Question for former Protestants -- What was the major obstacle you had to overcome to become Catholic?

[Denise1957]

Hello all,
This thread is directed to Catholics who used to be Protestants who are happy you converted to Catholicism. I wanted to see if you could briefly share the following for my benefit.

Background:
I’m an evangelical Christian who has felt an intermittent tug in my spirit toward Catholicism since May of this year after I started listening to Catholic Answers. At this point I am still an inquirer and cannot promise I will ever make it to RCIA because I still struggle with certain Catholic beliefs, but I haven’t ruled it out because I have deep and abiding respect for the Catholic Church.

I love the Lord with all my heart and want to serve and live for Him daily. I am happy in my current faith tradition but feel something is missing but I can’t put my finger on it.

Questions:

1. What were your main hurdles to becoming Catholic?
2. How did you overcome Question 1?
3. Outside of the Eucharist, which I know is a major difference, how was your spiritual journey enhanced through Catholicism?
4. Name a couple of positive traits of your previous Protestant faith tradition that you miss or look back on fondly.

Feel free to answer one or all of these questions. My only request is that your answers be fairly concise if at all possible because I have A D D and have trouble concentrating on super lengthy replies. Much appreciated. :tiphat:

P.S. I am especially interested in questions #1 and #2 most of all.

For me, there were several hurdles I had to get over before deciding to convert. In fact, when I first began attending Mass, I had no intention of converting. I just wanted a peaceful church experience, after having had attended a rock and roll Methodist church.

It really bothered me when I first began to attending, that there was a reverence shown to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Hail Mary was prayed after Mass. However, this was gotten over several moths later when, while finding myself in a frightening situation on an airplane flight (I had a serious fear of flying), I prayed a lot, mostly the Our Father but I also included the Hail Mary out of desperation (or the parts of it I could remember), and after that felt an overwhelming sense of peace that lasted for about three days, and was a type of peace that is not easy to describe. The only thing I could attribute it to was the Hail Mary in addition to the Our Father. On the plane flight back, it was the same. I was very fearful, but felt that sense of peace after praying. It was after that that I learned to pray the Rosary, and thought too about conversion.

There were other things that I also had difficulty with, such as all of the “rules.” I didn’t think that I could comply with them, but as it turned out, it’s not that difficult. What’s difficult is going one step further, and actually working on my chief faults, which we are asked to do if we want to grow in holiness and love for God. It is said that in order to understand God clearly, we must be pure. I’m still working on that, and likely always will be. I think that it pleases God that we at least try and make effort to grow in holiness, even if we fail at times.

There’s a good book that I would recommend, called “The Catholic Church and Conversion,” by G.K. Chesterton. The book describes the typical mental, emotional and spiritual wrestling that one often goes through in the conversion process. I wish that I would have read it when I was in the conversion process. It’s a small book, and easy to read, and humorous at times:

amazon.com/The-Catholic-Church-And-Conversion/dp/1586170732

 

[Denise1957]

From my visit to a local Mass a few months ago and listening and watching EWTN at times, the Eucharist is the main focus, and the homily takes secondary precedence and is generally much shorter in duration than a Protestant sermon. There is nothing wrong with that – it is just different, or at least it was in my experience.

I know that your reply is for Bob, so I’ll try to be brief with my thoughts on this. You are correct that the Eucharist is the main focus at a Catholic Mass, and that the homily takes seconday precedence. It makes sense that the sermon in a Protestant setting would be the main focus, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

At a typical Latin Mass (TLM), which is different than the ordinary form of the Mass but is usually offered at at least one location in most Catholic diocese, there usually isn’t a homily given at a low Mass, so the focus is entirely on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In fact, I attended a diocesan Tridentine Latin Mass when I was in the process of converting, and though I couldn’t make heads or tails of it at all, I felt that I was witnessing something ancient that was tied to the entire history of the Church, and felt somehow connected to the ancient Church, too. Participation at this type of Mass requires more of an inner participation, rather than an outer, more verbal participation, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. I just thought I’d mention it.

