Question for Catholics who used to be Protestant

[Denise1957]

I hardly ever attended church on Sunday or any other time when I was a Protestant, but for a short time before I converted, I attended a Methodist church, but there wasn’t communion of any kind offered. However, when my family attended a Mormon church for a couple of years when I was in grade school, there was communion given on Sunday. It was bite-sized pieces of bread in a dixie cup, which was passed in the pews. I only have a vague memory of it being associated with Jesus, but I don’t remember much from that church, even though I really liked it. I attended one Assemblies of God church service with my grandmother when I was a child, but there was no type of communion offered (I come from a long line of Pentacostals from my dad’s mom’s side).

So when I first attended a Catholic Mass, I really had no concept of what Holy Eucharist was and is, but when I realized what the Catholic belief about Holy Eucharist is, I didn’t really question it. I don’t know why, but it made sense that Holy Eucharist is considered to be the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

I’ve never had any sort of emotional or phenomena-based experience when receiving Holy Communion as a Catholic convert. I just feel that I am close to Our Lord when I receive Holy Communion. It’s a wonderful thing. One traditional priest once stated that we should approach Holy Communion as if it were our very first communion, and our very last. It’s important to show great reverence and thankfulness toward Our Lord in holy Communion.

 

[constantconvert]

Communion has always meant a lot to me in meditating about what Christ has done for me on the cross. Now as a Catholic, I’m able to participate in the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice with all the angels and saints in heaven. I can participate in his crucifixion and his body, blood, soul and divinity in a way that I could not as a Protestant. I don’t think I feel any different but it adds a whole new dimension to it, and of course there are so many special graces and helps for living the Christian life and resisting sin and temptation when we receive the Eucharist

 

[Tommy999]

I hope it’s okay to post this link. My conversion story was published on another Catholic website. The description you’re looking for is towards the end. There are many other stories on this website, too.

chnetwork.org/2014/07/taking-courage-god-drew-light-church-conversion-story-alicia-smith/

(formerly “lutheran farmer”)

Hi Catholic farmer,
It’s totally fine to post on the subject as far as I’m concerned. Thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us. I wish you all the best as a Catholic.

 

[Tommy999]

I used to be in the UMC and I’m in RCIA now, so looking forward to first communion! We usually did communion once a week at the church I was in before. It was my favorite part of the service. Even so, it was treated only as symbolic so if the schedule wouldn’t acomodate communion they’d just not do it that week. This is something I am really wondering about as well; what first communion in a Catholic Church will be like. I won’t know until I get there and I won’t get there until (probably) next Easter.

Hi ArchAngeles,
Please share your experience with us when you experience your first communion in the CC, if you don’t mind. I, for one, would like to hear it.

 

[Tommy999]

I have to agree, as a recent convert, it is hard to put into words. But i will try

my heart still races as i approach our priest, i still have to hold my hands tightly together in front of me so no one notices my hands still shake a bit, i still worry continuously as to whether or not i have committed a sin this past week that i cant remember and that i should goto to confession for, i am still worried i am going to forget to say Amen, or drop the host (so now i receive on the tongue), then afterwards, i just hope i can get back to the pew so people dont see that i still cry after receiving, yet when i get back and kneel, i pray to the Holy Spirit to never let me get to where i dont cry anymore.
On a side note i was blessed with a very beautiful mystery revealed to me about the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, twice, when i was receiving in the hand, the hand i took the host with had a slightly sweet smell that i can only p(name removed by moderator)oint as a marshmallow smell and no it wasnt something on my hands because after the sign of peace i discreetly use alcohol based hand gel which i also love to smell.

I’m not a Catholic but I wouldn’t be embarrassed to cry a little bit if I was moved like you were with the whole experience.

 

[Tommy999]

I was originally baptised Presbyterian, and spent about nine years in a Presbyterian Church when I first became Christian in the real sense.

Since I am now a Catholic (and will remain one, since I believe the Catholic Church is closest to the truth), I take it by faith that Christ is somehow present in the Eucharist, and that we, at least in a spiritual sense, eat Christ’s body and drink His blood at every mass, fulfilling His request that we do this in remembrance of Him, whenever we meet.

I can also say that these days there always seems to be something missing from Protestant services when I attend them. They might have better music, better sermons (or homilies as we call them); they might be more welcoming, more evangelistic, more active within their parish demography, more enthusiastic, more mission minded, more willing to donate time and money - all things we Catholics could take to heart frankly.But there’s something missing and it’s the Eucharist.

When I was in the Presbyterian Church, we only had communion every quarter. It was also quite solemn, taken very seriously, and the communion hymn was always beautifully sung. In my wife’s Baptist Church, it’s every month (I try to avoid attending her church on those days, as I just can’t be bothered grand standing on the issue of not taking communion in a Protestant Church, and generating tension at home).

But it’s not the same. And the reason, to put it bluntly, is that they short sell the importance of the reality of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. The sanctified bread and the wine are more than just symbols.

But until they are consecrated by the presence of the Holy Spirit during the Eucharist, they are purely bread and wine, no different from the secular products.

