Protestant to Catholic Converts? Come Here!!

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I am just beginning my conversion to Catholicism, but it has been in the works for many years.
I grew up attending Methodist services, but I am from a family with a lot of Catholic roots, many of my family members are Catholic, and I have always been very interested in the Catholic Faith.
Almost 2 years ago, I married a man who was raised Catholic, and now I have decided to convert, for our little family, but also for myself, because I feel this is where I belong.

My husband has not been confirmed yet, He and I will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil next year, and I am looking forward to sharing this experience with him.
 
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Cairisti:
Well, don’t know if I should post here as I’m only in RCIA right now, so am only a convert in my heart, but have to wait till Easter Vigil to really join. :DWell, I was raised Southern Baptist, but when I was in college I grew discouraged with the Baptists. (Went to Baylor Univ - largest Baptist college in the world, & unknown to alot, has a large Catholic student body) In fact most of my life I have had friends who were Catholic. Most of my best friends were Catholic ( and one or two Orthodox). I was always attracted to Catholicism, but never went further than that. Somehow, I knew that there was something special about the “first” Church. Then I was researching some family history, and decided to read the Catechism (in 1996) that had just come out in print. It really answered the questions I had, but never ventured to ask. Not to mention to clear up some misconceptions that as a Baptist I had. Still, I didn’t convert. (Too many distractions, but thankfully God is very patient with his children)
After attending an Orthodox Easter service, I was filled with a longing for the Church that Christ founded and knew that that was where I belonged. So even though I knew I was attracted to the Catholic Church, I wanted to make sure I joined the “real” Church. So I read and read about both (Catholic and Orthodox) . A few things happened for the next few years that were a “wake up call” so to speak and I felt lead to finally take that first big step. The distractions were gone and all I had to do was to “come home.”. So, here we are. Coming home to the Church that Christ founded. It’s been 30 years in the making. 😃 (Sorry for the length!)
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Hi Friend:

I’m just starting the whole process just like you, to “officially” become a Catholic too!! How exciting! Guess Easter Vigil will be the day! I’m so thankful! God chose us–do you realize that? What a gift! It’s completely awesome!!! My journey is very similar to yours. I think I’ll be the very first Catholic in my family in over 500 years. WOW!!!
 
Your stories are wonderful! Did you have a spiritual hunger that you know only the Catholic Church and the Body and Blood of Jesus can fill? Did you grow to understand that Jesus is truly present in His Church and that He works mystically in His Church?

I am very happy for all of you! It is very exciting!

Greg
 
I am starting the process too! I am EXTREMELY excited! Easter Vigil can not come soon enough!
 
God Bless You little flowers of the Catholic Church, you will decorate the Bride of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Live as catholics!, confess the True Faith of the Catholic Church! and so God will bless you all and will give you his Grace.
 
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Greg_McPherran:
Your stories are wonderful! Did you have a spiritual hunger that you know only the Catholic Church and the Body and Blood of Jesus can fill? Did you grow to understand that Jesus is truly present in His Church and that He works mystically in His Church?I am very happy for all of you! It is very exciting!
Greg
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For me it’s been perhaps that I’ve always been a Catholic in my heart and soul–even admidst my extremely Protestant Fundamentalist background. God has been leading me–with so many little serendipities that finally I woke up and said “hello” what could this mean? I’m supposed to answer the call!!! And I am----despite what anyone ever says in my HUGE family!!! Praise the Lord!!! Just being a part of the first original and True Family of Christ --the RCC is so overwhelming-----and exciting!!!

Thanks so much for your thoughts, encouragement!!!

Your Sister in Christ~~
 
To all of you who are in RCIA, it’s worth the wait. Easter Vigil (April 10, 2004) was one of the most special events of my entire life. My husband and I both came into the Church.

At one point during the Easter Vigil, I looked up and the walls of the building were transparent, and I saw hundreds of demons of hell beating against the walls, screaming at us, shaking their fists, wanting to get in, but knowing that they could never, ever prevail against God’s Church. I was afraid of the evil-looking demons, but I felt perfectly safe in the arms of the Church.

Someone asked what attracted us to the Catholic Church, a person, a teaching, a book, etc.

