I think I want to be a Catholic

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I myself was raised Lutheran and am currently going through RCIA and will become a member of the Catholic church this Saturday night.

At no time, during my classes, has the mother of Christ been pushed to the forfront as a person other than the Mother of God. While her prayers are primary on the rosary, You can always pray directly to God, or Jesus or the entire Holy Trinity.

Go to your local church and ask if you can go through Inquiry. This is the first part of the Confirmation process and you can see if it is a fit for you.

I wish you well on your journey and hope you find the proper fit for you. Whatever that fit is, remember that God loves us all. No matter what church we attend.

Yours in Christ. 👍
 
God Bless you. You’re in the same position I was a few years ago. I’d highly recommend you take whatever you read on forums/blogs with a grain of salt. I’d also suggest you read the catechism (available free online) to help answer your questions regarding the place of Mary, the Magisterium,authority of scripture, etc. You also might want to try giving a local Catholic parish a call and see if you can meet with the Priest to ask him questions and discuss whatever’s on your mind.

Above all, remember that the Church teaches everything for a REASON, and if you’re not sure why the Church says something or teaches something, do some research and reading and you’ll quickly discover how sensible Catholic doctrine and belief is and how it all fits together (and with scripture). I’ll keep you in my prayers!
 
entropent said:
But I have reservations about Catholicism. I am not at all sure that Mary holds a special place in heaven, and I do not feel comfortable praying for her to intercede on my behalf. Nor do I believe in praying for the intercessory prayer of saints, for that matter. I wonder about Purgatory, and don’t understand about the Magisterium of the Church. I could be convinced on the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and I really prefer the doctrine of transubstantiation to the symbolism of my communion,

Can any Catholics help me out? What is the most important reason to become Catholic? The Eucharist. Although I had no religion prior to becoming Catholic, this is what drew me to the Church.

Is my reticence on the subject of Mary a bar to being a Catholic? No, you are not required to have a devotion to Mary, nor to pray to her. You do need to understand about the Communion of Saints ie - the Church consists of the Church Militant (us here on earth), the Church Suffering (the Holy Souls in Purgatory), and the Church Triumphant (the Saints in Heaven with God). God is the God of the living, not the dead. Those who went before us marked with the sign of faith are still alive, in fact, more alive than we are, because they are in heaven. Even those in Purgatory are more alive than we are and they have the certainty that they will be with God in Heaven when their purification is completed. That being said, you do not have to pray to Saints for their intercession.
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I also had reservations about the Saints before I was Baptised, but Jesus in the Eucharist trumped all my objections. These other things just weren’t important enough to keep me from Jesus. Over time, with much prayer, I have come to understand the truth of what is being taught and my objections and reservations just melted away.

I also recommend that you get a copy of the catechism. Here is one online. This is searchable or you can just start at the beginning.
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
 
Welcome!

Rejoice and be glad! The Holy Spirit is leading you home…

Some reasons I considered why I didn’t give up my faith…

Eucharist. A profound reverence to the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to receive Him that we may have life… (read the Gospel John chapter 6:35-71 and 1 Corinthians 10:16,11:23-29)

In order to be worthy to receive Him, we need cleansing…
Sacrament of Reconciliation…(read Matthew 18:18, John 20:23, 2 Cor 5:17-20). This is to make you humble in the sight of the Lord. To appreciate His mercy and grace in the forgiveness of sins.

The Mother of the Church… our Blessed Virgin Mary.

Keep in mind that in your journey, people you encounter are still human beings. Catholics or non-catholics. Imperfect. The Holy Spirit brings about the conversions. Some are converted early… some late… some too late. Don’t be distracted. There are too many false teachers and too many deceivers! We pray for them. Once you convert keep hold of your faith. Firmly. It is the one true faith. Guaranteed to last to the end of days…

God bless you…
Be angry, and sin not… Give not place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 :mad: + :signofcross:
 
One more very imortant matter to consider…VALID PRIESTS!!!
Be angry, and sin not… Give not place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 :mad: + :signofcross:
 
entropent said:
I am an Episcopalian. My denomination is dying, My dad always joked that being Episcopalian was almost like being Catholic, but you didn’t really have to believe in God. I think he was referring to John Shelby Spong. He was also a little bitter when they started ordaining women as priests. I used to think he was an old crank, but now I see that women’s ordination was the first crack in the dam. Once it became okay to stray from scripture in the ordination of women, it was no longer possible to stand against the ordination of practising homosexuals. The Anglican Communion has shown itself impotent against heresy. I am heartbroken, but I have come to believe that I must leave this beautiful denomination.

