Scared of saying goodbye or cold feet?Converts enter

  • Thread starter Thread starter teadough
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

teadough

Guest
.

The reality of becoming Catholic is at hand. The honeymoon period where I have been in awe of this institution is over. From what I gather, what I am going through is normal. All of a sudden I realize that Catholicism is as much a religion as it is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle that requires a devotion to Jesus Christ that I am not used to. It is also one I desperately need.

I have to say goodbye to a part of me that I don’t want to see go. I am going to have to stand up for beliefs that have been set in stone for almost two thousand years. As much as I know how much Jesus is the God of love,grace,and redemption,I also know that He is a God of division. I also know I can’t walk into the light unless I go the route that is ahead of me. There may be salvation outside of the Catholic Church but this is the narrow gate that is spoke of in the Bible. This is the Christianity the early Church fathers speak of and I want what they have and am willing to go to any lengths to get it. I am not sitting on the fence with this,however, I feel inadequate. On the flip side of the coin I had someone tell me something that really struck a cord with me. They said “The Catholic Church is not a museum for Saints,but a hospital for sinners” Hey,thats me…thats where I need to be!!!

Has anyone else gone through this? It almost like “cold feet” even though I am 100% sure that this is the True Church. I would not turn back if my life depended on it:signofcross:
 
teadough said:
.

The reality of becoming Catholic is at hand. The honeymoon period where I have been in awe of this institution is over. From what I gather, what I am going through is normal. All of a sudden I realize that Catholicism is as much a religion as it is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle that requires a devotion to Jesus Christ that I am not used to. It is also one I desperately need.

I have to say goodbye to a part of me that I don’t want to see go. I am going to have to stand up for beliefs that have been set in stone for almost two thousand years. As much as I know how much Jesus is the God of love,grace,and redemption,I also know that He is a God of division. I also know I can’t walk into the light unless I go the route that is ahead of me. There may be salvation outside of the Catholic Church but this is the narrow gate that is spoke of in the Bible. This is the Christianity the early Church fathers speak of and I want what they have and am willing to go to any lengths to get it. I am not sitting on the fence with this,however, I feel inadequate. On the flip side of the coin I had someone tell me something that really struck a cord with me. They said “The Catholic Church is not a museum for Saints,but a hospital for sinners” Hey,thats me…thats where I need to be!!!

Has anyone else gone through this? It almost like “cold feet” even though I am 100% sure that this is the True Church. I would not turn back if my life depended on it:signofcross:
Click to expand...
I’m not a convert (I’m a cradle Catholic :)) but I’ll offer a prayer for you right now that you will be strengthened and joyful. :crossrc: :hug1:
 
Going through it right now!

First Confession tonight.

Yesterday, my sponsor and I were talking. She talked about how so many people may come into the Church expecting their life to change overnight, expecting everything to be perfect and she advised me…whenever you feel like giving up this Catholic lifestyle, keep your Faith in the Sacraments, even if you stop feeling because we know that it’s the truth, that the Church is the Truth that Jesus sent.
 
DJgang said:
Going through it right now!

First Confession tonight.

Yesterday, my sponsor and I were talking. She talked about how so many people may come into the Church expecting their life to change overnight, expecting everything to be perfect and she advised me…whenever you feel like giving up this Catholic lifestyle, keep your Faith in the Sacraments, even if you stop feeling because we know that it’s the truth, that the Church is the Truth that Jesus sent.
Click to expand...
A prayer for you too! 😃

Sounds like you have a great sponsor. 👍
 
teadough said:
.

Has anyone else gone through this? It almost like “cold feet” even though I am 100% sure that this is the True Church. I would not turn back if my life depended on it:signofcross:
Click to expand...
I think you have given a very accurate statement of the process new converts experience, sometimes soon after conversion, sometimes gradually in the months and years after, and your “honeymoon” designation is right on the mark. the mystagogical year is intended precisely to support the neophyte and new Catholic during this time, and sadly many parishes fail to offer this support, and many converts fail to avail themselves when it is offered. Experience has proven the continued support of family, friends, sponsors and the parish community is critical for the spiritual health of the new convert.

know you are not alone, and one sure cure for the “wobblies” is finding a way to serve through a current parish ministry or apostolate, or establishing a new one in your parish.
 
A convert here for 29 years now. Really, I don’t think I have looked back very often. There has been way to much to explore and find - even now, 29 years later. God’s love is fresh every morning and there is something new to teach us about our faith.

