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

[guanophore]

You don’t have to agree, but I hope you will at least get to a place where you will stop calling teetotaling Evangelical Protestants and ex-Evangelical Protestants like me and my husband, “self-righteous” and “sanctimonious”. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are a multitude of good reasons for Christians to choose to never drink alcohol except for medicinal purposes.

It did not come across that way to me, and I can appreciate your sentiments in this matter.

 

[Tommy999]

I was hoping we could stay on topic about major obstacles to former protestants who became Catholic. For Cat, alcohol consumption was an obstacle for her, so her comment was well within the context of the topic. I responded to her toward the bottom of post #28 with my two cents, for whatever it is worth because I am definitely not an expert on the subject of alcohol consumption by Catholics.

I agree the subject of alcohol consumption among believers would be an interesting topic for a thread of its own.

As far as this thread is concerned, I got a lot of useful and helpful replies that help me put things in better context. I appreciate it very much, especially those who were willing to share personal experiences. The folks on CAF have been very charitable to me and I appreciate all of you very much.

 

[Fides_et]

I’m not strictly speaking a convert but a revert. Was not raised in a religious home but was baptised and confirmed Catholic as a child - some teenage experiences of going to Mass, not catechised much at all.

Became an Protestant evangelical at university, afterwards rejected religion and was agnostic for many years. Later returned to Christianity (although in Protestant form). My experience was so profound that I considered becoming a pastor. That led me to a study of Church history, and ultimately back to Catholicism.

Questions:

1. What were your main hurdles to becoming Catholic?
   Numerous. My wife was very anti-Catholic (and still is in some respects), teachings on contraception, Marian devotion, prayer to the saints, the sex scandals, and plenty of misconceptions about the Catholic faith.
2. How did you overcome Question 1?
   The more I studied, the more I understood the reasonableness of the Catholic faith and how it was in accord with Scripture and the earliest traditions. I found the Catholic tradition and Catholic thought a deep wellspring of Christian truth that I found only partially present in Protestantism. All in all it came down to it being true.

My biggest struggle was the negative reaction I knew my wife would have about it. At that time during my struggle, I came across a quote by von Balthasar which said that sometimes Christians are called to heroic virtue. Sometimes our faith means laying down our lives and sometimes losing what we hold most precious. That gave me enough courage. I did get a negative reaction. It was very rocky for a time. Our marriage is the better for it now.

1. Outside of the Eucharist, which I know is a major difference, how was your spiritual journey enhanced through Catholicism?
   Praying the rosary. I had a great revulsion to this prayer at first - all those Hail Mary’s and the final Hail Holy Queen not to mention an ingrained Protestant prejudice against repetitive formulaic prayer. However, after accepting it intellectually and then learning of the power and graces this prayer offered, I gave it a go. I’ve not looked back since.
2. Name a couple of positive traits of your previous Protestant faith tradition that you miss or look back on fondly.
   The people. There are many great and virtuous Protestants. Fortunately I still have many that are still friends. As for the Protestant faith tradition, all the best stuff in Protestantism was already there in Catholicism. As somebody posted here, Catholicism is just more Christianity.

 

[Tommy999]

Thanks, Fides et. I can relate to a lot of your obstacles listed in #1 and am still in the process of overcoming them, although I’ve made progress thanks to CAF, reading, and prayer. Our spouses sound similar, also. I’m happy to hear your marriage was able to make it through intact and is the better for it.

I am also honored that you chose my thread for your first post. Welcome to CAF. There are a lot of good and charitable folks here. You sound like the kind of person who will only enhance the forum.

 

[Fides_et]

Thanks, Fides et. I can relate to a lot of your obstacles listed in #1 and am still in the process of overcoming them, although I’ve made progress thanks to CAF, reading, and prayer. Our spouses sound similar, also. I’m happy to hear your marriage was able to make it through intact and is the better for it.

I am also honored that you chose my thread for your first post. Welcome to CAF. There are a lot of good and charitable folks here. You sound like the kind of person who will only enhance the forum.

Hi Tommy999 - Thank you for your kind words. I’ve been a lurker here for a while Your post struck a chord because I saw myself in it and wanted to share my experience from the other side.

