CONVERTS, do you have a moment?

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I was raised without religion in an atheist/secular/ lapsed Catholic home. I wasn’t even baptised and was pretty ignorant about Christianity. I was 14 when I had my 2 moments, and they both had to do with Rome.

Our family was planning a trip to Rome that summer and a few months before my dad gave me to read *Quo Vadis *by H. Sienkiewicz. He said that all the God stuff was nonsense but that the novel will prepare me for understanding ancient (pagan) Rome and appreciating it. I had an unclear, non-defined belief in God at that point and was curious about the book. But halfway through I was a believer! I knew that Jesus was God and I knew I wanted to become a Christian. I kept that to myself, hoping that I would eventually figure out how to join the church.

When we went to Rome I loved visiting those beautiful baroque churches. I was painfully aware that I was not a part of that world and that I wanted to be. When we visited the Vatican and St. Peter’s I felt at home. I decided then I would become Catholic. I’ve never felt that kind of belonging ever since.

So 2 years after that I started RCIA and was received on Pentecost 1993.

That’s my story. The best thing I have ever done.

 

[lynnettejane]

Hello all, my moment depends upon whetrer or not you believe in the intercession of the dead. My great great Aunt was a nun, she is buried in Lourdes. I found her, I believe she had already found me, during the course of family research. I was already drawn to the Catholic faith,the faith of my Irish ancestors. But when I found her and read her inspirational story, that was my moment. It was such an irresistable feeling that I needed to be Catholic. Now I am, and absolutely sure I am home where I belong, and I feel my little saint is still with me. Thanks be to God

 

[LisaA]

Hello all, my moment depends upon whetrer or not you believe in the intercession of the dead. My great great Aunt was a nun, she is buried in Lourdes. I found her, I believe she had already found me, during the course of family research. I was already drawn to the Catholic faith,the faith of my Irish ancestors. But when I found her and read her inspirational story, that was my moment. It was such an irresistable feeling that I needed to be Catholic. Now I am, and absolutely sure I am home where I belong, and I feel my little saint is still with me. Thanks be to God

One, absolutely! Two what an amazing story! Did you take your great great Aunt’s name as a Communion name? You are so very blessed and I can feel it in your words.

Lisa

 

[lynnettejane]

Hi Lisa, yes I did take her name, which was simply Mary, and I am fortunate enough to have been given a copy of her picture by a distant cousin. But you know the story that gave me my moment was one of a young poor English girl born of Irish parents. She joins the teaching order who had run the poor school in her town. She had no dowry so was never choir, her duties were serving her sisters and the priests. And this she did faithfully all her life, but, according to her obituary she was an example of quiet steadfast faith. On her profession as a young woman, she expressed a desire in prayer to see Lourdes before she died. Her life in the Order took her to Italy, South England and various parts of France. She was born in 1866, in 1944 the convent she was in in France had to evacuated, so she and her Sisters and the children they had in their care were evacuated…to Lourdes. She was then 78, it was February and freezing but Mary Lavinia was ecstatic. Her obituary says that when they arrived at the Convent in Lourdes they were warmly welcomed by the community there, and in the evening they wnet down, over the river to pray at the shrine to our lady. " No one knows what passed between her and Our Lady, but her face was held in rapturous smile " It wasn’t long after this visit that Mary became ill, flu was diagnosed , she died several days later and is buried in the Community grave. What a wonderful reward for so lowly a faithful servant , how faithful is our God. To Him she must have been of great worth in her example of faith and obedience , it makes me feel very humble to think that He had kept her prayer in mind all those years. So she is my inspiration , my little saint.