I remember upon coming into the Church (we are Eastern Catholic), I looked above the royal doors and noticed the icon of the Last Supper after receiving the Eucharist for the first time. Oh my, I was there…
orthodoxwiki.org/thumb.php?f=Last_supper.jpg&width=302
**
Luke 22:14-20,When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it (again) until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you (that) from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you…”

**You see, in our Protestant paintings the apostles are all around the table. In the icons, the front of the table is empty, that is because you and I, along with all of God’s children - are there & were there.

“Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets;** I came not to destroy, but to fulfill**. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished” (Mt. 5:17-18)

For we are a fullfillment of the Last Supper, every time we join together and receive Christ in his Eucharist we fullfill his promise. Sadly, the ‘reformation’ got carried away and went to far. So for all of us that have come into or returned, we have brought with us ‘renewal’ - not just of ourselves into the Church that Christ established, but also helping to feed - as with the brother of the prodgical son, those that have never strayed or journeyed away - as they so wonderfuly feed us on the treasures of their faith at the same time.

Now 29 yrs. later, I stand amazed at what I see of faith in the littel old grandma that never left, never worried about the politics of faith, have remained faithful to Christ through his Church - such humbleness, love, joy, peace, and humility, obedience to God. Wow!

Thank you Jesus :byzsoc:that you brought us home!:extrahappy:
 
Pani_Rose said:
I remember upon coming into the Church (we are Eastern Catholic), I looked above the royal doors and noticed the icon of the Last Supper after receiving the Eucharist for the first time. Oh my, I was there…
orthodoxwiki.org/thumb.php?f=Last_supper.jpg&width=302
Click to expand...
You see, in our Protestant paintings the apostles are all around the table. In the icons, the front of the table is empty, that is because you and I, along with all of God’s children - are there & were there.

That’s awesome!!! 😃
 
I relate. I’m leaving a denomination I love to join the Catholic Church. I ended up writing a letter to my former church as a way of redefining my relationship with them.
 
We wrote letters to our former ecclesial communities too to release us from under their authority and let them know we’re moving on. They still keep us informed of what’s happenin now…funny. Some are prayer requests for fellow brothers and sisters though. So it’s kind of nice, but funny when we here some of the proselytizing stuff come out.

My situation is a bit unique, won’t go into right now, I’m Catholic according to the Church. My wife’s the convert, though I converted many years ago to hers after being slung back and forth between nothing as infant, baptized Catholic [probably against my due “problematic pregnancy due any day now” mother’s wishs and her family -secret baptism occurred with some of us], move with dad to practicing nothing at first and then began training for first confession and communion [not confirmation] right before my 15th birthday. Six months later move to Southern Baptis country, abandoned by dad to live with stepmom, attending both Southern Baptist and when a car was available I went to mass. Move back to city, really converted and then confirmed with only a few hours of training just to allow me confirmation to get in the seminary. Bad experience with non-transformed seminarians and deacons and priests. Ran like the wind…military met wife while thinking of returning to seminary. The proselytized me well, converted stayed there 17 years and saw the Journy Home…I’ve been in a long desert. Wife’s family doesn’t know and hopefully won’t find out if its up to her.

Lent is a time of temptation for everyone. Satan tempts us to either get us away from the faith and especially those considering coming into the fullness of the truth. Satan is the father of lies and lies constantly to us. We must be strong during our trials and pray constantly. Read your notes, handouts, scripture and catechism. I’d suggest hanging onto reading about the Saints and their writings. Faustina is a good one to read. But there are so many. Ask the Saints for intercessory prayers.

Praying for you guys…always and forever.
 
Thanks to all the responses. The past 8 months when all of this started has been one of the strangest,greatest,joyous, and scariest times of my life. I would not trade my conversion experience for the world.

Sometimes when I am in RCIA get the feeling where I wonder what some of the people there are doing. I get so excited some nights and I just want to shake some of the people and say “do you realize the great reality of this Church founded by Jesus!” Maybe they do and are just taking in a little different than I. In the past I was not the type to get excited for JEsus Christ. Deep down I always wanted to but just never felt it. Don’t get me wrong. I was all about some Jesus but I realize how much I took Him for granted. I think it happens with both Protestant and Catholic alike.

It’s like this: While Protestant I found the gift of Salvation that Jesus gave me. When I came into the Catholic Church I,also,noticed that there were other gifts. It’s kind of like Christmas when you are a kid. You look behind the tree in case some gifts may have been hidden. Well, I looked behind the Tree of the Catholic Church and found the some more gifts. The gifts of Sacraments. My only problem is I can’t open them till Easter;)

God Bless
 
DJgang said:
Going through it right now!

First Confession tonight.

