Mormon wanting to convert back to Catholicism

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pr095

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Hello,

I’ll start out by saying I’m 22 years old and I was raised in the RCC my whole life, coming from an irish family and I went to Catholic school my whole life, except college. I have been faithful my whole life but when I went in the military I was put through hell and upon returning I didn’t receive much help from anyone and I went to mass because it seemed like it would be the only thing to help me but I felt nothing (Note: When I was in the military I felt like I had a calling from God to become a priest, and for a very long time that’s what I wanted to be) .

Then I did the whole Mormon thing, coming across their missionaries, attending their church and feeling welcomed with open arms. I am not here to bash the Mormon church in anyway, but I now know what their whole religion is about, its like a business and a cult I want nothing a part of.

I have always been faithful through this whole thing, and just a few days ago I feel as though I had that same calling to become a priest and I know that this is what God wants me to do, also it is time to come back to the real Church of Christ.

The only thing is I am very, very scared to face the priests in the parish because both my parents work there and my family has been going there since the early 1900’s. I really want to go back and pursue becoming a priest, but how do you think the priests will take it? It’s the only thing that holding me back and I do not know what to do. Can I still be baptized? How long do you think it will take for me to be baptized again?
 
pr095 said:
Hello,

I’ll start out by saying I’m 22 years old and I was raised in the RCC my whole life, coming from an irish family and I went to Catholic school my whole life, except college. I have been faithful my whole life but when I went in the military I was put through hell and upon returning I didn’t receive much help from anyone and I went to mass because it seemed like it would be the only thing to help me but I felt nothing (Note: When I was in the military I felt like I had a calling from God to become a priest, and for a very long time that’s what I wanted to be) .

Then I did the whole Mormon thing, coming across their missionaries, attending their church and feeling welcomed with open arms. I am not here to bash the Mormon church in anyway, but I now know what their whole religion is about, its like a business and a cult I want nothing a part of.

I have always been faithful through this whole thing, and just a few days ago I feel as though I had that same calling to become a priest and I know that this is what God wants me to do, also it is time to come back to the real Church of Christ.

The only thing is I am very, very scared to face the priests in the parish because both my parents work there and my family has been going there since the early 1900’s. I really want to go back and pursue becoming a priest, but how do you think the priests will take it? It’s the only thing that holding me back and I do not know what to do. Can I still be baptized? How long do you think it will take for me to be baptized again?
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Hello. Welcome home! 🙂

You say you have been raised Catholic. That means that you are already baptized, (and maybe confirmed and maybe received your First Holy Communion). Baptism is permanent. You don’t need to be baptized again. The only thing you would have to do is make a good Confession, and you’ll be good to go. However, if you have been away from the Church for quite a while, maybe you should enroll in RCIA, to fresh up on your catechism. The priests won’t look down upon you. In fact, they’ll be happy to see you back! 👍

As to your possible vocation, you have been discerning for only a few days. Discern for about a year, and then we can talk seriously, even though you discerned in the military. 👍

If you discern that you have a vocation, there is the issue of you being an apostate, heretic, and schismatic, due to your conversion to Mormonism. That would canonically impede you from ordination. However, if God truly wants you to be a priest, he will make sure that you are granted a dispensation.

I pray that you will have a successful journey! 🙂
 
bben15 said:
Hello. Welcome home! 🙂

You say you have been raised Catholic. That means that you are already baptized, (and maybe confirmed and maybe received your First Holy Communion). Baptism is permanent. You don’t need to be baptized again. The only thing you would have to do is make a good Confession, and you’ll be good to go. However, if you have been away from the Church for quite a while, maybe you should enroll in RCIA, to fresh up on your catechism. The priests won’t look down upon you. In fact, they’ll be happy to see you back! 👍

As to your possible vocation, you have been discerning for only a few days. Discern for about a year, and then we can talk seriously, even though you discerned in the military. 👍

If you discern that you have a vocation, there is the issue of you being an apostate, heretic, and schismatic, due to your conversion to Mormonism. That would canonically impede you from ordination. However, if God truly wants you to be a priest, he will make sure that you are granted a dispensation.

