Those of you who are converts

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conrad979

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To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
 
conrad979 said:
To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
Click to expand...
Pray and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Do not depend on others for answers or let them misguide you. If God led you there, then you know there must be a reason behind it - to lead you to the Truth.

That’s what i did and today, i’m Catholic.
 
Hey conrad,

For me RCIA was just a tease. The meaning and depth of what the Church teaches, where it came from, and how it has been handed on cannot possibly be taught in a weekly class through Lent.

One of the many wonderful things about the Church is that she has kept meticulous records for nearly 2000 years and she has made these records openly accessible to searchers of Truth.

Enjoy your journey into Truth.
 
conrad979 said:
To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
Click to expand...
Hi Conrad979,

I agree with both of the posts above. First and foremost, it is a matter of prayer…much prayer…for God to lead you. And He will!!! Also, there is so much information from the past 2000 years, that you can read and study for eternity. With prayer God will lead you to the information you need.

I was a Seventh-day Adventist, and as I prayed and searched for the truth I was led to the Catholic Church. Just remember that Jesus is the Truth.

I have been a Catholic in my mind for the past two years, and this past April, I became one in my heart. And now I will begin R.C.I.A. next month.

My journey was an independent one to get to this point. I now look forward to continuing my journey with others as we become one in commuion in the Body of Christ. I have found what I’ve been searching for since my youth…I will be 50 soon.

Keep praying, trust God, and follow Him always forward! God bless you in your journey!! We will keep you in our prayers!!
 
Hey Conrad!
Yes, for the first few months, while I was studying for confirmation and the first 6 months or so after, I was very uncertain and uncomfortable. I grew up in the American South, “the Bible belt,” a place steeped in anti-Catholic slanders and suspicion. It was very important to me to come to terms with the depth and richness of Catholic Biblical theology. Alot of what I was raised to believe that the “Bible sez” isn’t in there or is twisted beyond recognition. I also read about the Swiss Guard and the Jesuits, looking for the Pope’s mercenary army that was going to come make us all damnable Catholics by force! 🙂 Keep praying and studying.

In Christ,

Kevin
 
I knew from the very first meeting with RCIA that I was where the Holy Spirit led me. As the months went on, that realization grew even stronger. The more I studied the faith and debated (although not nearly as much as I would have preferred) the stronger my convictions got.

I need to share this with you though. About 3 months BEFORE the Easter Vigil, an RCIA team member came to me, mostly because I was starting to have some difficulties (not with the truth which I was learning but with self doubt in my belief in God) that the Devil, because he was loosing his grip on my soul, that he would attack me more and more the closer Easter got, to plant many seeds of doubt within me,and he DID. The day before the Easter Vigil, I went to the RCIA director and said that I could not go through with it. I had so many conflicting doubts running around my head that I was confused. She was understanding and did not try to “make me” go through with receiving the Sacraments. All she said was, pray pray and Pray some more.

I spent all that night in anguished prayer talking with the Blessed Mother (we children always go to Mom when we are scared or hurt…👍 ) She spoke to my heart, not in words that anyone else would hear, not even my ears, just to my heart. She let me know that she did not always understand what the total implications of the Cross was. That when she saw her Son being nailed to it, she just had to Trust that it would all make sense at a later time. I felt such a calm come over me, I realized that I did not need to have all the answers right away. God would show me in steps throughout my lifes journey the truths He teaches through Holy Mother Church.

Easter Vigil Mass, I was fully received into the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church and I have never regretted it.👍

In the beginning of my faith journey, Mary led me to her Son Jesus Christ, and she keeps leading me to Him. I thank God everyday that He sent His Holy Mother to guide me on my journey.👍
 
conrad979 said:
To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
Click to expand...
Everyone is different. There were those in my RCIA class who knew, absolutely, that they wanted to be baptized. Sometimes, this creates of feeling of “jumping through hoops”, at first. As the RCIA process moves along, most realize the benefits that RCIA is providing.

For myself, I entered RCIA because I wanted to know more about Catholicism. I had no intention of being baptized, but was open to the idea that I might find that to be the path that I should take. Which, is what occurred. By the Rite of Election, I was thinking, maybe. By Rite of Acceptance, I was thinking, I should be baptized but had a few questions that were unresolved in my mind. By Holy Week I had no doubts that God had answered my prayers.
 
For me, when I first started class, I wasn’t totally sure yet, but I was pretty sure that was where I was headed unless something MAJOR came up. And I knew pretty quickly that it was right. But for me, a lot of that had to do with circumstances. I worked in the evening and took off early for class and I wasn’t willing to do that unless I was at least somewhat sure this is where I was headed.

