The true church?

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itshannahbelle

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Hi, my name is Hannah. I joined this community because I am interested in the Catholic Faith. I have been raised in a Protestant Moravian family all of my life. I have felt this calling in my heart from the spirit to explore and learn more about Catholicism. I have always been interested in the Catholic church but never really vocalized my interest to any of my family because I knew how some of them felt about Catholics. I prayed that if becoming Catholic was what I was suppose to do, for God to show me a sign and I prayed for to see a butterfly at some point the next day, and ever since I’ve seen butterflies just about every single day. When I truly feel that my heart is calling me to do something and it just won’t let this go. I don’t know any Catholics so I don’t have anyone to go to with questions so I thought joining this community could help me just as well.

My Grandma actually told me if I become Catholic my whole family will lose me, that comment really hurt me. I am just looking to grow my faith in God and join to what I believe is the true church. The question I have with the church is how Catholics have come to believe this church is the true church. If someone could please explain this in simpler terms I would really appreciate it!

God Bless!
 
Hi itshannahbelle,

Your question, “The question I have with the church is how Catholics have come to believe this church is the true church.”

Though I was born into a Catholic family my mother left the church after the changes of Vatican II in the 1960’s. Since my adulthood, I have wandered in the protestant churches, until now, I am in the process of going back home.

I came to the abrupt realization that the Bible only isnt enough. I am a Bible scholar (still learning, not an expert by no means). The Bible through the Holy Spirit has led me to believe that God, in His infinite mercy, had to have left a church for us, to nurture us, to teach and guide us. I’ve only had half an upbringing and was slowly dying for lack of nurture. I missed the Holiness of the Mass, a place I had once felt safe and now experience it again. There is no place like being in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church. May you find your home there, too.
 
itshannahbelle said:
Hi, my name is Hannah. I joined this community because I am interested in the Catholic Faith. I have been raised in a Protestant Moravian family all of my life. I have felt this calling in my heart from the spirit to explore and learn more about Catholicism. I have always been interested in the Catholic church but never really vocalized my interest to any of my family because I knew how some of them felt about Catholics. I prayed that if becoming Catholic was what I was suppose to do, for God to show me a sign and I prayed for to see a butterfly at some point the next day, and ever since I’ve seen butterflies just about every single day. When I truly feel that my heart is calling me to do something and it just won’t let this go. I don’t know any Catholics so I don’t have anyone to go to with questions so I thought joining this community could help me just as well.

My Grandma actually told me if I become Catholic my whole family will lose me, that comment really hurt me. I am just looking to grow my faith in God and join to what I believe is the true church. The question I have with the church is how Catholics have come to believe this church is the true church. If someone could please explain this in simpler terms I would really appreciate it!

God Bless!
Click to expand...
Firstly, God bless you. Know for certain that the Church is already praying for you and you are in her prayers.

That being said, I think the best thing for you to do is continue in prayer and developing your already very healthy prayer life with God. Prayer is most important.

Next, I would continue to learn entrusting yourself to the guidance of God. When praying, reading the bible or reading things like the Church’s Catechism, which is available online for example, it is always good to ask the Holy Spirit to come, aid, assist and enlighten you.

Next, I would recommend - with your parents knowledge though - that you contact your local diocese by phone or email, explaning your interest and circumstances (like your age) to them. If you do not speak to one immediately you should hear back from a priest by phone or email.

Catholics are big on honouring your mother and father and also strong believers in the family. You might be asked to continue praying and learning until you are of age if your desire to become Catholic threatens your family relationships. But know that your desire to become a full member of God’s family in his holy Church does in part already make you a member of His Church and His family - this is called “baptism of desire”.

Again, take comfort already that you are already in the Church’s heart and she is praying for you. In the Church’s belief, no one approaches the Church unless or until God has first blessed them and given them a special grace - someone almost certainly has been praying for you. This no doubt means you are much loved. Take comfort in that.

God bless you and know that you are in our prayers.