But I have reservations about Catholicism. I am not at all sure that Mary holds a special place in heaven, and I do not feel comfortable praying for her to intercede on my behalf. Nor do I believe in praying for the intercessory prayer of saints, for that matter. I wonder about Purgatory, and don’t understand about the Magisterium of the Church. I could be convinced on the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and I really prefer the doctrine of transubstantiation to the symbolism of my communion,

Can any Catholics help me out? What is the most important reason to become Catholic? Is my reticence on the subject of Mary a bar to being a Catholic?

Or for you Protestants out there, why should I NOT become Catholic?

Please, no flippant answers. I am genuinely searching.
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I was an Independent, Fundamental Baptist turned Episcopalian-at-heart attending a Lutheran church (because of the same issues you mentioned: The ECUSA diocese I’m in has a woman “bishop” who voted YES to VGR :eek: ) when a friend recommended I go to the Bible Christian Society and order his CDs. You can find one on every objection/issue you have that explains from the Bible why the Catholic Church believes and teaches as She does. I recommend:

One Church*
Apostolic Authority and the Pope
Mary and the Bible/Purgatory and the Bible
The Communion of Saints

and from there any others that interest you.

*One Church was my “burning bush” but I readily admit that everyone is different…
 
Geocacher said:
Hello,
Welcome to Catholic Answers Forum.

These things are not easy, for I am stuck between churches myself, and the Catholic Church near me closed it’s doors.

I sincerly hope that the Holy Spirit can guide you to the place of worship best for you.
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Why did it close its doors on you?

Btw, since you are in Detroit, there is also a Western Rite Orthodox Church, “Holy Incarnation” (it’s moved to Lincoln Park recently. holyincarnation.org/) if the issues are something like papal infalibility.
 
entropent said:
I am an Episcopalian. My denomination is dying, My dad always joked that being Episcopalian was almost like being Catholic, but you didn’t really have to believe in God. I think he was referring to John Shelby Spong. He was also a little bitter when they started ordaining women as priests. I used to think he was an old crank, but now I see that women’s ordination was the first crack in the dam. Once it became okay to stray from scripture in the ordination of women, it was no longer possible to stand against the ordination of practising homosexuals. The Anglican Communion has shown itself impotent against heresy. I am heartbroken, but I have come to believe that I must leave this beautiful denomination.

But I have reservations about Catholicism. I am not at all sure that Mary holds a special place in heaven, and I do not feel comfortable praying for her to intercede on my behalf. Nor do I believe in praying for the intercessory prayer of saints, for that matter. I wonder about Purgatory, and don’t understand about the Magisterium of the Church. I could be convinced on the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and I really prefer the doctrine of transubstantiation to the symbolism of my communion,

Can any Catholics help me out? What is the most important reason to become Catholic? Is my reticence on the subject of Mary a bar to being a Catholic?

Or for you Protestants out there, why should I NOT become Catholic?

Please, no flippant answers. I am genuinely searching.
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“Rome sweet home” the book by Scott and Kimberly Hahn, took me over the hump when I was considering conversion.

A very quick read. 4-5 hours for me.
 
My advice would be much like the others posted; pray, read, pray, read and so on.

I am entering into the church within the next couple of weeks and like you come from an Anglican background. During the last year, I have occasionally attended the CofE church that my wife attends and have been amazed at how similar they both ‘feel’; this I once foolishly put down to the fact that this church was in existence prior to the reformation and was once therefore Catholic.