I remember the priest joking about an altar boy getting into the wine cupboard when I was doing RCIA. He said it would be the biggest mistake he could make, not because it was consecrated (it wasn’t), but because it was poor quality wine.

In closing, some of the Bible passage which underline the importance of the Eucharist are shown below -

Thanks, Bob. I can relate to and I appreciate much of of what you shared, some of which I highlighted above in bold. I truly lke many things about my protestant tradition but I feel there is a missing piece, and it just might be the Eucharist.

 

[Tommy999]

I was raised by my parents that went to the Presbyterian Church. My father continues to struggle to believe and have faith in God. I picked that up. My conversion to Christ through His Church has been a continual and gradual process. About 9 years ago, I went through the RCIA program and joined the Catholic Church.

First, not all people are the same. The way people experience simple things, like the taste of some fruit, is not always the same. So, entering into a special union with Christ through the Eucharist must necessarily also be an experience unique to the individual at that point in time.

Sometimes, I feel tremendous love. Sometimes, I don’t. Sometimes I just ask Christ to mend my brokenness. In any event, I know that I have entered into a tremendously intimate union with Christ - about as intimate as it can possibly get.

My parents went to church and did what they did so that they could have fellowship with people they thought were enjoyable to be around. But, I fell in love with a wonderful Catholic woman, and since I wasn’t attached to any particular religion, I made the commitment to go with her to church throughout our marriage.

17 years after marrying her in the Catholic Church, I joined the Church.

Before my coming into the Church, I wondered why so much time was spent on the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I figured they could just get that done before people showed up - and then we could have more time for singing or listening to a sermon.

It has taken a while, but now I have come to understand how the sacramental nature of the Eucharist is so similar to Christ himself. If we were to put Christ through all sorts of lab tests, he’d test out to be completely human with no “God-part” whatsoever. But, we know that Christ has two natures. One divine, and one human - and these natures are unified in the second person of the Trinity.

The Eucharist is the same way. It would test out to be completely normal bread and wine. But, it has a natural nature and a supernatural nature. One might expect that the sacraments created by Christ would mirror his own nature.

Today, I love with great passion any chance I can get to go to Mass and to be standing there and give thanks to Christ for the great gifts he gives to all of us unworthy children.

So, I’m not sure that the Eucharist does anything **TO **me, or anything **FOR **me - but I love the reception of the Eucharist beyond expression.

Wow, that was an awesome explanation, in_servitude. Very understandable, also. By the way, I too was raised in a Presbyterian church until I was about 20 years old.

 

[Tommy999]

I hardly ever attended church on Sunday or any other time when I was a Protestant, but for a short time before I converted, I attended a Methodist church, but there wasn’t communion of any kind offered. However, when my family attended a Mormon church for a couple of years when I was in grade school, there was communion given on Sunday. It was bite-sized pieces of bread in a dixie cup, which was passed in the pews. I only have a vague memory of it being associated with Jesus, but I don’t remember much from that church, even though I really liked it. I attended one Assemblies of God church service with my grandmother when I was a child, but there was no type of communion offered (I come from a long line of Pentacostals from my dad’s mom’s side).

So when I first attended a Catholic Mass, I really had no concept of what Holy Eucharist was and is, but when I realized what the Catholic belief about Holy Eucharist is, I didn’t really question it. I don’t know why, but it made sense that Holy Eucharist is considered to be the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

I’ve never had any sort of emotional or phenomena-based experience when receiving Holy Communion as a Catholic convert. I just feel that I am close to Our Lord when I receive Holy Communion. It’s a wonderful thing. One traditional priest once stated that we should approach Holy Communion as if it were our very first communion, and our very last. It’s important to show great reverence and thankfulness toward Our Lord in holy Communion.

I agree 100% on showing great reverence and thankfulness toward Our Lord in holy Communion, Denise. Sounds like everyone’s experience is unique to them, but very special in its own way. Thanks again to all who have shared. Much appreciated!

 

[7_Sorrows]

I hope it’s okay to post this link. My conversion story was published on another Catholic website. The description you’re looking for is towards the end. There are many other stories on this website, too.

chnetwork.org/2014/07/taking-courage-god-drew-light-church-conversion-story-alicia-smith/

(formerly “lutheran farmer”)

That is a beautiful conversion story. Why did you continue to call yourself lutheran farmer until now?

I wish I would have pursued catholicism when I was 16 instead of waiting until I was 56!

 

[Catholic_farmer]

Hi, 7 sorrows! I couldn’t change my user name so I thought putting “Roman Catholic” under the info line would be good enough. Eventually, I just had to suck it up and register all over again to get a new user name. Nothing against the local friendly Lutherans, of course.

(formerly “lutheran farmer”)

 

[7_Sorrows]

Hi, 7 sorrows! I couldn’t change my user name so I thought putting “Roman Catholic” under the info line would be good enough. Eventually, I just had to suck it up and register all over again to get a new user name. Nothing against the local friendly Lutherans, of course.

(formerly “lutheran farmer”)

gotcha!

 

[Tommy999]

Hi, 7 sorrows! I couldn’t change my user name so I thought putting “Roman Catholic” under the info line would be good enough. Eventually, I just had to suck it up and register all over again to get a new user name. Nothing against the local friendly Lutherans, of course.

