Have you ever tried to convert a person to be catholic?

[Evangelical_chr]

Have you tried to convert someone to be catholic?

Has your church assembly taught you how to convert a person?

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

 

[GLam8833]

I have met MANY who have left the Catholic
Church and is now Protestant, they know
about the Sacraments and the Catholic teach-
ing on Salvation and they DON’T want to come
back “Home”.

That said, we can do more by Praying for them
and loving them as Siblings in Christ.

Many stories of conversion to the Catholic Faith
could be seen on “The Journey Home” on the
EWTN channel on TV or EWTN.com.

 

[OraLabora]

Have you tried to convert someone to be catholic?

Has your church assembly taught you how to convert a person?

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

No. We don’t conflate proselytization with evangelization. In my tradition (Benedictine) we evangelize by the conduct of our personal lives.

I am married to a Protestant and it would never occur to me to try to “convert” her other than through prayer.

I don’t know any converts off the top of my head, the reality of the area where I live is that most, some 90%, at least have some kind of Catholic background. I do know however, several that have returned to the Church after a long absence (myself included). I do know some evangelicals who tried to convert me when I was dipping my toe in the water of Christianity again after my absence.

They were all Bible, all the time. So they convinced me to read the Bible. I did. The natural progression to that was not to join their church, but to return to mine. What I read simply didn’t square with what they were telling me, in particular about the Eucharist and the relationship between faith/works, justification/salvation.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Yep. My wife. I just decided to start living up to my faith, and my wife said she would like to convert from Episcopalian to Catholic! Wouldn’t exactly call it evangelization tho, we’ve been married 36 years!

You could say it was by example? Yeah, not the best for awhile, I know!

 

[Bonnie]

I’m a convert. No one converted me - it just happened. I wouldn’t try to convert anyone. If someone has questions & asks me, I’ll answer as best I can. If someone has misconceptions about the Catholic Church & is being public about it, I’ll tell truth - kindly. Conversion is between each person & God.

 

[johnnyc176]

Have you tried to convert someone to be catholic?

I don’t try to convert. I live in the South…all I have to do is wait for them to try and convert me and then I start asking them questions lol.

Has your church assembly taught you how to convert a person?

FYI…We don’t call them church assemblies. They are referred to as parishes but we will say when talking to other Catholics I go to ‘St. Ann’s church’. In the Catholic Faith we call it apologetics. How to defend the Faith. I know many parishes that have classes on how to defend the Faith. But also outside of parishes. This whole website that you have found Catholic Answers is for that purpose.

There are ministries that do public evangelization like the St. Paul Street Evangelization. But even there they are mainly there to answer questions but with a public presence. They also hand out literature and Rosary beads.

There is also the Legion of Mary. They do go door to door but they are trying to reach lapsed Catholics.

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

Yes I know quite a few. The main reasons I have heard of why people came Home to the Catholic Church was Truth and the Eucharist.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

I am in the process of

1. He who doesnt believe he has a soul, and there is a God
2. Unbaptised , unsure what she really believes but will raise her kids as baptised Catholic
3. Lukewarm catholic who has had so many setbacks in life
4. One catholic and family kind of lukewarm
5. One strayed very far.

So my weapons are prayer. When the opportunity arises I talk about God.

Hows it going.

1, actually said a prayer - that wasnt immediately answered his way, now angry at God. This is a massive step - the prayer. I explained God isnt on our time.
And he is angry at God, whom he previously believed did not exist. Thanks be to God!
2. Is finding prayers said for her answered. Is changing. Allows st John Paul to be around her as a card in situations.

1. Same as 2. Had a recent very lucky escape from disaster.
2. Becoming very much off the fence and requesting prayer for her and family.
3. Her rantings to others are doing God’s work in spreading the Word about God to them, while she is still very far away.

So we shall see. Its a long slow process.
Its important to try to warm up those lukewarm catholics too.

God bless us in our efforts to Glorify Him

For my part, I am learning and becoming solid on Catholic tradition , and learning how to dialogue rather then debate.

Debate leads to argument and shut down. Dialogue might go something like … this is Jesus. Do you think of Him, or know of Him, especially on Easter/ Christmas/ challenging situations.

I also make no excuses for my Faith, and will say 'if it was good enough for Jesus to be born in a stable, covered in straw, homeless in His Ministry as He went through different towns, its ok not to chase that material thing. That can create a lot of reflection, especially for those struggling.
I point out that there really is the devil too.

I find I have to be open and honest, live by the commandments, not argue , show patience and Love.

The number one thrown in my face on being and living Catholic is historic sexual abuse. Its quite a tough climate at the moment here.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Have you tried to convert someone to be catholic?

Has your church assembly taught you how to convert a person?

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

No, and It would never even occur to me to do so.

Catholic parishes do not teach how to convert someone, not even close.

Yes, I know several converts well. Some because of marriage. I’ve also heard of an attraction to the Church’s stability and reasoning.

 

[OraLabora]

Correction I know two coverts. One through marriage. The other became a monk and priest. Both were previously Anglican.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Have you tried to convert someone to be catholic?

No. But as someone involved in RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), I’ve accompanied people who were led by the Holy Spirit.

Has your church assembly taught you how to convert a person?