I pray that you will have a successful journey! 🙂
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Thanks a lot. So I won’t be able to become a priest? And what do you mean by Discerning?
 
pr095 said:
Thanks a lot. So I won’t be able to become a priest? And what do you mean by Discerning?
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You are canonically impeded from ordination. However, don’t let that stop you. If you truly have a vocation, then God will make sure you become a priest.

“Discerning” means that you are trying to determine if you truly have a call to be a priest. Because of your background, I would recommend that you wait a year, and by this time next year, if you still have a strong call to be a priest, then get in contact with your diocese’s vocations director. However, be sure to tell him about your background. Don’t withhold it from him, so you can get the proper dispensation. 👍
 
To me, it seems that God has been calling you for a while now and has recently renewed his calling.

If this is God’s vocation for you, then He will make it happen. God can overcome any obstacle. God knows all of the paths we will take.

I would pray, move forward and talk to your priest. Don’t be afraid - God will be with you.
When St. Patrick felt called to the priesthood, there was all sorts of opposition from the priesthood. But it was GOD’S will, and look what happened–a whole nation was converted.

I would encourage you. God be with you.
 
I left the RCC when I was 17 years old and became a practicing protestant. When I decided to come back to the RCC fifty ( yes you read that right fifty (50)) years after leaving I made an appointment with the parish priest, introduced myself, and told him I wanted to return to the church. I was welcomed with open arms. That was ten months ago and it was the best decision I ever made. I could not be happier.

I went to confession the next day and received communion. Because I had been through baptism, communion, and confirmation I just returned to the fold no questions asked. I expect the same will be true for you in your situation.

Do not fear the priests. I expect they will rejoice in seeing you return. If you don’t want to talk with the priest(s) in your parish then go to a priest at another parish.

The RCC welcomes lapsed members back with open arms.
 
I am interested in the response to your questions by bben15 as I am not sure that I agree with their response. First, as a Catholic who went to Catholic school until college I feel that you have received all of the sacraments and while you have some things to discuss in the confessional I don’t know that you are necessarily impeded from going forward towards a vocation as a priest. This would be good to discuss with a priest and before any of us may cause you to feel discouraged. As to your call to the priesthood I feel that as you find your way properly back to the Church you will find that it will become easier to discern. Take baby steps right now, first things first, see your priest and do not be afraid. I will pray for you.
 
Thanks, but I think they are right, there no way for me to become a priest because of my mormon conversion
 
Welcome back! Go to Mass, go to the parish office or rectory, and talk to a priest ASAP. All you need to do is make a good confession to be in God’s grace again. You are hardly the first person to be fooled by the Mormon nonsense, do not be embarrassed. Christ’s Church will welcome you back like the Prodigal Son.

Ask to speak to your diocese’ vocations director. Discernment of a religious vocation is a lengthy process.
 
Thanks alot. I am still confused about the Discernment process…can someone explain?
 
Hallelujah! First off.

Second, if you are coming back, the priests will welcome you with open arms as well.
Kinda part of their job after all. What, you think they will ostracize you or something?
I don’t know what the priests you know are like, but I can’t imagine them rejecting you.

As for Baptism, I don’t even think you need to be rebaptized.
You said that you were Catholic your whole life, right?
If you were baptized into the Catholic Church at some point during your Catholic life, it’s once and forever, no need for another.

Have you received First Holy Communion yet? What about Confirmation? I’d look into those.

Confession is never a bad idea.

If you were never baptized, however, in the Catholic Church, I’d start there.

Back to the priests, their job is to minister to the faithful, you are of the faithful, so their
job will be to minister to you. If they’re mean or something, go to another priest who will
help you out. Still can’t imagine why the priests you know would scorn you, but there is
PLAN B if you need it.

Again: Hallelujah, Praise God, Welcome Back!
 