 

[chero23]

My main obstacle was my prejudiced Protestant southern family and the ridiculous things they thought were true about Catholicism.
At first I joined the Episcopal church to try to preserve peace in the family. But my family was church of Christ Campbellites, and of course they thought they were the only Christians. So I went “whole hog” and became Catholic.

It cost my family relationship. I was disowned and disinherited.

That was unfortunate. I hope you have found peace with your decision.

 

[tskrobacz]

Here’s a great video on the topic from now-catholic philospher, Dr. Peter Kreeft

youtube.com/watch?v=VO2NGGmWBQo

 

[chero23]

Greetings Tommy999,
I wanted to thank you for this thread and thank you for your openness
to hearing the Holy Spirit. I am not a convert so I do not feel I can any response on this thread. I would however like to ask if sometime before this thread ends you give us your summary of what the Holy Spirit has, if anything, revealed to you. My self and maybe others would be interested to hear.

Peace!!!

I like your message. I love to hear the stories of Converts. Unlike when many Catholics leave they speak bad about the Church. I like the humbleness that the people who come into the Church. I watch the Journey Home on EWTN, and the converts always say, especially those who come from Protestant backgrounds, always, always say, thanks to my upbringing. That humbleness is then able to bring good fruits when they join the Church.

 

[Duane1966]

I like your message. I love to hear the stories of Converts. Unlike when many Catholics leave they speak bad about the Church. I like the humbleness that the people who come into the Church. I watch the Journey Home on EWTN, and the converts always say, especially those who come from Protestant backgrounds, always, always say, thanks to my upbringing. That humbleness is then able to bring good fruits when they join the Church.

Am working my way through all the Journey Home archives.

I think it is because most ex-Catholics feel that they have been saved (and many times are told this from whatever religion they have converted to) from the evils of Catholicism. That is why they do not say thanks for their upbringing.

 

[Duane1966]

Hello, Isca. I am also 56. . I heard that the Catholic Mass is basically the same in all countries, whether it be England or Italy. Has heat been your experience, also?

To 1newcatholic, it’s like you were reading my mail.

I struggle to varying degrees with your points 1-4, mainly #3 and #4, along with the requirement to confess to a priest as opposed to confessing directly to God through Christ.

I realize priests are godly men who do the Lord’s work, especially in the areas of administering the sacraments, accountability via the confessional, counseling, proclaiming God’s Word, etc, but I don’t see why a person can’t just confess his sins directly to God through Christ in the quietness of his living room or while he is driving in his car alone, etc, as I have done.

I realize there is a God and I am not Him so I might be wrong, but these are long-held and strong beliefs that are not easily undone. I would never want to start RCIA unless I was “All In”, so to speak.

Tommy,

I have hesitated to reply to your post because I am a cradle Catholic. Two things I would like to point out about the Sacrament of Confession.

1.) You cannot know the feeling of peace when you have stepped out of the confessional after having made a heartfelt confession. The agony you may feel ahead of time praying in the church pew before the crucifix, because you have to verbalize to another human being (even though they are in persona Christi) something you are terribly ashamed of. And even though you have been forgiven by God already it is like when Jesus cured and then said “show yourself to the priest”, my showing myself to the priest allows him to give me the official stamp of cleanliness. By the way 12 step programs operate on telling your faults to another. Something about verbalizing them allows healing.

2.) Would you ever think up this penance for yourself on your own?

He who robs another of his good name can never repair the terrible injury he has caused.A woman once came to St. Philip Neri, (1515-1595) confessing that she had a terrible weakness for gossiping. She asked the Saint to advise her how to conquer this fault. First, St. Philip tried to convince the woman of the grievous wrong that she did by spreading slander. But she would not believe that she did much harm by it. St. Philip then told her, "Do this for your penance, my daughter. Go to the market and buy a dead chicken that still has its feathers, and carry it through the streets. As you go along, pluck out the feathers one by one and scatter them on the way. When you have done this, come back to me."The woman fulfilled her strange penance, and returned to him. Naturally, she was very curious as to what he would say next. The Saint praised her obedience in following his first command. But now he told her to go again through the streets, and gather all the feathers she had plucked out! She was surprised by this command, and answered him, "Father, that is impossible. For the wind will have carried them away in all directions."And so, St. Philip Neri told her: "Just as the wind disperses feathers in all directions, so it is with calumny. The persons who hear it go their several ways and carry it far and wide, so that it is beyond reach or correction."This practical illustration taught the woman not the mere wrong, but the immense evil done by one who spreads evil tales about others. She had never thought about it seriously. But now she could see that the bad things she said spread so quickly among so many people that it was impossible to undo the damage. Because there was no way of knowingwhereto findall those people*who, by a short time, would be hearing and spreading the slander. Therefore, there was no way to gather the multitude of badly informed gossipers, to speak to them and repair the reputation of their victim.The lesson was well learned and, with Heaven’s help, the woman was more cautious in her speech from that time forward.