Peace,
August.
 
itshannahbelle said:
Hi, my name is Hannah. I joined this community because I am interested in the Catholic Faith. …
Click to expand...
Welcome - Hope we can help…
My Grandma actually told me if I become Catholic my whole family will lose me, that comment really hurt me. I am just looking to grow my faith in God and join to what I believe is the true church.
Click to expand...
I’m sorry your grandma feels this way, but take heart. I suspect that as you learn about the Church you will be able to share some wonderful things with your family and perhaps set many of their fears to rest.
The question I have with the church is how Catholics have come to believe this church is the true church. If someone could please explain this in simpler terms I would really appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Well - there are several things.
  1. The historical lineage.
    The Catholic Church (along with the EO) traces it’s Episcopal lines - unbroken - all the way back to Peter and the Apostles - and thus to Christ.
    We call this “Apostolic succession” and in short it means that Christ ordained and gave his authority to Peter and the Apostles and they in turn have passed on that authority through direct ordination - even down to today. This has ramifications in other areas.
  2. The Church is universal -
    The term “Catholic” comes from the Greek meaning “universal”. Christ prayed that we be one as He and the Father are one - the Apostles in their letters exhorted the faithful to a profound unity of mind. When issues would come up that disturbed the peace of the faithful, the Church hierarchy would be called on to address the matter.
  3. The Biblical model -
    The Catholic Church, building on Christ’s establishment of a single, universal Church uses a councilior model (both formal and informal) where in the Bishops communicate with each other to assure that teachings are universal and are true. Christ tells us to take differences to the Church and to listen to the Church (Mt 18:15-18). The Holy Spirit records the first council where such a difference is resolved in Acts 15.
  4. The establishment of Scripture by this councilior model.
    Using the model we see above, it was the Bishops of the Catholic Church, in council who established which books should be included in the Bible canon.
    Likewise interpretation of Scripture needs to be seen within the overall wisdom of the Spirit guided and protected Church.
    We are welcome and encouraged to read Scripture and to learn from it, but we need to do so carefully and as part of the community lest we fall into error.
  5. Sacramental economy -
    The Catholic Church, by virtue of it’s pedigree of Apostolic succession has the true sacraments. In particular - the Eucharist - which is not simply a symbol, but is THE Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ - praise be God for ever.
    Through the miracle of the Altar which takes place daily in the Church we are able to comply with Christ’s instruction to us to “Take and Eat / Drink” His body and Blood - for if we do not do this, we have no life in us.
I hope the above helps you some.

Again - Welcome to the boards.

Peace
James
 
itshannahbelle said:
Hi, my name is Hannah. I joined this community because I am interested in the Catholic Faith. I have been raised in a Protestant Moravian family all of my life. I have felt this calling in my heart from the spirit to explore and learn more about Catholicism. I have always been interested in the Catholic church but never really vocalized my interest to any of my family because I knew how some of them felt about Catholics. I prayed that if becoming Catholic was what I was suppose to do, for God to show me a sign and I prayed for to see a butterfly at some point the next day, and ever since I’ve seen butterflies just about every single day. When I truly feel that my heart is calling me to do something and it just won’t let this go. I don’t know any Catholics so I don’t have anyone to go to with questions so I thought joining this community could help me just as well.

My Grandma actually told me if I become Catholic my whole family will lose me, that comment really hurt me. I am just looking to grow my faith in God and join to what I believe is the true church. The question I have with the church is how Catholics have come to believe this church is the true church. If someone could please explain this in simpler terms I would really appreciate it!

God Bless!
Click to expand...
God bless you, Hannah. We’re here to help, and we’re praying for you!

Others have given some good replys with which I heartily concur.

Do you live on your own? I ask that since your journey might be a little different depending on your situation, as 1AugustSon7 alluded to.

I’d like to recommend a book which might help: Crossing the Tiber by Steve Ray.
He & his wife were lifelong protestants, and they began, like you, to explore the Catholic Church. They ended up converting. His father, a Baptist Minister, with whom he was very close, was understandably upset. This book began as a letter to him explaining why he made the choice he did.