Thanks and yes I have been confirmed and done all my sacraments that I should have.
 
mountee said:
I am interested in the response to your questions by bben15 as I am not sure that I agree with their response. First, as a Catholic who went to Catholic school until college I feel that you have received all of the sacraments and while you have some things to discuss in the confessional I don’t know that you are necessarily impeded from going forward towards a vocation as a priest. This would be good to discuss with a priest and before any of us may cause you to feel discouraged. As to your call to the priesthood I feel that as you find your way properly back to the Church you will find that it will become easier to discern. Take baby steps right now, first things first, see your priest and do not be afraid. I will pray for you.
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I meant that he is impeded from ordination by Canon Law. Canon Law does not allow the ordination of apostates, heretics, and schismatics. However, that should not stop him. He should pursue his possible vocation, and speak with a vocations director if he determines he has a vocation. If God truly wants him in the priesthood, He will ensure that he gets the proper dispensation. 👍
 
Pr095. Yes you can be a priest!!! And don’t waste time talking with us, see a priest right away. Open the yellow pages and find a church close by if you don’t want to return to your parents church. But I am sure your parents church would welcome you with open arms. Just go talk to a priest ASAP. God loves you and is so happy you are thinking of becoming a priest. The priest will help you with questions, fears, concerns ( all concern net thoughts ). Welcome home!!

Here is a thought… Maybe it was a plan for you to discover other faiths ( Mormons) did not fulfill your souls needs. So now that you have something to compare to, you know in your heart what is right, what is good! Talk to a priest, and watch him smile as you return HOME

I will keep you in my prayers
 
bben15 said:
I meant that he is impeded from ordination by Canon Law. Canon Law does not allow the ordination of apostates, heretics, and schismatics. However, that should not stop him. He should pursue his possible vocation, and speak with a vocations director if he determines he has a vocation. If God truly wants him in the priesthood, He will ensure that he gets the proper dispensation. 👍
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I understand that this is true, however, he is a Catholic and when he finishes confessing he will be back in full grace with the Church. He will be forgiven of the time he spent away from the Church, or perhaps I should say he can be forgiven after a sincere confession. The terms apostate, heretic or schismatic would not apply. Absolution is granted from a priest during confession and the sins forgiven are left behind. If the priest determines that he should receive absolution that will allow him back into the Church without any impediment to discern a vocation. If he tried to pursue a vocation without confession the your point would be valid.
 
NHeath said:
Pr095. Yes you can be a priest!!! And don’t waste time talking with us, see a priest right away. Open the yellow pages and find a church close by if you don’t want to return to your parents church. But I am sure your parents church would welcome you with open arms. Just go talk to a priest ASAP. God loves you and is so happy you are thinking of becoming a priest. The priest will help you with questions, fears, concerns ( all concern net thoughts ). Welcome home!!

Here is a thought… Maybe it was a plan for you to discover other faiths ( Mormons) did not fulfill your souls needs. So now that you have something to compare to, you know in your heart what is right, what is good! Talk to a priest, and watch him smile as you return HOME

I will keep you in my prayers
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Thanks, and yeah I thought it was part of a plan to become a Mormon for a short period of time. I learned a lot
 
You mentioned you were in the service. Thank you for your courage and commitment in serving your country. As a simple example, perhaps discernment to the priesthood could be compared to boot camp prior to your entry into the military. In the course of experiencing all there is in learning the trade of being a military individual you surely had to weigh the innate feelings and challenges that were confronting you personally and deciding whether or not you felt it was your calling to pursue this particular road in life. The same goes with the priesthood and hopefully if it is God’s will and you pursue your inclinations with a good amount of prayer you will find the same answers in due time. God bless you and continue your investigation.
 
mgn2010 said:
You mentioned you were in the service. Thank you for your courage and commitment in serving your country. As a simple example, perhaps discernment to the priesthood could be compared to boot camp prior to your entry into the military. In the course of experiencing all there is in learning the trade of being a military individual you surely had to weigh the innate feelings and challenges that were confronting you personally and deciding whether or not you felt it was your calling to pursue this particular road in life. The same goes with the priesthood and hopefully if it is God’s will and you pursue your inclinations with a good amount of prayer you will find the same answers in due time. God bless you and continue your investigation.
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Thank you and that makes sense. I will talk to a priest this week.
 
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