 

[Tommy999]

For me, there were several hurdles I had to get over before deciding to convert. In fact, when I first began attending Mass, I had no intention of converting. I just wanted a peaceful church experience, after having had attended a rock and roll Methodist church.

It really bothered me when I first began to attending, that there was a reverence shown to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Hail Mary was prayed after Mass. However, this was gotten over several moths later when, while finding myself in a frightening situation on an airplane flight (I had a serious fear of flying), I prayed a lot, mostly the Our Father but I also included the Hail Mary out of desperation (or the parts of it I could remember), and after that felt an overwhelming sense of peace that lasted for about three days, and was a type of peace that is not easy to describe. The only thing I could attribute it to was the Hail Mary in addition to the Our Father. On the plane flight back, it was the same. I was very fearful, but felt that sense of peace after praying. It was after that that I learned to pray the Rosary, and thought too about conversion.

There were other things that I also had difficulty with, such as all of the “rules.” I didn’t think that I could comply with them, but as it turned out, it’s not that difficult. What’s difficult is going one step further, and actually working on my chief faults, which we are asked to do if we want to grow in holiness and love for God. It is said that in order to understand God clearly, we must be pure. I’m still working on that, and likely always will be. I think that it pleases God that we at least try and make effort to grow in holiness, even if we fail at times.

There’s a good book that I would recommend, called “The Catholic Church and Conversion,” by G.K. Chesterton. The book describes the typical mental, emotional and spiritual wrestling that one often goes through in the conversion process. I wish that I would have read it when I was in the conversion process. It’s a small book, and easy to read, and humorous at times:

amazon.com/The-Catholic-Church-And-Conversion/dp/1586170732

Thanks, Denise1957 for sharing your experience and for suggesting the Chesterton book.
I think I might read it.

 

[Tommy999]

Tommy,

I have hesitated to reply to your post because I am a cradle Catholic. Two things I would like to point out about the Sacrament of Confession.

1.) You cannot know the feeling of peace when you have stepped out of the confessional after having made a heartfelt confession. The agony you may feel ahead of time praying in the church pew before the crucifix, because you have to verbalize to another human being (even though they are in persona Christi) something you are terribly ashamed of. And even though you have been forgiven by God already it is like when Jesus cured and then said “show yourself to the priest”, my showing myself to the priest allows him to give me the official stamp of cleanliness. By the way 12 step programs operate on telling your faults to another. Something about verbalizing them allows healing.

2.) Would you ever think up this penance for yourself on your own?

He who robs another of his good name can never repair the terrible injury he has caused.A woman once came to St. Philip Neri, (1515-1595) confessing that she had a terrible weakness for gossiping. She asked the Saint to advise her how to conquer this fault. First, St. Philip tried to convince the woman of the grievous wrong that she did by spreading slander. But she would not believe that she did much harm by it. St. Philip then told her, "Do this for your penance, my daughter. Go to the market and buy a dead chicken that still has its feathers, and carry it through the streets. As you go along, pluck out the feathers one by one and scatter them on the way. When you have done this, come back to me."The woman fulfilled her strange penance, and returned to him. Naturally, she was very curious as to what he would say next. The Saint praised her obedience in following his first command. But now he told her to go again through the streets, and gather all the feathers she had plucked out! She was surprised by this command, and answered him, "Father, that is impossible. For the wind will have carried them away in all directions."And so, St. Philip Neri told her: "Just as the wind disperses feathers in all directions, so it is with calumny. The persons who hear it go their several ways and carry it far and wide, so that it is beyond reach or correction."This practical illustration taught the woman not the mere wrong, but the immense evil done by one who spreads evil tales about others. She had never thought about it seriously. But now she could see that the bad things she said spread so quickly among so many people that it was impossible to undo the damage. Because there was no way of knowingwhereto findall those people*who, by a short time, would be hearing and spreading the slander. Therefore, there was no way to gather the multitude of badly informed gossipers, to speak to them and repair the reputation of their victim.The lesson was well learned and, with Heaven’s help, the woman was more cautious in her speech from that time forward.