If finances are at all a problem, PM me and I’ll send you a copy OR I’ll gift you a kindle copy from Amazon (if you don’t have a notebook or reader you can get a kindle reader app for free for your computer).

I’d say, though, that you’ve taken the first step in a long journey. Please, please explore the Church in depth before making any decisions. It’s not that we don’t want you here – we very much do. We just want you to have deep roots in good soil. You’ll find that, once you know what the Church teaches and why, it makes the most sense of, well, everything.
 
JRKH said:
Welcome - Hope we can help…

I’m sorry your grandma feels this way, but take heart. I suspect that as you learn about the Church you will be able to share some wonderful things with your family and perhaps set many of their fears to rest.

Well - there are several things.
  1. The historical lineage.
    The Catholic Church (along with the EO) traces it’s Episcopal lines - unbroken - all the way back to Peter and the Apostles - and thus to Christ.
    We call this “Apostolic succession” and in short it means that Christ ordained and gave his authority to Peter and the Apostles and they in turn have passed on that authority through direct ordination - even down to today. This has ramifications in other areas.
  2. The Church is universal -
    The term “Catholic” comes from the Greek meaning “universal”. Christ prayed that we be one as He and the Father are one - the Apostles in their letters exhorted the faithful to a profound unity of mind. When issues would come up that disturbed the peace of the faithful, the Church hierarchy would be called on to address the matter.
  3. The Biblical model -
    The Catholic Church, building on Christ’s establishment of a single, universal Church uses a councilior model (both formal and informal) where in the Bishops communicate with each other to assure that teachings are universal and are true. Christ tells us to take differences to the Church and to listen to the Church (Mt 18:15-18). The Holy Spirit records the first council where such a difference is resolved in Acts 15.
  4. The establishment of Scripture by this councilior model.
    Using the model we see above, it was the Bishops of the Catholic Church, in council who established which books should be included in the Bible canon.
    Likewise interpretation of Scripture needs to be seen within the overall wisdom of the Spirit guided and protected Church.
    We are welcome and encouraged to read Scripture and to learn from it, but we need to do so carefully and as part of the community lest we fall into error.
  5. Sacramental economy -
    The Catholic Church, by virtue of it’s pedigree of Apostolic succession has the true sacraments. In particular - the Eucharist - which is not simply a symbol, but is THE Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ - praise be God for ever.
    Through the miracle of the Altar which takes place daily in the Church we are able to comply with Christ’s instruction to us to “Take and Eat / Drink” His body and Blood - for if we do not do this, we have no life in us.
I hope the above helps you some.

Again - Welcome to the boards.

Peace
James
Click to expand...
Copied this to Evernote! 🙂 Thanks James! 👍
 
1AugustSon7 said:
Firstly, God bless you. Know for certain that the Church is already praying for you and you are in her prayers.

That being said, I think the best thing for you to do is continue in prayer and developing your already very healthy prayer life with God. Prayer is most important.

Next, I would continue to learn entrusting yourself to the guidance of God. When praying, reading the bible or reading things like the Church’s Catechism, which is available online for example, it is always good to ask the Holy Spirit to come, aid, assist and enlighten you.

Next, I would recommend - with your parents knowledge though - that you contact your local diocese by phone or email, explaning your interest and circumstances (like your age) to them. If you do not speak to one immediately you should hear back from a priest by phone or email.

Catholics are big on honouring your mother and father and also strong believers in the family. You might be asked to continue praying and learning until you are of age if your desire to become Catholic threatens your family relationships. But know that your desire to become a full member of God’s family in his holy Church does in part already make you a member of His Church and His family - this is called “baptism of desire”.

Again, take comfort already that you are already in the Church’s heart and she is praying for you. In the Church’s belief, no one approaches the Church unless or until God has first blessed them and given them a special grace - someone almost certainly has been praying for you. This no doubt means you are much loved. Take comfort in that.

God bless you and know that you are in our prayers.

