I am scared to become a Catholic

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andyklein

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Hello,

This is my first post on this website, so I hope I am posting this in the right place. I am 19 years old, never been baptized, raised without a particular religion, and somehow I find myself wanting to be Catholic. I have spent a lot of time over a few years (but not enough) learning about the Catholic Church, its teachings, and what it means to be a Catholic, and I think I am finally ready to walk into my campus’s Newman Center, talk with a priest, and explicitly tell him that I want to enroll in its RCIA program.

I had been thinking about becoming a Catholic for at least three or four years, but I have always been afraid to. I am a pretty independent, private person, so I feel a little uncomfortable spilling out my soul in conversations or standing in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of people and confessing what I believe. I am intimidated by walking into a Catholic church and I feel like I am intruding a little into practices that other people have been doing their entire lives. I love the aroma of a Catholic church. I know that I am being called back home into the Catholic Church. I believe in everything it is. Still, I have this childish fear of doing something so simple of telling somebody that I would like to join in on the Church’s sacred rituals and earn salvation.

I know other people have been and will be in similar circumstances. So how should I overcome my selfish anxieties and realize what great rewards are awaiting for my soul if I can overcome them?

Thank you
 
I was scared, too, Andy. I’m not sure that “terrified” would be too strong a word. But I had known for most of my life that the Catholic Church was where I belonged. And the time finally came when I realized I had to take the plunge. I didn’t want to be on my deathbed someday, thinking “I should have . . .”

It takes people like you & me some time to feel comfortable. And even after regularly attending Mass for a while, it still was an effort for me to gather my courage and talk to Father. But I am so very glad I did.

Come join me. It’s wonderful here in the arms of Holy Mother Church.
 
andyklein said:
Hello,

This is my first post on this website, so I hope I am posting this in the right place. I am 19 years old, never been baptized, raised without a particular religion, and somehow I find myself wanting to be Catholic. I have spent a lot of time over a few years (but not enough) learning about the Catholic Church, its teachings, and what it means to be a Catholic, and I think I am finally ready to walk into my campus’s Newman Center, talk with a priest, and explicitly tell him that I want to enroll in its RCIA program.

I had been thinking about becoming a Catholic for at least three or four years, but I have always been afraid to. I am a pretty independent, private person, so I feel a little uncomfortable spilling out my soul in conversations or standing in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of people and confessing what I believe. I am intimidated by walking into a Catholic church and I feel like I am intruding a little into practices that other people have been doing their entire lives. I love the aroma of a Catholic church. I know that I am being called back home into the Catholic Church. I believe in everything it is. Still, I have this childish fear of doing something so simple of telling somebody that I would like to join in on the Church’s sacred rituals and earn salvation.

I know other people have been and will be in similar circumstances. So how should I overcome my selfish anxieties and realize what great rewards are awaiting for my soul if I can overcome them?

Thank you
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This might sound a little simplistic, but --just do it. There really is no need for fear because people will be quite happy that you want to join us. Say a little prayer and pick up the phone and call a Catholic parish near you and inquire about RCIA–it will be starting soon. If you don’t succeed in reaching someone at first, don’t give up. God is waiting for you.

Go ahead, take the plunge–that is the best way to overcome one’s fears. And welcome home.
 
I understand the apprehension when joining a different faith. The best way is to just pray hard and keep doing what you are doing. God will lay down the path for you on what you must take to get to where He wants you to go. You will know it when you get there.
 
Awesome!

When you join the Catholic church, not only will be everyone here be happy, but so will heaven.

If it feels daunting, try to anticipate the joy you will feel when you become baptized !
 
benjohnson said:
Awesome!

When you join the Catholic church, not only will be everyone here be happy, but so will heaven.

If it feels daunting, try to anticipate the joy you will feel when you become baptized !
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Don’t forget that the most important thing is that the OP is happy about the decision. If it is rushed or forced, even a good thing would become bad.
 
Also realize that participating in the RCIA program is not a formal commitment. RCIA is a period of preparation and learning, and not everyone in the RCIA program is at the same point on the journey of faith. Some people are exploring and inquiring, others feel more ready to begin an active sacramental life, and then there are others who are at various points in between.

I’m curious about your comment about “spilling out your soul” in front of many people. If you do decide to look into or become Catholic, I can’t think of a situation or event that would require that of you. Normally facilitators of RCIA and other faith-sharing groups are trained to allow people to share only what they want to share, to remain quiet if they so choose, and so on. Sometimes a facilitator may ask, “So-and-so, is there anything you would like to comment on?,” but will move on without hesitation if the person doesn’t have a comment.

