Question for Catholics who used to be Protestant

[Kal2012]

Well, I qualify since I was a former Protestant that bounced around before becoming Catholic. The Eucharist gives me deep peace, help me refocus on what Jesus did for me. It is an intimate experience. For me now and looking back at the Methodist and Charismatic Churches, the Catholic Eucharist seem very real in comparison and the others are just imitation attempts. I hope this helps.

Yep - as a former protestant, this is how I feel too. It’s hard to describe a night/day experience.

It wasn’t meaningless in Protestantism, but on a scale of 1-100, it was maybe a 10. It was important enough to remember to do once in awhile and go through the motions of the stories and drinking the grape juice and wafer. However, I never understood why we didn’t do it more often if it was something considered important.

These days, on my scale of 1-100, taking communion is a 100 plus for me. I can’t believe that I paid so little attention to it before. I can’t believe that the Protestant traditions that I was in really thought so little about having their members participate in such a sacred act. I feel like I was deprived of something unique to our faith. I also love that it’s not an afterthought, but a regular part of nearly every service that Catholics do (w/a few exceptions).

I used to be okay with missing communion. But these days, I’m not okay with missing it. I was thrilled when I could finally take communion as a convert. Especially since that’s one of the major reasons why I had issues with the Catholic church.

 

[Tommy999]

Thanks for sharing that, Kal2012. Your description is very understandable and easy to follow.

I wish my church did holy communion more often, even though I realize it is different than the Catholic experience with the Eucharist. We only take communion a few times a year currently. That makes it extra special to me when we do partake in it but I wish we had it more often.

 

[almosttwo]

Since I am not Catholic, I have never taken the Eucharist as it is known in Catholicism.

I have taken communion, but in my faith tradition it is more a symbol of Christ’s presence with us and a reminder of his supreme sacrifice for us on the cross for our sins. It is a solemn and sincere occasion,

but I perceive that in the Catholic worship experience the Eucharist stands out as super special, based on repeated comments by Catholics on CAF.

I sense the sincerity of those who share this belief and I do not doubt it

Question:
Can you describe to someone who has never experienced the Catholic Eucharist before what it feels like to partake in it…

yes – the phrase is – that it makes a catholic "Feel warm and fuzzy’

the catholic belief faith system-- gives us the superior – “feeling” that we are beliving scripture of john chapter 6

What Catholics Believe about John 6 |
Catholic Answers
… “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his … says in no uncertain terms that “the bread which I shall give . . . is my flesh.

this gives the natural mind a reason to be conforted – just as confession to a priest – conforts - the natural mind – that we are actually forgiven–

one would have to wonder if there was any spiritual anointing or presence-- in 1564 when the counsal of trent – stamped it as doctrune.

because even if going to mass – is a boring time-- we are taught that – the “real presence” is the purpose and prise-- this is why – it is viewed as the summit of catholic service or duty

 

[andrewstx]

Hi andrewstx,
Thanks for sharing your experience. It sounds like a world of difference between the two communion experiences.

Just FYI…My brother married a nice Christian lady who is CofC and they attend there.

My wife and I have vistied their CofC church a few times out of respect to them when on vacation to their state and staying in their home and I can relate to some of your observations.

My main misgiving was that they don’t allow musical instruments, so everything is sung a cappella, which exposes my singing ability (or lack thereof ), so whenever I’m there I don’t sing as fervently as I otherwise would because I don’t want to turn anyone’s stomach.

However, I also got the impression that the CofC has some good, strong people of faith in it who love the Lord and do their best to serve Him, like my brother and his wife.

There is one thing in favor of the CofC, with no instruments they learn to read music and sing in parts. I went right from the CofC and with no teaching in music theory I went right inot University Accapela choir.

 

[Peter_J]

Eastern Orthodox in union with the Papacy.

Well yes, in the sense that there are Orthodox in communion with the Pope of Alexandria, but I wouldn’t call them “Orthodox in union with the Papacy” unless trying to confuse people.

 

[Theojunkie]

I was raised pentecostal. It was offered most weeks at the majority of churches I attended.

Communion in the protestant churches meant nothing to me. It was something we did and I never put much thought into why. I knew it was an acknowledgement that we believed in Christ but it wasn’t special in any way. Showing up to church was an acknowledgement I believed in Christ. Joining in the singing of praise and worship was also an acknowledgement. It wasn’t personal in any way shape or form.

The Holy Eucharist has two sides for me.

One is that it is intensely personal. It is about me and God. God is truly present. Body, blood, soul and divinity. No body else matters because this is between me and him. He is present for me, regardless of everyone else in the room. It makes me evaluate where I stand with God in my Christian walk. It forces me to consider if I am really giving my all to God. It gives me the constant reminder of what Christ sacrificed for me and the chance to express my gratitude. As I prepare for communion, and after I receive the Holy Eucharist I am more focused on God than I am at any other time and that is such a blessing.

The other side is that I really do get a sense of community with my brothers and sisters in Christ that I didn’t have in the protestant churches. There it was supposed to be about acknowledging Christ as a community, but it didn’t actually bring out that sense that we were a community for me. In the Catholic Church it is emphasised that this is a sign for believers. We are all in this together, with our weaknesses and our strengths. We truly are a community focused on God.

This isn’t just true when I am able to partake of the Holy Eucharist. I get more out of been present for the Holy Eucharist even if I must abstain than I ever got out of communion in the protestant churches.

Well said! I was not Pentecostal, I circled through various Reformed churches. Also (disclaimer), I grew up Catholic. But my experience in Protestant churches was very individualized, and while I knew inside it was more than a symbol (probably due to my latent Catholic leanings), I felt it was something we “did” rather that something we needed. Today – back in the CC-- I love that it is really real, and I am humbled that God does not strike me dead for participating. I am not worthy, but only say the word…