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aidanbradypop
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Similarities and differences between Cradle Catholics and Converts
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DebChris
Guest
We should accept Truth where ever we find it.I have met few converts who rave about the way things were done in their previous faith. Usually they RAIL against the untruth they experienced in their previous faith.
Please remember that although the Protestant faith does not contain the fullness of truth it does contain bits of truth.
The zeal of a Baptist shouldn’t be sneered at but rejoiced in!
The passion of a Pentecostal shouldn’t be scoffed at but enjoyed!
The careful study of the Bible of literalists shouldn’t be ignored but embraced!
I’m not sure why certain aspects of the Protestants faiths SHOULD annoy you. So long as it’s not in opposition to the Catholic faith it can be a good thing!
I read the witness of a former Muslim based on his reading of the Koran. According to the Islamic teaching only Jesus and Mary are not touched by Satan at birth. A vision of Christ during prayer led him to Christianity.
The Church must always work toward the unity that Christ wills for her. Within the Church, we celebrate “both the variety gifts and the diversity of the people who receive them.” (CCC814) regardless of background. One of my favorite Masses has been the Easter Vigil when new converts are welcomed into the Church. I especially liked how in one parish, they would be given an opportunity to share their special gifts with the rest of the community.
It is great to see our separated brothers and sisters in full communion. That is only part of the story. The Catholic Church is the Universal Church. We also welcome those who once belonged to other religious backgrounds and have discovered Christ in their search for the Truth.
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jenwha
Guest
I totally agree, and it SHOULD NOT annoy any Catholic. Protestants have a lot of zeal and that is wonderful. We should recognize we are ALL brethren in the great body of Christ.
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PJM
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Yes:blush: its sorta like being a BILLIONAIRE and then winning a MILLION dollars. Sort of Hooo -Humm. we HAVE Jesus Christ: GOD in our Midst! But do we really know it?
Faith is a “living thing” and must be fed and watered to keep it alive. Sadly in the post Vatican II era for many reasons; religious education suffered from Malnutrition. The cause is not now important, as what is…IS!
But the lasting effects have lead to the YEAR of Evangualization FOLLOWED by the YEAR of Faith; which we are now in. Attempts to revive a sickly Faith are ungoing and crtically necessary.MUCH is being done; but will it be enough?
The advantage to being a recent conver; sayt in the past 15 years or so is that your Faith-Formation is leaps and bounds superior to what a great many “Born into the Faith Catholics have received” in the past 40 to 50 years.
A side bnefit to this is that many BITF Catholics were touhced by the Holy Spirit and inspired to learn our Faith sufficiently to share it wirh others. This FORUM is a FRUIT of this grace.
There is a wide spread lay effort to actively know, live and SHARE our Faith. And albeit slowl; it is taking hold. Add to that the additional efforts of many Bishops and Priest, and there is cause for HOPE.
So yes there is a problem and EACH of us is either a part of the ungoing problem ; or God Willing, a part of the cure. Which is our call
****Ecclesiasticus 15:18 "Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him"
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choliks
Guest
Everyone needs a conversion (or two).
I am a cradle catholic who just went through the motions when I was young. I remember not wanting to go to Mass on Sundays because it was boring. But I realized the beauty of the faith that God has given me, when I met and befriended a number of Jesuits when I was in college (I even went into pre-novitiate, discerning).
But like many, after graduation and an immersion into the world, I kind of fell away. But I was aware I fell away, and felt guilty about it. Yet instead of going back, i shied away even further.
Until I met my wife. I realized that in order for me to be faithful and love her truly, I needed to be faithful to God and His Church. And so here I am, trying to learn about the faith. The more I learn about the Catholic Church and her faith, the more I am in love with the God who created her.
So i guess, that’s a couple of conversions for a cradle catholic. Does that make me a convert?
I am a cradle catholic who just went through the motions when I was young. I remember not wanting to go to Mass on Sundays because it was boring. But I realized the beauty of the faith that God has given me, when I met and befriended a number of Jesuits when I was in college (I even went into pre-novitiate, discerning).
But like many, after graduation and an immersion into the world, I kind of fell away. But I was aware I fell away, and felt guilty about it. Yet instead of going back, i shied away even further.
Until I met my wife. I realized that in order for me to be faithful and love her truly, I needed to be faithful to God and His Church. And so here I am, trying to learn about the faith. The more I learn about the Catholic Church and her faith, the more I am in love with the God who created her.
So i guess, that’s a couple of conversions for a cradle catholic. Does that make me a convert?
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DebChris
Guest
Many cradle Catholics are taught not to question their Faith. This was especially true for those of us born before Vatican II.Everyone needs a conversion (or two).
