Non-Catholic Parents

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Laud_God

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My parents used to be Catholic and converted to protestant before I was born, so I was brought up protestant. My parents never had anything good to say about Catholics, and they really hated what they believed. I grew up with that and I always thought Catholics would go to hell. Well a month ago I decided to open my mind up, and I asked God to show me the truth about Catholics. He did, and within a week I KNEW that Catholicism was the correct and true church set up by Jesus and the apostles. Well, needless to say, my parents aren’t please that I’m thinking of becoming a Catholic. Whenever I talk to them about it, they start yelling and throwing accusations (i.e. purgatory, praying for dead, mary worship, blah blah blah, etc.). I have answers for all their accusations, but they don’t want to hear the answer at all.

So, I don’t know what I should do. Should I go to the nearest parish behind my parents back, or listen to them and go when I turn 18? (I’m currently 16.)

Thanks in advance,
Matt
 
Bump… Just looking for an answer. Any answer is appreciated.
 
You are in a tough situation… but considering that you are only 16, I think it would be best for you to practice the virtue of patience and wait until you are out of their home.

Right now you need to respect your parents’ wishes and rules. God understands the position you are in. He will help you in His way.

You can continue to try to have dialogues with your parents at the right times, but it is very important to mirror Christ’s love and not argue with them.

Some of their requests may seem unfair, but obedience is also a virtue. But once you can support yourself (meaning they are not paying for your living expenses, schooling, food etc) then you are free to make your own decisions.

I am sure that others who have gone through similar situations will respond to you with some better advice.

Malia
 
Obey your parents in everything that is not actually a sin.

Pray unceasingly to God, praising and thanking Him for showing you the truth, and asking Him for the grace to keep on respecting and obeying your parents.
Ask Him to lead you where He wants you to go. Trust that He will not deny you the chance to enter His Church.
Be patient. Jesus will lead you home. 🙂

I thank You, Lord Jesus, and I praise You, for showing Laud the truth. :bowdown2:
 
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Laud_God:
Well a month ago I decided to open my mind up, and I asked God to show me the truth about Catholics. He did, and within a week I KNEW that Catholicism was the correct and true church set up by Jesus and the apostles.
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I am a Catholic and a parent. A week is pretty quick trip from anti-Catholic Protestantism to full blown conversion. Converting for (possibly) the wrong reason is no good in the long run.
So, I don’t know what I should do. Should I go to the nearest parish behind my parents back, or listen to them and go when I turn 18? (I’m currently 16.)
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I gotta urge you to obey your parents. Every parent has the right to raise their child as they see fit. And I don’t necessarily see 18 as the magic age, unless you are fully self sufficient by then.

Pray, pray, pray. If God wants you in the Catholic Church it will happen. Respect your parents. The way you handle this situation may convert them somewhere down the road, if it is meant to be.

I wish you the best.
 
Continue to pray. Continue to research the Church. Also, repect your parents’ wish and continue to attend their protestant service. On your 18th birthday, if you still feel the same way, approach a Catholic Priest and start the process.

God Bless!
 
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Laud_God:
He did, and within a week I KNEW that Catholicism was the correct and true church set up by Jesus and the apostles.
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Matt,
What happened in that week that convinced you? I know Saul’s conversion only took 3 days, but what are you looking for. Even after I converted, I still had issues that took years to work out.

Unfortunately, the Church will not entertain your petition for RCIA until you are at least 18. I have a friend in a simular situation. She will be 18 next year. Until then, she is hanging out with CFC-Youth, a Catholic Youth Group.

God Bless,
Dhgray
 
I waited until I was married and out of my parents home before converting.

I was also finishing college when I decided to become Catholic, so I had a few years on you – although we had a four year engagement!

Hang in there, when possible stop in the local parish and pray for your parents. Even if you can’t pray, just be close to the Lord in the Tabernacle. He will appreciate your presence with him.

Also, if you can discreetly pray the Rosary, do that. Our Blessed Mother is a wonderful aid to the troubled heart.

I wish you well.
 
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dhgray:
Matt,
What happened in that week that convinced you? I know Saul’s conversion only took 3 days, but what are you looking for. Even after I converted, I still had issues that took years to work out.

Unfortunately, the Church will not entertain your petition for RCIA until you are at least 18. I have a friend in a simular situation. She will be 18 next year. Until then, she is hanging out with CFC-Youth, a Catholic Youth Group.

God Bless,
Dhgray
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It’s not like I didn’t know anything about the Catholic church, since I did grow up debating a lot of them. But the past month I took on the debate from the other side, the Catholic side. I asked God to open my mind, and do away with my judging attitude. I understood everything that Catholics had to say after that, and understood their side of the debate. I read the Catechism and I didn’t run across anything that I could argue. It all made so much sense!

I’ve thought about becoming Catholic for a while now, but never asked God to help me in discerning the difference between Protestants and Catholics.

And are you saying that I can’t even become a Catholic, even if I wanted to? That sounds really wrong to me.

Also, Mamamull, I have been reciting the Rosary everyday, with the aid of “Virtual Rosary.” It’s a great program!