Whilst all of the similarities can easily disuade a person (particularly an Anglican) from converting, for me it is difficult to get away from the fact that were it not for a particularly turbulant period of English history (Henry VIII - Elizabeth I) when the state religion changed at least 4 times the CofE may not even have got off the ground and England could have remained Catholic.

Speaking purely personally, it comes down to wanting to be a part of the Church that Christ began and despite of all my initial concerns about Mary, praying to Saints, purgatory etc, I have submitted myself to God’s will and will take the plunge soon.

Every situation is different and the advice you will get during your journey will vary greatly, so as I said at the beginning of the post, pray, read, pray, read and if God moves you to move, then move!!
 
entropent said:
I am an Episcopalian. My denomination is dying, My dad always joked that being Episcopalian was almost like being Catholic, but you didn’t really have to believe in God. I think he was referring to John Shelby Spong. He was also a little bitter when they started ordaining women as priests. I used to think he was an old crank, but now I see that women’s ordination was the first crack in the dam. Once it became okay to stray from scripture in the ordination of women, it was no longer possible to stand against the ordination of practising homosexuals. The Anglican Communion has shown itself impotent against heresy. I am heartbroken, but I have come to believe that I must leave this beautiful denomination.
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I am sorry tha you find yourself in this crisis, but believe you are right that even some of the old and established Protestant Churches are finding themseves impotent against the tempests blowing against true and traditional faith in Christ.
But I have reservations about Catholicism. I am not at all sure that Mary holds a special place in heaven, and I do not feel comfortable praying for her to intercede on my behalf. Nor do I believe in praying for the intercessory prayer of saints, for that matter.
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If you have reservations regarding Mary, the simplest solution is to accept the church’s postion and teaching and then let it go. If you are uncomfortable about praying to the Blessed Mother, simply don’t. Intercessory prayer, while encouraged is not mandatory. Start with the basic tenets of the faith and work out from there as your depth of faith grows. (which it will)
I wonder about Purgatory, and don’t understand about the Magisterium of the Church. I could be convinced on the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and I really prefer the doctrine of transubstantiation to the symbolism of my communion,
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The magesterium and the primacy of the HF are the very things that protect the RCC from the Heresies you speak of invading the EC.
Can any Catholics help me out? What is the most important reason to become Catholic?
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There are many wonderful reasons for becoming catholic, which I am sure many have already pointed out.
For me (a revert cradle cath) the biggest thing is the continuity. That and the fact that papal authority working through the magesterium provides a “court of appeal” as it were for teachings, clarifications etc.
Is my reticence on the subject of Mary a bar to being a Catholic?
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I really don’t think so. Once you begin the process, I believe you will find that there really isn’t that much to overcome.

Peace
James
 
Attend an RCIA class from any local Catholic Parish, you will not be forced to join the church but will get all your questions answered and then you can decide for yourself.
A GREAT book to get is Catholicism for Dummies:thumbsup:
 
IvanKaramozov said:
Have you read the summaries of Anglican theologians in the 60’s-70’s? They said they could find no theological reasone why women cannot be Priests beyond that men we just traditionally the Priests, I don’t see why that’s a problem for Anglicanism as they do not hold to the Tradition like Catholics.

Anglicanism doesen’t hold that the Eucharist is simply a symbol.
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Can any Catholics help me out? What is the most important reason to become Catholic? Is my reticence on the subject of Mary a bar to being a Catholic?

Or for you Protestants out there, why should I NOT become Catholic?

Please, no flippant answers. I am genuinely searching.

Read up on it I suppose

please humbly pray to God to open your eyes and your ears to the Truth. ask Him about the catholic church. i am sure you will get your answer. He is faithfull to His church.
 
entropent said:
I am an Episcopalian. My denomination is dying, My dad always joked that being Episcopalian was almost like being Catholic, but you didn’t really have to believe in God. I think he was referring to John Shelby Spong. He was also a little bitter when they started ordaining women as priests. I used to think he was an old crank, but now I see that women’s ordination was the first crack in the dam. Once it became okay to stray from scripture in the ordination of women, it was no longer possible to stand against the ordination of practising homosexuals. The Anglican Communion has shown itself impotent against heresy. I am heartbroken, but I have come to believe that I must leave this beautiful denomination.