 

[LisaA]

Hi Lisa, yes I did take her name, which was simply Mary, and I am fortunate enough to have been given a copy of her picture by a distant cousin. But you know the story that gave me my moment was one of a young poor English girl born of Irish parents. She joins the teaching order who had run the poor school in her town. She had no dowry so was never choir, her duties were serving her sisters and the priests. And this she did faithfully all her life, but, according to her obituary she was an example of quiet steadfast faith. On her profession as a young woman, she expressed a desire in prayer to see Lourdes before she died. Her life in the Order took her to Italy, South England and various parts of France. She was born in 1866, in 1944 the convent she was in in France had to evacuated, so she and her Sisters and the children they had in their care were evacuated…to Lourdes. She was then 78, it was February and freezing but Mary Lavinia was ecstatic. Her obituary says that when they arrived at the Convent in Lourdes they were warmly welcomed by the community there, and in the evening they wnet down, over the river to pray at the shrine to our lady. " No one knows what passed between her and Our Lady, but her face was held in rapturous smile " It wasn’t long after this visit that Mary became ill, flu was diagnosed , she died several days later and is buried in the Community grave. What a wonderful reward for so lowly a faithful servant , how faithful is our God. To Him she must have been of great worth in her example of faith and obedience , it makes me feel very humble to think that He had kept her prayer in mind all those years. So she is my inspiration , my little saint.

This is such a beautiful and amazing story. Wouldn’t you love to see a book or a movie about someone like your great aunt? So inspiring. It reminds me of the Little Flower, doing small things with great devotion and love. Thank you again
Lisa

 

[maltmom]

Hi Lisa, yes I did take her name, which was simply Mary, and I am fortunate enough to have been given a copy of her picture by a distant cousin. But you know the story that gave me my moment was one of a young poor English girl born of Irish parents. She joins the teaching order who had run the poor school in her town. She had no dowry so was never choir, her duties were serving her sisters and the priests. And this she did faithfully all her life, but, according to her obituary she was an example of quiet steadfast faith. On her profession as a young woman, she expressed a desire in prayer to see Lourdes before she died. Her life in the Order took her to Italy, South England and various parts of France. She was born in 1866, in 1944 the convent she was in in France had to evacuated, so she and her Sisters and the children they had in their care were evacuated…to Lourdes. She was then 78, it was February and freezing but Mary Lavinia was ecstatic. Her obituary says that when they arrived at the Convent in Lourdes they were warmly welcomed by the community there, and in the evening they wnet down, over the river to pray at the shrine to our lady. " No one knows what passed between her and Our Lady, but her face was held in rapturous smile " It wasn’t long after this visit that Mary became ill, flu was diagnosed , she died several days later and is buried in the Community grave. What a wonderful reward for so lowly a faithful servant , how faithful is our God. To Him she must have been of great worth in her example of faith and obedience , it makes me feel very humble to think that He had kept her prayer in mind all those years. So she is my inspiration , my little saint.

Her story brought tears to me eyes. She was faithful to God and look at her reward.

 

[LisaA]

Her story brought tears to me eyes. She was faithful to God and look at her reward.

Yes tears to my eyes as well. I noticed you are a brand new Catholic! Welcome Home and God bless! I converted in 2005 and have become more in love with my faith every year.

Lisa

 

[djmauck]

I had been an atheist and converted into a nondenomeational evangelical church. I had two “moments” that led me towards the Catholic Church. When I converted I was an active alcoholic (now sober). One night I was drunk at home alone and had to get out of my house and take a walk. It was around Christmas time and I walked by my local Catholic church and the doors were open and people were decorating the church. I had an indescribable desire to go in and pray. I felt that that church was my true home. I also felt a similar way when I went to a Cistercian monastery for a retreat. I attended the daily masses and felt a strong longing to receive the Eucharist.

All that, in addition to the theology study, pretty much sealed the deal for me.

 

[maltmom]

Yes tears to my eyes as well. I noticed you are a brand new Catholic! Welcome Home and God bless! I converted in 2005 and have become more in love with my faith every year.

Lisa

Thank you Lisa, it’s great to be home.

 

[CleverUserName]

I had a person come into my life and alter the course of it forever. Due to their inspiration I decided to attend Mass for the first time in my life and from then on I knew that the Catholic Church was something that I wanted… no… NEEDED to be a part of so I could amend my life. Two weeks later I talked with a Priest about coming into the Church and was brought in during the following Easter Vigil. That was an incredibly special time in my life that I’ll never forget and continue to reflect on regularly.

