Converting from Pentecostal to Catholicism

[angel6288]

I’ve been attending Mass faithfully for two years now. I don’t know what or why I started suddenly being curious about the Catholic faith. My mother thinks I’m following after someone or doing it for attention. Being raised Pentecostal and wanting to be anything other is out of the norm for my family. Most of my family is either Pentecostal or Jehovah’s Witnesses and they all have made fun of me and said I’m just drawn to the beauty of the church. But, I think my curiosity goes deeper than, that and I also believe that when it comes to Christianity there is no right or wrong way. It’s about where God leads you. My mother has told me repeatedly I’m not allowed to attend Mass and that I’ll dishonor my grandmother for converting. Since, she was a minister in the church I grew up in and my reason for who I am today. My mother was never really big on church. She’d always go once and make an excuse to stop. I almost always had someone to take me if my mom or grandmother didn’t. I stopped going as much, after we moved from Michigan when I was 12, a few years before my grandmother died since like I said my mom didn’t go and since we were in another state I didn’t know anyone plus I lost my motivation. It wasn’t till I got older that I started meeting people and attending church again on my own or finding people to go with as long as my mother approved of the church. I’ve always been curious about the Catholic faith. I’ve always loved the idea of kneeling, deep praying, and confession. It wasn’t till I turned 18 that I really started being interested. My mom told me since I wasn’t rich and white or born Catholic that I’d just be be ostracized because, all Catholics are stand offish. I’ve always contemplated being a nun just never discussed it until recently that and wanting to convert, which was after our final move two years ago that I thought it was time to tell my family how if felt. Now, I regret saying anything. She just told me I’d live a lonely life and get meaner with age because, that’s how nuns are. I think like her and the rest of my family, they are all just hung up on the misconceptions about the church. You’ll never truly know what’s it’s like to be Catholic without attending mass and that’s what I’ve been doing. I feel like being Catholic is my calling but, after receiving more insults from my family I’m not so sure. Now, I’m just confused about my faith. I still attend mass, pray my rosary, and etc. I just don’t discuss it with my family. I still haven’t taken my RCIA classes because, my mother won’t allow it. Even though, technically I am 20. I wish I had support or some clue of what to do. I’m not sure if being Catholic is what I want to do since, it upsets my family so much. The first time I walked into a Catholic Church I felt like I was home. I’ve always felt like I was missing something and attending my first mass made me feel like I found it. For the last few years, I’ve felt a strong pull towards the Catholic Church but, my mother thinks it’s just the devil. I’m not sure what to do. She says if I convert and break tradition I’m dishonoring my grandmother and reserving myself a seat in Hell.

 

[Seagull]

You have my support angel6288

 

[End_Timer]

You may have to disregard family opinions & go
where God is leading you. Might involve some trauma

 

[joeybaggz]

You say you are 20. A couple questions. Are you still living with your parents? Are you in school and dependent on them for financial support? Do you have plans to move out onto your own in the near future?
You will shortly be 21, old enough to make all your own decisions. If you live with your parents or other family I might suggest you quietly study and learn all you can about the RCC. You can make the move to Catholicism several years down the road. At that time, your family might be better able to handle it. At least when you are older, they really can’t simply accuse you of doing it to offend them. It will be your adult choice.
And be ready for the possibility they may never accept it. Your family doesn’t understand the Catholic church, their impressions are based on a mass of falsehoods.
You have to follow your heart in this matter. Just go about it in a patient and considerate way, but know that there may be obstacles that cannot be overcome. Another suggestion, pray for your family’s change of heart.Shalom

 

[Dan_Defender]

You would not be the first person to be opposed by family members when it comes to religion so do not be discouraged. If the Holy Spirit moves you to the true faith, oblige, because it is your calling. There are constraints so consider your conversion a process and do as much as you can. It is better not to argue with your family members but suffer them patiently until you can become independent of them.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

God is calling you home to His Church, Angel! Don’t be afraid to answer His call. It will be hard going against your family…I know, I’ve lived through it, though I’m much older than you. But you are an adult now and you have to choose who you’re going to follow. Please, please don’t stop attending Mass. When I walked in to Mass the first time, I also felt that I was home. Catholicism is definitely not just for rich, white folks, haha! It welcomes all and is spread over the whole globe. Be brave and talk to your priest and find out about RCIA. You will be so happy to come home to the Catholic Church. I will say a prayer for you right now. God bless you!