Don’t worry about it though! Going to RCIA will help you learn more, give you a chance to ask questions, and provide a support base for your journey. The first part of the process is called inquiry and is for just that, inquiring. It isn’t a commitment in any way! You don’t even begin to be committed until the Rite of Welcome, which in my parish isn’t until the end of November. 😃
 
conrad979 said:
To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
Click to expand...
I was firmly convinced in my mind and in my soul that I was doing the right thing, but my body and my emotions were completely terrified and kept on wanting to run away.

I suspect that this sort of thing is perfectly natural.
 
jmcrae said:
I was firmly convinced in my mind and in my soul that I was doing the right thing, but my body and my emotions were completely terrified and kept on wanting to run away.

I suspect that this sort of thing is perfectly natural.
Click to expand...
This is how I felt as well.
 
conrad979 said:
To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
Click to expand...
When I began RCIA it was after I was already 100% decided. So, basically I was holding on the bars of the fence shouting “let me in”.
 
conrad979 said:
To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
Click to expand...
As one who had been raised in the Lutheran Church but was mostly non-practicing as an adult, the idea of conversion came to me only after marrying a Catholic. And even then, to be truthful, I was considering it only for my wife’s sake. For the first year or so of our marriage we attended Mass every week at the local cathedral where, due to the size of the crowd in church every week, we were pretty much under the radar. Then we began going to Mass at a much smaller parish where our presence was quickly detected by the priest. Before I knew it, I was in RCIA. I was actually enjoying the classes and learning quite a bit. I can’t say that I bought into all that the Church teaches, but I figured that I could “go along to get along.” Then, several months into the RCIA process, we had a class on the Sacrament of Marriage. YIKES!!! I had been married and divorced many years before meeting my current wife, and the concept of getting an annulment was totally foreign to me. Anyway, I met with the priest and he outlined the whole process for me. After giving it lots of thought, I put the papers in a drawer in my office and that’s where they are to this day (eight months later). Needless to say, the Easter Vigil came and went without me coming into the Church.

At this point, I’m not sure what I will end up doing. My wife and I still go to Mass every Sunday, and I still find a degree of comfort there. But even after lots of study and contemplation, there are still a few Church teachings that I simply don’t believe, and I doubt that I ever will. So, do I treat the annulment process as an exercise in tolerance, jump through a few hoops, go through the conversion process, then hope that the “truth” as the Church teaches it finally comes to me? Or do I just continue on as I currently am? I don’t know. I’m still wrestling with the whole idea.

Good luck to you as you begin your RCIA classes.
 
Even if you ultimately choose not to become a Catholic, you should still go through the annulment procedure, for your wife’s sake, since she won’t be able to return to the Sacraments until your marriage is made valid in the Church.

I’m sure you don’t want to hinder your wife in the practice of her faith, even if you find that you can’t share it with her for reasons of conscience.
 
Hi conrad

I was about 95% sure this is where I wanted to be. Thanks (still) to the people here on the forums, and searching the web for myself ( and inevitably bringing stuff back here for comments) I learned so much more than most of the people in my RCIA class.

RCIA was still informative, and well worth it. My advice to you - is to learn as much as you can, go to Mass (without Communion) and be prepared for Satan to plant doubt after doubt in your heart and mind.

Once in RCIA you will be given a sponsor (at least that’s how it worked here) and they can shed lots of light as well. These people dedicate a lot of time towards informing and guiding you - take advantage of it.

My hurdle was Mary. Oy Vey was our Blessed Mother a hurdle. But - she led me through it, in a remarkable way, and I was back on board once again. I was admitted Easter Vigil 2006, bruised and battered - but ever so grateful.

Welcome! and don’t be afraid to continue posting your questions and surfing the threads for answers.

Peace

John
 
May '07 – 100% uninterested in converting. Thought I should do some church-hopping to find someplace that met my standards better than where I was, though.
June '07 – Praying every day about whether to pursue idea of conversion. Around half wanting to, half not.
July '07 – Fifty-fifty at least.
Aug. – When can I start? Forty percent fear or resistance to change, mostly ready to roll.
Sept. – Class starts! Is it a mistake? When do they start the stuff I have trouble with? 65-70% sure it’s right.
Oct. – 75%.
Nov. – Rite of Acceptance. Easily 80% sure.
Dec. – Christmas. About 88% sure.
Jan. – Rite of Election. Sure. No doubt left.
 
hi conrad,

i was baptized and confirmed in the episcopal church so i thought i was already almost catholic. in fact, i almost felt offended that i would need to be reconfirmed. i thought they should just accept me with open arms. however, i did not realize how different catholicism and episcopalian are.

there is so much to learn about the roman catholic church and what it means to be catholic and to live a catholic life. my father was catholic and my mother was lutheran, but i was raised in the episcopal church. we were not a religious family though. i also was totally anti-religion for about 25 years of my life. i began to think of my catholic father and grandmother and wondered why did i have to be raised in the episcopal church.