Thanks for the prayers everyone,
Matt
 
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dhgray:
Matt,
What happened in that week that convinced you? I know Saul’s conversion only took 3 days, but what are you looking for. Even after I converted, I still had issues that took years to work out.

Unfortunately, the Church will not entertain your petition for RCIA until you are at least 18. I have a friend in a simular situation. She will be 18 next year. Until then, she is hanging out with CFC-Youth, a Catholic Youth Group.

God Bless,
Dhgray
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Good Point Matt:

I would be interested in hearing this as well. God’s peace … and Obey your parents, until you are of age and can make the decision yourself, and when that happens … run like the wind to the nearest Catholic Church and don’t look back. But, as always, pray … Jesus if it is your will!!!
 
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dhgray:
Unfortunately, the Church will not entertain your petition for RCIA until you are at least 18. I have a friend in a simular situation. She will be 18 next year. Until then, she is hanging out with CFC-Youth, a Catholic Youth Group.
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Everywhere I read it says I have to be the age of 7 or older to join the RCIA.
 
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Laud_God:
I’ve thought about becoming Catholic for a while now, but never asked God to help me in discerning the difference between Protestants and Catholics.

Also, Mamamull, I have been reciting the Rosary everyday, with the aid of “Virtual Rosary.” It’s a great program!

Matt
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You are well on your way to becoming Catholic. Keep it up … keep praying that it is God’s will … because we must be open to his will only … 👍 But you still must obey your parents until you are of age, unless your folks will not care.

Why not stop in to visit a priest to talk all this over with him?

God’s Peace and Love, Mgeising
 
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Laud_God:
Everywhere I read it says I have to be the age of 7 or older to join the RCIA.
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Go to your local parish priest and sit and speak with him. Make sure it is a traditonal/orthodox parish. Not a liberal run parish! :eek: :eek:
 
I’m allowed to attend mass, correct? But am I allowed to partake in the Eucharist?

I ask this because, my mom said that I could check it out and attend mass.
 
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Laud_God:
I’m allowed to attend mass, correct? But am I allowed to partake in the Eucharist?

I ask this because, my mom said that I could check it out and attend mass.
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Oh, very Good. Yes, you are always welcome to join in Mass. But you are **not ** allowed to partake int he Eucharist, you need to become a member of the church … which means you will agree on all aspects of what the church teaches … and when you are catechized, go through RCIA, and received into the church, then you will be able to take part in the glorious celebration of the Eucharist! AMEN!
 
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Laud_God:
Everywhere I read it says I have to be the age of 7 or older to join the RCIA.
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GO to your parish and find out their rule for this…talk to a pries. I know in Chicago, a minor (under 18) has to be with at least one parent.

Like my friend, you might want to consider joining a Catholic Youth group like CFC-Youth or Life Teen until you can convert
 
If you mom really OKd it, then sure, go to Mass. And if you can discretely pop into an open church for what we term a “visit” with the Blessed Sacrament (that’s Jesus’ house, the tabernnacle, up there on the altar- might be in a side chapel nowadays), that would be cool. And if you’re using Virtual Rosary, fabulous!!! And whoever had the idea of CFC or Teen Life had a good idea.As you can tell, there are many Catholic web sites. I think it would be a good idea if you hung around here, too, as there are many mentors who can answer your questons, steer you away from false web sites, etc. Just consider CA Forums your own virtual inquiry class and all of us your virtual godparents.

Seven is the age of reason, when a person generally can tell right from wrong. Prior to that, a young child can be baptized with the parents’ OK. Between 7-17, a person CAN attend RCIA and receive whatever initiation sacraments necessary (Baptism, Confirmation and/ or Eucharist). A baptized person in that age group would also make his or her first confession if already validly baptized.

BUT, we have laws in this country about what minors can or cannot do without parental permission. Some states (Illinois is one of them) are fuzzy about the 17th year, sort of a gray area. Most states, however, say you are not of majority until you are 18.

Here is what everybody is trying to tell you NOT to do:
  • Use the Catholic Church as your rebellion breakaway with your parents. Waving the Church at your parents the way Bugs Bunny uses the matador’s cape in the one with the bull is wrong. Even if you have an idea why they left the Church, they are still your parents. If they are normally good parents (not beating you, not locking you in the basement without food, etc.), just not Catholic, well, you are theirs until you are of age. Jesus went home with Mary and Joseph from the Temple and was subject to them. How can you do less than our Lord- and he was only 12 when the incident occured. He wasn’t getting out of the house if need be at 18, with less than two years to go.
  • Rush into being Catholic without giving it a good, long think. We Catholics believe that once you’re Catholic, you’re Catholic forever (even your parents). You should really study up on what’s what here in the One True Church before you commit yourself.
You will be in my prayers, young neophyte.
 
Last night I prayed to God to change my parents mind about letting me be Catholic. The next day, today, after a long chat with my mom, she decided to let me be Catholic! 👍

I’m gonna go in later this week to talk to a priest.
 
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Laud_God:
Last night I prayed to God to change my parents mind about letting me be Catholic. The next day, today, after a long chat with my mom, she decided to let me be Catholic! 👍

I’m gonna go in later this week to talk to a priest.
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See? Now make sure you don’t antagonize the parents. 😉
 
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