I am a cradle catholic who just went through the motions when I was young. I remember not wanting to go to Mass on Sundays because it was boring. But I realized the beauty of the faith that God has given me, when I met and befriended a number of Jesuits when I was in college (I even went into pre-novitiate, discerning).
But like many, after graduation and an immersion into the world, I kind of fell away. But I was aware I fell away, and felt guilty about it. Yet instead of going back, i shied away even further.
Until I met my wife. I realized that in order for me to be faithful and love her truly, I needed to be faithful to God and His Church. And so here I am, trying to learn about the faith. The more I learn about the Catholic Church and her faith, the more I am in love with the God who created her.
So i guess, that’s a couple of conversions for a cradle catholic. Does that make me a convert?
Then I went to a Catholic College where graduates were known for their ability to think for themselves. Many of the greatest saints were the ones who did question their Faith, who did leave the Church. When they returned, they returned with a greater zeal and love for God than if they had never left or questioned what they had been taught. Faith for them was no longer a matter of mere ritual, and they were no longer the “white washed sepulchers” that Christ described.
I often heard my non-Catholic brothers and sisters talk about finding the answers in the Bible. I never could do this. What I learned at college, instead, was to find the questions. It is only in finding the questions that I could find the answers.
We are baptized into the Body of Christ. Even if we wander, we remain members of that body. Conversion itself is a lifelong journey that may or may not include detours with dramatic twists and turns.
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LINVS
Guest
I’m a cradle Catholic, but I empathize with converts. My family almost never went to church. I didn’t get my Confirmation until I was 33. I would have done it sooner, but during my youth I moved around a lot and my interest in the Faith wasn’t consistant. Growing up I really wanted to go to mass and get my sacraments, but like I said my family wasn’t at all serious as Catholics. So I feel like a convert at times.
Anyway, it is very apparent that converts are more devout and pious than many cradle Catholics. Something in their hearts have drawn them to the Catholic faith. Now some people convert because their spouse is Catholic or I’ve even heard some converting to get lower tuition at a Catholic college. But the person who finds the church on his own, attends RCIA, and learns about all the parts of the Catholic faith; that person has a rare gift from God. It is very hard to become Catholic: a year of study, overcoming the sometimes intimidating size and history of the Church, dealing with the scandals of the church and all the lies of the secular world. With all these obstacles, those converts show up at our Church and deal with it all. What could be more difficult?
Anyway, it is very apparent that converts are more devout and pious than many cradle Catholics. Something in their hearts have drawn them to the Catholic faith. Now some people convert because their spouse is Catholic or I’ve even heard some converting to get lower tuition at a Catholic college. But the person who finds the church on his own, attends RCIA, and learns about all the parts of the Catholic faith; that person has a rare gift from God. It is very hard to become Catholic: a year of study, overcoming the sometimes intimidating size and history of the Church, dealing with the scandals of the church and all the lies of the secular world. With all these obstacles, those converts show up at our Church and deal with it all. What could be more difficult?
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DebChris
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When speaking of converts, do not overlook those who turn from other religions. They may reject societal values such as polygamy that are contrary to Catholic teaching. They are often ostracized by their communities and families. The response to this rejection must be one of love reflecting the love of God they experience in their lives.
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aidanbradypop
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I find that converts are usually Protestants. When I converted at 12, I lost many friends because of it. Family looked at me differently and made rude comments whenever they felt the need.
My aunt who was a cradle Catholic actually was the only one who did not judge me. She converted to Baptist but still cared about the Church. I believe she converted because it was easier to be Baptist in a large Baptist family. I tought the opposite lol.
I believe both, cradle and convert, will go through ups and downs. A cradle is held to a higher standard for “being raised Catholic” and converts have to deal with the backlash of converting. Its really sad when a convert has to deal with so much hate from family and friends. I am glad my two boys were born into the Church. I hope and pray they have an easier road than I did. I would happily go through it all again in order to have my two sons being born into the Church!
My aunt who was a cradle Catholic actually was the only one who did not judge me. She converted to Baptist but still cared about the Church. I believe she converted because it was easier to be Baptist in a large Baptist family. I tought the opposite lol.
I believe both, cradle and convert, will go through ups and downs. A cradle is held to a higher standard for “being raised Catholic” and converts have to deal with the backlash of converting. Its really sad when a convert has to deal with so much hate from family and friends. I am glad my two boys were born into the Church. I hope and pray they have an easier road than I did. I would happily go through it all again in order to have my two sons being born into the Church!
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peace2u2
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by peace2u2
I don’t know… if a cradle Catholic takes it for granted anymore that a Protestant who refuses to enter Her doors?