No one will think you’re “intruding.” Really. Many Catholics enjoy attending the annual Easter Vigil services to share in the joy of welcoming new members into the Church.’

You will be in my prayers. 🙂
 
andyklein said:
Hello,

This is my first post on this website, so I hope I am posting this in the right place. I am 19 years old, never been baptized, raised without a particular religion, and somehow I find myself wanting to be Catholic. I have spent a lot of time over a few years (but not enough) learning about the Catholic Church, its teachings, and what it means to be a Catholic, and I think I am finally ready to walk into my campus’s Newman Center, talk with a priest, and explicitly tell him that I want to enroll in its RCIA program.

I had been thinking about becoming a Catholic for at least three or four years, but I have always been afraid to. I am a pretty independent, private person, so I feel a little uncomfortable spilling out my soul in conversations or standing in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of people and confessing what I believe. I am intimidated by walking into a Catholic church and I feel like I am intruding a little into practices that other people have been doing their entire lives. I love the aroma of a Catholic church. I know that I am being called back home into the Catholic Church. I believe in everything it is. Still, I have this childish fear of doing something so simple of telling somebody that I would like to join in on the Church’s sacred rituals and earn salvation.

I know other people have been and will be in similar circumstances. So how should I overcome my selfish anxieties and realize what great rewards are awaiting for my soul if I can overcome them?

Thank you
Click to expand...
Welcome Home Andy

if you have any Catholic friends - maybe ask them to go with you to the RCIA program

most RCIA programs are pretty fun, once you relax - and mine has free coffee and cookies

also this Forum is a great place to start - for you will have questions, and you WILL have a huge community of support here!

may God bless you richly on your Journey
 
Wonderful news!! Welcome Home! You are going to hear that a lot on the forum and we mean it.

All journey’s begin with the 1st step. Going to the Newman Center and making an appt with the priest is your 1st step.

God Bless you in your journey home.
 
AndyKlein,

After several years of moving toward JESUS in HIS Church and still today in fear, it is clear you cannot overcome your fears, and still further, satan does not wish to lose you.

The fragrance in the Catholic Churches is from the candles and incense that, to me, is a sensual reminder of the very presence of GOD in HIS Church and of all the prayers and offerings and hopes and intentions that we have raised to HIM. I love that fragrance so deeply that it brings me joy everytime I enter.

Go into the nearest Catholic Church with a small plastic bottle and look for a container of Holy Water that is usually in the foyer right when you enter and is available for everyone to fiill their own containers and take some home with them. Begin blessing yourself with it when you awake, before you sleep, every time you leave your apt - put some on your finger tip and make the sign of the cross touching your head, chest and both shoulders - and then simply begin saying the “JESUS” prayer i.e. JESUS, help me, JESUS lead me, JESUS give me strength, JESUS give me courage, JESUS . . . . whatever you need at the moment. Call to HIM and HE will provide because HE has taught us, “knock and it will be opened, seek and you will find, ask and it will be given to you”

You can overcome your fears only with JESUS help - call out to HIM and ask HIM for help. And satan cannot stand the presence of Holy Water, so keep blessing yourself, because satan is not going to make it easy for you.

I will put you in my prayers.
 
God’s peace. I, too, was once somewhat scared to make the final step to become Catholic. Yet, at that point I knew that there was no other place to go. As St Peter, our first pope, once said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

By the way, Catholics do not “earn” salvation; they receive it. Jesus Christ, our Lord, has done the work. Our “job” is to be faithful, because “Faith without works is dead, being alone.” Blessings, ~Br. Carlo~
 
That wasn’t my experience but I had to tell you that I know people in prayer groups who have prayed for decades that hearts would be touched and people would come to the Church, love the Sacraments. Your entering the Church is an answer to prayer, and many would have tears of joy to see it. God bless.
 
RCIA is not a commitment to join the Catholic Church. It is a place to learn and discern and grow in your faith so to be certain that if/when you finally do decide to be confirmed in the Church at Easter then it is the right decision for you.

I would encourage you to attend RCIA and immerse yourself in the Church for the next several months. It really gives you a chance to live your life as a Catholic (outside of the Sacraments) before making it official (with the Sacraments).

I am also a convert, andy, and had a great time throughout RCIA. I met a lot of great people, learned so much about the faith, and have never looked back. Joining the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church is the best thing that ever happened to me. Praise God.

