Feeling Like Converting

  • Thread starter Thread starter TNMan
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
TNMan said:
Yeah, mine gets kind of the same way. I’ll suggest let’s go to mass and she’ll say “no, because we’ll get sucked in.” I haven’t had the courage to say back, well I’ve got news for you!
Click to expand...
Probably not an appropriate response but I can’t help thinking why are you afraid of that? Are you afraid it’s true? If it is true what would be bad about getting sucked in?
 
I see how that comes across. She loves Mass. She’s said if it wasn’t for all the “other stuff” she’d join. Guess what I meant is I’m afraid of the brining it up I want to convert. Hope that clarifies. Thank you for your response.
 
TNMan said:
I see how that comes across. She loves Mass. She’s said if it wasn’t for all the “other stuff” she’d join.
Click to expand...
I see that as she is not anti Catholic and it may be possible to answer her objections.

What are they specifically?

I think the Holy Spirit may be nudging her too.
 
The typical ones. Worship Mary, purgatory, how can a priest act “as Christ,” etc. She just says there’s too much emphasis on other things than Jesus.

My father-in-law grew up Catholic, so that may help me down the road.
 
Congrats on making the jump. RCIA was fun even though i had already learned plenty in my own personal study, i did learn some things there as well.

I am the only Catholic in a family of protestant Christians. And boy was it challenging dealing with all their vitriol and objections when i revealed my conversion. But i handled it well and i think the Spirit guided me. I knew it was no longer about me and finding a denomination that conformed to me…but now about being a part of the one, Holy Catholic and apostolic church and conforming to it.

I will continue to pray for you and your significant other on your faith journey. Just remain patient and it will all work itself out in the end my friend.
 
TNMan said:
I know I can’t “intellect” her into converting. Just have to let the Spirit work.
Click to expand...
I understand what you are saying, but I did read my way into the Catholic Church - then my heart had to catch up! It didn’t take long. One Mass and I was sold.
 
TNMan said:
The typical ones. Worship Mary, purgatory, how can a priest act “as Christ,” etc. She just says there’s too much emphasis on other things than Jesus.
Click to expand...
I can sympathize that it is difficult to view these issues in any other way than what one is used to.

Catholics see everything, everything in our religion as pointing to Jesus and His resurrection. Often all that is needed, is a vision adjustment. 🔎
 
Last edited:
I went with my wife and daughter to the church we currently belong to this morning and the entire time I felt God telling me to come home. As bad as it sounds, I just didn’t want to be there this morning. I also did not partake in Holy Communion for the first time in as long as I can remember. I think I’m going to talk to my wife today and email the local parish about RCIA.

Thank you all for the prayers and words of encouragement.
 
Last edited:
Interesting discussion y’all are having. I’m trying to visualize how I would react if my husband (Agnostic like me) came home and told me he wanted to join the Church. Perhaps my family is just different but I would support him. I would, however make it clear that it is his journey, not mine. I would have no problem discussing what he would learn in RCIA. I’d be interested in that, too.

I think that as long as you’re clear that this is YOUR journey and you place no expectations on her/him then there shouldn’t be major problems. Many minor ones you’ll have to work out will, of course, occur but like any discussion or disagreements you will face them one at a time. There might be areas where you have to give in to her wishes and areas where she has to give in to yours. Acknowledge those. Even if it makes it sound like a business negotiation.

I assume the faith of the children would be a big problem unless you decide before hand that this is one decision you will let her have. As hard as that might be for a Catholic, the marriage itself is important, too. And things may change down the road as she…hopefully…gains understanding of what Catholics really believe vs. what she thinks they believe.

Talk to your spouse. Your fears may be grounded and they may be ungrounded…you won’t know and can’t deal with it until you let her in on it! And in all discussions, remember to tell her you love her very much and know this is a hard for her.
 
Pattylt said:
I’d be interested in that, too.
Click to expand...
I first began RCIA not to join the Catholic Faith, but to learn more about my wife’s faith. I had no intention of joining. I had decided to convert by the new year.
 
Well that conversation went about like I thought. “Do you want to be a part of a church that covers up abuse and rape?” “They are works-based.” “How do we know that the church hasn’t added onto what the Apostles taught and that it’s right?” “The pay worship Mary.” “I just don’t think God cares about the extra stuff. Jesus died for us and that’s all that should matter.”

Ultimately she said it’s my decision but it’s something I’d do on my own. Tough to hear that but didn’t expect her to be on board.

Appreciate continued prayers.
 
Scott Hahn’s conversion story is quite compelling, as his wife had hopes of becoming a Protestant pastor’s wife. She stuck with Hahn despite how much it hurt her at the time. Kimberly Hahn eventually converted, herself, to Catholicism.
 
Actually today’s Gospel for the Mass, Jesus talks about how He wishes the world was already on fire.( paraphrasing obviously), and how a household of five will be divided three against two and two against three. Dont let the fear of Rejection keep you from the Church. Pray for them. And realize that you may be the strongest evidence of the faith that they might need to join you.
 
Pattylt said:
I think that as long as you’re clear that this is YOUR journey and you place no expectations on her/him then there shouldn’t be major problems.
Click to expand...
I think this depends on a couple’s specific history.

My husband and I met in seminary 16 years ago. The ground on which our relationship was built was our common faith. Of course, over the years, we developed a bond which goes far beyond that, but there’s still that feeling that I’m betraying something which was precious to us both (in fact, we probably wouldn’t be married by now had I not be Protestant when we met).

And there’s what I call the “truth issue”. To him, I’m leaving the fulness of truth for something that is less true. To me, I’m leaving something less true for the fulness of truth. That’s a big deal in a house where the essential thing is seen as being faithful to Truth incarnate, Christ. It makes it more difficult to just say “well, it’s your choice and your journey.”
 
I feel for you, man. My mother up front blasted at me: “ What is Lutheranism not good enough for you?” That hurt hearing that. My parents really don’t like hearing me discuss my Faith with my kids at the dinner table. It’s hard sometimes being Catholic in a Lutheran family.

As for your feeling about going to Mass and the Church in general: Just stick out, brother. This too shall pass as my fiancé tells me. I’ll be praying for you.
 
Thank you. I’m going to go to Mass Sunday and try to speak to a priest afterwards.

This morning my wife has been sending me things she disagrees with, but has reiterated that “if you need to check it out, do it, but we (her and my daughter) won’t be doing it with you.” As I stated earlier, sucks to hear that, but she’s not necessarily mad at me.

I told her I’ve been praying for a while on this and I feel like it’s either God making it clear to me, or He’s handed me over to the Devil. He promises that whoever seeks Him, He won’t turn away, so I told her I believe it’s the former. I think that’s where she more or less “came around.” Thanks for the prayers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top