How can I tell my mother I'm interesting in becoming a Catholic

[Kacie08]

In the last couple of years I’ve become closer with my father and his family. They’re Catholic but my mom, grandmother and most friends attend Baptist churches. I want to become Catholic and have felt that this is the right decision for a while. I told my closest friends and one of the three was what I would call supportive. My brother also supports my decision. I have tried to bring up the subject with my mom but she didn’t really listen after I said that I wanted to go to Mass. This was just before Christmas.
I would really appreciate any advice and prayers!

 

[ljubim]

In the last couple of years I’ve become closer with my father and his family. They’re Catholic but my mom, grandmother and most friends attend Baptist churches. I want to become Catholic and have felt that this is the right decision for a while. I told my closest friends and one of the three was what I would call supportive. My brother also supports my decision. I have tried to bring up the subject with my mom but she didn’t really listen after I said that I wanted to go to Mass. This was just before Christmas.
I would really appreciate any advice and prayers!

I would try to get it across that you’re not rejecting her in any way. Also to not give her any reason to think of you as immature and unable to make such decisions. God Bless! Once you start receiving the sacraments you’ll never be the same again

How old are you?

 

[Erin_Anne]

When my husband told his Mom (also a Baptist) that he was becoming a Catholic, she was none too happy, but that’s what he did – he just told her outright. He didn’t ask her permission, nor did he allow her rantings over it to sway his decision. He felt it was what God was calling him to do. She has learned to live with it. Even his Grandmother, a Pentecostal, has been watching EWTN lately.

While we honor and respect our Parents, our relationship with God is our own. Sure, there can and probably will be heated debates, but if you feel the Holy Spirit is compelling you to join the Catholic Church, do so without worry. You’ll be gaining the support of about 1 billion fellow Catholics…

In your education, you will find ways to explain the differences and similarities to your family in a positive/civil way.

Pray about it. Pray for your family’s acceptance. God will handle the rest.

E.A.

 

[Kacie08]

I would try to get it across that you’re not rejecting her in any way. Also to not give her any reason to think of you as immature and unable to make such decisions. God Bless! Once you start receiving the sacraments you’ll never be the same again

How old are you?

1. Im ready to tell her my feelings and how I feel that God is calling me to the Church. I think she’ll probably say oh it’s a phase, college kids experimenting ect. Im doing alot of praying and I am thankful for the what support I do have. I usually try and stay away from doing/saying anything that could cause conflict but I’m praying that God will give me the courage to just tell her.
   Thank you all!

 

[Catholic1954]

You are old enough to make up your own mind. Just take small steps with your Mom and have lots of patience. Most of her objections will turn to be Catholic misinformation and you will be able to help her understand what the Church is really about. Welcome Home!

 

[Major_Tom]

In the last couple of years I’ve become closer with my father and his family. They’re Catholic but my mom, grandmother and most friends attend Baptist churches. I want to become Catholic and have felt that this is the right decision for a while. I told my closest friends and one of the three was what I would call supportive. My brother also supports my decision. I have tried to bring up the subject with my mom but she didn’t really listen after I said that I wanted to go to Mass. This was just before Christmas.
I would really appreciate any advice and prayers!

You already did in the subject line. “Mom, I’m interested in becoming a Catholic.” If the acknowledgement remains cool, or evasive, fine. Then next time you see her, “Mom, I went to mass/spoke to a priest…” whatever. I’d suggest that you keep telling her what you’re doing. First, she can never say “Why didn’t you tell me?!” and second, you’re being respectful by keeping her in the loop, even if she doesn’t want to discuss it. I’m sure she’ll want to discuss it eventually.

 

[Highwayhound]

1. Im ready to tell her my feelings and how I feel that God is calling me to the Church. I think she’ll probably say oh it’s a phase, college kids experimenting ect. Im doing alot of praying and I am thankful for the what support I do have. I usually try and stay away from doing/saying anything that could cause conflict but I’m praying that God will give me the courage to just tell her.
   Thank you all!

It does take time to realize that our parents are God’s creatures just like we are. Once one figures this out it is easier to talk to them about big issues. The talks can also be done without the overwhelming emtions. You still love them, but it is interesting to view them differently.

God bless

 

[Rawb]

I was eighteen when I decided to convert. Now I’m 22. College experimenting? Bah! You don’t experiment with something that takes a year to even begin.

At any rate, I just told my mom I wanted a crucifix. She laughed and said “That’s sort of a Catholic thing isn’t it?” I said “Well Mom, I’m sort of a Catholic.”

I don’t mean to sound glib - will your mom really care? Often I find the thing I’m worried about never turns out near as bad as I thought it would.

 

[Fan_of_M_Ricci]

I usually try and stay away from doing/saying anything that could cause conflict but I’m praying that God will give me the courage to just tell her.

I was 20 when my mother found out that I was joining the Church. I had trouble finding the time/ courage to tell her. My mom’s a liberal Protestant, so her objections probably aren’t the same as your mother’s might be (when she found out, she said I was “too smart to be Catholic”). But I didn’t talk to her about it until my little sister outed me… I guess God planned for it to happen that way, but I would have preferred to tell her without assistance from my sister.

Yeah, she was shocked, and maybe felt a little betrayed (her side of the family had had some less than amicable dealings with the Catholic Church). But over time she saw my conviction, and came to accept it.

Since your mother’s objections might be religious, it could help if you readied yourself with some apologetics (ask your Catholic friends or a priest). Not to tell your mother that you’re right and she’s wrong, but hopefully to convince her that Catholics are Christians (regardless of what some Baptists think). Even if she doesn’t agree with your decision, if you give her sound doctrinal reasons for being Catholic, she may at least respect your reasons and conviction.

Good luck, friend!