Feeling called back to Catholocism

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SevenwatersML

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Good morning. My name is Mandy. I am a 25 year old mother of an almost one year old daughter, married for two and a half years to an amazing man. I was raised Catholic and had my baptism, First Communion and Reconciliation in the church. For the most part, growing up my family mostly did attend church on Sundays. However when I met my husband (who was baptized Anglican but never really raised with any sort of a faith – the result now being that he now is open-minded when it comes to my spirituality and how I want to raise my daughter to be religious but doesn’t really have a belief of his own) to please both sides of the family we were married by a non-denominational Christian minister. We moved around a bit and now we are going to a Presbyterian church since it seemed like a good middle ground. I like it, it’s nice, but I miss the Catholic Mass, liturgy, and focus on Mary a lot. I would like to start attending Mass again but I want my husband to eventually embrace Jesus and I’m worried the tradition and controversy of the Catholic church will make that difficult. I want to raise my daughter a good Christian and have her baptized – what to do?
 
Well as someone who did not grow up attending church, the Catholic church seems very ritualistic to him; and he is liberal-minded with morality issues like homosexuality.
 
Of course begin with prayer…

Tell your husband that You yearn to return to mass, pray together and talk about the reasons you are drawn (for me it was largely the Eucharist). Tell him that this is very important to you and hope he understands. Since you seem to be the spiritual leader in the family…He will hopefully…

As to matters of disagreement…and teaching him (and yourself) more about the Church, start reading…“Catholicism for dummies” might be a good, accurate but “light” way to start.

Bring his concerns here for answers. The folks here are great.

Be patient with him and with yourself as you move forward and hopefully draw him gently with you into a closer relationship with Christ’s Holy Church.

Peace
James
 
I’m much older than you but maybe my experience can help. I also wanted to return to the Catholic church and my husband was really noncommittal. He was going to three different types of churches but not committed fully to any. I told him I really wanted to go back to Catholic and he could do what he wanted but I’d like him to join me. He started going with me just to make me happy.

I had a lot to learn and he had even more to learn. I prayed for him a lot and I started saying the Rosary (after I retaught myself) and going to Adoration. He liked the Quaker church because it was quiet, so I eventually invited him to go to Adoration with me. I said not only is it quiet but Jesus is there too! Now he goes to Adoration twice a week with regular slots.

I prayed the rosary for months and eventually bought him a rosary and taught him how to pray it. I longed for him to understand but he had never had any true catholic teaching so it was like starting at ground zero. Again, I knew he liked meditation so I knew that the rosary would be a good fit but I had to go very slowly with him. Now we both pray the rosary regularly. I encouraged him to join Knights of Columbus bc I thought if he knew other men it would be helpful for him. Now he is a regular member and was named “knight of the month” last month.

I agree with the previous poster who said to pray and just tell him how you feel. He doesn’t have to understand or agree with everything at first. My husband sure didn’t and probably technically still does not know or agree with all catholic teachings. But there has been tremendous progress and growth. If your hb will start going to Mass just to please you, it is a good start and can lead to understanding and commitment down the road.

Forgive my rambling, maybe something here will help.

PS One more thought… at the beginning when he was really noncommittal and I KNEW I had to return to the Catholic church, I decided I had to go back regardless of what he did. Now our children are grown and I didn’t have the issues with raising children catholic, but somehow I think my taking a stand made him follow. 🤷 (not saying you should do that, just sharing my experience)
 
I sat in the Catholic Church with my wife for 20 years proclaiming that I would never become Catholic. I gave her a lot of grief so I understand your concern.

If he is open to going to Church with you, you might want to get him a Missal or Prayer book with the order of the Mass so that he can following along easily and sit where he can receive a blessing from the Priest or let him know that he can remain seated.

My wife also got me a book called “Why do Catholics Do That?” And she told me, “I can’t answer all of your questions.”

I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
 
I think AnneTeresa gave a realistic instrinicly powerful love story. According to the witness of S. John Bosco, adoration and the rosary are the two that will save this culture.

It is written in the Book of Romans, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart. This is the word of faith, which we preach. For if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For, with the heart, we believe unto justice; but, with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith: Whosoever believeth in him, shall not be confounded.”

According to S. Thomas Aquinas confession is a three-fold reality: 1) confession of sins to a priest 2) confession to the trinity of the good things He has made happen for you, and 3) confession to other souls the truth of the faith, committed, convicted, and confident.

This change of heart of confession in the fullness of it comes through a complete ascent to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. It springs from the Mass and has its means in fervent prayer.

I purpose that you teach your children, to love God in the truth of what He teaches through his church, to love God more then they love their family. This is the true humble thing to do. And it will make sense to them later as their life progresses.
 
Dear Sevenwaters,

I think we are sometimes too focused on doctrine. Of course we should be orthodox, but we do not always believe because we agree, but because we love Jesus. I would never come to the same conclusions as the Church on several matters, the only reason I “agree” is because I love Her and trust Her…

Start going to Holy Mass your self, deepen your love for Christ and the Eucharist. What you say about Mary is beautiful, she will help you!

Welcome back! 👍

PS.
In time, you should also make your marriage valid in front of a Priest. However, in order to do this, I think your husband needs to agree on your children being raised Catholic… But do not worry, God will help you! /DS
 
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