Powerful illustration, Duan1966. I like cradle Catholics too and don’t mind you commenting on this thread at all . I just figured former Protestants could relate more to my questions, having come from a similar background.

I think I understand your point, which is that God can and does use priests as an instrument to teach us valuable lessons and provide insights we may not be able to see on our own. Did I understand correctly?

 

[Duane1966]

Powerful illustration, Duan1966. I like cradle Catholics too and don’t mind you commenting on this thread at all . I just figured former Protestants could relate more to my questions, having come from a similar background.

I think I understand your point, which is that God can and does use priests as an instrument to teach us valuable lessons and provide insights we may not be able to see on our own. Did I understand correctly?

Yes. We often know how “dirty” we have become, but we may need another point of view to truly “scrub” ourselves.

By the way, I have followed many of your threads, and they are always interesting.

 

[Tommy999]

Yes. We often know how “dirty” we have become, but we may need another point of view to truly “scrub” ourselves.

By the way, I have followed many of your threads, and they are always interesting.

Thanks, Duane1966. I can honestly say that my knowledge of Catholicism has increased quite a bit from when I started, thanks to former Protestants and to cradle Catholics like yourself. Hopefully my questions aren’t as silly and basic as when I first joined CAF.

 

[andrewstx]

May God richly bless you for abandoning all to follow Him.

It’s like this. The relationship I had with my folks was temporary and could only be that way. But my relationship with the Holy Trinity will endure forever.

I think the latter is so much more important.

 

[Tommy999]

It’s like this. The relationship I had with my folks was temporary and could only be that way. But my relationship with the Holy Trinity will endure forever.

I think the latter is so much more important.

Hi Andrewstx,
I would like to think that your folks will greet you some day in heaven with a heartfelt apology and a warm hug. I know I would if I were in their place.

 

[Tommy999]

Greetings Tommy999,
I wanted to thank you for this thread and thank you for your openness
to hearing the Holy Spirit. I am not a convert so I do not feel I can any response on this thread. I would however like to ask if sometime before this thread ends you give us your summary of what the Holy Spirit has, if anything, revealed to you. My self and maybe others would be interested to hear.

Peace!!!

Hi adf417. Your request is a tough one. That’s why it’s taken more time to respond to it.

In short, I am a lifelong protestant and generally happy in my faith. I attend a strong church with a pastor whose sermons are very biblical and inspiring and I feel at home there. I even serve there as an usher.

However, I feel an almost constant tug towards Catholicism that I can’t explain, sort of like the beating drums in the movie **Jumanji ** in the mid-1990’s, if anyone remembers that one.

I feel it is the Holy Spirit who is at work, but then I ask myself, “If this is the Holy Spirit that is leading me, why would He wait this long to lead me away from something that has been such an integral part of my life?”. I find it a bit scary. After all, I am 56.

However, it makes me feel better to know there are others who made the same decision and live enhanced spiritual lives now as Catholics.

Also, all of my family and extended family are Protestant, and one of my sisters-in-law who lives in another state used to be Catholic and converted to a Protestant tradition. Plus, my wife has made it plain that she would break up with me if I ever became Catholic, which is another big obstacle for me because I love her very much. She has distorted views of Catholicsm that I am trying to lovingly correct.

It doesn’t help that most Catholics we know are not very good examples of what a Catholic should be. Most get drunk easily and have cuss mouths, yet act holy on Ash Wednesday and all the other Catholic holidays and then revert back the rest of the time. I sometimes ask myself if the same will happen to me if I become Catholic. My wife sees these people and says, “Look at them. They’re Catholic. Do you want to be like them?”

