Thinking of converting..... Advice?

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Reina10

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Hi I’ve been thinking of converting to Catholicism for some time. I’ve been in contact with my local priest by email and he invited me to call; he seemed very nice in the email. I was wondering if anyone had any specific advice for me and especially any suggestions for good books that are a must have for those that are thinking of converting. I’ve been reading Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila and I also have a wonderful Catholic Study Bible.

Any help and book suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Lauren
 
Reina10 said:
Any help and book suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Lauren
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I’ve also been considering conversion for some time. I’ve read a lot of books but these are my top three:
  1. The Catechism of The Catholic Church (Nothing explains Catholicism better than this and it’s essential reading anyway)
  2. City of God by St. Augustine (Admittedly, this is pretty heavy reading but, aside from the Bible and the Catechism, it’s the best book you could ever read in regards to Catholicism)
  3. Rediscovering Catholicism: Journeying Toward Our Spiritual North Star by Matthew Kelly (I think this book was geared more towards current Catholics and “fallen” Catholics but I found it to be a great and inspiring resource)
 
There are a lot of good books about the Catholic Faith. Among my favorite authors which explains the deeper understanding of Catholic Faith are those of Scott Hahn, Peter Kreeft, John Salza, Carl Keating, AlanSchreck, Patrick Madrid just to name a few. I do hope that the Holy Spirit will enlighten you and show you the many blessings in the Catholic Church.
 
If you are/were Protestant… the first book I read was Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn. I highly recommend it and plan on keeping old copies around to lend out indefinitely to “inquisitive” Protestant friends. It’s a quick but fantastic read about the Hahns’ road to the Church. Scott Hahn was a Presbyterian minister prior to their conversion.
 
Definately agree with the suggestion of Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hann. another great one for me was, Born Evangelical, Born Again Catholic. Can’t remember the author right now. But, those two are really good!

God bless,
Jesse
 
Check out Steve Ray’s conversion story on CD as well, available through ignatious press
 
Welcome Home!! The only books you really need are a good Catholic Bible (you already have one) and a copy of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church”; you also might find “Catholicism for Dummies” helpful. St. Theresa also wrote “The Progress of a Soul”. The OTHER St. Theresa, (The Little Flower) wrote “A Story of a Soul”, and St. Faustina wrote “Divine Mercy in my Soul”. A trip to your local Catholic bookstore can give you more inspirations! Have you attended Mass yet?
 
JPayne said:
Definately agree with the suggestion of Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hann. another great one for me was, Born Evangelical, Born Again Catholic. Can’t remember the author right now. But, those two are really good!

God bless,
Jesse
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The author of Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic (I presume this is the title you’re referring to) is David B. Currie. The book is published by Ignatius press & makes for very good reading. I have been a Catholic all of my life, but I bought the book with the intention of giving it to a non-Catholic friend of mine. I still haven’t gotten around to giving her the book, but for me it was wonderful to get an insight from a former Fundamentalist Christian & his precise motivation for coming home to Rome.

I haven’t read Rome Sweet Home yet, but it is recommended so very often - it seems to be essential reading for those thinking of converting.

Reina - as I said, I have been a Catholic all my life, so I can’t give you much personal advice regarding the journey of conversion. I certainly would urge you to go ahead and meet with your local priest and he will be able to put you in touch with RCIA directors who will be able to answer any questions you may have. I think it is important to ask lots and lots of questions - so use CAF liberally!

The Catholic Study Bible is a good choice. There are books out there which would compliment your study of the Scriptures - for example, books which give a Scriptural basis for doctrines of the Catholic Church which are often disputed by Protestants. I am a big “fan” of the Servant of God +Fulton Sheen - I have so many of his books and I don’t believe he ever wrote one single uninteresting sentence! For some very interesting insights on the Gospels, I would recommend his book “The Life of Christ”.

As others have said, buy a copy of the Catechism. There’s no better way of finding out what the Church teaches than reading its own handbook! It’s freely available on the Vatican website - www.vatican.va - along with many other very useful Church documents, though for the moment I guess you should stick to the basics - Bible & Catechism.

Last, but most certainly not least, learn about the Church on a spiritual level. Pray, pray, pray! You are most welcome to join your Catholic community for Mass on Sundays - or every day if you wish - although you will have to abstain from receiving Holy Communion for the moment. Don’t forget that you can come to visit the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament any time you like!

I wish you the very best as you embark on this journey. You will be in my prayers.
 
Reina10 said:
Hi I’ve been thinking of converting to Catholicism for some time.
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Go for it! 👍
I’ve been in contact with my local priest by email and he invited me to call; he seemed very nice in the email. I was wondering if anyone had any specific advice for me and especially any suggestions for good books that are a must have for those that are thinking of converting. I’ve been reading Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila and I also have a wonderful Catholic Study Bible.
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Those are wonderful books to start with. 🙂

The only “essential” books are the Bible and the Catechism. For everything else, just take yourself out on a field trip to your local Catholic book store and browse the shelves. There’s literally tons of great stuff out there (and also a certain amount of junk … ) but I would say, anything that gets you reading about the Faith is good.

My personal favorites are, This is the Faith, by Canon Francis Ripley, Fundamentals of the Faith, by Peter Kreeft, Making Senses out of Scripture, by Mark Shea, The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis, and The Faith of the Early Fathers (3 volumes), by William Jurgens. 🙂
 
Reina10 said:
Hi I’ve been thinking of converting to Catholicism for some time. I’ve been in contact with my local priest by email and he invited me to call; he seemed very nice in the email. I was wondering if anyone had any specific advice for me and especially any suggestions for good books that are a must have for those that are thinking of converting. I’ve been reading Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila and I also have a wonderful Catholic Study Bible.