Definitely the people. I knew very little about Catholic teaching. But throughout my life, various Catholic Christians have come across my path.

One of the most memorable incidents occurred when I was a young mom. I think my daughters were around one and four years old. I was a member of Bread for the World and had to drop off some materials at St. Michael’s, one of the few Catholic churches in the city where I lived at the time. I was tired and harassed from lugging my daughters around. But when I walked into the church office, three nuns came out. They went to my daughters, who were dirty and disheveled, and said, “My, what beautiful, beautiful children.” They took the girls in their arms and asked me their names. Both of my daughters have extremely Catholic/religious sounding names (even though we weren’t Catholic), and the sisters made the biggest fuss over the names and the girls.

I realized as I watched them that they had given up children to serve Christ, and I was so touched by their love for my children and their love for Christ.

The incident has stayed with me all this time.

I have met up with other wonderful Catholic Christians too, especially through work with various pro-life organizations. I think that one reason why so many Protestant churches don’t get more involved with pro-life activities is that they know that their members will get to know these great Catholic Christians, and possibly be “led astray” to the Roman Road!

My great-uncle was a big influence, too. He was Catholic, but married a Lutheran. All his life, he went to early Mass, and then came home and went to Lutheran services with his wife. They were married almost 75 years, and he loved her to the end. He died when he was 96, and his funeral Mass had equal numbers of Catholics and Lutherans in attendance.

At one point a few years ago, when I was trying to make the decision about becoming Catholic, one of my “stumbling blocks” was that I would be separated forever from my Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ. I was at Mass, and I looked up from my prayer to see my “dead” great-uncle standing in front of me. He actually said to me, “I did it. I was a Catholic, but I still enjoyed fellowship with Protestants. You can do it, too.”

So it’s definitely the people. If you are kind-hearted Catholic, keep being kind! Your good works and loving heart will be more convincing then the most eloquently-written apologetic!
 
With regard to evangelizing friends family ect, I’ve found a good way of sharing the truth when there is a misconception.

Sometimes, the people accuse you of doing something as a Roman Catholic that they themselves do. For example: when someone says “You worship Mary!” and gives as an example the fact that you pray to her and have pictures of her, all that is needed is to point out that they do the exact same thing with their mother. They (probably) call their mother and have pictures of her. Often, the protestant will already believe in the doctrines and practices that they oppose; you just have to bring it to the front of their consciousness that they do. (I’ve convinced two protestants that they believed in purgatory!)

My parents quickly followed me into the Church (praise God!). In fact, they are going to be on the Catholic Answers Cruise (lucky them!).

Father Mitch Pacwa says that if they don’t listen to you the first time, tell them a second, and keep telling them until they get it.
 
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Andyman1517:
Certainly many of you on this forum were at one time protestant and became Catholic. I was just wondering what your story is. What/who was it that brought you (back) to the church?
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I was Methodist and belived in God. On July 5th 1966, Christ told me to become Catholic appearing to me. From that point on my life was changed forever. Afraid that I would soon abandon the idea my parents were against it. However, I continued to believe and began my self training in July of that year subscribing to Knights of Columbus pamphlets and a training course. When I moved on my own to Boston (from south central Kentucky) in August 1972 I contacted a Priest at Gate of Heaven in South Boston and became a Catholic on Sept 22, 1973. I said my Baptismal vows (I was already Baptised) in the morning and my first Confession at the same time. Later that evening I took my first Communion. Some thought I might have to march with the kids at Easter but no, I just went through the line like everyone else.

Over the years I lived not a truly Holy life sinning and abandoning Christ from time to time. For example I can remember times of getting drunk and then attending Mass early in the morning. I can recall times when things didn’t work out in my life like I wanted them to and I forgot about God. Yet, I continued in the faith thinking I was doing ok. Then in the late 90’s I began getting more in sync with the Church. God blessed me with a strong desire of becoming a Catholic Apologist. Then in September 2001 I saw how God works within us all and worked hard in prayer and being steadfast I began my faith journey once again.

Sam
 
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Greg_McPherran:
Perhaps people would like to tell how they came to believe that Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist.

Greg
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Through grace, scripture and the writings of the earliest Christians.
 