But I have reservations about Catholicism. I am not at all sure that Mary holds a special place in heaven, and I do not feel comfortable praying for her to intercede on my behalf. Nor do I believe in praying for the intercessory prayer of saints, for that matter. I wonder about Purgatory, and don’t understand about the Magisterium of the Church. I could be convinced on the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and I really prefer the doctrine of transubstantiation to the symbolism of my communion,

Can any Catholics help me out? What is the most important reason to become Catholic? Is my reticence on the subject of Mary a bar to being a Catholic?

Or for you Protestants out there, why should I NOT become Catholic?

Please, no flippant answers. I am genuinely searching.
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I’m an Episcopalian who is NOT seriously considering converting to Roman Catholicism–and I would not make any serious effort to discourage you from converting to the RCC if you feel so led. If you want some books to read let me suggest these:
  1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church–pretty much a standard work. It will ground you thoroughly in what is normative for Roman Catholics to believe. It is a tremendously dry read but with a little diligence most folks can wade through it.
  2. Catholicism by Richard P. McBrien: An overview of Catholic theology by a moderate-to-liberal Catholic theologian. Earlier editions were very good at introducing readers to the range of theological opinions within the Roman Catholic theological world. I haven’t had opportunity to look at the latest revision–the Vatican has pressured McBrien over the years to edit his book for various reasons. Whereas the CCC might give you the impression that Catholics uniformly believe and accept certain things in cookie-cutter, robotic fashion, McBrien’s book lets you see that there is some room for individuality and debate within Roman Catholicism. This book isn’t much easier to read than the CCC–a little better, but not much–but by the time you’ve muddled through the two books you’ll be better-informed than probably 90 out of any 100 Roman Catholics who will polish the pews on Easter Sunday.
  3. Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen: a good, more-or-less contemporary introduction to Catholic devotional literature
  4. The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Terese of Lisieux. Again, a good, more-or-less modern introduction to a very popular contemporary Roman Catholic saint. There are others that might be recommended–biographies or autobiographies by St. Maximilian Kolbe or St. Faustina Kowalska for example–but I’ve read St. Terese so can recommend it from experience.
If you haven’t yet resolved for certain to become Roman Catholic, try to locate a conservative Episcopal parish or ‘continuing Church’ congregation in your area, and live as faithfully as possible as an Anglican, while reading some or all of the books I recommended above and prayerfully considering where God is calling you to be. If you have made that decision–contact a parish or diocese and find out about an RCIA class.
 
I too had issues with Mary during my RCIA conversion. I believe the best book, imo, is the Catcachism of the Catholic church. It explains in full detail with scripture (for your scripture hounds) as well as past statements from past popes & saints etc. This is one of the things that I love best about the church - the church has done so much homework and has continued that tradition of teaching us on why the scriptures & traditions are this way today…So much of the Bible has reference and relevance of what was happening at that particular time, and to understand that history is where the church has done that homework for us.
 
If you have nothing to do, check this website: Newman Apologetics Resource. the four marks of the church. It is beautiful.
 
One way to look at it is: Our Lord said “I am the Truth.” What is truth? Truth omits error, it is conformity to reality or actuality. He founded his Church: “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16: 18] and said, “And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen” [Matthew 18: 17]. Again He told His Apostles, “he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me” [Luke 10: 16] and, “He that is not with me, is against me.” [Luke 11:23].
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                     *“*Thou art Peter**”... As St. Peter, by divine revelation, here made a solemn profession of his faith of                          the divinity of Christ; so in recompense of this faith and profession, our Lord here declares to him the dignity                          to which he is pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom he had already given the name of Peter, signifying a                          rock, St. John 1. 42, should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the support of the building of the                          church; in which building he should be, next to Christ himself, the chief foundation stone, in quality of chief                          pastor, ruler, and governor; and should have accordingly all fulness of ecclesiastical power, signified by the                          keys of the kingdom of heaven.