I also felt the pull you describe to the Catholic Church. For a long time I couldn’t put my finger on it and it always seemed to be in the background even though I was opposed to many things Catholic.

 

[Catholic_farmer]

The first major obstacle I had was how to pray the Hail Mary. It sounds silly, but there is a place, if you will, that my brain and heart go to when praying and I wanted it to be a different place for Mary to make sure I didn’t cross the line from praying to Mary into worshiping Mary, by mistake. It must sound strange to lifelong Catholics, but I was worried about that.

The way I got past it was by someone asking me to pray the rosary with them. i was so awkward that first time, LOL! Once I was able to focus on the Mysteries and realized that I was thinking about God, even while praying to Mary, it got easier. Once I was comfortable with the rosary, I could enjoy the incredible feeling of spending 25 minutes praying to God. It all got easier after that. My typical prayers were maybe a minute long, perhaps two. That was it. To spend all that time with God was a new experience. Catholicism became a way to grow closer to God, and since that is what we all desire, everything made more sense after that. Then, of course, I was introduced to Adoration!

The only thing I miss about my old Protestant church are a few of the people. But I still see them occasionally.

 

[guanophore]

The first major obstacle I had was how to pray the Hail Mary. It sounds silly, but there is a place, if you will, that my brain and heart go to when praying and I wanted it to be a different place for Mary to make sure I didn’t cross the line from praying to Mary into worshiping Mary, by mistake. It must sound strange to lifelong Catholics, but I was worried about that.

The way I got past it was by someone asking me to pray the rosary with them. i was so awkward that first time, LOL! Once I was able to focus on the Mysteries and realized that I was thinking about God, even while praying to Mary, it got easier. Once I was comfortable with the rosary, I could enjoy the incredible feeling of spending 25 minutes praying to God. It all got easier after that. My typical prayers were maybe a minute long, perhaps two. That was it. To spend all that time with God was a new experience. Catholicism became a way to grow closer to God, and since that is what we all desire, everything made more sense after that. Then, of course, I was introduced to Adoration!

The only thing I miss about my old Protestant church are a few of the people. But I still see them occasionally.

I can so relate to what you mean here about the mental state when praying the Rosary. Personally, I have never been able to “meditate on the mysteries” while praying the Rosary. I, like Fides et have tried the Rosary and found it soothing and powerful, but I cannot keep track of the prayers and still go mentally elsewhere. My brain does not work that way. Either I can meditate on mysteries, or I can pray the Rosary, but I can’t do both at the same time!

 

[kozlosap]

I can so relate to what you mean here about the mental state when praying the Rosary. Personally, I have never been able to “meditate on the mysteries” while praying the Rosary. I, like Fides et have tried the Rosary and found it soothing and powerful, but I cannot keep track of the prayers and still go mentally elsewhere. My brain does not work that way. Either I can meditate on mysteries, or I can pray the Rosary, but I can’t do both at the same time!

Me 2! I love the Rosary, but I too am unable to meditate on the Mysteries.

 

[Tommy999]

The first major obstacle I had was how to pray the Hail Mary. It sounds silly, but there is a place, if you will, that my brain and heart go to when praying and I wanted it to be a different place for Mary to make sure I didn’t cross the line from praying to Mary into worshiping Mary, by mistake. It must sound strange to lifelong Catholics, but I was worried about that.

The way I got past it was by someone asking me to pray the rosary with them. i was so awkward that first time, LOL! Once I was able to focus on the Mysteries and realized that I was thinking about God, even while praying to Mary, it got easier. Once I was comfortable with the rosary, I could enjoy the incredible feeling of spending 25 minutes praying to God. It all got easier after that. My typical prayers were maybe a minute long, perhaps two. That was it. To spend all that time with God was a new experience. Catholicism became a way to grow closer to God, and since that is what we all desire, everything made more sense after that. Then, of course, I was introduced to Adoration!

The only thing I miss about my old Protestant church are a few of the people. But I still see them occasionally.