Wonderful, Kenny. Thanks for sharing

 

[CleverUserName]

For me too it wasn’t just one moment, but lots of moments from the time I was a very little girl. I loved Catholic movies, especially ones about Mary–so enriching and insprational. And a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus appealed to me, but my Episcopalian parents wouldn’t let me buy it (they weren’t particularly anti-Catholic, but they didn’t want me going in that direction). And nuns in full habits, rosaries, and the lovely paintings and stained glass all drew me to them.

It wasn’t until I bought a rosary at an Assemblies of God jumble sale that I really began to take Catholicism seriously, though. Something about praying with it–didn’t know they prayers, I’d just hold it and worship God–something about it calmed me and I could sense the Holy Spirit’s presence in a new and profound way.

Theologically it was John 6. When I was in the AoG I asked myself why we took everything Jesus said quite literally, but had to explain away “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life”. It pierced my heart as the truth.

Still, I was afraid because of a lot of negative things I’d been told about the Church, which all proved to be untrue, so it took me until I was around 36 before I started RCIA and came into the Church. But, I’ve been so happy all the years following that I’ve never regretted it–not for one single moment.

I know what you mean about the appeal. And sadly I understand the hesitation because of the falsehoods that we are fed about the Catholic church, too. I’m glad you have no regrets

 

[CleverUserName]

I didn’t really have a “moment”. I always admired the ritual of Catholic churches and even grew up with one in the middle of a wheat field across the dead end street I grew up in (Kansas, and yes, the church was and still is in the middle of a wheat field )
I, however, went a few blocks away to a Baptist church and loved it, still do.

I moved to another state and there were no Baptist churches here! There are several Lutheran and Catholic churches though, and I didn’t want to just go to a Lutheran church so I went thru RCIA and joined

Wow!!! A town with no “1st Baptist Church of…” ? That surprises me!
And honestly, that is the most unique reason for becoming Catholic I’ve heard yet. Very cool.

 

[CleverUserName]

I was raised without religion in an atheist/secular/ lapsed Catholic home. I wasn’t even baptised and was pretty ignorant about Christianity. I was 14 when I had my 2 moments, and they both had to do with Rome.

Our family was planning a trip to Rome that summer and a few months before my dad gave me to read *Quo Vadis *by H. Sienkiewicz. He said that all the God stuff was nonsense but that the novel will prepare me for understanding ancient (pagan) Rome and appreciating it. I had an unclear, non-defined belief in God at that point and was curious about the book. But halfway through I was a believer! I knew that Jesus was God and I knew I wanted to become a Christian. I kept that to myself, hoping that I would eventually figure out how to join the church.

When we went to Rome I loved visiting those beautiful baroque churches. I was painfully aware that I was not a part of that world and that I wanted to be. When we visited the Vatican and St. Peter’s I felt at home. I decided then I would become Catholic. I’ve never felt that kind of belonging ever since.

So 2 years after that I started RCIA and was received on Pentecost 1993.

That’s my story. The best thing I have ever done.

AMAZING story!!! How did your parents feel about you joining?

 

[CleverUserName]

Hello all, my moment depends upon whetrer or not you believe in the intercession of the dead. My great great Aunt was a nun, she is buried in Lourdes. I found her, I believe she had already found me, during the course of family research. I was already drawn to the Catholic faith,the faith of my Irish ancestors. But when I found her and read her inspirational story, that was my moment. It was such an irresistable feeling that I needed to be Catholic. Now I am, and absolutely sure I am home where I belong, and I feel my little saint is still with me. Thanks be to God

Goosebumps

Wow Lynnette what a connection was made when you “found” her…
Thanks be to God indeed.