i did not know anything about the reformation or what protestant meant or what the roman catholic church was. so i had a big task ahead of me and that was trying to figure it all out. it has taken 12 long years. i was just confirmed in the Catholic church in July. i was determined to become Catholic, but i was not at the best place in my life. i perservered and i am sure the devil was trying his hardest to stop me. it has only been 6 or 7 weeks since i was confirmed and i still struggle. i still feel like i am under attack. so i pray more, and i read more and i study more about the Catholic faith. i push forward. i don’t know conrad what your background is, but i know that my journey could not have been complete without becoming roman catholic. i don’t think going through the RCIA can hurt you. it is always best to learn more about different religions. i went through the Jewish form of RCIA once, but i did not convert to Judaism. i just felt like i really needed to have a knowledge of God’s chosen people and who they are and what they are about to help me better understand the New Testament.
anyhow, good luck. you can always start and see how it goes.
 
Thank you all very much for your replys. I thought I should let you know that I have had a couple of long conversations with the priest, and I *think *I’m going to go to RCIA when it starts in October. Feeling very nervous but also excited, I guess that’s par for the course. Thanks again all,
Adele
 
conrad979 said:
To all those of you who are converts to Catholicism, thinking about it, or have decided against it…
How sure were you when you started RCIA about whether you were doing the right thing? I still feel very uncertain about what path I should take, but I don’t know if I will become more certain until I am in the process (I hope that makes sense).
Click to expand...
By the time I got to RCIA, I had spent 30 years trying NOT to become Catholic.

All I wanted at that point was to get it OVER with. Not even RCIA could stop me from becoming Catholic. Believe me, THAT is saying a LOT.
 
deborahaz said:
hi conrad,

i was baptized and confirmed in the episcopal church so i thought i was already almost catholic. in fact, i almost felt offended that i would need to be reconfirmed. i thought they should just accept me with open arms. however, i did not realize how different catholicism and episcopalian are.

there is so much to learn about the roman catholic church and what it means to be catholic and to live a catholic life. my father was catholic and my mother was lutheran, but i was raised in the episcopal church. we were not a religious family though. i also was totally anti-religion for about 25 years of my life. i began to think of my catholic father and grandmother and wondered why did i have to be raised in the episcopal church.

i did not know anything about the reformation or what protestant meant or what the roman catholic church was. so i had a big task ahead of me and that was trying to figure it all out. it has taken 12 long years. i was just confirmed in the Catholic church in July. i was determined to become Catholic, but i was not at the best place in my life. i perservered and i am sure the devil was trying his hardest to stop me. it has only been 6 or 7 weeks since i was confirmed and i still struggle. i still feel like i am under attack. so i pray more, and i read more and i study more about the Catholic faith. i push forward. i don’t know conrad what your background is, but i know that my journey could not have been complete without becoming roman catholic. i don’t think going through the RCIA can hurt you. it is always best to learn more about different religions. i went through the Jewish form of RCIA once, but i did not convert to Judaism. i just felt like i really needed to have a knowledge of God’s chosen people and who they are and what they are about to help me better understand the New Testament.
anyhow, good luck. you can always start and see how it goes.
Click to expand...
This is quite a story. Wow. Yes. There IS a lot to learn if you are coming into the Church. And it is important to know that stuff. You can become an overnight Christian but it takes a little work to catch up with two thousand years of history. People who take a couple of years before they commit have my respect.
 
For almost 3 months attending RCIA meetings, I was not sure I was doing the right thing. For me though, it was a bit different. I am a convert from atheism.

I had already reasoned out that IF God truly existed (still a struggle during my early conversion), I would Only find Him FULLY in the Catholic Church, that came after long and difficult study on my own. Pouring over every document I could find from both the Protestant And the Catholic Church’s history. Being a Protestant was never an option based upon my research.

Going through the RCIA program is a wonderful way of meeting others on a similar journey of faith. Talk, debate and even challenge each other as to Why you are even there, but do so only After prayer. Most of all though, study on your own as much as you can about the Catholic Faith, RCIA is wonderful, but there is not enough time to cover everything.

Doubt is normal, just keep praying. And if I may offer you a piece of advice/warning that was given to me a few months before Easter Vigil.

One of the team members came to me after a meeting in which I was struggling and said that, “The closer you get to the Easter Vigil and Full communion in Holy Mother Church, the more Satan will try to keep you out, after all, he is loosing a soul”.

You will be attacked spiritually at times, but don’t let that scare you. Satan does not attack (least in this life) his “friends” because he already has them,he attacks those trying to live holy lives pleasing to God.
 
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