Seeking Help

[Journey_Well]

Good day to all, I hope this day finds you & yours doing well. I’m a lifelong Protestant (51 years old). My wife of 25 years was raised Catholic. Upon first getting married (we were married in protestant church) we attended mass several times after trying some protestant churches, but my family made it difficult. Bear in mind this was 25 years ago, we have all matured since then. We have attended about every protestant church in our area (about 30 altogether, in a town of about 7,000 people if you can believe that). I have not found what I seek in these churches, so I simply stopped attending. To make matters worse, I’m a musician & local guitar instructor. Therefore my “services” to these protestant churches can be highly sought in the music ministry. I found myself feeling “guilty obligation” to “play for God” in the churches; but it seemed the result was always the same. Someone getting mad or upset, then “protesting” by either moving to another church (remember there are about 30 churches in the local area, a big buffet to choose from), or quitting the musical ministry. Some of these churches reminded me of “American Idol” in their musical structure & form.

After the death of my mother in law in October of 2014 following an intense battle with cancer (she was raised Catholic, converted to protestant mega church years ago) I found myself studying the Catholic faith with intensity as of late. My eyes were opened during her funeral; the protestant minister from the mega church she attended did not know her, even mis pronounced her name at the funeral. There seemed nothing spiritual about the process, it left me questioning protestantism as a whole. And, to top it off, I was present when my wife’s step father was told it is “acceptable” to pay the “minister” $150-$200 for his “services” which amounted to a whole 5-7 minutes of talking. I was appalled!

I was raised in a traditional protestant view of the Catholic church: idol worship, man made religion, no bible study, etc. I’m sure you have heard it all before so I won’t bore you with details. However, what I will share with you are my findings of the past couple of months. I seek help with issues. I do not approach this issue from a totally intellectual point; rather I find it to be a balance of intellect, heart felt emotion, life experiences, wisdom & mature curiousity.

I have no problem with the Catholic rejection of sola scriptua. I have never felt the bible was elevated to the level protestants placed it, the seemingly gazillion different interpetations of the same book has caused much conflict. I also had big problems with scrpiture being taken out of context to suit the moment at hand. I also have no issue with the Catholic teaching on sola fide; I’ve always felt that a balance of faith/grace/good works towards mankind is desireable. When looking back I believe these 2 issues were huge problems for me when attending protestant churches. After reading the Didache & other information about early Christians I began to see the foundation for the Catholic church. I came to view the apostolic succession as valid; I can see where oral tradition played a big part in setting things up before the bible as we know it came to be. All of this came very easy for me; I found I had felt that way all along.

Some tougher issues I had included confession. At first I had the traditional protestant view of “don’t confess to a man”. but it didn’t take much to convince me that confession is a powerful sacrament; & more of it is needed. Calling the priest “father” was another one I struggled with but have accepted that. Praying to have saints intercede came along well after researching it. Transubstantion was another issue I had to study. After researching it I can’t help but feel kind of netural on the issue. Meaning I can see how the Catholic feel about the real presence as Christ did say “this is My body, & this is My blood”. However, i can also see how protestants feel the Eucharist is symbolic because Christ did not say “this becomes my body & this becomes my blood”. To me, this is a tough one to figure out; to me both sides seem correct.

To close out I find myself against a brick wall on 2 issues: Mary & the images in the church. I’ve always felt Mary was worthy of more respect (for lack of a better word) than she received in the protestant church. However, I feel the Catholic church might go a bit over the top with the issue. There must be middle ground on this issue. I can not currently accept either side. As far as images, well I must say I’m stubborningly protestant on that issue, it is the one sure thing keeping me from converting.

Did any of you come across the same type of journey as myself?

 

[frizzgrig]

You seem to be in an ideal place to contact a local Catholic parish and speak with the RCIA director and/or pastor. You don’t say what your specific issues about the Catholic Church’s teachings on Mary are, nor specifically what you object to about “images”. I suspect the issues you have are born of misunderstanding or lack of full knowledge of the Catholic teachings of each.

 

[xzereus]

I was at the same point as you for a few months during my conversion. In order to push you off the fence on the issue of the Real Presence, read what the Early Church Fathers had to say on it here:
staycatholic.com/ecf_the_real_presence.htm

For most of the issues that brought me from Protestantism to Catholicism, I followed reason and early church evidence. Mary, saints, and images were different. My conversion on those issues was more emotional, and I came to it gradually. Learning the Hail Mary and praying it and reading on the saints and asking for their help brought me to the truth. On the use of images, I simply started looking at as many as I could, appreciating them as art, and used them as tools for my prayer. Even if you are having a hard time doing it, just give it a try. Pray to the saint and our Lady using some beautiful images, though just a little at a time. Ask them (and God) to show you the truth. See if your heart is not moved.

As for some help on the importance of Mary and defense of the dogmas pertaining to her, read some of these:
staycatholic.com/ecf_mary,_mother_of_the_church.htm
staycatholic.com/ecf_mary_ever-virgin.htm
staycatholic.com/ecf_immaculate_conception.htm
staycatholic.com/ecf_assumption.htm
staycatholic.com/ecf_the_mother_of_god.htm

 

[thankulord]

I grew up Catholic, so can’t answer exactly your question myself, but I have 2 friends with experiences similar to yours.

