Evangelical searching

[DebChris]

Dear Sir,
…
Most of us former Prostestants (yes devout protestants do convert) were stunned when we realized that our education only commenced with the reformation. Nor were we aware that there was a “counter” reformation. That the Catholic Church herself acknowledged that there were abuses that had to be stopped and that the original points that spurred the splitting of the church needed to be examined; that catechetical teaching needed to be improved and that the Priesthood was inconsistantly trained. The very willingness of holy mother church to examine the issues that precipitated the schism, is a surprise to many protestants…
I am not criticising the protestant contribution to Christendom, only pointing out that our education is incomplete. If you can watch, “The Journey Home” moderated by Marcus Grodi (a former Presbyterian Minister) I think your mind will be challenged and your spirit encouraged. Dr. Scott Hahn also teaches on the station and he uses scripture extensively to support his excellent programs.

I know it is scarey to even tread on this material, but truly you haven’t defamed your faith by a decision to be open to more Christian education. Allow yourself the opportunity to learn more and reserve judgement on changing faiths. You haven’t even really studied yet, you don’t have to face telling your wife you are converting yet. Just relax and learn.

blessings,

a sister in Christ

The Church is comprised of sinners. As individuals are called to examine their lives, the Church at large at times will examine the issues it faces. One of the ways this is done is through the Councils. In my discussions with Baptists, I have found that many know more about these Councils then we as Catholics do. They definitely know more than I. Of course their purpose in studying the Councils of the Church, and their understanding of what took place differs from that of Catholics. As Scripture tells us, the first Council took place in Jerusalem.
The holy lives of Saints, such as Francis of Assisi, have the power to convict those in power and help them return what Christ taught.
Learn all you can about what the Church actually teaches. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your decision. Faith is a lifelong journey. While the teachings of the Church are rather simple, the more you learn and apply what you have learned, the deeper you will discover the Faith that we proclaim to be.
“How deep is the wisdom and knowledge of God.”

 

[beardedpilgrim]

I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of your kinds words and encouragement, and most of all, for your prayers.

I have read Scott Hahn’s book, Rome Sweet Home and found it to be a wonderful and compelling read.

The topic did come up with my wife this past weekend, unintentionally, and sadly the outcome was not at all what I hoped.

Still praying for guidance and continuing to search, while working to strengthen my relationship with God and with my wife.

Continued prayers are greatly appreciated, God bless all of you!

 

[zz912]

I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of your kinds words and encouragement, and most of all, for your prayers.

I have read Scott Hahn’s book, Rome Sweet Home and found it to be a wonderful and compelling read.

The topic did come up with my wife this past weekend, unintentionally, and sadly the outcome was not at all what I hoped.

Still praying for guidance and continuing to search, while working to strengthen my relationship with God and with my wife.

Continued prayers are greatly appreciated, God bless all of you!

Offer up your suffering to Jesus, and keep praying. It is all in His time.

 

[Pax]

beardedpilgrim in Christ,

A very practical outcome of your holy and prayerful conversion is becoming a better husband to your wife. This will not go unnoticed. Your wife will not only hear what you are saying about your journey and conversion, but she will become attracted to it by your being a more holy, patient, and loving husband.

God bless.

 

[Waiting]

Currently I am a member of a protestant denomination, the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ. More and more I have started to feel that there is much missing from my church and from protestantism in general. It is important to me that I serve and worship God as authentically and as true as I am able to. About a year ago I began to research Christian history to try and determine which, if any, is the true church that Jesus established. Unsure of my results, I gave up my research after a little while, even though my leanings were pulling me toward Catholicism and Orthodoxy.

Recently my research and passion have begun anew, due in large part to a very good friend of mine who happens to be Catholic. He has been a tremendous help and encouragement to me. I have attended Mass with him once, and want to go with him more often. More and more I am beginning to feel like Catholicism is the one true faith. I am feeling more and more drawn to the Catholic church, but am unsure how to proceed.

I am nervous about sharing this with my wife, as I do not think she will be receptive. She really loves our church and the people there and although she is not anti-Catholic, she does seem to think that the Catholic church is more man-based than God-based.

I want to be true to God, but I also don’t want to tear my family apart. I want my wife and our two children to all worship together and worship fully and truly. I would really appreciate your prayers and also any advice anyone has regarding this, especially if anyone out there has gone through this same thing.

Thank you so much, God bless you all!

You have received much good advice here. I will just add – follow your heart. God evidently has placed this yearning for Him in His fullness in your heart. You will never feel contentment until you have satisfied this longing. Good luck and God bless.

 

[Ivanne]

My heart goes out to you.

When you spoke of the initial discussion with your wife, I thought poor man “It hurts, how it hurts”.

Another key teaching in the RC Church is the concept of “Redemptive Suffering”. This has been such a comfort to me. I am a Sister (nun) who recently left the continuing Anglican Church to become a ROman Catholic. This is the part of the Anglican church that is most similar to the RC. Very conservative, believing in everything that the RC believes in, except the Pope. I had to remove my habit on Easter Eve and begin wearing secular clothing. Yesterday I received a very hurtful letter from my former (Anglican) Bishop. My former religious order was an Anglican order that welcomed RC and Orthodox women as well, I was Abbess. I had hoped we could remain friends, but I’ve learned that is not possible.

Now I can only pray that I can find a place as a sister, in an order within the RC Church. This is challenging, since I was married at 17 and have been divorced for 30 years. My new RC Priest (simply wonderful) has advised me that based on the circumstances of the marriage, I can receive a sacramental nullification. THis voids the former marraige while leaving my (now adult son) as a legitimate child of the union. THis is not a quick process.

Please go online and type something like “Redemptive suffering, Catholic”. You can read sites that explain the concept. There is no analogous teaching in the protestant church. I was so struck by the obvious truth of this. After all, who was Christ if not a living example of redemptive suffering for others? In a nutshell it’s like this. When a woman is in pain while laboring to bring her infant into the world it is truly like a life and death level pain. Yet she does not dispair. Why? Because she is suffering for something…something beautiful. To bring her child into the world. She knows every birth pang brings her baby closer to the light of day. She soldiers on, determined.

When we suffer for nothing, like under communism; it brings a deep darkness. The RC church teaches us to pray a specific prayer and to “offer it up” (the suffering) like a conscious gift. Something like: “Lord I offer this gift of pain for souls. Please Father, have mercy on another who is blinded by unbelief. May the scales fall from his eyes and he be washed by the blood of the lamb. Perhaps, a person who is deluded by the lie that sexual immorality is freedom, or the alcoholic who feels compelled to drink; you choose Father. As I labor in the fields for the sake of my wife’s understanding, apply this weariness, this heart break to the store of riches in the heavenly realm; transfer the gift of it to someone else.”

Of course, you must make the prayer your own, and you will want to read more to thoroughly under stand the concept. But I promise you, it gives one hope and yeilds a comfort that is almost inexplicable. You are no longer just a victim of misery you are a soldier of Christ, who is doing good for the sake of the kingdom.

Sir, this may not be a short journey but one positive is that as you: purchase books, and learn, you will become a powerful appologist for the faith. You can become a help to others, your wife and many more people. Try to reframe the scene as a period of training and scholarship. I cannot promise a pain free experience but the reward is so great. Perhaps if your wife ulimately sees the faith as you do and you both become a devout Roman Catholic couple, you can bring this gift as an inheritance to all the children and their families who come after you.

In any event, you will feel better and learn a great deal that can add to your current understanding of Christ in your denomination.

In Him,

Sr Mary Magdalene