God’s grace be with you, andy. 👍
 
How exciting!! Very happy to hear you’re wanting to become Catholic.
Don’t let fear stop you. It’s a very great and exciting thing to do. I was Confirmed last year and its one of the best things I have ever done. Don’t feel bad because you havnt been Catholic all your life. The Church is here to accept all people at any stage. I did not grow up practicing Catholicism but now I do and I thank God all the time for bringing me to this faith 😃

God bless you always +++
 
Welcome!! Take some RCIA classes and take baby steps. Don’t jump into the heavy theology right at the beginning or else you will feel overwhelmed. A good RCIA program will lead you step by step into a solid discernment of your faith. RCIA is not a commitment to join, it’s just a class where you can learn and ask questions.

Know that you are so very welcome here and you have my prayers for a smooth and happy learning process!
 
andyklein said:
Hello,

This is my first post on this website, so I hope I am posting this in the right place. I am 19 years old, never been baptized, raised without a particular religion, and somehow I find myself wanting to be Catholic. I have spent a lot of time over a few years (but not enough) learning about the Catholic Church, its teachings, and what it means to be a Catholic, and I think I am finally ready to walk into my campus’s Newman Center, talk with a priest, and explicitly tell him that I want to enroll in its RCIA program.

I had been thinking about becoming a Catholic for at least three or four years, but I have always been afraid to. I am a pretty independent, private person, so I feel a little uncomfortable spilling out my soul in conversations or standing in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of people and confessing what I believe. I am intimidated by walking into a Catholic church and I feel like I am intruding a little into practices that other people have been doing their entire lives. I love the aroma of a Catholic church. I know that I am being called back home into the Catholic Church. I believe in everything it is. Still, I have this childish fear of doing something so simple of telling somebody that I would like to join in on the Church’s sacred rituals and earn salvation.

I know other people have been and will be in similar circumstances. So how should I overcome my selfish anxieties and realize what great rewards are awaiting for my soul if I can overcome them?

Thank you
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You can always call the church office during the week and ask about RCIA. That’s pretty harmless and no one will know who you are (at least not until you go). Also you could call and make an appt with the priest. They are usually very supportive and happy to see people wanting to come into the Church.

Blessed John Paul II said it about joining the priesthood and I’m sure he’d say it to you, “Be not afraid.” God is with you. Come home. :hug1:

Lorrie
 
Welcome home to Catholicism - you have no idea how much the angels are rejoicing in Heaven, similar to Matthew 18:13!

You are in my prayers as you continue along your faith journey, please feel free to ask us any questions concerning Catholicism.

God Bless you,
Chloe M.
 
andyklein said:
Hello,

This is my first post on this website, so I hope I am posting this in the right place. I am 19 years old, never been baptized, raised without a particular religion, and somehow I find myself wanting to be Catholic. I have spent a lot of time over a few years (but not enough) learning about the Catholic Church, its teachings, and what it means to be a Catholic, and I think I am finally ready to walk into my campus’s Newman Center, talk with a priest, and explicitly tell him that I want to enroll in its RCIA program.

I had been thinking about becoming a Catholic for at least three or four years, but I have always been afraid to. I am a pretty independent, private person, so I feel a little uncomfortable spilling out my soul in conversations or standing in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of people and confessing what I believe. I am intimidated by walking into a Catholic church and I feel like I am intruding a little into practices that other people have been doing their entire lives. I love the aroma of a Catholic church. I know that I am being called back home into the Catholic Church. I believe in everything it is. Still, I have this childish fear of doing something so simple of telling somebody that I would like to join in on the Church’s sacred rituals and earn salvation.

I know other people have been and will be in similar circumstances. So how should I overcome my selfish anxieties and realize what great rewards are awaiting for my soul if I can overcome them?

Thank you
Click to expand...
It sounds like you’re feeling intimidated. That’s understandable. You say you feel like you’re intruding on Catholic practices. But even if everyone at Mass looks solemn, they’re all happy you’re there!!! “Catholic” means “universal.” You fit right in! And don’t be afraid to meet with the priest. Priests are really nice, and not judgmental, and will try to make you comfortable if they sense you’re afraid. As for not being interested in sharing your personal beliefs, etc. with others, you’ve probably picked one of the best religions for you! I don’t find Catholicism to be too invasive in that sense. No one’s going to make you say anything you’re uncomfortable about saying. But perhaps you will eventually want to open up because you feel really comfortable.

Best of luck!
 
Angela77 said:
Priests are really nice, and not judgmental, and will try to make you comfortable if they sense you’re afraid.
Best of luck!
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It’s true. Most priests are quite used to newcomers feeling a bit intimidated or shy. It’s perfectly normal and expected.
 
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