 

[CleverUserName]

Hi Lisa, yes I did take her name, which was simply Mary, and I am fortunate enough to have been given a copy of her picture by a distant cousin. But you know the story that gave me my moment was one of a young poor English girl born of Irish parents. She joins the teaching order who had run the poor school in her town. She had no dowry so was never choir, her duties were serving her sisters and the priests. And this she did faithfully all her life, but, according to her obituary she was an example of quiet steadfast faith. On her profession as a young woman, she expressed a desire in prayer to see Lourdes before she died. Her life in the Order took her to Italy, South England and various parts of France. She was born in 1866, in 1944 the convent she was in in France had to evacuated, so she and her Sisters and the children they had in their care were evacuated…to Lourdes. She was then 78, it was February and freezing but Mary Lavinia was ecstatic. Her obituary says that when they arrived at the Convent in Lourdes they were warmly welcomed by the community there, and in the evening they wnet down, over the river to pray at the shrine to our lady. " No one knows what passed between her and Our Lady, but her face was held in rapturous smile " It wasn’t long after this visit that Mary became ill, flu was diagnosed , she died several days later and is buried in the Community grave. What a wonderful reward for so lowly a faithful servant , how faithful is our God. To Him she must have been of great worth in her example of faith and obedience , it makes me feel very humble to think that He had kept her prayer in mind all those years. So she is my inspiration , my little saint.

Ok I already had goosebumps and now this-- THANK YOU for sharing this story! I can see why it affected you so much. Really, thank you for sharing her with us

 

[CleverUserName]

I had been an atheist and converted into a nondenomeational evangelical church. I had two “moments” that led me towards the Catholic Church. When I converted I was an active alcoholic (now sober). One night I was drunk at home alone and had to get out of my house and take a walk. It was around Christmas time and I walked by my local Catholic church and the doors were open and people were decorating the church. I had an indescribable desire to go in and pray. I felt that that church was my true home. I also felt a similar way when I went to a Cistercian monastery for a retreat. I attended the daily masses and felt a strong longing to receive the Eucharist.

All that, in addition to the theology study, pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Congratulations on your sobriety, and may God continue to bless you for it. I have a few that are dear to me that struggle with alcohol addiction. I really enjoyed your story. I am curious as to how things are at that monastery (I love monasteries). Will have to Google them.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

AMAZING story!!! How did your parents feel about you joining?

My mother was pleased. She was a lapsed Catholic who wanted to raise me in faith (to the degree she could I guess) but my father was against it. I think she felt relieved I decided to do it. She came back to church a few years ago, thank God. My father, of course, was shocked and couldn’t understand where I got those primitive ideas from. On the day he stood outside the church (together with his mother, an extremely anti-Christian person) because the church was packed with ‘stinky, sweaty Catholics.’ I never told him he played a part in my conversion. God has a sense of humour, don’t you think?

 

[CleverUserName]

My mother was pleased. She was a lapsed Catholic who wanted to raise me in faith (to the degree she could I guess) but my father was against it. I think she felt relieved I decided to do it. She came back to church a few years ago, thank God. My father, of course, was shocked and couldn’t understand where I got those primitive ideas from. On the day he stood outside the church (together with his mother, an extremely anti-Christian person) because the church was packed with ‘stinky, sweaty Catholics.’ I never told him he played a part in my conversion. God has a sense of humour, don’t you think?

So happy for you and your Mom! Maybe your Dad needs to re-read the book he gave you lol.

 

[dal61]

Mine is a kinda long story…looking back, it seems the Holy Spirit has been working on me for quite a while. I was a very active member of an evangelical congregation for quite a while…and all the while, having quite a negative attitude about Catholicism. About 4 yrs ago,after much, much growth in our church, I became restless…something just didn’t feel right. We still attended,but withdrew from so much involvement (no more committees/boards, Sunday school, social activities)…we visited a couple other, more traditional churches, but returned to our old one…resigned to the fact that God wanted us there, but still didn’t feel quite right.

Then in 2009 BOTH of our daughters became engaged to Catholic guys!! Wow!..so I had to deal with that. Looking at it now, God was getting my feet wet…the first wedding had very little Catholic influence. That son-in-law’s family has fallen away a little, so they did not care too much. but the wedding was held in an old Catholic Church in the country that had been closed a few yrs earlier…so I had to deal with the satues and such…kind of uncomfortable to me, as my attitude was still the same about Catholics…it was like voo-doo to me. So 6 months later (!!!) our second daughter married in to a very devout Catholic family…and not only was the wedding at a huge Catholic Church, a deacon was going to be part of the ceremony!..and boy was I uncomfortable with it all…it was an intense struggle for me …but it all went well.