Yesterday, my sponsor and I were talking. She talked about how so many people may come into the Church expecting their life to change overnight, expecting everything to be perfect and she advised me…whenever you feel like giving up this Catholic lifestyle, keep your Faith in the Sacraments, even if you stop feeling because we know that it’s the truth, that the Church is the Truth that Jesus sent.
Click to expand...
Praying for you to truly humble yourself tonight. I pray that you don’t hold onto anything and that you are given the strength to let it all out .

I looked forward to my first Confession. 🙂
 
teadough said:
Thanks to all the responses. The past 8 months when all of this started has been one of the strangest,greatest,joyous, and scariest times of my life. I would not trade my conversion experience for the world.

Sometimes when I am in RCIA get the feeling where I wonder what some of the people there are doing. I get so excited some nights and I just want to shake some of the people and say “do you realize the great reality of this Church founded by Jesus!” Maybe they do and are just taking in a little different than I. In the past I was not the type to get excited for JEsus Christ. Deep down I always wanted to but just never felt it. Don’t get me wrong. I was all about some Jesus but I realize how much I took Him for granted. I think it happens with both Protestant and Catholic alike.

It’s like this: While Protestant I found the gift of Salvation that Jesus gave me. When I came into the Catholic Church I,also,noticed that there were other gifts. It’s kind of like Christmas when you are a kid. You look behind the tree in case some gifts may have been hidden. Well, I looked behind the Tree of the Catholic Church and found the some more gifts. The gifts of Sacraments. My only problem is I can’t open them till Easter;)

God Bless
Click to expand...
I know exactly what you mean - when I “looked behind the Christmas tree” after I received my Initiation Sacraments, I found a doorway into a whole other house - a mansion - and it was stacked from floor to ceiling in every room with gifts and gifts and more gifts.

When they say that the Catholic Church is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside, they aren’t kidding around!! 🙂

But it’s kind of a challenge to open them, sometimes. (Do you have one of those Aunts who can’t seem to wrap a Christmas present without using up a whole roll of tape? I sometimes think that the gifts of the Catholic Church are like that - you know there’s something good in there, but you just can’t quite get at it, sometimes. But on the other hand, that’s part of what makes it interesting - you are constantly discovering new things - it never ends. 🙂 )
 
I’ll PM you the long version of my situation later, but for right now I’ll just say that I definitely understand what you mean. I felt (and still do) feel the same way.
 
It’s almost like the eve before your wedding day. An almost unbearable mixture of joy, excitement, nervousness and especially that anxiety of - what if I can’t live up to this commitment, am I really ready for this?

I had a great RCIA experience, and one thing that was stressed over and over again - if you’re not convinced, 100% convinced that the Church is who she claims she is, with all the authority that she claims - then don’t make the commitment to her until you are, take your time, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and show you. Don’t come in only believing part of her, or only clinging to the parts that feel good and beautiful and rejecting the parts you can’t come to terms with, you will ultimately be miserable and lose faith. There were things that I was still having trouble with, but I was convinced that the Church was right and that I was the one lacking understanding, and I was willing to submit to her authority and accept her teachings. This is how you should come to her, and there is such peace in this.

Wow, where else in Christendom would you be encouraged to take your time to be sure of what you were committing to - I knew then that it was real, the truth has nothing to be afraid of, even rejection, because it will always stand.

Once you have come to this place, where you are willing to move forward, there is inevitably a sense of sadness, you are moving on, leaving behind a life you’ve known and felt comfortable with, at least on some levels, but growth has happened and you just can’t go back to that child you were before.

A mourning was also taking place in my soul over the loss of fellowship with people that I loved - my family and some friends. But that still wasn’t enough for me to turn my back on the grace that I had been give to see Christ in the Eucharist, to see the Church in all her splendor, all the Sacraments given to us to make our journey more steadfast and sure.

I am so excited for all you who are in this moment going through these jitters and mixed emotions, because I know what you will be experiencing at Easter, you will never be the same!

God bless, my prayers and fasting this Lent are for all you who are coming home this Easter!
 
I think what makes it so scary, for lack of a better term, for people who have come from a Protestant background is that we are used to simply signing on the dotted line with whatever church we want to attend, and it is done. When we get tired of that church, we can move on freely to another church. When we tire of being of one denomination, we move on to something else. You can be Lutheran one day, Methodist next week, and Pentecostal by the end of the month if that’s what you want.

The Catholic Church is not like that at all; it’s completely different from what we’re used to. We have to be educated, and the decision to join is not one to be made lightly or on a whim. It requires effort and time and… did I mention effort? It’s a commitment with Jesus Christ and His church, and it’s so much more than signing up for the denomination du jour.