Any help and book suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Lauren
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Hello Reina, and welcome. I like to recomend one about the early Church, It is an easy read told through the lives of four Fathers of the early Church.The title is Four Witnesses, by Rod Bennett, Ignatius press.God bless you as you make this journey. :)Carlan
 
I certainly recommend the same books as everyone else has; I’d just like to add my two cents - go to Mass as often as you can. Immerse yourself in the love of Jesus, both in and out of church.
He is leading you home; what joy!
 
=Reina10;5918528]Hi I’ve been thinking of converting to Catholicism for some time. I’ve been in contact with my local priest by email and he invited me to call; he seemed very nice in the email. I was wondering if anyone had any specific advice for me and especially any suggestions for good books that are a must have for those that are thinking of converting. I’ve been reading Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila and I also have a wonderful Catholic Study Bible.
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Any help and book suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Lauren
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:DSure!

Be OPEN! Be HONEST, candid and chairatibly frank, say a prayer for guidence before and of thanksgiving after. And I’ll add you to my prayer list.

Know that God is on your side.

Let us know if you have any questions, we’ll try to guide you too.

Keep in touch!

Love and orayers,

Pat
 
Have you checked out EWTN on TV? It’s a Catholic TV network where you will always find out more truth about the Catholic faith. It’s a TV channel you can trust. It is available even in a basic cable package.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice. I do watch EWTN. I watch the Journey Home which is very interesting and I always DVR programs that seem interesting. If you have any specific suggestions of good shows on EWTN I’d love to hear.

I’ve decided to go to my first R.C.I.A. class tomorrow and see how it is. I’m nervous but excited. i ordered two books by Scott Hahn on the Catholic Faith they seemed very informative yet not too terribly dense. i’m also going to order a Catechism thank you everyone for your suggestions.

I love to watch Fulton J. Sheen on EWTN too, it’s amazing even all these years later his shows are still very timely and he does a wonderful job of explaining things.

God Bless, Lauren
 
=Reina10;5930036]Thank you everyone for your advice. I do watch EWTN. I watch the Journey Home which is very interesting and I always DVR programs that seem interesting. If you have any specific suggestions of good shows on EWTN I’d love to hear.
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I’ve decided to go to my first R.C.I.A. class tomorrow and see how it is. I’m nervous but excited. i ordered two books by Scott Hahn on the Catholic Faith they seemed very informative yet not too terribly dense. i’m also going to order a Catechism thank you everyone for your suggestions.
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I love to watch Fulton J. Sheen on EWTN too, it’s amazing even all these years later his shows are still very timely and he does a wonderful job of explaining things.
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God Bless, Lauren
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Hi Lauren! 🙂

I knew I liked you for a reason. Bishop Sheen is my favorite Catholic Author. I’m presently reading his Life of Christ for the forth time:D Next to the Bible it’s my favorite [among a great many] Catholic Books.

Let us know your impressions of RCIA. And know that a great many of us will be thinking of you and praying for you.

Love and prayers,

Pat
 
Reina10 said:
Thank you everyone for your advice. I do watch EWTN. I watch the Journey Home which is very interesting and I always DVR programs that seem interesting. If you have any specific suggestions of good shows on EWTN I’d love to hear.
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Mother Angelica Live is my favorite. 🙂
 
Reina10 said:
Hi I’ve been thinking of converting to Catholicism for some time. I’ve been in contact with my local priest by email and he invited me to call; he seemed very nice in the email. I was wondering if anyone had any specific advice for me and especially any suggestions for good books that are a must have for those that are thinking of converting. I’ve been reading Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila and I also have a wonderful Catholic Study Bible.

Any help and book suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Lauren
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Reina,

I would suggest the “Surprised by the Truth” series, written by Patrick Madrid. They contain about a dozen conversion stories. People converting especially enjoy such books, because they often can relate and share in their experiences. Often, we find we share a common path on the road to Christ, and so these stories really touch us. Each of these stories explain their background and why they converted. They are very good, esp. if you like “Coming Home” on EWTN.

amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=surpised+by+the+truth

I would also suggest you visit Mr. Grodi’s web site

chnetwork.org/

Although you may be nervous, stop to smell the roses, it is a wonderful journey!

God Bless,

fdesales
 
God bless you. I crossed the Tiber very recently myself.

The Scott Hahn testimony in Rome Sweet Home is certainly worth reading. You can also buy an audio of his testimony - quite moving. Its not an apologetic - but a rather gripping story and you can almost see God moving in His life.

Prayer - particurly in front of the blessed sacrament will lead you very powerfully (at least it did for me). Also, I don’t know if you have been praying the rosary, but the prayers are very scriptural and can very much strengthen your faith.

In terms of apologetics - the Catholic Answers website is a good place for leads on any doctrinal issues and there are many wonderful books available by Keating, Hahn, Ray, Madrid (and others) that go deep on scriptural basis of our faith (if that is your interest).

Mostly - pray - and I (and I’m sure others on this forum) will be praying for you.

Blessings,

Brian
 
Another convert here. 🙂 I am so excited to hear that you’re attending RCIA and thinking of conversion.

I agree with all that the others have recommended, but I also have two other suggestions:

Crossing the Tiber by Stephen Ray. It’s deep, but not so much that it’s impossible to read. He’s also a convert (along with his wife and kids).

Catholicism for Dummies. Really. 🙂 It explains a lot of the “why do they do that?” questions. And it delves into basic theology and Church history.

Welcome to the journey!! It’s worth it.
 
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