Reasons why I should become Catholic?

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Horizon87

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Hello I am new here. I am not sure if I have posted this in the right place, so I do apologise if this is in the wrong place.

I will start by saying that I have always been interested in Christianity my whole life, but for one reason or another didn’t pursue it fully. My first exposure to Christianity was with the Church of England as a child and I went to many Christian events, and spent the summer many times attending Church clubs for kids. My parents were not religious but they thought it was important to give me these opportunities they did not have as children. Then as I got older my involvement with the Church became less and less.

Anyway, years later my parents visited Rome on holiday and went to the Vatican and Churches there. They came back with a gift for me which was a Roman Catholic Bible and Rosary beads. This gift reignited my interest in Christianity and all these years later, I find myself coming back to God and rediscovering a journey I started as a child. I want to learn more about Christianity, and I want to live a Christian life. Lots of personal reasons have led to this decision, but one of them is seeing what is happening in this world and feeling that there is more to life than what I am able to see and have without Christian faith.

The reason I am here asking about Roman Catholic Christianity is because of the gift from my parents from Rome and the fact it is the oldest form of Christianity that has stood the test of time. There are many other demonintions that have altered and removed various parts, and I feel if I am to become Christian I want to do it right. But I am at conflict with myself, as my exposure and experience has been with the Church of England, and that holds a lot of good memories for me from my first exposure to Christianity.

So I ask why I should be Catholic over the other Christian demonintions - can you convince me the Catholic way is the right way?

Thanks.
 
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I’m going to suggest a few websites, CDs and books with information that you might find helpful. This is in no way an exhaustive list.

God Bless and Godspeed

websites:
http://www.whyimcatholic.com
https://www.catholicscomehome.org/
http://formed.org

books:



https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia...atholic-faith-explained-book?promoCode=104867

CDs & Booklets:





 
I think you posted in the right place- hard to tell, since the website changed.

As you said, Catholic Christianity is the oldest. It is one of two churches with apostolic succession, and the only to have apostolic origin. Furthermore, even a brief look at the writings of the Church Fathers reveals very Catholic beliefs. Justin Martyr, for example, was charged with defending the Church from persecution after it was accused of cannibalism by pagans. The pagans brought this charge against the Church after hearing Christians talk about eating someone’s flesh: they were speaking of the Eucharist, in which Jesus is wholly present.

I can provide more help later, if needed.
 
I was recently converted from a “casual catholic” to someone discerning religious life. The only reason I ever considered religious life as a nun in the first place was the lives of the saints. You should read St. Gemma Galgani’s diary. Seriously. You’ll know then that the Catholic Church is doing something right. While you’re at it, don’t forget St. Faustina’s diary. The Catholic Church is attributed to creating nearly 10,000 saints through the ages. Reading these works always makes me realize how much we ought to imitate them and why they chose to be Catholic.
 
Hi Horizon87! As you mentioned the Catholic Church is the oldest form of Christianity; the one and only church that Jesus Christ founded in 33 A.D. In Matthew 16:18 it says, “And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus said it right there; He elected Peter to lead the church Jesus will found and promised that this church will forever stand. If you want to be Christian, wouldn’t you want to “do it right” with the original church that Jesus Christ himself founded?
 
Be prepared that if you should decide to become Catholic, it might cause an uproar and changes in your family dynamics. I’ve experienced that simply from expressing a desire to learn more about Catholicism. That being said, my decision to explore Catholicism has been a good one so far. I’m going to give you some advice: forge a good relationship with your RCIA coordinator and find a good person to be your sponsor. Don’t just go with any catholic that you might have a relationship with. Pick someone who is good at dispensing nonjudgmental advice and has a teacher’s heart. I’m fortunate that my sponsor has sponsored 4 other people into the church before me. She’s also taught with the youth ministry and is studying theology at a Catholic college. I made the decision to inquire into the church because I found a lot of value in the church’s rich traditions and beliefs regarding the Eucharist/Communion. I suppose that is a reason to look into it. I think, that, given the contents of the gift, you should learn to pray the rosary and meditate on the mysteries as soon as possible. If you decide to consider becoming Catholic, you’ll be put through a process called Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The first step is inquiry (which I’m in right now). Then you’ll become either a catechumen (unbaptized person), or a candidate (person baptized in another denomination seeking to become Catholic). I’m still in the inquiry period. Also, if you’re a young person who lives away from home it will be very beneficial if you find a family from your parish to hang out with.
 
Read some of John Henry Cardinal Newman’s writings. That should clear many questions up.
 