Peace,
August.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. I’m 22 so I don’t have to deal with any “of age” issues. When I expressed my desire to learn more about the Catholic church some of my family tried to come up with anything and everything they’ve come to think they know what is “bad” about the church to deter me from continuing on this journey home. Whenever I feel so strongly about something, my heart just can’t let it go. My thirst for God and to expand my knowledge of the true church has never been so strong. I really appreciate your feedback and prayers. May God bless you.
 
FathersKnowBest said:
God bless you, Hannah. We’re here to help, and we’re praying for you!

Others have given some good replys with which I heartily concur.

Do you live on your own? I ask that since your journey might be a little different depending on your situation, as 1AugustSon7 alluded to.

I’d like to recommend a book which might help: Crossing the Tiber by Steve Ray.
He & his wife were lifelong protestants, and they began, like you, to explore the Catholic Church. They ended up converting. His father, a Baptist Minister, with whom he was very close, was understandably upset. This book began as a letter to him explaining why he made the choice he did.

If finances are at all a problem, PM me and I’ll send you a copy OR I’ll gift you a kindle copy from Amazon (if you don’t have a notebook or reader you can get a kindle reader app for free for your computer).

I’d say, though, that you’ve taken the first step in a long journey. Please, please explore the Church in depth before making any decisions. It’s not that we don’t want you here – we very much do. We just want you to have deep roots in good soil. You’ll find that, once you know what the Church teaches and why, it makes the most sense of, well, everything.
Click to expand...
No, I don’t live on my own. I’m 22 and still living at home. I’ve never heard of that book, I’ll have to check it out. Thank you for the recommendation. I understand, it’s definitely a lot to take in.
 
JRKH said:
Welcome - Hope we can help…

I’m sorry your grandma feels this way, but take heart. I suspect that as you learn about the Church you will be able to share some wonderful things with your family and perhaps set many of their fears to rest.

Well - there are several things.
  1. The historical lineage.
    The Catholic Church (along with the EO) traces it’s Episcopal lines - unbroken - all the way back to Peter and the Apostles - and thus to Christ.
    We call this “Apostolic succession” and in short it means that Christ ordained and gave his authority to Peter and the Apostles and they in turn have passed on that authority through direct ordination - even down to today. This has ramifications in other areas.
  2. The Church is universal -
    The term “Catholic” comes from the Greek meaning “universal”. Christ prayed that we be one as He and the Father are one - the Apostles in their letters exhorted the faithful to a profound unity of mind. When issues would come up that disturbed the peace of the faithful, the Church hierarchy would be called on to address the matter.
  3. The Biblical model -
    The Catholic Church, building on Christ’s establishment of a single, universal Church uses a councilior model (both formal and informal) where in the Bishops communicate with each other to assure that teachings are universal and are true. Christ tells us to take differences to the Church and to listen to the Church (Mt 18:15-18). The Holy Spirit records the first council where such a difference is resolved in Acts 15.
  4. The establishment of Scripture by this councilior model.
    Using the model we see above, it was the Bishops of the Catholic Church, in council who established which books should be included in the Bible canon.
    Likewise interpretation of Scripture needs to be seen within the overall wisdom of the Spirit guided and protected Church.
    We are welcome and encouraged to read Scripture and to learn from it, but we need to do so carefully and as part of the community lest we fall into error.
  5. Sacramental economy -
    The Catholic Church, by virtue of it’s pedigree of Apostolic succession has the true sacraments. In particular - the Eucharist - which is not simply a symbol, but is THE Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ - praise be God for ever.
    Through the miracle of the Altar which takes place daily in the Church we are able to comply with Christ’s instruction to us to “Take and Eat / Drink” His body and Blood - for if we do not do this, we have no life in us.
I hope the above helps you some.

Again - Welcome to the boards.

Peace
James
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this explanation.
 
Itshannahbelle #1
I have been raised in a Protestant Moravian family all of my life.
The question I have with the church is how Catholics have come to believe this church is the true church.
Click to expand...
Moravian beliefs are supposed to be based on the Bible, but Christ, the Son of God wrote nothing and used quotes from the OT, as He established His Church and explicitly made four promises to Peter alone, and this is what the Sacred Scriptures teach us:

“You are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church.” (Mt 16:18)
“The gates of hell will not prevail against it.”(Mt 16:18)
I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.” ( Mt 16:19)
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” (Mt 16:19) [Later to the Twelve].