I would strongly suggest that you look faithfully into becoming a Priest. Some misunderstand the calling but it is truly a blessing to be called by God. Yes, there will be temptations and there will be hard times, but if you pray God will listen and your burden will be easier.

Sam
 
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porter11:
With regard to evangelizing friends family ect, I’ve found a good way of sharing the truth when there is a misconception.Sometimes, the people accuse you of doing something as a Roman Catholic that they themselves do. For example: when someone says “You worship Mary!” and gives as an example the fact that you pray to her and have pictures of her, all that is needed is to point out that they do the exact same thing with their mother. They (probably) call their mother and have pictures of her. Often, the protestant will already believe in the doctrines and practices that they oppose; you just have to bring it to the front of their consciousness that they do. (I’ve convinced two protestants that they believed in purgatory!)My parents quickly followed me into the Church (praise God!). In fact, they are going to be on the Catholic Answers Cruise (lucky them!).Father Mitch Pacwa says that if they don’t listen to you the first time, tell them a second, and keep telling them until they get it.
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Porter: You must have a real gift to be able to “convert” any Protestants. Especially your parents. Mine are like stone, so set in their Fundamentalist ways. Still filled with so many misconceptions about Catholicism. That’s one of my prayers that I might share the fullness and lead some folks (even 1 perhaps) to the fullness of the Truth. I wonder if other “converts” have been able to get through to even one, or if all their energy is wasted. Well at least we’re planting the seed, so it is never wasted really. Guess I just pray that someone will hear all we have to share and be open to it. We “converts” must pray for this daily.

God Bless You Brother~~
 
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Andyman1517:
Certainly many of you on this forum were at one time protestant and became Catholic. I was just wondering what your story is. What/who was it that brought you (back) to the church?
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For me, it is the Faith of Jesus that has been passes down from generation to generation from the Apostles to the current day. Also, the fact that I can trace the leadership of Christs’ Church back 2000 years and name every one of it’s leaders, as well as the wealth of the witings from such Church Fathers as Ignatius, Polycarp and Clement.

Andyman, are you considering converting? Have you read Karl Keatings’ work? I don’t know your background but if you are an Evangelical Christian, Dr. Keatings’ perspective is for you.

Peace be with you.
 
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asquared:
I would like to expand the question if I may, Were you first captivated by a book, an article, a TV show, a preacher, or by the actions and witness of a person?
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My first high school homeroom teacher gave me an assignment (he was also my social studies teacher) to research an event in history. I chose Vatican II…
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sparkle:
Hey all you “Catholic Converts” Let’s talk----have you had some trouble “witnessing” to friends and family??? What is the secret? So many just don’t even listen!!!
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No, they won’t, and what’s more you cannot make them.
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sparkle:
Should we stop all together even talking about the faith with such folks? What we have all come to learn? What God has showed us? How HE has had his hand on our shoulder for a long time? How HE has lead us to THE TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST??? Should we not even bother? Even on the net, there are so many so caught up in the total Fundamentalist agenda. I sometimes think we’re all wasting our breath. How do we really discern those we should waste our time even talking to, and those we shouldn’t? I know for a fact some Fundamentalists will never change their views. So why do so many of us even bother? While there are those who are really seeking the truth? Converts–yes–this thread is for us. I’m so thankful for it. I’m sooooooo discouraged right now.
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I’ve had a bit of sucess, not in actual conversion because that is between God and the person only, but in expanding the knowledge. I’ll say - “Come and see”. I’ve taken a woman who was still distraught over her father’s suicide to a charismatic healing service and she hasn’t looked back since. Sure, she hasn’t taken her first communion but she’s repaired dysfunctional relationships with her sisters and her mother. She is now married and has a two year old son.

Fundamentalists DO change their views - but we don’t have to be a “catholic fundamentalist” back at them to do so. All slights against Catholicism should be handled in good humour, good spirit and prayerfully. Don’t bite back - that is what some of them want.
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porter11:
With regard to evangelizing friends family ect, I’ve found a good way of sharing the truth when there is a misconception.