But, ohhhh, what waits for us… I get so goose-bumpy when I think of it. 🙂 What we’re going through is not an easy transition, regardless how excited and happy we are. This is huge, so I suspect it’s probably normal to run the full course of emotions during the entire conversion process. You’re certainly not alone. 😃
 
I have to say goodbye to a part of me that I don’t want to see go.
Click to expand...
Teadough, this is not just for converts. All of us Catholics are also called to conversion, to say goodbye to parts of us that tether us to the world. For us, it is every bit as scary as you describe. From my observation, very few (5%? less?) Catholics actually truly try to understand and live as a disciple in the church that Jesus founded, and I suppose that many go to their grave without ever giving a sincere thought to the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross. You are so blessed to come into the Church as you are! Do not be afraid!

-Tim
 
I miss lots of people I know will say or have said I’m making a big mistake.
 
kettle said:
I think what makes it so scary, for lack of a better term, for people who have come from a Protestant background is that we are used to simply signing on the dotted line with whatever church we want to attend, and it is done. When we get tired of that church, we can move on freely to another church. When we tire of being of one denomination, we move on to something else. You can be Lutheran one day, Methodist next week, and Pentecostal by the end of the month if that’s what you want.

** The Catholic Church is not like that at all; it’s completely different from what we’re used to. We have to be educated, and the decision to join is not one to be made lightly or on a whim. It requires effort and time and… did I mention effort? It’s a commitment with Jesus Christ and His church, and it’s so much more than signing up for the denomination du jour.**

But, ohhhh, what waits for us… I get so goose-bumpy when I think of it. 🙂 What we’re going through is not an easy transition, regardless how excited and happy we are. This is huge, so I suspect it’s probably normal to run the full course of emotions during the entire conversion process. You’re certainly not alone. 😃
Click to expand...
I was talking with the Lord about this tonight, or He was talking and I was trying to listen. My listening skills aren’t very good some days 😊. But, I senced his saying that people do not want to take the responicibilty. That has you said above, they want what they want NOW, the attention span is too short, and they don’t want to work for all the joy of the mystery of Christ that God has in store for them. So sad, but we can’t just open the doors and say come on in and have a taste. The taste has to be taken in little peices and over time. People don’t understand ‘communion’ really means ‘communion’. We have to be one mind, and we have to seek and have the mind of Jesus Christ that we may truly see and taste Him in the ‘breaking of the bread.’

In the East we have a part of the Divine Liturgy which is used if
catecheumens are present to prepare them to depart, which would take place before the Consecration of the Eucharist. There was such concern that they could not yet comprehend what was happening in the Early Church. It is not always used today, but is still part of the DL and can be used…
CON’T
 
Prayer of the Catechumens

(During the litany of the catechumens, the priest unfolds on the altar table the corporal [antimins], a cloth with a depiction of the burial of Christ.)
**Priest:**Pray unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest:**Ye faithful, pray ye for the catechumens, that the Lord may have mercy upon them.
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest:**That He may teach them the word of truth;
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest:**That He may reveal to them the Gospel of righteousness.
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest:**That He may unite them unto His Holy, Universal, and Apostolic Church;
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest:**Save them, have mercy upon them, preserve them, and protect them, O God, by Thy grace.
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest:**Bow your heads unto the Lord, ye catechumens.
**People:**To Thee, O Lord.
**Priest ***(in a low voice):*O Lord, our God, Who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart; Who hast sent forth as the salvation of mankind Thine Only-begotten Son and God, our Lord Jesus Christ; look down upon Thy servants, the catechumens, who have bowed their heads before Thee; make them worthy in due season of the laver of regeneration. Unite them to thy Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church, and number them with Thy chosen flock.

**Priest:**That they also with us may glorify Thy most honorable and majestic Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**

Dismissal of the Catechumens**

**Priest:**All ye catechumens, depart! Depart, ye catechumens! All ye that are catechumens, depart! Let no catechumens remain! But let us who are of the faithful, again and again, in peace pray to the Lord.
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest ***(in a low voice):*We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord God of the Powers, Who hast accounted us worthy to stand even now before Thy holy altar, and to prostrate ourselves before Thy compassion for our sins and errors of the people. Accept our supplications, O God; make us worthy to offer unto Thee prayers and supplications, and bloodless sacrifices for all Thy people. And enable us, whom Thou hast appointed in this Thy ministry, by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, blamelessly and without offense, in the pure testimony of our conscience, to call upon Thee at all times and in every place; that hearing us, Thou mayest show mercy upon us according to the multitude of Thy goodness.

**Priest:**Help us, save us have mercy upon us and protect us, O god, by Thy grace.
**People:**Lord, have mercy.
**Priest:**For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.**People:**Amen.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top