How do I know if I was really meant to be Catholic and I’m not just confused?

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angel6288

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I’ve been going to Mass two years every day faithfully and following all of the practices of the church but, one question remains was I really meant to be Catholic or follow in my grandmother’s footsteps and become a minister. I’ve mentioned before how my mom thinks I’m confused and how I should stick with my family. She sees me as the Prodigal Child and thinks I’m either lost or confused because everyone in the Bible stuck with their families and I’m the only one who veered off. I always tell her that Jesus was a Jew that founded the Catholic Church and I always tell her that the whole mass is in Revelation, which makes her say that everyone has taken the Bible and added to it and the KJV is the closest thing to how the Bible was truly written. I think I’m starting to believe her and maybe I wasn’t meant to be Catholic when everything inside of me says I am. I’ve already taken a break from the faith until I know for sure that I’m not confused. Trust me, anyone that goes to Mass in -14-degree weather with no car is not confused. I’ve been praying that maybe this pathway will lead me to Religious life but, I know that it will only hurt my mother. I’ve turned into the laughing stock of the family for wanting to become Catholic and maybe even a Nun. I’ve never been so serious about anything and so dedicated to anything in my entire life. If I miss one day of Mass I feel like I have sinned big. How do I know that this is all real and I’m not just forcing my way into where I don’t belong like my mother thinks.
I just turned 21 and I am old enough to make my own decisions but, this is really hard. My mom thinks there’s different God’s in different faiths and I need to go back to the way I was raised which, was the Pentecostal faith to find God the right way. She says all the mistakes I’ve made is because I am not finding the right God. People do make mistakes no one is perfect and it doesn’t matter what Church you go to. After what happened with Adam and Eve, we are all created with original sin on our shoulders. What makes us a saint and separates us from the rest is our willingness to do and be better. The Catholic faith has taught me so much and has helped me become a better person by opening my eyes to so many things I had no idea I was blind to.
Taking a break from the church is what’s best for now and I know that if God truly wants me to be Catholic I can always go back to my parish. I am trying my best to obey my mother while also trying to figure out what I am supposed to do. Ash Wednesday and last Thursday were my last two days going to mass. Even though I’ve been going the last two years and my mom hasn’t known anything about it. I’d just rather give up my faith and its entirety than continue going to mass and being dishonest while I live with her.
If I had a child who went to Mass every day, had friends who were Sisters, and spent time alone in prayer I would be happy.
 
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

Matthew 10:37

But he said to them, “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Like 8:21

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”

John 19:25-26

Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:29-31

There is a hierarchy in the commandments of God and the greatest and first commandment is to love the Lord.

The Catholic Church also has its own love of the charismatic gifts but they are secondary to the liturgy which focuses on loving our Lord and receiving him in the bread and wine.

So I am not telling you what to do, just sharing insight.
 
In my opinion

Everyone is “meant” to be Catholic as it is the Church Jesus founded for all God’s people on Earth

While not everyone will be Catholic
It is meant for everyone
 
I come from a Protestant family. After always admiring the Catholic Church, I started going to Mass. Like you, it was hard to miss a day. There were times I had my doubts. But I persevered. It took a lot of praying, but I knew that the desire to be at Mass was the real revelation – that I needed to be Catholic. I studied everything about Catholicism, and joined private RCIA sessions, since I was baptized in the Protestant Church, I just had to receive the rest of my sacraments: Reconciliation, Confirmation, Communion.
To this day I go to mass 3-5 days a week and Sunday Mass.
I couldn’t imagine not being Catholic.
This is the real deal. The Catholic Church is the one true church.
People will try to persuade you to other religions or christian denominations…in my experience that is Satan working, he doesn’t want you to be Catholic, because the Catholic Church is where Jesus is…and Satan hates that!
 
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There are books like:
Surprised by Truth 2: 15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons For Becoming Catholic
by Patrick Madrid

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism
by Scott Hahn

Of people born into one faith, and determining through prayer & study that the Catholic faith was the true faith.

And then there is the idea that Sola Scriptura doesn’t make sense. Other Christians believe in the Bible (except for the 7 books the KJV took out), however they omit the traditions… which, if you look at how the Bible was put together, wouldn’t you trust the people who decided which books were divinely inspired? There’s a you tube video by a Catholic man about that… but my internet isn’t cooperating so I can’t find it for you.

I feel sorry for other Christians, it’s like they have the cake, without the icing. Catholicism is so rich with the liturgical year, saints, 2000 years of history… The sacraments are really a beautiful part that other religions are missing.

Perhaps God brought you to the Catholic faith so you could bring the rest of your family to the truth as well.

If you look back far enough in your family history, before they were Pentecostal, they were probably Catholic… And before that, Jewish, just like Jesus. 😉
 
It sounds like you’ve already overcome more hurdles to be part of the Catholic Church than most people I know. That to me suggests that the Catholic Church is where you’re meant to be. It must be hard to deal with a family full of naysayers, but remember that many great saints both in the early Church and nowadays who felt called to the Catholic Church had to put up with negativity from their families.

