Sacramentals for a potential convert

[cardonius]

Hello everyone.

I am new here. I am seriously considering joining the Catholic Church, I used to be against the Catholic Church’s teachings, due mainly to the study of Jehovah’s Witnesses materials. However, I have been studying the Church and her teachings for about nine years. I am going through a very tough time in my life, losing two very close relatives within the past year, and I am feeling a spiritual gap in my life. I am feeling drawn to the Church.

A few weeks ago, I bought a crucifix, a rosary, a four-way cross necklace (with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Joseph, St. Christopher, and the Miraculous Medal on the four parts of the cross), a Brown Scapular with a St. Benedict medal, and a St. Christopher medal. Like I said, I have been going through a very tough time in my life and felt like I needed spiritual protection. I got the rosary, crucifix, and four-way cross blessed by a priest. I didn’t have the St. Christopher medal with me when I got the blessing, and I didn’t ask the priest to bless the scapular because I am not Catholic and only Catholics can be enrolled. At night, I sleep with the crucifix, rosary, and four-way cross next to my bed. I wear the four-way cross with me all day and try to keep the rosary near me too. I prayed my first rosary the other day. I have also started attending Mass.

Is this stuff smart to do? Is there anything else that you would suggest I do in terms of sacramentals to perhaps help my faith grow stronger and aid in my conversion?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[SonCatcher]

Wow! You must be serious.

Welcome Cardonius.

You can use these sacramentals as you are. Just remember they are not good luck charms and do not have power in themselves and they don’t force God’s hand. So if you forget one one day, don’t worry about it. The “power” of the sacramentals is in reminding you of God’s presence and help so you can call out to Him. He is the one who does the work.

Since you are not yet Catholic, remember to refrain from the Eucharist until you are received in the Church

 

[odile53]

Pretty cool! The sacramentals are an aid to devotion, the same way you would carry around pictures of loved ones in your wallet. They don’t carry any special force within themselves.

Have you considered getting a holy water font, and some holy water, and making the Sign of the Cross with it? Holy water fonts come in all sorts of styles (and price points.) You can check out a Catholic bookstore/gift shop, or look online. The holy water itself is available at any parish church for no cost. You bring a small bottle or jar with you to church to transport it home. Just get a few ounces (i.e., don’t go bringing a gallon jug with you–LOL!) Holy water is one of the most effective sacramentals, do a google about it.

One thing I’d get is a Catholic Bible, and maybe a Catholic prayer book. As far as the Bible is concerned, you might want to get one that is a paperback “study edition,” those usually have commentaries and footnotes, as opposed to the big expensive gift editions. You’re researching, you’ll probably want to pencil in notes and do some highlighting. The two basic kinds are the RSV (Catholic edition) which preserves more formal language without being archaic, and the NABRE, which is more contemporary English. There is also the Douay Bible, if you like “thees” and “thous.” On these forums, you’ll find fans of all of them.

Catholic prayer books come in all sorts of “flavors,” too. A trip to your diocese’s Catholic book/gift store will be very revealing as to what’s available. They range from the very contemporary to the very traditional, and are available at all kinds of price points.

Since you’ve been researching the Catholic Church for so long (wow—nine years!) why not take advantage of the fact that the school year is starting soon and check out the RCIA classes that most parishes offer? If you’re heading in the direction of becoming Catholic, that will get you on your way, and the classes will be at least a good source of more information, discussion, and explanation for you than “independent study.”

 

[cardonius]

Thank you for your ideas.

I realize that the sacramentals are not good luck charms. But I was under the impression that blessed objects do help impart grace, especially if the person’s heart is in the right place, so to speak.

 

[Brant]

Sacramentals are not only tools of devotion and prayer but also powerful tools against the Devil. They have God’s blessing on the, put on them by the priest. Keep them close, especially when going through boughts of temptation. They will help.

A book I would recommend to you that has brought me closer to Catholic faith is Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelley. A great and helpful book.

God bless!

 

[asia53]

Welcome home, Cardonius!

It’s true only Catholics are enrolled in the Cofraternity. However, you can wear the brown scapular.

Have the scapular blessed, say a Hail Mary every day. Our Lady has promised conversions for honoring her.

Here’s a website for you:

freebrownscapular.com/brown_scapular_faqs.html