(formerly “lutheran farmer”)

I just read your amazing conversion story, too, Catholic farmer. Sounds like lots of sadness growing up but I’m glad you came to discover the Lord as your rock of stability and how He’s made such a big difference in your life. May the Lord continue to bless you always as you serve Him.

 

[ptisme]

I’m a cradle Catholic who really didn’t know his religion very well, despite attending Catholic school. I fell away when I joined the military and 20 years later came back when my kids started asking why we don’t go to church. I investigated other Christian religions and examined the RCC with a fine tooth comb. That’s what led me back… In full force! Anyway, I get emotional when our Priest says in his deep voice: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”…
As a side note, reading the emotional stories of the former protestants, now Catholics, I really feel like I missed out for a quarter of my life and I have no one to blame but myself…

 

[FathersKnowBest]

I am not Catholic, though I can not truly describe myself as Protestant anymore, since I am in the process of investigating what Catholics believe and so far am becoming more Catholic in thought day by day. So, I can’t answer what it feels like since when I’ve attended mass before I’ve asked for a blessing and not inappropriately taken the Eucharist, but I can share some thoughts.

God Bless You, Sir!

You’re not quite home yet, but you can see it from where you are! I really look forward to the day when I can welcome you home!

The last time my protestant church celebrated communion, I almost didn’t participate. I go to a non-denominational Christian fellowship, and we rotate the person doing communion frequently. This last time, it was someone from a tradition that lays very heavy emphasis on how it was just a symbol.

But that’s correct. Outside the Catholic and EO mass, it is just a symbol.

It just felt so hollow, especially after learning what God says strongly through both Sacred Scripture and Tradition about the Eucharist.

The Catholic view of Eucharist is much richer. It reflects the events of John 6 and the words of Jesus at his Last Supper more accurately. It doesn’t try to negate the words of Christ by adding a qualifier that Jesus didn’t really mean what he said. Spiritually, it’s a direct, physical connection to Jesus Christ. We Protestants always talk about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but the Eucharist is part of what enables Catholics to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. When a Catholic goes to Church, (s)he meets Jesus in the scripture readings but also has a personal, physical relationship with Him through the Eucharist.

I absolutely LOVE the way Scott Hahn describes it. I’ve heard him use this analogy in recent talks, and he expounds on it in Evangelizing Catholics:
In a sense, those three stages of entering into the life of Christ — evangelizing, catechizing, and sacramentalizing — match up to the three stages of romance: courtship, engagement, and marriage.

In other words, the evangelical phrase of “knowing Jesus as you personal Lord and Savior” is necessary, but not sufficient. It is the first stage of a relationship with Him, akin to courtship in a marital relationship. But we must advance further to a committed relationship (analogous to engagement), and finally to a sacramental relationship (marriage).

I apologize if any of this is incorrect or incomplete from a Catholic P.O.V. Like I said, I’m not a Catholic, though likely one day I will be. Hope this was helpful!

I certainly saw nothing wrong, and again, I’m looking forward to your entry into the Church as well!

 

[Per_Crucem]

God Bless You, Sir!

You’re not quite home yet, but you can see it from where you are! I really look forward to the day when I can welcome you home!

Me first.

 

[FathersKnowBest]

I hope it’s okay to post this link. My conversion story was published on another Catholic website. The description you’re looking for is towards the end. There are many other stories on this website, too.

chnetwork.org/2014/07/taking-courage-god-drew-light-church-conversion-story-alicia-smith/

(formerly “lutheran farmer”)

Wow – just wow!

What a story!

 

[Catholic_farmer]

Thank you very much.

The descriptions on this thread are wonderful. Thank you for asking such a great question, OP!

(formerly “lutheran farmer”)

 

[ptisme]

Me first.

Per Crucem, Parden me if I should know this but I’m new to the site. Are you considering becoming Catholic? I was wondering what you meant by “me first”. Also, I see you are from the Green Bay area: GO PACK!!

 

[Per_Crucem]

Per Crucem, Parden me if I should know this but I’m new to the site. Are you considering becoming Catholic? I was wondering what you meant by “me first”. Also, I see you are from the Green Bay area: GO PACK!!

Hey ptisme, no pardon necessary. Am I considering? Well, my wife is Catholic and so are our children, so I will live vicariously through them . If I did become Catholic, it would be Eastern Catholic. I’ve considered Orthodoxy. I am, shall we say, dismayed by Lutheranism. Not mainly for theological reasons, but for ecclesiastical ones. The state of the Lutheran church in the US is, to say the least, miserable.

 

[ptisme]

Hey ptisme, no pardon necessary. Am I considering? Well, my wife is Catholic and so are our children, so I will live vicariously through them . If I did become Catholic, it would be Eastern Catholic. I’ve considered Orthodoxy. I am, shall we say, dismayed by Lutheranism. Not mainly for theological reasons, but for ecclesiastical ones. The state of the Lutheran church in the US is, to say the least, miserable.

So what is it about the RCC that is keeping you from switching and what is it about the Lutheran church that has you dismayed? PS, What’s Eastern Catholic?