 

[CampionTheChampion]

Hello angel6288! I grew up in a nondenominational home and have many friends who are Pentecostal. When I joined the Catholic Church last month, some of my family really protested my decision and some friends completely misunderstood my reasons. You are not alone, though what you’re going through is probably more difficult than the disapproval I received. To each their own cross.

I read your entire post and noticed a common theme.

My mother has told me repeatedly I’m not allowed to attend Mass and that I’ll dishonor my grandmother for converting.

I feel like being Catholic is my calling but, after receiving more insults from my family I’m not so sure. Now, I’m just confused about my faith.

I still haven’t taken my RCIA classes because, my mother won’t allow it.

I’m not sure if being Catholic is what I want to do since, it upsets my family so much.

For the last few years, I’ve felt a strong pull towards the Catholic Church but, my mother thinks it’s just the devil. I’m not sure what to do. She says if I convert and break tradition I’m dishonoring my grandmother and reserving myself a seat in Hell.

It is clear to me that your family is the main stumbling block for you. Our Lord had a hard saying. “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." I remember reading this verse growing up and not knowing what it meant. But in the last year when God called me to join His Church, Christ’s teaching became incredibly pertinent.

What is more important, obeying God? Or honoring your grandmother and mother? It is indeed a very hard saying, and I do not think it will be easy. But Our Lord is clear that we must follow where the Holy Spirit leads us even if it means that our own family might get upset or feel dishonored.

I will keep you in my prayers

 

[guanophore]

they all have made fun of me and said I’m just drawn to the beauty of the church.

Why is that a bad thing?! Are we not made to enjoy beauty?

My mother has told me repeatedly I’m not allowed to attend Mass and that I’ll dishonor my grandmother for converting.

If you are over 18 then it is not for her to forbid you. If you live under your parents’ roof this is something that needs to be honored until you are out on your own.

As far as dishonoring your grandmother, you must follow your conscience. Sometimes that upsets people in our lives. Jesus has called us to forsake all and follow Him. But since she is already moved on from this life, I am sure she will understand.

My mom told me since I wasn’t rich and white or born Catholic that I’d just be be ostracized because, all Catholics are stand offish.

Well she certainly does seem to have a lot of misconceptions about Catholics! In fact, the vast majority of Catholics all over the world are not “white” and live below the poverty level. And further, no one has ever been “born Catholic”. People become Catholic through baptism.

She just told me I’d live a lonely life and get meaner with age because, that’s how nuns are. I

LOL. I think I met that nun! As a matter of fact, I met more than one! The fact is that a person will only experience the fullness of God’s love and peace when they are following what God has called them to do. So, if you are called to religious life, then you will have the potential to be more fulfilled as a nun than you will in any other state of life.

That being said, people can manage to be miserable in any state of life, and a person who is in a large family can also feel lonely and mean. This has more to do with how you walk with the Spirit than anything else.

I still haven’t taken my RCIA classes because, my mother won’t allow it.

How does she prevent you?

I wish I had support or some clue of what to do. I’m not sure if being Catholic is what I want to do since, it upsets my family so much.

We each have an obligation to forsake all, and follow Christ. Sometimes that means separation from family. Are you unable to live independently? If that is the case, then it explains how your family is preventing your from following the desires of your heart.