Sole authority:
“Strengthen your brethren.” (Lk 22:32)
“Feed My sheep.”(Jn 21:17).

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (Jn 21:25).
  1. Never did Jesus command any of His Apostles to write anything, but to go and teach under the Primacy of St Peter.
  2. It is only through His Church that you and I can have the Sacred Scriptures to mangle or to lead him to Christ’s Church.
  3. The result of private interpretation has been tens of thousands of differing and confused “interpretations” among those outside of His Church.
Of course Christ established His Church, which defined what books are the inspired Word of God, no more nor less. Only She has the authority to interpret what She has given the world. Thus what the Bible confirms is:
Some things are hard to understand (2Pet 3:16).
No Scripture subject to private interpretation (2 Pet 1:20-21).
Have need of an interpreter (Acts 8:30-31).
Not everything is in the Bible (Jn 21:25).
Paul speaks of oral tradition (2 Thess 2:15; 2 Tim 2:2; 1 Cor 11:2; 1 Thess 2:13).
Early Christians followed apostolic tradition (Acts 2:42).
More oral tradition (2 Jn 1:12; 3 Jn 1:13-14)
 
itshannahbelle said:
Hi, my name is Hannah. I joined this community because I am interested in the Catholic Faith. I have been raised in a Protestant Moravian family all of my life. I have felt this calling in my heart from the spirit to explore and learn more about Catholicism. I have always been interested in the Catholic church but never really vocalized my interest to any of my family because I knew how some of them felt about Catholics. I prayed that if becoming Catholic was what I was suppose to do, for God to show me a sign and I prayed for to see a butterfly at some point the next day, and ever since I’ve seen butterflies just about every single day. When I truly feel that my heart is calling me to do something and it just won’t let this go. I don’t know any Catholics so I don’t have anyone to go to with questions so I thought joining this community could help me just as well.

My Grandma actually told me if I become Catholic my whole family will lose me, that comment really hurt me. I am just looking to grow my faith in God and join to what I believe is the true church. The question I have with the church is how Catholics have come to believe this church is the true church. If someone could please explain this in simpler terms I would really appreciate it!

God Bless!
Click to expand...
Your Grandma, God love her, is wrong. The only way they’ll ever lose you is if they cut you off themselves. The Church will never encourage you to mistreat or deride them. 🙂
itshannahbelle said:
When I expressed my desire to learn more about the Catholic church some of my family tried to come up with anything and everything they’ve come to think they know what is “bad” about the church to deter me from continuing on this journey home. Whenever I feel so strongly about something, my heart just can’t let it go. My thirst for God and to expand my knowledge of the true church has never been so strong. I really appreciate your feedback and prayers. May God bless you.
Click to expand...
Know that you will now be included in all my prayers and remembered at Mass every time I am there.

One way to get accurate answers to some of what you’ve been told is to use the search engine up in the Ask an Apologist forum, where thousands of questions have been answered by knowledgeable and caring Catholic priests and lay people.

You asked about the true church… There’s a very good guy named John Martignoni who has a Catholic website that you may find helpful. It’s called The Bible Christian Society and he has a number of excellent resources you can tap into.

These links will take you to Free MP3 Downloads on the following topics.
One Church

Which Came First, the Church or the Bible?

Two-Minute Apologetics

He also has a number of excellent Bible studies and notes that can be found at Booklets

His Newsletter is also well worth subscribing to.
 
itshannahbelle said:
When I expressed my desire to learn more about the Catholic church some of my family tried to come up with anything and everything they’ve come to think they know what is “bad” about the church to deter me from continuing on this journey home.
Click to expand...
Your family, and your friends in your church who may join in, are not lying. To lie, first one has to know the truth, and then intentionally speak a falsehood.

The anger and hatred of the Church is hardly anything new; falsehoods and partial truths have been spoken against the Catholic Church literally for centuries.