You probably can guess what happens next in my story…Grandbabies!! Yup, and one of them was going to be baptized in the Catholic Church…Nora was born in January and the baptism was to be in May…I was DREADING it!..but was trying to just give it to God and trust that it was going to be ok…but I really never waivered on the negativity towards the Church…and I could not believe that my grandaughter was going to be Catholic!!! Ok then this Easter Sunday we had some time after church before a family dinner so I was flipping through the TV channels and stopped on ‘The song of Bernedette’…and watched…and I am not kidding you, it was like a switch went of in my head! I cannot explain it. In the 2 hrs or so while I watched, my heart changed…I had to know more about this Faith! And all of a sudden I did not dread the upcoming baptism!..I was looking forward to it!..when we returned home that evening, I found Catholic Answers…and was up until after 1 am reading. And have been studying and reading since then. Even though we know that it will be tough at times…my wife and I are seriously thinking of RCIA this fall. Looking back at it all, I really think that God was preparing me over the last 4 yrs or so…

Sorry for the length of this…Blessings to you.

 

[LisaA]

Mine is a kinda long story…looking back, it seems the Holy Spirit has been working on me for quite a while. I was a very active member of an evangelical congregation for quite a while…and all the while, having quite a negative attitude about Catholicism. About 4 yrs ago,after much, much growth in our church, I became restless…something just didn’t feel right. We still attended,but withdrew from so much involvement (no more committees/boards, Sunday school, social activities)…we visited a couple other, more traditional churches, but returned to our old one…resigned to the fact that God wanted us there, but still didn’t feel quite right.

Then in 2009 BOTH of our daughters became engaged to Catholic guys!! Wow!..so I had to deal with that. Looking at it now, God was getting my feet wet…the first wedding had very little Catholic influence. That son-in-law’s family has fallen away a little, so they did not care too much. but the wedding was held in an old Catholic Church in the country that had been closed a few yrs earlier…so I had to deal with the satues and such…kind of uncomfortable to me, as my attitude was still the same about Catholics…it was like voo-doo to me. So 6 months later (!!!) our second daughter married in to a very devout Catholic family…and not only was the wedding at a huge Catholic Church, a deacon was going to be part of the ceremony!..and boy was I uncomfortable with it all…it was an intense struggle for me …but it all went well.

You probably can guess what happens next in my story…Grandbabies!! Yup, and one of them was going to be baptized in the Catholic Church…Nora was born in January and the baptism was to be in May…I was DREADING it!..but was trying to just give it to God and trust that it was going to be ok…but I really never waivered on the negativity towards the Church…and I could not believe that my grandaughter was going to be Catholic!!! Ok then this Easter Sunday we had some time after church before a family dinner so I was flipping through the TV channels and stopped on ‘The song of Bernedette’…and watched…and I am not kidding you, it was like a switch went of in my head! I cannot explain it. In the 2 hrs or so while I watched, my heart changed…I had to know more about this Faith! And all of a sudden I did not dread the upcoming baptism!..I was looking forward to it!..when we returned home that evening, I found Catholic Answers…and was up until after 1 am reading. And have been studying and reading since then. Even though we know that it will be tough at times…my wife and I are seriously thinking of RCIA this fall. Looking back at it all, I really think that God was preparing me over the last 4 yrs or so…

Sorry for the length of this…Blessings to you.

What a wonderful story and isn’t it amazing how the Holy Spirit works in our lives? I didn’t have to overcome negative feelings about the Catholic church because I was raised without any church tradition but having several former Evangelicals and a Church of Nazarene in my RCIA class I am always so inspired how this negative (and false) is overcome.

I would greatly encourage you to begin the RCIA process. Even if you don’t decide to “swim the Tiber” (and I believe you will!) it will be a way of further exploring, learning and bonding with fellow travelers. I converted seven years ago and now on the RCIA team. It is an amazing and wonderful process.

God bless and may your journey lead you Home
Lisa