Like this: “To me nothing is so consoling, so piercing, so thrilling, so overcoming, as the Mass, said as it is among us. I could attend Masses forever, and not be tired. It is not a mere form of words – it is a great action, the greatest action that can be on earth. It is not the invocation merely, but, if I dare use the word, the evocation of the Eternal. He becomes present on the altar in Flesh and Blood, before Whom angels bow and devils tremble.”
Cardinal John Henry Newman 1801-1890
 
Jesus established a Church with authority. We see that in Matt 16 and Matt 18. It has the ability to loose and bind. It has the authority to call councils and make authoritative decisions.(ACTS 15), It is the pillar and foundation of Truth (1 Tim 3:15).

None of this stuff works how it is supposed to unless the Church is united.

So that narrows it down to Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism since they are the only 2 carrying the 2,000 yr pedigree. Only one of those is still holding firm on matters of morality such as divorce/remarriage and birth control, etc. And only one of them is still holding councils and making decisions in this ever evolving world we live in. And of course that is the Catholic Church.

Protestant denominations are not bad. They do a ton of good in this world and should be commended for it. They just don’t have the total deposit of faith.

Best wishes on your journey
 
@Horizon87

Are you tired of living in likeness to the Church of Christ? Then come and be baptized in the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church! 🙂

Firstly, the Church can trace its history back to the Apostles, and teaches the same Gospel, despite every wind of doctine for two thousand years and even corruption in her leadership.

Furthermore, whatever those other denominations have that is good, true, noble, beautiful, etc., the Catholic Church does or can potentially have as well.

Finally, the lifestyle of our Gospel tends to bear the good fruit called the saints.

Christi pax.
 
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Might I add though, that if you decide to look further into Catholicism, go to a Latin mass. You can see the traditions of the Church a bit better and it will give you a better idea of the importance placed on the eucharist. Sit in the back and just watch what the priest is doing and immerse yourself in God, talking to Him and asking for His help discovering the beauty and truth of the Church.
 
If you still have an affinity for the Anglican style of worship, there have been a few Anglican churches that have crossed the Tiber and have become Catholic. They still retain most of their ceremonies but are in full communion with Rome. They are few and far between, but if you can find one it might make the transition easier.
 
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Read about the two “deaconess,” Perpetua and Felicity, and what pagans and waterboarding have in common before finding these charges humorous. If you find waterboarding a crime against justice then the real criminal investigations in the charge of cannibalism may not leave you laughing. Many early christian martyrs suffered cruel treatment based in this misunderstanding of The True Presence gifted by Christ to His Bride, The Church.
Often a new denomination was formed when such persecution occurred, that being “apostate” or “former Catholic.” Every age faces these same accusations in mildly different but principally similar action against The Bride of Christ. AskThe Little Sisters of The Poor about government assistance to christians today.
 
I commend you for being honest, open-minded, and having an interest in exploring Catholicism.

The term ‘Catholic’ is traditionally known to mean universal and that is because the Catholic Church IS universal… no matter what country, state, city, or anywhere else that Catholics are located, we can all celebrate the Mass together within a Catholic Church thru following the teachings of the Magisterium, The Liturgical Calendar, the Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance/Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony), & other Catholic teachings intertwine. So my (catholic) friend who lives in Kenya or another (catholic) friend of mine who lives in Wisconsin & me who lives in another state- we can discuss the same Readings, Gospel, Psalms, and The Eucharist on any day of the week (by following The Liturgical Calendar- holy days of obligations, feast days, Advent, Lent, Ordinary Time, Easter, Christmas, etc.) because catholic are “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” (The Nicene Creed). Within the Mass, us catholics celebrate the Eucharist (which we believe is Jesus’ Body [also known as the ‘host’, which is bread] & Blood [wine- 1 sip per person to share]~ the Eucharist is the center of the Catholic Church because it is at Mass that we receive Christ to continue nurturing our souls to then spread the selfless love and service to others we meet. As catholics, we are all called to achieve holiness and each one of us has the potential (with Jesus, of course) to become Saints (who are ordinary & imperfect people, just like everyone, that followed God’s Will for their lives by ‘dying of self’- meaning that they lived selfless lives for others out of love for God [check out: Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Catherine Laboure~ some of my fav Saints], rather than someday to eventually earn our way to Heaven to be with God [who is infinitely perfect, loves everyone unconditionally, etc] in paradise. I’m not a pro at explaining Catholicism, but this is just paraphrased briefly for you.

