Parents feel I'm Rushing into Catholicism

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Hi Zelda!

First of all, congratulations on starting the process of conversion and confirmation. This is a wonderful time in your life you will never forget.

I too converted fairly young (about 24) and everyone around me thought I was rushing and going through another one of my phases.

But these people, in fact no one, can know the depths of your heart. Only God is able to do that and obviously he has stirred something in you or you wouldn’t want to elope with Catholicism. I feel like my own conversion process was falling in love and then eloping as fast as I could. Looking back, it was actually the perfect time in my life for it. I don’t think it would have been as effective if I had waited. But of course, I had no way of knowing that. I just simply had to trust God.

I also converted from Protestantism. And one of the factors that contributed to my conversion was that I fundamentally disagreed with the precepts of Protestantism (including my old denomination). If you have a fundamental disagreement, you will not be tempted to go back because you know you are home safe in the truth. I have never looked back even though I have good memories in Protestant churches.

Yes, converting is a like marriage. But it’s not the same as a human marriage. You don’t really have to take it slow because you’re marrying the perfect spouse. You won’t be betrayed, unloved, or abandoned ever. You can trust God and his Church. Yes, we have tribulations. But that is because the Church is both human and divine. It’s humanity provides challenges, but it’s divinity will never fail you.

So, if you disagree with Protestantism, are fully confident and obedient to the authority of the Church, and are wholly in love with Jesus and wish to receive his Body and Blood in the Eucharist, then you have nothing to fear.

But also keep in mind your fear does NOT make you weak or unprepared. We will always have our doubts, that is one of the blessed burdens of being a Christian. Your fears can be used as a tool to keep you self-reflective in your faith journey.

God bless. Our prayers are with you.
 
A couple of thoughts for you, first of all, like others have said, only you can really say whether or not you are ready. RCIA directors, priests, and sponsors, can make good guesses based on what you have told them and how you are participating in RCIA and the life of the Church, but only you can really say whether or not you are ready.

The question I’d ask (you don’t actually have to answer here, just to think about) is what exactly is holding you back. Is there a specific teaching/belief/practice that you are having problems with. Is it that you don’t understand it, don’t agree with it, or just don’t “get” it. Or is it just a nagging feeling, a bit of worry, or just uncertainty about the unknown. If there is something specific that is the problem, I’d lean more toward wait, spend some time reading, praying, and sorting through it and see where it leads you. If it is more of a nagging feeling, sometimes if you have tried you best to look at it all objectively, really the only thing left is to jump in with both feet. It takes a bit of courage and that last leap can be the hardest, but sometime is necessary.

As for the PM, first off, I would take a lot of what was said with a grain of salt. The person made A LOT of claims with absolutely NO real evidence to back it up. I will address a couple of the thoughts though.

First off, the description of a “typical” convert. In my experience with RCIA, both as a convert and later as a leader, I didn’t find it at all accurate. Some people do really study their way into the Church, but there are also quite a few who convert because their spouse is Catholic, their family is Catholic, or they may have just felt a tug to the Church, but I don’t think the “typical” convert has intensely studied every little doctrine or read tons of Early Church Fathers or anything like that.

And as for all the converts who leave the Church. Again, I’d like to see any evidence that person has for his claims. Do some converts leave the Church, sure, but in my experience it is more of a drifting away and simply becoming non-practicing Catholic rather than totally leaving the Church to go back to being Protestant. This is certainly a problem, but I don’t think it is quite as prevalent as this person seems to think.

As for the comment about the sacraments, I don’t quite understand what they mean, but I do know for me, the sacraments have been one of the biggest blessings in being Catholic (I converted just over 4 years ago). The past two years or so have been VERY rough for me, lots of stress and not the most fulfilling faith life. But the thing with the sacraments is that even when I don’t feel the “warm fuzzies” I know that God is working through them. I KNOW that when I receive communion it is the Body and Blood of Christ, even when it doesn’t feel good. I know that when the priest prays the prayer of absolution in confession that my sins are gone even when it doesn’t feel any different. That is the blessing of the sacraments. I can taste, see, hear what is going on and know in my head that God works through that even when my heart has trouble.

