Parents feel I'm Rushing into Catholicism

[ChildofGod2091]

As someone who converted at the age of 19 (and I’m 20 now) I was actually kind of surprised that my parents didn’t freak out in the least. (Though they had plenty of misconceptions about the Church.)

I think what your parents need to understand is that no one is forcing you to do this. RCIA isn’t exactly a short process (and it will probably seem like it will drag on forever and the Easter Vigil will never come but it’s SOOOOOO worth it.) and it’s super informative. They’ll answer any questions you have, and I know I was asked by our RCIA co-ordinator a few times (as everyone else before taking the next steps of course) if I wanted to continue along with the process. It’s a huge, life changing decision so it’s not like you’ll be going about this whole Catholic thing uninformed. It might even help to see if you can bring your parents to one of the meetings, just to show them exactly what goes on and give them a chance to ask some questions too.
Just understand that your parents want the best for you, and they just want to make sure you know what your doing, and I think it scares the heck out of our parents when we’ve passed the legal adult age. It’s probably another thing when you convert at the age of 19. Most kids party…we convert to Catholicism.

But what else I can tell you is just continue to pray and develop your relationship with God, if if this is what God wants you to do (which I don’t really know why He wouldn’t want you too…) then do it You’ve only got two months left so you’ve already made it such a long way. If you felt that something were seriously wrong, you wouldn’t be where you are now

P.S. I can’t wait until Easter!!! 2 years Eeeeeekkk! Okay girly moment, but one day (in approx. 2 months) you’ll understand

 

[Julia_Mae]

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?

It is entirely inconsequential what anyone else thinks. (I’m not sure how you can “rush” if you’ve been going through RCIA for months, though.)

Pray, listen, respond.

 

[Zeldarocks]

Trust me when I say that if it were wholly up to me, I would not hesitate to come home this Easter, but, as St. Augustine said: “Rome has spoken, the case is closed.”

 

[newbetx]

Taking some more time, IMO, isn’t a bad thing. I went through RCIA and to be quite honest, I still didn’t know what I was signing up for. It’s not that there are ridiculous demands. No. there are not, unless you think striving to be Christ-like or Saint-like is ridiculous. As your priest has suggested another year, I guess it’s not really up to you for this year. So I suggest getting involved with something to strengthen you journey. Something at the parish like a specific study group or an in depth study of a concept you struggle with. It could be confession, contraception, the real presence, Marian Dogmas… all these ideas can be confusing or difficult for a convert. I’ve been there. The Catholic Church is so RICH in concepts, structures, theology and Truth. There is so much learn. Even RCIA can’t complete the education. It can only touch on it. The rest is up to the convert. Much resource for you here on CAF my friend. I look forward to being able to say “welcome home!”

 

[jazzy0710]

Follow your heart.

Honoring your parents does not mean you can’t follow your heart and still love and respect them.

They are your parents they will always love you and will understand if you are called to vocation in the church . They just want what is best for you; but in this issue, only you can decide.

100% agreed

 

[MadMax73]

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.

Spoken like a true Roman.

May the Mass be your sword and the Rosary be your shield for the time being my friend.

 

[domandcarols]

Trust me when I say that if it were wholly up to me, I would not hesitate to come home this Easter, but, as St. Augustine said: “Rome has spoken, the case is closed.”

Don’t worry, next Easter will be here before you know it. We will all be praying for you.
Just continue to learn and grow in the faith, pray the rosary, go to mass, etc.
God bless you!

 

[anodos]

I received a PM recently that just completely demotivated me… I’m not going to reveal the sender out of courtesy and decency, but this is what was said:

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There is a reason why your parents are right to be concerned about how quickly you make the decision to swim the Tiber, and it has to do with the average American Protestant who converts to Catholicism.

The entire PM was unnecessarily dismal and insulting. But this sentence in particular seemed odd. The sender seems to be suggesting that, in this situation, your parents are worried that you will join the Catholic Church too soon and end up reverting to Protestantism. Why does he/she assume that your parents are afraid that you will revert to Protestantism?
At 19, you are not under your parents’ authority. You must honor them, of course, but they do not have the right to determine when you’re ready to do something like this, especially when (from the sound of your earlier posts, at least) they very clearly, adamantly do not want you to do this at all.
If you believe, for yourself, that it would be good to wait another year, then that’s a very good reason to wait; but don’t allow yourself to be guilted or bullied into waiting.

 

[Zeldarocks]

The entire PM was unnecessarily dismal and insulting. But this sentence in particular seemed odd. The sender seems to be suggesting that, in this situation, your parents are worried that you will join the Catholic Church too soon and end up reverting to Protestantism. Why does he/she assume that your parents are afraid that you will revert to Protestantism?
At 19, you are not under your parents’ authority. You must honor them, of course, but they do not have the right to determine when you’re ready to do something like this, especially when (from the sound of your earlier posts, at least) they very clearly, adamantly do not want you to do this at all.
If you believe, for yourself, that it would be good to wait another year, then that’s a very good reason to wait; but don’t allow yourself to be guilted or bullied into waiting.

Initially, I felt that I had the right to do as I pleased, that is, until I spoke to my priest and he sided with my parents; I also spoke to my RCIA coordinator, who also sided with them both. I then brought it to the Virgin Mary in the Rosary, and I came out with the above reflections on the Joyful Mysteries, which made it clear that I should wait, if only to have the blessing of God in submitting to my parents’ will.

 

[newbetx]

I received a PM recently that just completely demotivated me… I’m not going to reveal the sender out of courtesy and decency, but this is what was said:

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My faith was completely shot on reading that post, I feel almost depressed…

My… anti-catholics. Get use to them. There wouldn’t be so many different protestant groups, independent churches etc. without such feelings. Many many posts here by such people… and oh, they SO want to SAVE you. Happened to me too when they found out I was becoming Catholic. If you didn’t read Scott Hahn’s conversion story, now would be a good time to. He really did think he was trying to save those Catholics.

Conversion is tough for many, It is VERY true. You think you are done when you complete RCIA… but you are not. If you don’t continue to grow your faith, it will whither and die. You might even begin to believe all the incorrect information your friends believe because you don’t have the back ground to defend the faith. Trust me. It’s all there. I’ve never once come upon a “lie” by the Church.

Study my friend.

 

[anodos]

Initially, I felt that I had the right to do as I pleased, that is, until I spoke to my priest and he sided with my parents; I also spoke to my RCIA coordinator, who also sided with them both. I then brought it to the Virgin Mary in the Rosary, and I came out with the above reflections on the Joyful Mysteries, which made it clear that I should wait, if only to have the blessing of God in submitting to my parents’ will.

It sounds like you have made a very thorough and thoughtful decision. I’m sorry if I sounded frantic or pushy in my last post, please accept my apologies!