Hi Catholic farmer,
Just curious… what is being “introduced to Adoration” mean in the context you mentioned it? In my background, I am familiar with worship and adoration that we give to God, and it is always part of the worship service in which we praise God and sing praise songs of adoration, but it sounds like you are referring to something else. I sense it may be something different entirely from what I am used to or did I get that wrong?

By the way, I can also relate to the parts about Mary. I haven’t even gotten to thinking much about the Rosary yet. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

[MJJean]

1. What were your main hurdles to becoming Catholic?

Annulment. I am not a catholic yet. My husband is a cradle catholic who left the Church in his teens and returned a about a year and a half ago. I was previously civilly married and divorced. Since we cannot receive Sacraments until my former “marriage” can be annulled and we can convalidate I cannot be received into the Church and he cannot be Confirmed. It’s very difficult going to Mass every week. I knew the first time I stepped into the church that I was home, I filed my annulment papers about 2 weeks later and have been waiting on a decision since.

1. How did you overcome Question 1?

It’s a work in progress. My DH and I have been together for 15 years, married for 12 years come December 9. We’ve lived together, raised children together, loved each other, been through trials together. I struggle with the idea that the husband of my heart is not my husband in reality other than legally. I cannot wait to be received into the Church and to have our marriage regularized and made a Sacrament. Some days I cry. Some days I remind myself it will happen in God’s time and I think maybe He is teaching me patience and obedience. Most days I pray for a speedy and just resolution of all the CAF’ers and others annulments. I guess you could say I am overcoming this hurdle by doing my best to submit to the will of God and our Church.

1. Outside of the Eucharist, which I know is a major difference, how was your spiritual journey enhanced through Catholicism?

I was raised loosely Lutheran. Not a lot of time spent in church, though. Coming to the catholic faith hasn’t been as hard for me as for some others. I spent my teens, 20’s and early 30’s as a Pagan, Atheist, and Agnostic. The Church restored me to faith in God and got me moving on my spiritual journey again.

1. Name a couple of positive traits of your previous Protestant faith tradition that you miss or look back on fondly.

Nothing, really. I didn’t spend enough time as a church going Protestant to have any attachments

Me 2! I love the Rosary, but I too am unable to meditate on the Mysteries.

Same here. I do not have a great memory and I have kids, dogs, etc. to look after. When I can find the uninterrupted time to pray the rosary I can’t remember the words AND meditate on the mysteries. I’m hoping the words will become second nature and I’ll be able to add in meditation on the mysteries once that happens.

 

[Tommy999]

1. What were your main hurdles to becoming Catholic?

Annulment. I am not a catholic yet. My husband is a cradle catholic who left the Church in his teens and returned a about a year and a half ago. I was previously civilly married and divorced. Since we cannot receive Sacraments until my former “marriage” can be annulled and we can convalidate I cannot be received into the Church and he cannot be Confirmed. It’s very difficult going to Mass every week. I knew the first time I stepped into the church that I was home, I filed my annulment papers about 2 weeks later and have been waiting on a decision since.

1. How did you overcome Question 1?

It’s a work in progress. My DH and I have been together for 15 years, married for 12 years come December 9. We’ve lived together, raised children together, loved each other, been through trials together. I struggle with the idea that the husband of my heart is not my husband in reality other than legally. I cannot wait to be received into the Church and to have our marriage regularized and made a Sacrament. Some days I cry. Some days I remind myself it will happen in God’s time and I think maybe He is teaching me patience and obedience. Most days I pray for a speedy and just resolution of all the CAF’ers and others annulments. I guess you could say I am overcoming this hurdle by doing my best to submit to the will of God and our Church.

1. Outside of the Eucharist, which I know is a major difference, how was your spiritual journey enhanced through Catholicism?

I was raised loosely Lutheran. Not a lot of time spent in church, though. Coming to the catholic faith hasn’t been as hard for me as for some others. I spent my teens, 20’s and early 30’s as a Pagan, Atheist, and Agnostic. The Church restored me to faith in God and got me moving on my spiritual journey again.