Sometimes, the people accuse you of doing something as a Roman Catholic that they themselves do. For example: when someone says “You worship Mary!” and gives as an example the fact that you pray to her and have pictures of her, all that is needed is to point out that they do the exact same thing with their mother. They (probably) call their mother and have pictures of her. Often, the protestant will already believe in the doctrines and practices that they oppose; you just have to bring it to the front of their consciousness that they do. (I’ve convinced two protestants that they believed in purgatory!)

My parents quickly followed me into the Church (praise God!). In fact, they are going to be on the Catholic Answers Cruise (lucky them!).

Father Mitch Pacwa says that if they don’t listen to you the first time, tell them a second, and keep telling them until they get it.
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That’s good advice.

You wanna bash my faith or do you want to know what I actually believe?
 
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sparkle:
My own father told me just yesterday --“don’t I know Catholics worship Mary?”…how can I be in a faith that does this?
I know for a fact some Fundamentalists will never change their views. So why do so many of us even bother? While there are those who are really seeking the truth?

Converts–yes–this thread is for us. I’m so thankful for it.

I’m sooooooo discouraged right now.
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Hey Dude, Who said it was going to be easy. I say witness when called upon. For instance when your father told you that we worship Mary you should have said why do you and I sit down and I will show you what the Catholic Church teaches. Or even give him a book that will explain the Marian Doctrine. Do not give up just cause they are negative. Maybe something you said today will click some time in the future. God will use you but you have to realize that is God that will convert their hearts not you. Rejoice and keep praying. If you are going to do apologetics pray and pray hard. Then ask God to give you the wisdom you need to help that person. Think about it you should not be discourage but more incouraged because the more they stick to thier guns the more in love they will be with the Bride of Christ. To quote the star trek : Resistance is futile. 😃 . Keep going doing what your doing a charitable way and God will do the Rest.
 
OK, there was brief period as a Methodist, my parents didn’t like the preacher’s politics and left. We were then Baptists. I was saved and baptized and still couldn’t get past my love of ballet and science. OK not the nornal interests but they were mine. The Baptists didn’t think my dad should let me have such interests.

I couldn’t quote scripture well because I am terrible with jumbling numbers. It was another reason to doubt my salvation. I gave them many more chances, too.

Eventually, I didn’t want any part of the God they were teaching me about. I had graduated high school and was enfering college and that was not a good time to lose my religion and morals. I blew my first independence really well.

Eventually I met my husband when I was trying to detox and he was working on being sober. We were really a match made in heaven. We have done better as a team than we did as individuals.

I went to a Catholic liturgy because my husband who had never lost his faith was playing guitar in a “youth” liturgy. It was for me the same reaction of trying to read Shakespeare and then hearing read by an accomplished actor. The holy scriptures suddenly meant something more to me. I was up singing at the Mass before I understood the order of Mass. I wouldn’t even cross myself for over a year.

Eventually I came out the closet about wanting to be Catholic – wasn’t well received. The parents thought it was my evil Catholic fiance making me become Catholic. I actually feared being kidnapped an de-programmed. I had wondered if Jesus could forgive me if I killed myself rather than let the deprogrammers wear me down. My father was pretty much working on depriving me of sleep at this time, too.

Eventually, we were wed and it was a very Sprit filled time. Many problems of Catholicism dissipated once we were married.

That was 19 years ago and I can’t thank God enough for my husband and best friend.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Mamamull
 
Well I wasn’t exactly a Protestant to Catholic convert, but I was close. In a nut shell, I was raised Catholic. Then exposed to our secular culture and education system brainwashing me into thinking man invented god. After September 11th I did a lot of reading on spiritual matters, then got caught up in all that “pretrib rapture” nonsense. At the end of the day, I have those pretrib rapture protestants to thank for getting me to rediscover the merits of Christianity first so I could then evaluate the claims of the Catholic church. Since it is such an easy case to make (they are true, after all!) I went back to confession not long after my wedding (in the church) and now am back as a full fledged member. I have a long way to go spiritually as I discard the cynicism and irrational skepticism of my former self and live as I am called to live. But it’s nice to be home.

Specifically, I would like to thank Zola Levitt (www.levitt.com), Kent Hovind (www.drdino.com) and Hal Lindsey (www.hallindsey.com) for my returning to the Catholic church! (Although I know I am no longer “saved” by their definition).

Jason
 
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