E
ericss
Guest
I am looking for some wisdom and advice from those who may have faced a similar situation. First some background about myself: as a youth I was raised in the Lutheran church, baptised and confirmed, although I never took religion very seriously. I suppose that was because even though my mother was serious in her Lutheran faith, my father did not practice a religion (agnostic might be the best way to describe him) and that probably rubbed off on me. I always felt a spiritual need however, and in my 20s I began a spiritual quest which led me mostly to investigate various Eastern practices. For the past several years I have been involved in a Buddhist practice. I do not view this as a religion, however, but as a practical guide for conducting oneself in the world. Indeed, there are a number of fundamental precepts in this practice which I find affirming: compassion and reverence for life, loving kindness and generosity, sexual responsibility, loving speech and deep listening, good physical and mental health.
Recently, seemingly out of nowhere, a voice began speaking to me (internally of course - I don’t claim to be receiving visions!
). And what it said surprised me totally: “become a Catholic”! In all of my spiritual wanderings, the idea of becoming a practicing Christian, let alone a Catholic, has really never presented itself to me. And yet this message has been very urgent. So for a few months now I have been reading a lot about Catholics and Catholicism online (which is how I discovered these forums). What I have found has reinforced the desire within me to move in this direction.
I would like to take the next step and find an RCIA program. I admit that I am scared, though, at the reaction I might receive from my wife and my father (my mother has passed on). My wife, who coincidentally was also raised as a Lutheran but has not been a practicing Christian for many years, has never raised any objections to my spiritual investigations. But I feel that this might be different in that she may view the Catholic Church as in some ways a controlling influence that might threaten our marriage, in a way that other spiritual practices do not. (And there is also the question of whether our marriage would be considered valid by the Church, since we both had a previous marriage and divorce, and that may be complicated.) My father, I am very certain, would not understand my motivation at all. While he would be unlikely to oppose such a step directly even if he could, I’m afraid it could drive a wedge between us. So I am looking for advice from anyone who may have faced a similar situation - how do you feel these personal relationship issues may best be handled? Would it be wise to seek the advice of a priest before even bringing it up with my wife and father?
One other issue: I am not sure of the best way to seek out a parish. There are at least four Catholic churches in my area, the closest two being about equidistant from me. Is it best to visit each one individually, witness each mass, maybe talk individually with the different pastors? Or is there a better way to approach it?
Thank you for any advice you might offer!
Eric
Recently, seemingly out of nowhere, a voice began speaking to me (internally of course - I don’t claim to be receiving visions!
). And what it said surprised me totally: “become a Catholic”! In all of my spiritual wanderings, the idea of becoming a practicing Christian, let alone a Catholic, has really never presented itself to me. And yet this message has been very urgent. So for a few months now I have been reading a lot about Catholics and Catholicism online (which is how I discovered these forums). What I have found has reinforced the desire within me to move in this direction.I would like to take the next step and find an RCIA program. I admit that I am scared, though, at the reaction I might receive from my wife and my father (my mother has passed on). My wife, who coincidentally was also raised as a Lutheran but has not been a practicing Christian for many years, has never raised any objections to my spiritual investigations. But I feel that this might be different in that she may view the Catholic Church as in some ways a controlling influence that might threaten our marriage, in a way that other spiritual practices do not. (And there is also the question of whether our marriage would be considered valid by the Church, since we both had a previous marriage and divorce, and that may be complicated.) My father, I am very certain, would not understand my motivation at all. While he would be unlikely to oppose such a step directly even if he could, I’m afraid it could drive a wedge between us. So I am looking for advice from anyone who may have faced a similar situation - how do you feel these personal relationship issues may best be handled? Would it be wise to seek the advice of a priest before even bringing it up with my wife and father?
One other issue: I am not sure of the best way to seek out a parish. There are at least four Catholic churches in my area, the closest two being about equidistant from me. Is it best to visit each one individually, witness each mass, maybe talk individually with the different pastors? Or is there a better way to approach it?
Thank you for any advice you might offer!
Eric