 

[thequeen]

Welcome home I am a convert from the pentecostal church of god.and I am not rich either. THe Catholic Church is everywhere all over the globe and people of all ethnic backgrounds and financial backgrounds are part of the Church that was founded by Christ Jesus I am a hispanic woman with natural blonde hair and blue eyes

 

[LostSheep7]

THe Catholic Church is everywhere all over the globe and people of all ethnic backgrounds and financial backgrounds are part of the Church that was founded by Christ Jesus I am a hispanic woman with natural blonde hair and blue eyes

This is one of the most fascinating aspects of the Catholic Faith, there are people from all races and backgrounds. I have Jewish ancestry, my best friend in my parish is mixed race, there are blacks, white people and even Asians, but we all have the same Faith, the same baptism and worship the same Lord, Jesus Christ, savior of all humanity

 

[Pup7]

Indeed. We are as catholic (universal) as the Catholic Church. And it’s awesome.

 

[Pup7]

Angel, you might find you just have to follow your heart. I can’t add to the advice given here, but I’ll include you in my prayers. Keep the faith - literally. And God bless you.

 

[Casilda]

I am a cradle Catholic who married a Pentecostal (he is now Catholic). He has been Catholic for four years and has not told his mother (she is elderly). He told two of his brothers, one doesn’t speak to him anymore.

You do not need to deal with your family, that is for God to do. Pray for them, love them, you do want them to go to heaven. Pray for your grandmother.

You need to talk to the priest and start your entry into the church. As you get closer to her, it will help you tremendously with dealing with unbelieving family.

Here is a YouTube video of Catholic deacon, Alex Jones (of blessed memory-he has since passed away) he was the pastor of a Pentecostal church before he converted to Catholism along with most of his congregation.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Forgot to add this earlier…check out this website with all sorts of resources for Catholic converts

www.catholicscomehome.org

 

[Mary888]

You should think about what you want to do in your life because it is yours. We are commanded to respect our parents and you can do that without doing absolutely every thing they say by not keeping secrets to them.
First of all I think you should discuss with a priest (Catholic) and tell him your problems and how to approach them the best fitted way. Feeling alone is one thing that keeps you stuck and that is why the idea of “momma said so and she was right” terrifies you. Of course she wants you be happy and that is why, if she has any doubts of your life choices she will just tell them to you so you can reconsider. But in the end it is your decision.
I am praying you find a priest who can help you with some good advises.
May Virgin Mary protect you and help you in figuring out what is the best course of action for you.
PS I think your mom freaked out because you mentioned you wanted to become a nun. Even Catholic parents might rebuke this idea about their kids. Many Catholic saints became nuns against their parents desires, so that is not “a Pentecostal thing”. It’s just that parents want a dream life for their kids and that includes being happily married and in love and having wonderful children.

 

[alexyanthar]

My friend! The grace of God is upon you hearing this confession and plea of yours.

I’m telling you my situation was and still is very similar. We as Catholics who believe in the supreme truth will never be able to escape suffering, but I tell you to keep praying and have your belief in God. Stand strong in the truth and as long as you constantly pray for humility and to bear your sufferings in patience God will listen to you and He will come to you. Suddenly, your sufferings, confusions and doubts will no longer be present and no longer will you feel attachment to people and things of the world because your heart will be given up to God almighty. With true love of God, that He so kindly graces us with, you will automatically have true love of your neighbor.

When I converted to Catholicism, my mom attacked me and at any given moment would try and catch me in something she believed to be a sin. As for my father, he is of the faith, but yet recently he has also attacked me because I know what I speak is of the truth and of God, for He is in my heart, but unfortunately my father believes I hate him and God due to me not being completely submissive to his ways. He not only attacked me, but also my entire family and all those who are in contact with us and in the knowledge God has given me so graciously, I struggle to believe that there is any love in my father except for himself.

The reason I tell you this is because God has come into your life to do what He so wishes all of us to do. To love. You are not alone in your struggles because God’s presence is always with you! I will pray earnestly for you that our good Lord keeps you humble and loving in the faith and that you withstand all trials of life.

 

[qui_est_ce]

It is better not to argue with your family members but suffer them patiently until you can become independent of them.

Give them the Mother Angelica look:
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