I don’t know how much any of that helps, but there it is. 🤷 😃
 
Z, one thing that might help you right now, is to take a hot bath, drink a nice cup of tea and then sit in silence and pray/spend time with God. It usually does the trick for me 🙂
 
First I am so sorry about that PM - it was disgusting and cowardly for someone to have done that.

Second, I converted in 2008 formally. I had my first confession in 2004 in a desert in Iraq while serving. It took a lot of soul searching. Remember your conversion will leave an indellible mark on your soul with promises to follow the precepts - if you are not sure you can commit to doing this wait another year and go back through RCIA again. You are young and it is OK. You are not turning back on the truth you are making sure of it. God shows us that He loves us by giving us Free Will to choose Him freely. If He did not Love us that much He would try to force into His Church by one way or another - but yet He allows you to make your own decisions. This should tell you everything you need to know logically. Now you just need to make your heart and your head match up.
 
Rossignol said:
Hi Zelda!

First of all, congratulations on starting the process of conversion and confirmation. This is a wonderful time in your life you will never forget.

I too converted fairly young (about 24) and everyone around me thought I was rushing and going through another one of my phases.

But these people, in fact no one, can know the depths of your heart. Only God is able to do that and obviously he has stirred something in you or you wouldn’t want to elope with Catholicism. I feel like my own conversion process was falling in love and then eloping as fast as I could. Looking back, it was actually the perfect time in my life for it. I don’t think it would have been as effective if I had waited. But of course, I had no way of knowing that. I just simply had to trust God.

I also converted from Protestantism. And one of the factors that contributed to my conversion was that I fundamentally disagreed with the precepts of Protestantism (including my old denomination). If you have a fundamental disagreement, you will not be tempted to go back because you know you are home safe in the truth. I have never looked back even though I have good memories in Protestant churches.

Yes, converting is a like marriage. But it’s not the same as a human marriage. You don’t really have to take it slow because you’re marrying the perfect spouse. You won’t be betrayed, unloved, or abandoned ever. You can trust God and his Church. Yes, we have tribulations. But that is because the Church is both human and divine. It’s humanity provides challenges, but it’s divinity will never fail you.

So, if you disagree with Protestantism, are fully confident and obedient to the authority of the Church, and are wholly in love with Jesus and wish to receive his Body and Blood in the Eucharist, then you have nothing to fear.

But also keep in mind your fear does NOT make you weak or unprepared. We will always have our doubts, that is one of the blessed burdens of being a Christian. Your fears can be used as a tool to keep you self-reflective in your faith journey.

God bless. Our prayers are with you.
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Excellent post, and very reassuring from the right perspective - that of a convert from Protestantism. I love your statement about trusting God and his Church.

:clapping::aok:
 
Zeldarocks said:
I don’t understand why I’m feeling like this; I was feeling just fine until I read that message, then I was struck with a deep depression. I’m trying to remind myself of the ECFs and the Role of the Church (as those two are my biggest supports at the moment) but I still feel lethargic and depressed; I can’t bring myself out of it no matter what I do…
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First, about the PM. This is the internet. You don’t know anything about the sender or their intentions. In charity, I assume that they are good. Yet, the numbers are suspicious. There is simply no data collection that I know of from which such numbers could be drawn.

Second, as a convert myself, I could not possibly be more happy. There was a hole in my life before that I didn’t even know was there. I have learned that this really is a journey (that is not hyperbole) and that my conversion continues every single day.

Lastly, this is your decision. If you truly are not ready, then wait. If you are “mostly there”, then you are like virtually every other convert.
 
Praying for you from today’s Liturgy of the Hours:

Ant. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God.

Ant. 2 The Lord, the mighty conqueror, will come; he will bring with him the prize of victory.

Ant. Give praise to the Lord our God, bow down before his holy mountain.

READING Hebrews 13:7-9a

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you; consider how their lives ended, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.

Christ, you decided to show your merciful love through your holy shepherds,
let your mercy always reach us through them.
– Nourish your people, Lord.

Through your vicars you continue to perform the ministry of shepherd of souls,
direct us always through our leaders.
– Nourish your people, Lord.

Through your holy ones, the leaders of your people, you served as physician of our bodies and our spirits,
continue to fulfill your ministry of life and holiness in us.
– Nourish your people, Lord.

You taught your flock through the prudence and love of your saints,
grant us continual growth in holiness under the direction of our pastors.
– Nourish your people, Lord.