But then I see examples of very good Catholics and desirable Catholic behavior on CAF and realize you can’t paint everyone with the same broad brush. Plus, I know of plenty of Protestants who don’t always practice what they preach.

In short, I am still confused. However, I intend to seek the Lord even more strongly for discernment. I would appreciate everyone’s prayers for guidance and to soften my wife’s heart if indeed I am supposed to be Catholic some day.

Thanks again to everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. It was truly enlightening in a lot of ways.

 

[adf417]

Hi adf417. Your request is a tough one. That’s why it’s taken more time to respond to it.

In short, I am a lifelong protestant and generally happy in my faith. I attend a strong church with a pastor whose sermons are very biblical and inspiring and I feel at home there. I even serve there as an usher.

However, I feel an almost constant tug towards Catholicism that I can’t explain, sort of like the beating drums in the movie **Jumanji ** in the mid-1990’s, if anyone remembers that one.

I feel it is the Holy Spirit who is at work, but then I ask myself, “If this is the Holy Spirit that is leading me, why would He wait this long to lead me away from something that has been such an integral part of my life?”. I find it a bit scary. After all, I am 56.

However, it makes me feel better to know there are others who made the same decision and live enhanced spiritual lives now as Catholics.

Also, all of my family and extended family are Protestant, and one of my sisters-in-law who lives in another state used to be Catholic and converted to a Protestant tradition. Plus, my wife has made it plain that she would break up with me if I ever became Catholic, which is another big obstacle for me because I love her very much. She has distorted views of Catholicsm that I am trying to lovingly correct.

It doesn’t help that most Catholics we know are not very good examples of what a Catholic should be. Most get drunk easily and have cuss mouths, yet act holy on Ash Wednesday and all the other Catholic holidays and then revert back the rest of the time. I sometimes ask myself if the same will happen to me if I become Catholic. My wife sees these people and says, “Look at them. They’re Catholic. Do you want to be like them?”

But then I see examples of very good Catholics and desirable Catholic behavior on CAF and realize you can’t paint everyone with the same broad brush. Plus, I know of plenty of Protestants who don’t always practice what they preach.

In short, I am still confused. However, I intend to seek the Lord even more strongly for discernment. I would appreciate everyone’s prayers for guidance and to soften my wife’s heart if indeed I am supposed to be Catholic some day.

Thanks again to everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. It was truly enlightening in a lot of ways.

Understood Tommy! Prayers for you and your wife, oh and also prayers for all those/us who do not practice what they preach.

 

[Della]

Hi adf417. Your request is a tough one. That’s why it’s taken more time to respond to it.

In short, I am a lifelong protestant and generally happy in my faith. I attend a strong church with a pastor whose sermons are very biblical and inspiring and I feel at home there. I even serve there as an usher.

However, I feel an almost constant tug towards Catholicism that I can’t explain, sort of like the beating drums in the movie **Jumanji ** in the mid-1990’s, if anyone remembers that one.

I too wanted to be happy in the Episcopal Church when I had returned to it, but the beautiful liturgy and the good intentions of the priest just weren’t enough. My heart and soul longed for “more” even though I couldn’t have said what that “more” might be.

I feel it is the Holy Spirit who is at work, but then I ask myself, “If this is the Holy Spirit that is leading me, why would He wait this long to lead me away from something that has been such an integral part of my life?”. I find it a bit scary. After all, I am 56.

Yes, it is scary. I literally shook on my way to my first RCIA class wondering what I was about to get into and why was I doing it. It’s a pretty common reaction. After all, it’s something like giving up your citizenship to become a member of another country. The culture is different, the rules are different and what is expected of you may be different.

However, it makes me feel better to know there are others who made the same decision and live enhanced spiritual lives now as Catholics.

I’m glad you have this. When I was reconciled to the Church (convert is really the wrong word since I was baptized) there were no others for me to draw on for examples. This was in the late 80’s.

Also, all of my family and extended family are Protestant, and one of my sisters-in-law who lives in another state used to be Catholic and converted to a Protestant tradition. Plus, my wife has made it plain that she would break up with me if I ever became Catholic, which is another big obstacle for me because I love her very much. She has distorted views of Catholicsm that I am trying to lovingly correct.

