Getting my wife back to church and having a religious household

[mkipp]

I am now a non Catholic but will begin the RCIA classes in September, and I am very excited. My wife is Catholic yet rarely attends mass. How can i get her back into wanting to attend church with me. Also, I wanted to have our marriage and home be more religious. Any suggestions?

 

[rpp]

I am now a non Catholic but will begin the RCIA classes in September, and I am very excited. My wife is Catholic yet rarely attends mass. How can i get her back into wanting to attend church with me. Also, I wanted to have our marriage and home be more religious. Any suggestions?

First, welcome to the Church! May God bless you as you learn more about the Catholic Church.

I am curious about what has motivated you to come to the Catholic Church. Could you tells us, please? Like many here, I too am a convert and enjoy hearing about what leads people into the Church.

As for your wife, consider asking her to join you at the RCIA classes. When I went through RCIA, the wife of one convert, who was a cradle-Catholic, participated as well well.

I would also encourage you to do a little study on the side. There is a great book (with a really terrible title) that I really liked. It is Catholicism for Dummies for Father John Trigilio and Father Kenneth Brighenti. You can get it here.

 

[jmcrae]

I am now a non Catholic but will begin the RCIA classes in September, and I am very excited. My wife is Catholic yet rarely attends mass. How can i get her back into wanting to attend church with me. Also, I wanted to have our marriage and home be more religious. Any suggestions?

Ask her to join you at Mass and at RCIA to see what you are learning. Tell her that you want her help.

 

[mkipp]

I grew up in a Protestant church and was never really inspired by god’s word through the church. It seemed that Jesus/God was not mentioned as much as social issues were. I am now almost thirty, and have been searching for a religion and or something to believe in that is bigger than me. I have always felt a connection to Christ, but I want him with me at all times and want to live a better life. After the last six months I have read a lot about the Catholic Church and their traditions. I really feel inspired and at peace more than I have in a long time just thinking that someday I will be a Catholic. People think that I am crazy that I want to join. Yet, I have felt a serious calling to the Church. I also really admire the Pope Benedict a lot and his theory of peace. I just want to get my Catholic wife interested, and also have a more religious home and marriage.

 

[mercygate]

I grew up in a Protestant church and was never really inspired by god’s word through the church. It seemed that Jesus/God was not mentioned as much as social issues were. I am now almost thirty, and have been searching for a religion and or something to believe in that is bigger than me. I have always felt a connection to Christ, but I want him with me at all times and want to live a better life. After the last six months I have read a lot about the Catholic Church and their traditions. I really feel inspired and at peace more than I have in a long time just thinking that someday I will be a Catholic. People think that I am crazy that I want to join. Yet, I have felt a serious calling to the Church. I also really admire the Pope Benedict a lot and his theory of peace. I just want to get my Catholic wife interested, and also have a more religious home and marriage.

As you grow in faith and become more articulate about it, as you increase in prayer and develop a strong spirituality of family life, your wife will be drawn to follow you and to grow with you. You will hardly have to say a word. As Scott Hahn’s spiritual director advised him when his wife was havng trouble with his conversion: Back off the doctrine and beef up the romance!

 

[IrishDude45]

I think everyone has made very good suggestions about getting your wife to be more involved with the Church. As far as creating a religious household these are my humble suggestions:

1. Go to Mass every Sunday with entire family.
2. Pray the rosary nightly as a family.
3. Say the meal prayers before and after each family meal
4. Have a crucifix in the rooms of your house where you spend the most time.
5. Discuss the Church and religious matters as a family!

Good luck!

In Christ,
Irish

 

[jimcav]

I am now a non Catholic but will begin the RCIA classes in September, and I am very excited. My wife is Catholic yet rarely attends mass. How can i get her back into wanting to attend church with me. Also, I wanted to have our marriage and home be more religious. Any suggestions?

Just go to church and attend RCIA!

Don’t force her into going to church. Become her example. Show her through actions and faith that following the Lord has made you a better person, and a more holy person and I think eventually your wife will want to become part of something that is so profound and lifechanging…

Oh, and don’t forget to pray alot for your wife!

 

[RUINATION_IPA]

I think everyone has made very good suggestions about getting your wife to be more involved with the Church. As far as creating a religious household these are my humble suggestions:

1. Go to Mass every Sunday with entire family.
2. Pray the rosary nightly as a family.
3. Say the meal prayers before and after each family meal
4. Have a crucifix in the rooms of your house where you spend the most time.
5. Discuss the Church and religious matters as a family!

Good luck!

In Christ,
Irish

Excellent advice… my wife would occassionaly wake up at 6 am to find me praying the rosary, kneeling, before work. When she finally converted she told me that it had quite an impact on her to see me praying everyday alone. We would have religious discussion all the time and she was VERY open to the truth and converted 3 months after our marriage.

 

[JohnPaul64]

Pray the rosary everyday and ask the Blessed Mother to help. Ask for her conversion in prayer every day.