Rhoda Wise felt called to be a Catholic since she was a teenager, but her Protestant parents didn’t like Catholics so she had to hide it. When she finally did convert in middle age, her sisters and her father (her mother had died) mocked her and continued to hate on Catholics. She ended up having to take care of her elderly father and let him live with her and her husband and daughter in a really tiny house, and her dad continued to hate on Catholicism till the end of his life. Rhoda is a Servant of God on the path to sainthood today.

I will pray for you that you persevere in your Catholic faith, as it seems God is calling you pretty strongly.
 
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I’ve been a member of the RCIA team at my parish for 20+ years.
A few years ago, we had a Catechumen whose father and grandfather are Pentecostal ministers - you think you’re being pressured?
He was received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2016, and he and his wife are proudly raising their son in the Catholic Church. He and his wife are both very active in their parish.
As you know in your heart, Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist - this is why the Mass is unique among all forms of worship, and this is what is attracting you, just as it has attracted so many before you…
I pray that you will listen to your heart, and come home to the Catholic Church.
 
Do you love Jesus? Do you believe that He gave us the Church?

If you really believe, then, how can it be that you’d say “ah, I’m taking a break from you.”
 
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Speak to a Catholic priest. I hope you stay Catholic!
 
Because I live with my mom and she’s already threatened to throw me out multiple times because of my faith. It’s either I’m not helping enough or I spend too much time being Mother Teresa and helping others when I should spend more time helping my family. She says I’m not the person she raised and that I erased my entire childhood and erased my grandmother out who has been gone 10 years almost. My mother wants me to have kids and be a minister in the Pentecostal faith when I want to spend the rest of my life married to Jesus and servicing others. I knew I was supposed to become Catholic every since I walked into my parish for the first time but, now I’m not so sure. My heart aches every time I think about leaving the church or try leaving. The longest I’ve been without the Mass is two weeks and that was hard. I didn’t feel the same as I usually do. My energy comes from Mass and praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as, helping others find their calling. I have talked to my priest about this and a few of my friends who are Sisters. Everyone says to pray and continue doing what makes me happy but, I hate for my mom to find out I’ve been going after she has told me repeatedly to stop and that this isn’t for me. She has told me repeatedly that I’m dishonoring my grandmother and she gets really mad at the mentioning if the church. She will throw me out if I continue to keep going and I can’t afford to live in my own right now she’s emphasized this as well.
 
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You are an adult. We are to love and respect our parents, our family, however now that you are an adult you can practice your faith (at least in the US, you are legally an adult).

Speak to the Sisters, your friends at the parish about finding a room to rent.

Are you in school? Do you have a job?
 
I’m currently taking a break from school and yes I do work. I’m working on finding a better job as well. This wouldn’t be so hard if I didn’t live with my mom. I love her and I’m trying my best to respect her/live by her rules since I live with her. She’s trying to force me to be who she wants me to be. I wouldn’t have gone to mass and been so dedicated to the faith for two years. I have even helped my grandmother’s brother and his wife become Catholic. I have continuously stood by and defended my faith for two years to the fullest extent.
 
It sounds as if you are close to people at your parish. Open up to them. Let them help you find freedom to be the woman God intends you to be.
 
I always go to my parish family for advice especially, my priest and a good friend of mine who’s a Nun. Since my mother has told me I’m no longer able to go. She’s even banned me from helping with the St. Vincent De Paul Society on Thursdays because she doesn’t want me anywhere near the church. I sneak out occasionally and go down to the USF where the Franciscan Sisters are but, that’s mostly because I have a friend who goes to school there. My mom gets angry if she thinks I’m anywhere near the church. I’m running out of lies and usually I just say I’m at the library which, is nearby. But, she just got a new car and we’ve been spending more time together so I haven’t been able to go anywhere except hang out with her and to work.
 
I haven’t decided to leave just yet because I know in my heart I can never leave. I’m just taking a break until I known for sure what God wants me to do and this Lenten season is helping do that. I’m working on spending more time in prayer and silence in order to hear our Lord’s voice. But, I’m definitely not leaving the church just yet.
 
For what it’s worth, your posts don’t sound like the ramblings of a confused person.
 
Trust me anyone who hangs out with Nuns and goes to mass half as much as me and does half as much as me is not confused. I’ve even tried explaining this to my mom. She says anyone who ventures of the path that their families have followed for years is confused and has no regard for family or tradition.
 
I’ve grown up in the Catholic faith and even I asked if this is where I should be. After much prayer and study I decided this is exactly where I should be.

Angel 6288, I pray you find peace.
 
I’m sorry you have to deal with that. 😦 Praying for you and your mom.

You seem to have answered your own question: you are not confused. So the only other option in the thread title must be true. You’re meant to be Catholic. :+1:t3:

It’s not an easy road for any of us, though our particular challenges may vary greatly. (Don’t get me started on mine 😀:roll_eyes:)
 
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