I had no close relatives that were Catholic, either, but no one in my family really cared what church I went to so that wasn’t a problem for me, although no one came to my reception into the Church Easter Vigil, either. Ven. Fulton Sheen (whose writings and old TV series I highly recommend to you and your wife) wrote that there are only about 100 people who truly hate the Catholic Church but thousands who hate what they think the Church teaches (or something along those lines). I also highly recommend G. K. Chesterton’s writings. You can read them online/download them: cse.dmu.ac.uk/~mward/gkc/books/index.html. His “Orthodoxy,” “Everlasting Man,” and other works are wonderful. He was a great influence on C. S. Lewis.

It doesn’t help that most Catholics we know are not very good examples of what a Catholic should be. Most get drunk easily and have cuss mouths, yet act holy on Ash Wednesday and all the other Catholic holidays and then revert back the rest of the time. I sometimes ask myself if the same will happen to me if I become Catholic. My wife sees these people and says, “Look at them. They’re Catholic. Do you want to be like them?”

I fear your wife is using hyperbole to make a point. Most Catholics I know certainly do not get drunk easily nor do they cuss every other word. Besides these are not the worst sins people can commit, and if they go to confession perhaps they will amend their ways. Besides, what sins do we commit that aren’t so showy that are just as bad? Such as gossip or detraction? We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. I knew some very unkind and unmerciful ministers in the Assemblies of God, and a few that chased skirts. The sins others don’t see outwardly are just as bad, after all.

But then I see examples of very good Catholics and desirable Catholic behavior on CAF and realize you can’t paint everyone with the same broad brush. Plus, I know of plenty of Protestants who don’t always practice what they preach.

I hope we are a good representation of Catholics. In parishes people stick pretty much to themselves–not because they can’t be friendly but because there is a culture of non-judgment amongst Catholics and family trumps all other relationships. I found it refreshing after enduring a lot of “spiritual temperture taking” from fellow AOG folks. I hope that attitude has changed in the AOG, but it was rampant when I was in it.

In short, I am still confused. However, I intend to seek the Lord even more strongly for discernment. I would appreciate everyone’s prayers for guidance and to soften my wife’s heart if indeed I am supposed to be Catholic some day.

Thanks again to everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. It was truly enlightening in a lot of ways.

A time of confusion is also natural. You are in a spiritual struggle–it’s bound to be disturbing. But truly, as you seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance with an open heart, he will lead you into the truth and to peace of mind and heart. I have been praying for you and your family and will continue to do so. Please say a prayer for me and mine, as well.

 

[Tommy999]

I too wanted to be happy in the Episcopal Church when I had returned to it, but the beautiful liturgy and the good intentions of the priest just weren’t enough. My heart and soul longed for “more” even though I couldn’t have said what that “more” might be.

Yes, it is scary. I literally shook on my way to my first RCIA class wondering what I was about to get into and why was I doing it. It’s a pretty common reaction. After all, it’s something like giving up your citizenship to become a member of another country. The culture is different, the rules are different and what is expected of you may be different.

I’m glad you have this. When I was reconciled to the Church (convert is really the wrong word since I was baptized) there were no others for me to draw on for examples. This was in the late 80’s.

I had no close relatives that were Catholic, either, but no one in my family really cared what church I went to so that wasn’t a problem for me, although no one came to my reception into the Church Easter Vigil, either. Ven. Fulton Sheen (whose writings and old TV series I highly recommend to you and your wife) wrote that there are only about 100 people who truly hate the Catholic Church but thousands who hate what they think the Church teaches (or something along those lines). I also highly recommend G. K. Chesterton’s writings. You can read them online/download them: cse.dmu.ac.uk/~mward/gkc/books/index.html. His “Orthodoxy,” “Everlasting Man,” and other works are wonderful. He was a great influence on C. S. Lewis.

I fear your wife is using hyperbole to make a point. Most Catholics I know certainly do not get drunk easily nor do they cuss every other word. Besides these are not the worst sins people can commit, and if they go to confession perhaps they will amend their ways. Besides, what sins do we commit that aren’t so showy that are just as bad? Such as gossip or detraction? We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. I knew some very unkind and unmerciful ministers in the Assemblies of God, and a few that chased skirts. The sins others don’t see outwardly are just as bad, after all.

