What distinctively Catholic doctrines/dogmas/virtues, etc played a very large role in your considering conversion (also compare and contrast this with your previous faith)?
If your family also practices (or practiced) this prior faith, what was their reaction to your conversion (or plans for conversion)?
The Eucharist (namely the Real Presence of our Lord via transubstantiation). This dogma in essense “sealed the deal” for me. Compared to the faith of my fathers (Mormonism)? Let’s just say that the Mormon belief about “the Lord’s Supper” is pretty much identical to mainstream Protestant Christianity, that it is merely a symbol of our continual covenent with Christ. Although the Mormons do at least partake of this rite (that they ironically call “the Sacrament”) every week on Sunday (which is much more than many Protestants do).
My family’s reaction?
Well, so far only my brother (who left the LDS church a few years ago) and my devout Mother know. My brother gave me a high five (which was expected) and my Mother hugged me, congratulated me and asked if she could witness my baptism (which was a HUGE surprise).
Currently, I don’t really care to tell my extended family. As far as the rest of my immediate family, I fear disowning (especially from my uber-devout, Stake President of a father).
the Real Presence, Apostolic succession, the age of the Church, the lives of the saints, people’s willingness to have intellectual conversation with me and to argue doctrine in depth.
Most of them didn’t, but some did and had more than one response. One who was very close to me, who played a big part in my becoming a Christian in the first place, tried to argue me out of it. The rest are happy about it.
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