No. First of all, any conversion of heart is done by the Holy Spirit, not by any person. With that said, I am certified in the ministry of Christian Initiation through a Catholic university.

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

Many people with many different reasons. People are drawn to different aspects of the Church, mostly with the belief that she teaches the truth. Some are attracted by the history, the theology, the art, the ritual. Some are attracted by the lives of Catholics they know. Some are attracted by their spouses or fiances and the idea of sharing both their lives and their faith.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Are you thinking of converting ? Evangelical cr?

Our Priests teach us to share the Gospel, and the best way to do this is in how we live and conduct ourselves.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Have you tried to convert someone to be catholic?

Never really tried to convert anyone - not my role, but I have assisted more than one intending to or interested.

Has your church assembly taught you how to convert a person?

Catholics live good Catholic lives and let that speak for what it is. The Holy Spirit is in charge of conversions. We don’t do proselytism.

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

Several, myself included. Most say it’s because they found the truth of Christ or felt his presence as never before experienced.

 

[pianistclare]

No, and It would never even occur to me to do so.

Catholic parishes do not teach how to convert someone, not even close.

Yes, I know several converts well. Some because of marriage. I’ve also heard of an attraction to the Church’s stability and reasoning.

This.
If someone comes to me for answers, I give them, or steer them to the best answer from a priest. But no, I don’t “try” to convert people. I’ve taught many children, and their parents have said they converted because of what the children came home and talked about around the dinner table.
But that’s the Holy Spirit, not me.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

Yeah, my dad converted because my mom wasn’t going to marry him unless he did, and also he had apparently been fascinated for years with monks and often thought he might want to be one. Considering how staunchly Protestant and anti-Catholic his hometown was, that idea must have gone over like a lead balloon with his relatives and neighbors.

Several other family members converted to Catholicism to marry their spouses. In at least one and maybe 2 cases, there was an unplanned unwed pregnancy involved.

The neighbor across the street when I was little had a Catholic wife but was not Catholic himself. He converted on his deathbed. I don’t know what finally moved him.

I’m still working on my own husband. If you want to help, pray that he converts, please.

 

[rabbitdonkey]

missionaries help to convert people and probably learn how to share the Gospel well.

God Bless

 

[corsair]

I was a bloody heathen when I met my wife to be. However, I had been searching for sometime and was curious as she was Catholic. she took me to my first Mass (1965).

I was struck by the Holiness of it. So when I asked her to marry me, we met with the priest. He said I had to have some instruction. I said, “cool”. He advised me NOT to convert because my wife wanted me to. He said to convert ONLY when I was truly ready. Four years after we were married I was ready. Boy was I ready!

Since then we were fortunate enough to assist two young people to convert, one married a son of ours. But we told both of the young ones, do it if that is what YOU want. Of our seven kids, 5 have fallen away and two are faithful still. It’s a tough world out there. So now prayer is our main tool.

If it worked for St. Monica, it can work for you and me.

 

[Angela77]

Have you tried to convert someone to be catholic?

Has your church assembly taught you how to convert a person?

Do you know any one who was converted to Catholic ? And why they converted?

1. Depends on what you mean by “trying to convert someone.” I feel very strongly about my Catholic faith and I have experienced so much joy from being Catholic that I want everyone else to be Catholic. I do actively try to evangelize, while fully respecting the other person’s agency. I try to always make it clear to people that I am Catholic so that I can witness to them by my actions and so that they feel comfortable to ask my questions about my faith. I also pray for people’s conversions a lot. While I want everyone to be Catholic, it’s not like my motive for being around non-Catholics is to convert them. I genuinely like making new friends and getting to know people.
2. The Catholic Church does not tend to teach people to evangelize, but there are some organizations changing that, such as St. Paul Street Evangelization. The best way to learn to evangelize is to have been evangelized yourself. I was most strongly evangelized by what I saw in serious Catholics–great joy, great kindness, great humility, great purpose.
3. Yes! Usually for theological reasons.

 

[GladTidings]

Looking back, Catholics I knew when I was younger helped me decide to become Catholic.

Including, but not limited to:

My buddy in first and second grade, my chaste girlfriend in high school, people at the YMCA where I volunteered. People where I worked. My future wife and mother of my children.

I believe the Holy Spirit placed people in my life for the ultimate goal of my becoming Catholic.

When I was a kid, I was encouraged to tell people about Jesus and invite them to the non-denominational church we attended to try to “save” them. I did this although it was not easy.

Now what I do is wear Catholic themed shirts to work and show love and kindness even when it is difficult. Also I pray for people in my mind when standing next to them.

 

[Hmgbrd]

No, and It would never even occur to me to do so.

Catholic parishes do not teach how to convert someone, not even close.

Yes, I know several converts well. Some because of marriage. I’ve also heard of an attraction to the Church’s stability and reasoning.

I can add that conversion is a matter of the heart. This is ultimately the work of the Holy
Spirit and not any specific group or individuals.

 

[Brendan_64]

I can add that conversion is a matter of the heart. This is ultimately the work of the Holy
Spirit and not any specific group or individuals.

I agree. Although individuals (and groups) can play a very important role, through witness and evangelisation in opening the person’s heart and mind so that they will be receptive.