Concluding Prayer

God our Father,
you gave your saints Timothy and Titus
the courage and wisdom of the apostles:
may their prayers help us to live holy lives
and lead us to heaven, our true home.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.
 
Zeldarocks said:
My RCIA coordinator thinks I’m prepared, my Sponsor thinks I’m prepared… I don’t know however…
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I agree with whoever suggested you can wait a year, if you’d feel more comfortable that way. I think there are so many negative people trying to influence your decision that you’ve become confused.
 
If the Roman Catholic Church is truly the Church established by Christ, then I must come regardless of how I feel; Peter didn’t hesitate to meet Jesus on the water, even when his physical circumstances felt overwhelming, he stepped out in faith and came to Him.
 
Zeldarocks said:
If the Roman Catholic Church is truly the Church established by Christ, then I must come regardless of how I feel; Peter didn’t hesitate to meet Jesus on the water, even when his physical circumstances felt overwhelming, he stepped out in faith and came to Him.
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That is a truly Catholic response. We will all be praying for you as the Easter vigil approaches. God bless you.
 
Zeldarocks said:
If the Roman Catholic Church is truly the Church established by Christ, then I must come regardless of how I feel; Peter didn’t hesitate to meet Jesus on the water, even when his physical circumstances felt overwhelming, he stepped out in faith and came to Him.
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Very true.

The membership class at my old non-Catholic church took about 6 weeks to complete. It met once a week during Sunday School for about 30 minutes. I suspect many other non-Catholic churches have similarly short (and perhaps superficial, as ours was) classes to prepare new members. On the other end of the spectrum is Catholicism with a 7-8 month RCIA class. Mine was 2 hours a week, plus extra engagements (e.g. Rite of Election) and plenty of outside reading.

I’m sure it depends on the parish, but relatively speaking it’s not at all rushed.
 
AlwaysCurious said:
Very true.

The membership class at my old non-Catholic church took about 6 weeks to complete. It met once a week during Sunday School for about 30 minutes. I suspect many other non-Catholic churches have similarly short (and perhaps superficial, as ours was) classes to prepare new members. On the other end of the spectrum is Catholicism with a 7-8 month RCIA class. Mine was 2 hours a week, plus extra engagements (e.g. Rite of Election) and plenty of outside reading.

I’m sure it depends on the parish, but relatively speaking it’s not at all rushed.
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The mark of the true Church is that it is difficult to join and easy to leave. Conversely, there are many that are easy to join and difficult to leave.
 
Zeldarocks said:
If the Roman Catholic Church is truly the Church established by Christ, then I must come regardless of how I feel; Peter didn’t hesitate to meet Jesus on the water, even when his physical circumstances felt overwhelming, he stepped out in faith and came to Him.
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👍 That response alone should give you hope, friend.
 
Zeldarocks said:
If the Roman Catholic Church is truly the Church established by Christ, then I must come regardless of how I feel; Peter didn’t hesitate to meet Jesus on the water, even when his physical circumstances felt overwhelming, he stepped out in faith and came to Him.
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That is an AWESOME statement, Zeldarocks!!! Seriously, you converts inspire us SO MUCH - your struggles, your challenges, and your triumphs. God bless you.

:signofcross::aok:
 
Zeldarocks said:
My parents are wanting me to wait and take some time to truly discern my journey into the Church; they understand that my being of age (I’m 19) entitles me to make my own decision on this, but at the same time, they feel as if I am rushing into Catholicism. I spoke to my priest about this and am waiting to hear back from my RCIA coordinator as well. What do you guys think I should do?
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I’m sure your parents are quite concerned. Most non-Catholics are. My Mother STILL doesn’t get it. She’s Lutheran and “knows all about that Catholic Church stuff.” There are so many incorrect perceptions going around out there, you would not believe. They’ve heard them all and believe them to be true. I was skeptical, then I was in denial… eventually I found the Church is the Truth. No lie can last 2000 years and not be “found out.”