I think it would be useful to ask a priest about what is the purpose of the images and the history of how statues/images got into the Church. Also it may be useful to ask many different Catholics if they pray to or worship statues.

My answer to the latter. I could not be Catholic if I prayed to or worshiped a statue or image. It is incompatable with my Faith. As you know, in the Old Testament, God really got fed up with this and it clearly goes against one of the Commandments. ( I know you know this & believe it, but it is basic for Catholics too.)

 

[randomfox7]

If my memory serves, St John Damascene, the last of the eastern fathers of the Church, fought in defense of sacred images against the iconoclast heresy. I imagine his arguments are pretty convincing.

Mary’s role is a larger issue to prove… but still easily enough done.

I have been an apologist for 30 years… and I can say that the Fathers of the Church and the bible are overwhelmingly in favor of the Catholic position on just about every point of contention. The toughest thing to prove from those two sources is the Immaculate Conception.

Everything else, just about, is so easily provable in favor of the Church. I can talk on the phone if you want and will spend whatever time you need. Typing we will not get very far.

 

[HelenRose]

Good day to all, I hope this day finds you & yours doing well. I’m a lifelong Protestant (51 years old). My wife of 25 years was raised Catholic. Upon first getting married (we were married in protestant church) we attended mass several times after trying some protestant churches, but my family made it difficult. Bear in mind this was 25 years ago, we have all matured since then. We have attended about every protestant church in our area (about 30 altogether, in a town of about 7,000 people if you can believe that). I have not found what I seek in these churches, so I simply stopped attending. To make matters worse, I’m a musician & local guitar instructor. Therefore my “services” to these protestant churches can be highly sought in the music ministry. I found myself feeling “guilty obligation” to “play for God” in the churches; but it seemed the result was always the same. Someone getting mad or upset, then “protesting” by either moving to another church (remember there are about 30 churches in the local area, a big buffet to choose from), or quitting the musical ministry. Some of these churches reminded me of “American Idol” in their musical structure & form.

After the death of my mother in law in October of 2014 following an intense battle with cancer (she was raised Catholic, converted to protestant mega church years ago) I found myself studying the Catholic faith with intensity as of late. My eyes were opened during her funeral; the protestant minister from the mega church she attended did not know her, even mis pronounced her name at the funeral. There seemed nothing spiritual about the process, it left me questioning protestantism as a whole. And, to top it off, I was present when my wife’s step father was told it is “acceptable” to pay the “minister” $150-$200 for his “services” which amounted to a whole 5-7 minutes of talking. I was appalled!

I was raised in a traditional protestant view of the Catholic church: idol worship, man made religion, no bible study, etc. I’m sure you have heard it all before so I won’t bore you with details. However, what I will share with you are my findings of the past couple of months. I seek help with issues. I do not approach this issue from a totally intellectual point; rather I find it to be a balance of intellect, heart felt emotion, life experiences, wisdom & mature curiousity.

I have no problem with the Catholic rejection of sola scriptua. I have never felt the bible was elevated to the level protestants placed it, the seemingly gazillion different interpetations of the same book has caused much conflict. I also had big problems with scrpiture being taken out of context to suit the moment at hand. I also have no issue with the Catholic teaching on sola fide; I’ve always felt that a balance of faith/grace/good works towards mankind is desireable. When looking back I believe these 2 issues were huge problems for me when attending protestant churches. After reading the Didache & other information about early Christians I began to see the foundation for the Catholic church. I came to view the apostolic succession as valid; I can see where oral tradition played a big part in setting things up before the bible as we know it came to be. All of this came very easy for me; I found I had felt that way all along.

Some tougher issues I had included confession. At first I had the traditional protestant view of “don’t confess to a man”. but it didn’t take much to convince me that confession is a powerful sacrament; & more of it is needed. Calling the priest “father” was another one I struggled with but have accepted that. Praying to have saints intercede came along well after researching it. Transubstantion was another issue I had to study. After researching it I can’t help but feel kind of netural on the issue. Meaning I can see how the Catholic feel about the real presence as Christ did say “this is My body, & this is My blood”. However, i can also see how protestants feel the Eucharist is symbolic because Christ did not say “this becomes my body & this becomes my blood”. To me, this is a tough one to figure out; to me both sides seem correct.

To close out I find myself against a brick wall on 2 issues: Mary & the images in the church. I’ve always felt Mary was worthy of more respect (for lack of a better word) than she received in the protestant church. However, I feel the Catholic church might go a bit over the top with the issue. There must be middle ground on this issue. I can not currently accept either side. As far as images, well I must say I’m stubborningly protestant on that issue, it is the one sure thing keeping me from converting.

Did any of you come across the same type of journey as myself?

I became a Catholic many years ago. The honor the Catholic Church bestows on Mary is perhaps the first reason that I was drawn to the Church.

I believe that Christ knew what he was doing when He gave us his Mother to love us. It is strange to me that the Church is so often portrayed as being so masculine. Yet, it is a religion which honors a woman in a way that no other religion has done.

I look upon images of Mary very much as I do when I look at a photo of my mother. I feel closer to my mother, who died five years ago, when I look at her photo.

Without the love of a mother, it is so easy to forget the tenderness God has for His children. I know that Mary has no power in and of Herself but She is always there when I need a lap to lay my head when I feel lost and lonely.