The Catholic Church is truly huge. I think the latest tally I have seen puts it at near 1.2 billion people; or about 1/6th of humanity. And the Church, over the centuries, has weighed in on political matters, has done missionary work in foreign lands (and often upsetting the social mores and political structures), has been seen as “in bed” with dictators, kings, tyrants, an the list goes on and on. It has had great impact on society, and in some of those societies, there have been people who have chaffed at, if not outright opposed, the Church. All of that is open to fair examination, but is not really the subject I am trying to get to; only that the Church has a long history of opposition, and some of that history seems to get repeated over and over and over, ad nauseum.

I think it was Bishop Sheen who said that no one hates the Church, but many hate what they think the Church is (and I am sure I am not accurately quoting him). The point being, most people who hate “the Church” hate what they think the Church is, not what it really is.

That, however, does not make it any easier; as they - your family and friends - are absolutely sure what they were told is the truth, and they fear for you.

That will not make it a whole lot easier should you decide to join the Church; but hope fully can bring some semblance of understanding of what is going on.

God be with you on your journey.
 
Abu said:
Moravian beliefs are supposed to be based on the Bible, but Christ, the Son of God wrote nothing and used quotes from the OT, as He established His Church and explicitly made four promises to Peter alone, and this is what the Sacred Scriptures teach us:

“You are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church.” (Mt 16:18)
“The gates of hell will not prevail against it.”(Mt 16:18)
I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.” ( Mt 16:19)
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” (Mt 16:19) [Later to the Twelve].

Sole authority:
“Strengthen your brethren.” (Lk 22:32)
“Feed My sheep.”(Jn 21:17).

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (Jn 21:25).
  1. Never did Jesus command any of His Apostles to write anything, but to go and teach under the Primacy of St Peter.
  2. It is only through His Church that you and I can have the Sacred Scriptures to mangle or to lead him to Christ’s Church.
  3. The result of private interpretation has been tens of thousands of differing and confused “interpretations” among those outside of His Church.
Of course Christ established His Church, which defined what books are the inspired Word of God, no more nor less. Only She has the authority to interpret what She has given the world. Thus what the Bible confirms is:
Some things are hard to understand (2Pet 3:16).
No Scripture subject to private interpretation (2 Pet 1:20-21).
Have need of an interpreter (Acts 8:30-31).
Not everything is in the Bible (Jn 21:25).
Paul speaks of oral tradition (2 Thess 2:15; 2 Tim 2:2; 1 Cor 11:2; 1 Thess 2:13).
Early Christians followed apostolic tradition (Acts 2:42).
More oral tradition (2 Jn 1:12; 3 Jn 1:13-14)
Click to expand...
Thank you for posting bible verses that I can reference. 🙂
 
otjm said:
Your family, and your friends in your church who may join in, are not lying. To lie, first one has to know the truth, and then intentionally speak a falsehood.

The anger and hatred of the Church is hardly anything new; falsehoods and partial truths have been spoken against the Catholic Church literally for centuries.

The Catholic Church is truly huge. I think the latest tally I have seen puts it at near 1.2 billion people; or about 1/6th of humanity. And the Church, over the centuries, has weighed in on political matters, has done missionary work in foreign lands (and often upsetting the social mores and political structures), has been seen as “in bed” with dictators, kings, tyrants, an the list goes on and on. It has had great impact on society, and in some of those societies, there have been people who have chaffed at, if not outright opposed, the Church. All of that is open to fair examination, but is not really the subject I am trying to get to; only that the Church has a long history of opposition, and some of that history seems to get repeated over and over and over, ad nauseum.

I think it was Bishop Sheen who said that no one hates the Church, but many hate what they think the Church is (and I am sure I am not accurately quoting him). The point being, most people who hate “the Church” hate what they think the Church is, not what it really is.

That, however, does not make it any easier; as they - your family and friends - are absolutely sure what they were told is the truth, and they fear for you.

That will not make it a whole lot easier should you decide to join the Church; but hope fully can bring some semblance of understanding of what is going on.

God be with you on your journey.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
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