I suspect you are worried you might be making a mistake because of the concern of your parents or friends. Let them judge you by your Christian nature as the Church enables you to be more Christ like. I suggest you listen to some other voices. Scott Hahn’s own conversion story is amazing as well as several others. If these dedicated, evangelical Bible Scholars have found the path to the Catholic Church, well, it would seem that the less knowledgeable might better pay attention! It’s not like they change churches every few months based upon who’s preaching. They KNOW the Truth. You will need to as well. Study harder my friend. Use some of the free MP3’s and such in the Consolodated Electronic Resources thread.

Read, Read and Read some more. The more you learn, the more confidence you will have that you are making the right decision. Trust me. It took me some years to figure out that I can’t out think centuries of theologians’ contemplation and study. Truly, you need ask God what you should do. Ask and quietly listen for the answer. You will receive it.

If your parents express their concerns about you rushing, promise them you will walk more slowly to Mass next Sunday. 😉
 
Zeldarocks said:
If the Roman Catholic Church is truly the Church established by Christ, then I must come regardless of how I feel; Peter didn’t hesitate to meet Jesus on the water, even when his physical circumstances felt overwhelming, he stepped out in faith and came to Him.
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It’s official!! You are my inspiration.:bowdown: I take back what I said before, you are ready to jump in and join us…:extrahappy:

I will pray for you and your family. :harp::crossrc:
 
Both my priest and my parents are in agreement, as is my RCIA coordinator and Sponsor; I will wait until next Easter Vigil to be received into the Church… I don’t like it one bit, but I want/need to willingly submit to both my temporal and eternal authorities…
 
Zeldarocks said:
Both my priest and my parents are in agreement, as is my RCIA coordinator and Sponsor; I will wait until next Easter Vigil to be received into the Church… I don’t like it one bit, but I want/need to willingly submit to both my temporal and eternal authorities…
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I couldn’t tell my parents about my conversion (until well after the fact, it did not go over well) but when I approached the parish priest about joining the church he told me emphatically that it was too late in the RCIA cycle to start. I was very upset.

I had a profound conversion experience and while I knew I had to wait for over 16 months to celebrate the Sacraments, I immersed myself in Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, and service projects because the Lord was calling!

Now we have the internet. By the time I started RCIA the following year I would say I was more knowledgable than most of the sponsors about the faith. Baptism brought me tears, Confirmation was powerful, and receiving Our Lord after having gone to daily Mass for 18 months was unforgettable.

I will pray for you because the Devil will out with his minions to tempt you in this lengthy wait.

God Bless
 
The Lord and Blessed Virgin have done something great for me: They have related the Joyful Mysteries to my present situation.

Mary’s Fiat:

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, she was afraid, she did not know how any of this was going to come to pass; yet she trusted in God and threw herself into His arms in saying “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to Thy will.” Even in her uncertainty and fear, she trusted that God would fulfill His promise and give to her the Messiah.

I must likewise trust in the Lord God and throw myself into His arms, knowing that everything will come to pass in accordance with His plan.

Mary Blessed of God:

At first she was afraid, but she soon went quickly to relay the news to Elizabeth; she was blessed of God in her sudden burst of Joy, and in her revelation that all subsequent generations would call her blessed.

In the same way, God will bless me in this if I wait to join the Church; I am submitting to my parent’s authority as Mary did to God the Father, I will receive “great things from Him”

Mary’s Joy upon Fulfillment:

When all was said and done, Mary gave birth to the Messiah in joy and celebration, along with all of the Hosts of Heaven.

I will likewise be jubilant when my reception into the Church is consummated in accordance with the Will of God, and the consent of those in authority around me, temporal and spiritual.

Jesus’ Presentation by Mary:

When Mary finally presented Jesus in the Temple, it was the culmination of His nativity; the promise had been fulfilled, and now it was being lawfully consummated.

I must likewise do “all things decently and in order” so as to satisfy the precepts, the will of the Lord for my life.

Mary’s Sorrow in Losing Jesus:

When the Virgin Mary sought Jesus in Jerusalem, she was frightened and sorrowful; but she was finally able to find Him after three long days of searching.

This is an allusion to the Death and Resurrection of Jesus; upon His death, Mary was sorrowful and frightened; but was overcome with joy after three long and agonizing days when her son returned to Her. Likewise, I was filled with sorrow having heard that I would have to wait until next Easter Vigil; but following the consumation of the next Easter Vigil in 2013, I will joyfully take my place among the people of God, in Fullness and in Truth.
 
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