1. Name a couple of positive traits of your previous Protestant faith tradition that you miss or look back on fondly.

Nothing, really. I didn’t spend enough time as a church going Protestant to have any attachments

Same here. I do not have a great memory and I have kids, dogs, etc. to look after. When I can find the uninterrupted time to pray the rosary I can’t remember the words AND meditate on the mysteries. I’m hoping the words will become second nature and I’ll be able to add in meditation on the mysteries once that happens.

Thanks for replying, MJJean. I hope it all works out positively for you and that you don’t have to wait much longer for a decision.

 

[MJJean]

Thanks for replying, MJJean. I hope it all works out positively for you and that you don’t have to wait much longer for a decision.

Thank you. Our Pastor has said while he cannot make any guarantees he sees absolutely no reason the annulment would be denied and I agree considering the circumstances of the “marriage”, so it’s all a matter of waiting. I’m at the 15 month mark since my case was accepted by the Tribunal and have yet to receive a Court of First Instance decision. It’s hard, but then nothing worth it is ever easy, right? Please pray for all of us awaiting decisions so that we can join the Church and receive Our Lord through Eucharist.

 

[Della]

Hi Catholic farmer,
Just curious… what is being “introduced to Adoration” mean in the context you mentioned it? In my background, I am familiar with worship and adoration that we give to God, and it is always part of the worship service in which we praise God and sing praise songs of adoration, but it sounds like you are referring to something else. I sense it may be something different entirely from what I am used to or did I get that wrong?

Since CatholicFarmer seems to be off line at the moment, I’ll weigh in. Adoration is worshiping Christ’s Real Presence in the consecrated Host, what we term transubstantion, which means that although the accidents of bread remain, it’s really Jesus’ body and blood. A Host is placed in a montrance, which is exposed for adorers to see. This is usually done in a chapel rather than the main church area (nave). In parishes that have 24 hour adoration, like my parish, people sign up to come to adoration at specific times, so that Jesus is never left alone. There are religious orders dedicated to this form of adoration/worship of God. Adorers come, genuflect or kneel before taking a seat. Then they pray or simply sit with Jesus. One can kneel or sit as one wishes. Many read spiritual reading, pray the rosary or the Liturgy of the Hours, so simply pour out their hearts in prayer. It’s a wonderful devotion which many have found beneficial in their spiritual growth.

By the way, I can also relate to the parts about Mary. I haven’t even gotten to thinking much about the Rosary yet. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

If we think about Mary as a part of the Incarnation of Jesus, she fits nicely into place in Catholic devotional practices. The rosary is the Gospel in miniature because it’s mysteries retell the Incarnation, the mission, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the eternal glory that awaits the faithful, personified in both Jesus’ and Mary (his ascension and her assumption and crowning). Even the founding of the Church is meditated upon in the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Many find meditating on the lives of Jesus and Mary enriching, for the rosary is first and last a scriptural meditation. The first part is taken directly from Luke’s Gospel with Jesus at the center of the prayer. The last part is a request that Mary pray for us. Quite simple, but also quite profound.

 

[jatkins29]

I was raised in the Southern Baptist Church and was a worship leader in a non-denominational Protestant Church. I have been Catholic since 2008.