                     *“*Upon this rock**”... The words of Christ to Peter, spoken in the vulgar language of the Jews which our                          Lord made use of, were the same as if he had said in English, Thou art a Rock, and upon this rock I will build                          my church. So that, by the plain course of the words, Peter is here declared to be the rock, upon which the                          church was to be built: Christ himself being both the principal foundation and founder of the same. Where also                          note, that Christ, by building his house, that is, his church, upon a rock, has thereby secured it against all                          storms and floods, like the wise builder, St. Matt. 7. 24, 25.

                                                                *“*The gates of hell**”... That is, the powers of darkness, and whatever Satan can do, either by himself,                          or his agents. For as the church is here likened to a house, or fortress, built on a rock; so the adverse powers                          are likened to a contrary house or fortress, the gates of which, that is, the whole strength, and all the efforts                          it can make, will never be able to prevail over the city or church of Christ. By this promise we are fully                          assured, that neither idolatry, heresy, nor any pernicious error whatsoever shall at any time prevail over the                          church of Christ.**
***** Those who break away from Rome contravene what our Lord has ensured us about his Church, that She will never fall.***

The proof lies in the fact that the Catholic Church alone corresponds exactly to the exact religion established by Christ. Now the Christian religion is that religion which—
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                             Was founded by Christ personally;
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                             Has existed continuously since the time of Christ;
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                             Is Catholic or universal, in accordance with Christ's command to go to all                              the world and teach all nations;
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                             Demands that all her members admit the same doctrine;
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                             Exercises divine authority over her subjects, since Christ said that if a                              man would not hear the Church he would be as the heathen.
Now the Catholic Church alone can claim—
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                             To have been founded by Christ personally.   All other Churches disappear                              as you go back through history.   Christ said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock                              I will build my Church."   There are many claimants to the honor of being                              Christ's Church.   But among all non-Catholic Churches, we find one built on a                              John Wesley; another on a Martin Luther; another on a Mrs. Eddy, etc. But the                              Catholic Church alone can possibly claim to have been built on Peter, the chief                              of the Apostles, and one-time Bishop of Rome.
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                             To have existed in all the centuries since Christ.
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                             That every one of her members admits exactly the same essential                              doctrines.
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                             To be Catholic or universal.
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                             To speak with a voice of true authority in the name of God.
By *REV. DR. LESLIE RUMBLE, M.S.C.

*Take Care and God Bless
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entropent,

I’m so excited for you! I fought the likes of Spong for years before I finally got up the courage to really investigate the Catholic Church. I think you’ll find the journey refreshing, because while both denominations have people at various extremes, and while both have individual parishes that are anything but orthodox, the Catholic church has the solid base of the infallibility of the magisterium, which assures us, by the promise of Christ himself, that the powers of Hell will not prevail against this Church.

A lot of people have problems with the authority issue, but for someone in your position (and mine, until a year ago), once you truly accept the God-given authority of the Church, you will have a tremendous sense of peace, even if things don’t look so good in your diocese.

Also, once the authority issue is resolved for you, the other doctrinal differences diminish. I found myself more and more approaching things like the Assumption saying “if the Church teaches it, then there must be good reason for it.” Then I would study, and find all kinds of rich history and tradition surrounding these kinds of doctrines.

Just read and pray, like everyone else says, and God will lead.

My favorite authors have been Thomas Howard and Pope Benedict XVI.

I look forward to welcoming you home!!
 
RosaMystica said:
entropent,

I

.

Just read and pray, like everyone else says, and God will lead.

My favorite authors have been Thomas Howard and Pope Benedict XVI.

I look forward to welcoming you home!!
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My favorite author is the Holy Spirit. If you want becomw a Catholic or Protestant or Mormon or anything, read the Bible to see if it matches up what that particular church teaches.
 
Jesuspaiditall said:
My favorite author is the Holy Spirit. If you want becomw a Catholic or Protestant or Mormon or anything, read the Bible to see if it matches up what that particular church teaches.
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And when you do you’ll find the Catholic Church. :highprayer:
The Pillar and Foundation of Truth

Peace
James
 
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