I believe its called “Invincible Ignorance”
Or being disobedient if you should come upon the knowledge of the fullness of God’s grace and truth which is revealed in and thru the Catholic Church and then refuse to enter or remain in it.
Please correct me if I am in error…
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peace2u2
Guest
A cradle Catholic who leaves and then comes back or just stops practicing their Catholic faith and then comes back to practicing their Catholic faith is called a “revert”.
I believe that we all have to go thru a conversion in Christ (Baptism in the Holy Spirt which is different from our one Baptism) whether we are Catholic (cradle, convert or revert) or whether we are one of the over 35,000 different Protestant faiths.
I believe that we all have to go thru a conversion in Christ (Baptism in the Holy Spirt which is different from our one Baptism) whether we are Catholic (cradle, convert or revert) or whether we are one of the over 35,000 different Protestant faiths.
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aidanbradypop
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I do not think you are in error. I think it is a valid point. I have often brought that up before. If someone knows about the fullness and grace of the Church and still refuses to enter then where does that place them? I would say that places them in the same position of a cradle or convert Catholic who has the fullness and grace but does nothing with it.
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wondrousgnat
Guest
I have posted my story before in other threads. I am a revert. At one time the Catholic church was one of many good Christian churches. So I left for another. It was my time at other churches that made me appreciate what the Catholic church is. So that in that sense it was good that I left (and returned).
Now what about other ex-Catholics which I have known. Many become reverts and I find it interesting that I have never known of a Protestant, unlike Catholics, who ever reverted to his origional church. Other ex-Catholics hop from one church to the next never finding what they are looking for.
Now what about other ex-Catholics which I have known. Many become reverts and I find it interesting that I have never known of a Protestant, unlike Catholics, who ever reverted to his origional church. Other ex-Catholics hop from one church to the next never finding what they are looking for.
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aidanbradypop
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You bring up a really good point. I have also never heard of a Protestant who converts to Catholicism and then converts back to Protestantism. I am sure there might be a few out there but very small. My grandmother was a cradle Catholic. She converted to Church of God as an adult due to a lady next door. She had cancer and on her death bed she asked for a priest and not the CoG pastor. I hope she took her final confession and came back to the Church. I found that really interesting and it surprised everyone else.
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CB_Catholic
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Most of the things converts may mention as things they miss concern such things as music, fellowship, good preaching, dynamic youth groups, bible studies. These are not doctrinal issues, and they are not something Catholics should not consider. In fact, there are many complaints from Catholics about the lack of some of these things in their parishes, esp. the music and youth groups. I does not hurt us to admit that in general, much of what they miss could be improved upon in the parishes. I agree with the examples you gave above.I have met few converts who rave about the way things were done in their previous faith. Usually they RAIL against the untruth they experienced in their previous faith.
Please remember that although the Protestant faith does not contain the fullness of truth it does contain bits of truth.
The zeal of a Baptist shouldn’t be sneered at but rejoiced in!
The passion of a Pentecostal shouldn’t be scoffed at but enjoyed!
The careful study of the Bible of literalists shouldn’t be ignored but embraced!
I’m not sure why certain aspects of the Protestants faiths SHOULD annoy you. So long as it’s not in opposition to the Catholic faith it can be a good thing!
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wondrousgnat
Guest
There is much about being a Protestant that I miss and find the Catholic church lacking. But I know that I am where God wants me to be.
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aidanbradypop
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I agree with you. It is not really a doctrine issues as it is more of a culture issue. They enjoy their faith in the Church, but probably miss the good singing and what I call “Good Christian Fellowship” lol.
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CB_Catholic
Guest
I have a friend who was a Methodist. She loved being a Methodist. She married a Catholic. When her children started school she converted to Catholicism for unity in the family religion. She honestly did believe in the Eucharist, she personally believed that as a Methodist. When her children were in high school she went back to being a Protestant. She never really wanted to convert in the first place.
People should not convert for reasons other than a true desire to follow Christ in the Catholic Church. My own father was baptized in the Catholic Church in order to marry my mother, in the 40’s. They divorced when I was 6 years old. He never did practice the Catholic faith, and died belonging to his former denomination, Church of the Nazarene, in which he was quite happy.
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PJM
Guest
I’ve not heard that before. Do you mean social issues like fellowship or someting else?
Could you please be more specific?
God Bless you,
Pat /PJM
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wondrousgnat
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In my current parish which I have belonged to for almost 5 years there is nothing to get involved with.
When I was a Protestant further years back I was in bible studies, volleyball tournaments, picnics, potlucks and a large singles group. As a single guy in his 30s who hoped to get married joining a church which disapproves of divorce and remarriage made no sense; especially since there were virtually no single women my age in the church.
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