1. **What were your main hurdles to becoming Catholic? ** My family - I come from a big family - all Southern Baptists down in Georgia. My mom and dad were furious when I told them I had attended Mass and told me I was going to Hell. My dad is a retired minister and my older brother is still an active one. Salvation - The Protestant Church teaches that faith in Jesus Christ alone is necessary for Salvation. Having heard that for 25 years and then coming to the Catholic Church was a huge road block for me. Mary - a common misconception in the Baptist church was that Catholics worship Mary. It was a common theme in Baptist sermons to bash Catholics. I now have a full understanding of why Mary is honored and continue to refute my Baptist friends’ comments about Mary-worship with scripture and facts from the CCC.
2. How did you overcome Question 1? Prayer! I learned the Rosary and fully believe in its power and the power of the intercession of the saints. I finally realized that I have a full army in Heaven ready to pray for me at all times and that this intercession is part of the mediation between God and man - all intercessory prayer has Christ as its source. I talked to my family about what I had learned in RCIA and cleared up a lot of their questions. I am going down to Georgia with my family for Thanksgiving so I’m sure I will see some eyes roll when my family makes the sign of the cross and says the blessing before meals. I look at it as an opportunity to explain my faith even more and welcome their questions. Who knows, maybe I’ll nudge them towards the Catholic faith??
3. Outside of the Eucharist, which I know is a major difference, how was your spiritual journey enhanced through Catholicism? When I was Protestant, I fully believed that simply believing in God and asking him into my heart was enough to save me. Why would I have doubted that? John 3:16 makes it clear. My spiritual journey in the Catholic Church has taught me that yes having faith and believing in God is necessary for salvation…but wait, THERE’S MORE! Faith without works is dead. What good is believing but not following through with what He has commanded? The Catholic faith has taught me that we need to be true disciples and not just “Sunday Christians.” God has called us to put our faith into action. Baptists simply did not focus on the “works” part of James 2:14-26.
4. **Name a couple of positive traits of your previous Protestant faith tradition that you miss or look back on fondly. ** We had a candle light Christmas Eve service every year where a lot of us would sing Christmas solos and then the minister would read the Christmas story to the congregation. I really enjoyed hearing the story every year. I was a very active member of the youth groups at my church and really enjoyed the retreats we went on. I made a lot of new friendships and have a lot of fond memories of those days.

 

[Duane1966]

May the Lord bless all of you in your spiritual life journey. Reading your stories enrich and strengthen my faith.

 

[Tommy999]

Since CatholicFarmer seems to be off line at the moment, I’ll weigh in. Adoration is worshiping Christ’s Real Presence in the consecrated Host, what we term transubstantion, which means that although the accidents of bread remain, it’s really Jesus’ body and blood. A Host is placed in a montrance, which is exposed for adorers to see. This is usually done in a chapel rather than the main church area (nave). In parishes that have 24 hour adoration, like my parish, people sign up to come to adoration at specific times, so that Jesus is never left alone. There are religious orders dedicated to this form of adoration/worship of God. Adorers come, genuflect or kneel before taking a seat. Then they pray or simply sit with Jesus. One can kneel or sit as one wishes. Many read spiritual reading, pray the rosary or the Liturgy of the Hours, so simply pour out their hearts in prayer. It’s a wonderful devotion which many have found beneficial in their spiritual growth.

If we think about Mary as a part of the Incarnation of Jesus, she fits nicely into place in Catholic devotional practices. The rosary is the Gospel in miniature because it’s mysteries retell the Incarnation, the mission, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the eternal glory that awaits the faithful, personified in both Jesus’ and Mary (his ascension and her assumption and crowning). Even the founding of the Church is meditated upon in the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Many find meditating on the lives of Jesus and Mary enriching, for the rosary is first and last a scriptural meditation. The first part is taken directly from Luke’s Gospel with Jesus at the center of the prayer. The last part is a request that Mary pray for us. Quite simple, but also quite profound.

Thanks as always, Della. I had to look up a few words (monstrance, for example), but I think I get the picture. On threads like this I feel like I’m on Jeopardy with all the questions and answers, but I enjoy it and am learning a lot through the process.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Probably family. My dad is a Protestant minister of a very Calvinist bent. Soteriology would be a big one probably as far as that is concerned. Also indulgences. Mary was in there somewhere but didn’t have as many qualms about her as most converts.

 

[Tommy999]

I was raised in the Southern Baptist Church and was a worship leader in a non-denominational Protestant Church. I have been Catholic since 2008.

