Thinking of converting Catholic, but my wife doesn't believe

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Alyosha1984

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After the death of my brother and then birth of my son, I had a few experiences that I felt like God’s hand intervening directly in my life. I had previously been an agnostic and skeptic of Christianity, but I was also deeply ignorant of what “Christianity” was. On subsequent reading of classics on the topic of God (Doestoevsky in particular, a copy of the Brother’s Karamazov that had been my brother’s), and then hearing a summary of the main proofs of God’s existence, I couldn’t deny His existence. Then upon reading about a few different theologies from Christian denominations (and attending a few Quaker meetings), I found Catholicism to be so much wiser, deeper, more profound, and more useful, that I came to believe it was the Word of God. I am considering RCIA next year after this dreadful pandemic is over.

My wife is skeptical of Christianity…not a hard-line, uncompromising atheist…but uncomfortable around it. Her grandparents were Catholic and I think when she was a child she was left with a bad impression of a specific church congregation – and then her mother died very young. She was also educated in a public school & university system that abhors (and is grossly ignorant of) Christianity. These things made her doubt God. But she still seeks truth, finding what she can in yoga, although she even admits the limits of yoga.

I am steadfastly devoted to my wife – even though we weren’t married under the Church I feel strongly that God put us together (against great odds), and if ever a marriage deserved lifelong sanctimony, it is ours. We have a beautiful, happy son and a daughter on the way. My wife does not judge my view (I don’t judge hers), but my core values have grown in a certain direction since we met that she is uncertain about. This is at times a source of tension.

I would appreciate any words of advice, or even just similar stories, on how to navigate my relationship.
 
There are many many people that have gone through the same situation. Perhaps reading their stories can help you and your wife. Scott Hanh is one his wife was very anti catholic. She also wrote a book is am not mistaken. Dr. David Anders is another one. He wrote a book recently were he explains how the Catholic Church actually saved his marriage. Check them out. Of course there are many more.
Peace!
 
I converted to Orthodoxy and then Catholicism while my wife has had a similar disdain for Christianity that it sounds like your partner has. The priest who baptized me said that it was better that one of us entered the faith rather than neither of us. When my wife saw that I was serious and that participation in the faith was good for me and made me a better person, she even began to attend important church day services occasionally with our son and had no problem with me taking my son to mass (we speak often and openly about our beliefs at home).

So it can work! Talk to a local priest and see what he has to say.
 
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I was involved in a horrible divorce situation that left my daughter without religion. Every time I brought up anything religious the judge reduced my child visitation until I was left with nothing except god. I wouldn’t waiver and found that it was now my duty to somehow appropriately teach her about Jesus. I asked her if she would read a book if I bought it for her I told her it was a bestseller and I didn’t want it going in the garbage. The book was called “case for Christ” and it’s about an agnostic male whose wife wanted him to convert so he did an investigation into whether or not Jesus was real and actually existed.

Anyway, my daughter is a believer now in Jesus Christ thanks to that book. I think you should get it for your wife.
 
Alyosha1984 said:
hearing a summary of the main proofs of God’s existence, I couldn’t deny His existence.
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This is a good first step. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in all truth. Take one step at a time to grow in your faith. Pray for your wife too, God works in mysterious ways.
 
I am an RCIA Catholic. I was received into the church 30 years ago.

Despite unpleasantness and outright ridicule from family and “friends,”
I became a Catholic on my own. I live in the northeastern U.S., which
is very anti-religious. I was ridiculed for believing in God and even more
for being Catholic. When God calls, follow. The Holy Spirit will give you
guidance. And your wife may well surprise you by supporting your
spiritual journey. You can do this. God bless you.
*It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you and will never
fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.
(Deuteronomy 31:8)
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@Vinz:

Venus, welcome to CAF and God bless you.

This forum is Catholic. Proselytizing is against forum rules.
I think it would be more appropriate for you to post your critique of Catholicism on another thread – perhaps apologetics.
 
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I became Catholic at the age of 40. I had been interested in Catholicism all my adult life. My husband was brought up Catholic, but hadn’t practiced in 25 years. He associated the Church with his mom, from whom he is estranged.
Anyway, he couldn’t set foot in a Catholic Church without having strong anxiety.
Long story short, our oldest daughter started attending a Catholic school, and a year or so after that, we were all attending Mass and we were all getting our sacraments caught up.
I never would have thought that would happen, but now it’s eleven years later, still going strong in the Church! You just never know what God has planned for you and your family!
Best wishes to you!!
 
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Vinz, it sounds like you are preaching against Catholicism, on a Catholic website.
?!
Violation of the forum rules?
 
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