagnosed with completely vanished this past January. I’m not sure what happened to finally get me better and finally begin to forgive myself, but I know it wasn’t anything anyone here on earth did.
I break down at almost every Mass as the Eucharist is given. I love my Lord so much, the agony, all the agony I feel at not being able to receive Him and all the shame I feel at not being able to confess and finally be forgiven for everything just all comes out. I am insanely envious yet feel sorry for all the Catholics at the same time. Envious that they can have what I most desire, and sorry that they are not able to feel such agony for our Lord, its I believe the deepest agony anyone could ever feel.
- Status