1. **What were your main hurdles to becoming Catholic? ** My family - I come from a big family - all Southern Baptists down in Georgia. My mom and dad were furious when I told them I had attended Mass and told me I was going to Hell. My dad is a retired minister and my older brother is still an active one. Salvation - The Protestant Church teaches that faith in Jesus Christ alone is necessary for Salvation. Having heard that for 25 years and then coming to the Catholic Church was a huge road block for me. Mary - a common misconception in the Baptist church was that Catholics worship Mary. It was a common theme in Baptist sermons to bash Catholics. I now have a full understanding of why Mary is honored and continue to refute my Baptist friends’ comments about Mary-worship with scripture and facts from the CCC.
2. How did you overcome Question 1? Prayer! I learned the Rosary and fully believe in its power and the power of the intercession of the saints. I finally realized that I have a full army in Heaven ready to pray for me at all times and that this intercession is part of the mediation between God and man - all intercessory prayer has Christ as its source. I talked to my family about what I had learned in RCIA and cleared up a lot of their questions. I am going down to Georgia with my family for Thanksgiving so I’m sure I will see some eyes roll when my family makes the sign of the cross and says the blessing before meals. I look at it as an opportunity to explain my faith even more and welcome their questions. Who knows, maybe I’ll nudge them towards the Catholic faith??
3. Outside of the Eucharist, which I know is a major difference, how was your spiritual journey enhanced through Catholicism? When I was Protestant, I fully believed that simply believing in God and asking him into my heart was enough to save me. Why would I have doubted that? John 3:16 makes it clear. My spiritual journey in the Catholic Church has taught me that yes having faith and believing in God is necessary for salvation…but wait, THERE’S MORE! Faith without works is dead. What good is believing but not following through with what He has commanded? The Catholic faith has taught me that we need to be true disciples and not just “Sunday Christians.” God has called us to put our faith into action. Baptists simply did not focus on the “works” part of James 2:14-26.
4. **Name a couple of positive traits of your previous Protestant faith tradition that you miss or look back on fondly. ** We had a candle light Christmas Eve service every year where a lot of us would sing Christmas solos and then the minister would read the Christmas story to the congregation. I really enjoyed hearing the story every year. I was a very active member of the youth groups at my church and really enjoyed the retreats we went on. I made a lot of new friendships and have a lot of fond memories of those days.

Thanks for sharing that, jatkins29. I see some similarities in our experiences. I imagine it isn’t easy being Catholic down in Dixie sometimes where Catholicism isn’t well known in some areas where I assume there is prejudice against it but it sounds like you have taken the opportunity to correct the misconceptions when you can.

You sound like a brave person who is also strong in the Lord. It sounds like Catholicism has truly enhanced an already strong relationship you had with God.

 

[CrossofChrist]

Understanding the Catholic position on justification. I couldn’t wrap my head around how justification could involve works yet simultaneously be sola gratia. When it finally “clicked” for how that could work, everything in the Bible and the Church Fathers came together and I realized that its the only position that can take into account the whole of how we are made right with God.

After that I realized a major reason for the Reformation was null, so I had to decide what community had the authority given by Christ. It came almost naturally that it was the Catholic Church.

That was the major obstacle. It was actually after I became Catholic that I encountered the major difficulties many more people struggle with than w/justification. In hindsight I thank God that I became a Catholic first, otherwise I don’t know how I would’ve withstood the pressure from outside and have the stamina to continue in being Christian.

How did I overcome my misunderstanding of justification? Good explanations.

Besides the Eucharist I would say devotion to Mary has been huge. The great tradition of prayer within the Church is fantastic. I dabble with Ignatian spirituality in addition to a more basic prayer life that pretty much every Catholic has.

Previous Protestant community had a really good preacher. As a pastor you could tell that he truly cared. There are also some theological trends that they initially revitalized, albeit in a partially misguided way (theology of the cross, conscience, etc…guess which denomination I came from ), that I really appreciate. And great music has come from them, and one thing I’ve realized is that the great music from that tradition was largely influenced by Catholicism, even if it wasn’t outwardly thought to be. And IMO could even be considered a product of the Catholic Church even though it was found in a different tradition (e.g Bach…oh no I gave it away ).

 

[jatkins29]

Thanks for sharing that, jatkins29. I see some similarities in our experiences. I imagine it isn’t easy being Catholic down in Dixie sometimes where Catholicism isn’t well known in some areas where I assume there is prejudice against it but it sounds like you have taken the opportunity to correct the misconceptions when you can.

You sound like a brave person who is also strong in the Lord. It sounds like Catholicism has truly enhanced an already strong relationship you had with God.

Thanks Tommy. Living 8 hours north of Dixie makes it a little easier. There was only one Catholic Church down south but many here where I live now.