I hope we are a good representation of Catholics. In parishes people stick pretty much to themselves–not because they can’t be friendly but because there is a culture of non-judgment amongst Catholics and family trumps all other relationships. I found it refreshing after enduring a lot of “spiritual temperture taking” from fellow AOG folks. I hope that attitude has changed in the AOG, but it was rampant when I was in it.

A time of confusion is also natural. You are in a spiritual struggle–it’s bound to be disturbing. But truly, as you seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance with an open heart, he will lead you into the truth and to peace of mind and heart. I have been praying for you and your family and will continue to do so. Please say a prayer for me and mine, as well.

Thanks a lot, Della. I appreciate the prayers and will lift all of you up in prayer, also.

 

[Denise1957]

Hi adf417. Your request is a tough one. That’s why it’s taken more time to respond to it.

In short, I am a lifelong protestant and generally happy in my faith. I attend a strong church with a pastor whose sermons are very biblical and inspiring and I feel at home there. I even serve there as an usher.

However, I feel an almost constant tug towards Catholicism that I can’t explain, sort of like the beating drums in the movie **Jumanji ** in the mid-1990’s, if anyone remembers that one.

I feel it is the Holy Spirit who is at work, but then I ask myself, “If this is the Holy Spirit that is leading me, why would He wait this long to lead me away from something that has been such an integral part of my life?”. I find it a bit scary. After all, I am 56.

However, it makes me feel better to know there are others who made the same decision and live enhanced spiritual lives now as Catholics.

Also, all of my family and extended family are Protestant, and one of my sisters-in-law who lives in another state used to be Catholic and converted to a Protestant tradition. Plus, my wife has made it plain that she would break up with me if I ever became Catholic, which is another big obstacle for me because I love her very much. She has distorted views of Catholicsm that I am trying to lovingly correct.

It doesn’t help that most Catholics we know are not very good examples of what a Catholic should be. Most get drunk easily and have cuss mouths, yet act holy on Ash Wednesday and all the other Catholic holidays and then revert back the rest of the time. I sometimes ask myself if the same will happen to me if I become Catholic. My wife sees these people and says, “Look at them. They’re Catholic. Do you want to be like them?”

But then I see examples of very good Catholics and desirable Catholic behavior on CAF and realize you can’t paint everyone with the same broad brush. Plus, I know of plenty of Protestants who don’t always practice what they preach.

In short, I am still confused. However, I intend to seek the Lord even more strongly for discernment. I would appreciate everyone’s prayers for guidance and to soften my wife’s heart if indeed I am supposed to be Catholic some day.

Thanks again to everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. It was truly enlightening in a lot of ways.

I’m so sorry to read of all your difficulties, especially that of your wife saying that she’d break up with you if you convert. Oh my goodness! That’s so heartbreaking, really. My husband isn’t Catholic, and he wasn’t at all happy when I converted in 2007, but the never threatened to leave. He is more tolerant now, though. None of my family members are Catholic, but most of them aren’t anti-Catholic either (they’re agnostics and new-agers, mostly)

I can understand being uncomfortable with the not-so-good example of Catholics whom you know. Maybe they don’t understand that cussing is bad (especially if they include Jesus’ or God’s name when they do, which is a venial sin because it’s blasphemy). Maybe they haven’t been told this. The emphasis nowadays in homilies at Mass are all about peace and love, and sin is rarely mentioned.

I should mention that I feel more kindly toward Assemblies of God after reading your posts. You are a good example of Christian virtue, but my Dad and his brothers were raised AoG, in the 1940’s in the Ozarks of Missouri, back in the days when snakes were brought into church, and they didn’t believe in going to the doctor if someone was ill, which had some difficult consequences for them. But the AoG has changed, and is not quite so fundamentalist now, I think.