If you’re interested in diving deeper into Catholicism, I highly recommend:
~joining RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults- more like an intro to Catholicism)
~reading Catechism of the Catholic Church (shares what we believe)
~readingA Biblical Walk Through The Mass: Understanding what we Say and Do in the Liturgy by Edward Sri
~reading, praying, & contemplating the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office)
[a shorter version of this is called ‘Christian Prayer’- MP, DP, EP, NP. This is designed more for those of us catholics discerning a religious Vocation as a religious brother/friar, priest, religious sister/nun- but lay people can too].
~watching “Catholicism” documentary dvd set by Fr. Robert Barron
~watching The Passion of the Christ film (2004)
~exploring Catholic Answers website (not just forums), EWTN, chastity.com, Catholic Online (website) to learn about all of the Saints.
~reading about theologians- such as Dr. Scott Hahn, Edward Sri, Matthew Kelly,
~watching YouTube videos of Fr. Mike Schmitz from Ascension Presents (mix of catholic topics) & Catholic Answers Live (Q&A about catholicism- answers from catholic theologians).

*Overall, pray about the idea of you considering to be catholic and invite Christ into your present thoughts, ideas, etc. and let Him reveal to you what His plan is for your life thru it all. He truly knows & loves us more than we truly know & love ourselves inside-out. “Everything’s going to be okay” (Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Nov 2014), no matter what. I will pray for you, dear brother-in-Christ or sister-in-Christ.

Peace!
 
I don’t think it’s about anyone convincing you, but I’ll tell you about the process I went through.

As silly as it sounds it was some anti-catholic video online that made me think “why are people attacking the Catholic church so much”. So I looked into a few of the main objections people have with Catholicism ie, Eucharist, worshiping statues and the usual stuff. A couple of minutes actually looking into these and I realised that their is little or no fact in the main points people reach for to belittle the catholic church.

In my experience people tend to go on the attack when they are insecure of themselves or their own beliefs.

I wrote down all the arguments against Catholicism and went through them one by one. My bible has post-it notes stuck highlighting all the passages that supposedly discredit Catholicism.

Not sure I should say this but, I was actually hoping that I could prove Catholicism wrong myself - would be a lot easier for me to follow another branch of Christianity. No RCIA to fit into my schedule, no confession and all the stuff that comes with Catholicism.

No one can convince you in a post on a forum, my advice is to take your own journey, any issues you come across, write them down and research them and see if they are valid.

You have a great journey ahead, take your time and enjoy it.

Michael
 
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I grew up Southern Baptist, but upon studying the history of the church I came to understand that the Southern Baptist faith was not the faith of the Apostles and early Christians like all Baptist believe. I came to believe that the Catholic Church truly was the Church Christ founded, and I would do anything to be join His church. I owe a lot to the Baptist faith, similarly like you do to the Church of England, but it comes down to which faith you want to be apart of, a church that broke away from the church Jesus founded or the actual church Jesus founded.
 
Thank you for these very wonderfully thoughtful replies.

I have a bit of a problem however. Nearly all my local Churches where I live are protestant or methodist. There is only one very small Catholic Church. This saddens me. In fact it saddens me what has happened in the UK with Catholism. I think my heart is wanting to join but I have some apprehension because of the way it is perceived in the UK, especially among people I know such as friends and family. Therefore I need to address some anxieties.

How strict will the Catholic Church be with attendance?
Am I going to have to commit to a very strict Christian lifestyle?
Will I be expected to go away and do lots of studying?
Will I need to be heavily involved in all a activities?

I think I also need some further inspiration because of my anxieties. It should be enough with what some of you have said, but my mind is trying to make sure I make the right decision. If I do join, I will also need to convince my family to join me most likely. I have already discussed joining a Church with them. They are very open, but I want to give them a stong reason on why Catholic Church is good for us as a family, otherwise I may end up doing this on my own, which I don’t want, as I want my family to join me in having a spiritual enlightenment. I mean after all, they are the ones who went to the Vatican and gave me the gift of a Catholic Bible and rosary beads!😠😄
 
If you can, go to the closest Catholic Church to you every Sunday. This is what Catholics do; it is a Sunday obligation. You aren’t required to do any more than that as far as activities. If you take the faith seriously, you’ll begin to feel a desire to follow the Christian lifestyle. (this is why I say read the lives of the saints!) I don’t know much about RCIA but I’m sure if you visit the priest and tell him you are thinking about joining he’ll give you more information.

I’m in a similar but also different kind of situation. I said previously I’m discerning religious life as a nun and hopefully will join within the next year. I’m trying to take this time to influence my family who most have lost the faith or don’t take it as seriously (or are atheist now). I don’t have a license right now; I considered getting one but thought that if I did I would be the only one going to Church. So I decided not to get a license and to have my sisters take me instead and attend with me because this might be the only way to get them to.
Sometimes I’ll tell some of my family members to read a certain book; I’ll even physically give it to them. They still won’t read it; they’ll forget about it. Since that approach didn’t work, I’ve taken to just telling them an interesting part of my book I’m reading and open dialogue that way. Usually it leaves an impression on them.
 
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