I understand that you like good sermons. I do too! It’s one of my favorite parts of the Mass. Here’s a website that you might like, called Audiosancto, which has hard-hitting sermons (the kind I like!).

audiosancto.org/

 

[Della]

I’m so sorry to read of all your difficulties, especially that of your wife saying that she’d break up with you if you convert. Oh my goodness! That’s so heartbreaking, really. My husband isn’t Catholic, and he wasn’t at all happy when I converted in 2007, but the never threatened to leave. He is more tolerant now, though. None of my family members are Catholic, but most of them aren’t anti-Catholic either (they’re agnostics and new-agers, mostly)

I can understand being uncomfortable with the not-so-good example of Catholics whom you know. Maybe they don’t understand that cussing is bad (especially if they include Jesus’ or God’s name when they do, which is a venial sin because it’s blasphemy). Maybe they haven’t been told this. The emphasis nowadays in homilies at Mass are all about peace and love, and sin is rarely mentioned.

**I should mention that I feel more kindly toward Assemblies of God after reading your posts. You are a good example of Christian virtue, but my Dad and his brothers were raised AoG, in the 1940’s in the Ozarks of Missouri, back in the days when snakes were brought into church, and they didn’t believe in going to the doctor if someone was ill, which had some difficult consequences for them. But the AoG has changed, and is not quite so fundamentalist now, I think. **

I understand that you like good sermons. I do too! It’s one of my favorite parts of the Mass. Here’s a website that you might like, called Audiosancto, which has hard-hitting sermons (the kind I like!).

audiosancto.org/

When I was in the AoG I traveled with various singing/evangelistic groups during the summers between semisters while attending Bible college. We saw a wide range of beliefs/practices/allowances from one area to another. In one church the women wore dresses, no make-up and long hair. In another the girls wore bikinis at mixed swimming parties. I think the region in which the various congregations were located had a great influence on what they thought and how they acted in church and out. There are probably pockets of AoG people who are still very strict. When I stated Bible college we gals couldn’t wear earrings, especially pierced earrings. When I graduated, all that was allowed and the message to the world was less antagonistic, as well.

Of course, culture varies in the Catholic Church, as well. Some parishes are quite puritanical and others quite liberal–again depending on location/culture. Some priests are quite orthodox and their preaching is indeed more “hard hitting” while others are more concerned with social issues and/or being in step with the prevailing culture.

Tommy, you may find such variations in Catholic parishes within one city/large population areas. In my megalapolis we have a Latin Mass only parish and ones that, until the archbishop squashed it, fully support for the gay lifestyle. It all depends on how well the people are catechesized in the teachings of the Church and personal tastes. As for my family, we go to a solidly orthodox parish with good preaching and teaching and reverence in the liturgy.

 

[Denise1957]

When I was in the AoG I traveled with various singing/evangelistic groups during the summers between semisters while attending Bible college. We saw a wide range of beliefs/practices/allowances from one area to another. In one church the women wore dresses, no make-up and long hair. In another the girls wore bikinis at mixed swimming parties. I think the region in which the various congregations were located had a great influence on what they thought and how they acted in church and out. There are probably pockets of AoG people who are still very strict. When I stated Bible college we gals couldn’t wear earrings, especially pierced earrings. When I graduated, all that was allowed and the message to the world was less antagonistic, as well.

Of course, culture varies in the Catholic Church, as well. Some parishes are quite puritanical and others quite liberal–again depending on location/culture. Some priests are quite orthodox and their preaching is indeed more “hard hitting” while others are more concerned with social issues and/or being in step with the prevailing culture.

Thanks for relating your experiences in the AoG. It sounds like the AoG is indeed a bit more tolerant now, for the most part. The sad part, regarding my family, is that my Dad and his brothers wanted nothing to do with Christianity, or religion of any kind, as adults, since their experience growing up was so harsh - since there was a great emphasis on punishment if they did something wrong. But then this was sometimes the case with Catholics families as well.

I’ve yet to see any Catholic parish that’s puritanical, and I’ve visited a lot of different parishes in my city, but then I live in a very liberal west coast city. The friendliest church I ever attended, ironically enough, was an SSPX chapel. Some of them had some seriously nutty ideas, but they were friendly and knew how to have fun. I occasionally attend an FSSP parish (mostly I attend the OF), where I can hear the best sermons around. They’re amazing, really.