What are questions you would ask someone to make sure they are ready/should convert to Roman Catholicism?

[Lead_Me_Home]

I am a teenager “Closet Catholic.” I have been to Mass several times; including the Easter Vigil. My family is protestant therefore I go to a protestant Church on the sundays my family goes to Church. All of my personal religious views are Catholic though. SInce I have noticeably grown closer to the a Church my mother and father have tried to nudge me in the protestant direction. I still occasionally go to Mass though. This year I have been signed up for the usher board, vacation bible school, and a youth group all by my mother all at the protestant church. I have tried to be peaceful and willing to make some compromises but my patience is beginning to wear.

This month I plan on getting my drivers license and that will give me the freedom to go to Mass more regularly (hopefully). I am not converting out of rebellion but I truly love the Catholic Church. I know many people who have left the Church which I find sad. For me the Catholic Church is the true Church and what I don’t like about protestantism is that there is too much picking and choosing on what you will obey in the bible and what you will ignore or boldly commit as a sin. Me and an aunt (who left the Church) that I went to Mass with came to the conclusion that at the Catholic Church it is ALL about God and the protestant Church can vary (a lot).

I plan on entering RCIA a full year from now. Right before I start my senior year of High School. I wanted to know, before I move further in my conversion, if their are any questions I should go through to be sure. I already feel in my heart and mind that the Catholic Church is for me. I just want some questions or suggestions to help me with my faith/discernment. I will also pray about this as I often do but, could always do more.

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

BTW I have taken my conversion a little further. At the protestant Church my family goes to they often use a lot of Catholic words with their protestant theology which is confusing. I found this especially confusing with their communion. They say take his body however if you listen at the beginning they say an “emblem” and “observing the master’s commandment.” THey do not believe Communion is the real Body and Blood of the Lord and they also use grape juice. Because of this I decided to quietly stop receiving their communion. I did not make a seen or tell anyone I just keep my hands folded when I go up with the ushers. I get a few strange looks but nothing else.

 

[Derwin_James]

I think you have put a lot of thought into this. The only test I would offer is this: would you be able to obey a Church teaching if you personally disagree with? Being Catholic, to me, is recognizing the authority of the leadership of the Church, and trusting them to act in accordance with the Will of God. If you feel that you can surrender your own opinion to the teachings of the Church, then I think you can feel certain of your decision.

Suggestion: pray St. Michael’s prayer. It helps me focus when I am thinking theology.

 

[phoenix3212]

Ultimately the question that really matters is the one spoken by Jesus himself: “Do you love me?” That’s essentially it. Sure, converts need adequate knowledge of Catholic doctrine and dogma, but all of that falls into place when people seek to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

I think I’m your age, since you said you’re entering your senior year of High School a year from now. I honestly wouldn’t know what to do if I had to wait that long to start RCIA, and even longer for initiation. My advice to you is to buy books and learn all you can about Catholicism–just immerse yourself in it and pray for patience.

You have lots of time, so you shouldn’t worry about “questions to go through” right now. Just learn and pray. If your parents ask you why you want to convert, kindly explain to them Catholic positions on things. Maybe they’ll stop pressuring you into going to all these events you mentioned. I’m praying for you.

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

I think you have put a lot of thought into this. The only test I would offer is this: would you be able to obey a Church teaching if you personally disagree with? Being Catholic, to me, is recognizing the authority of the leadership of the Church, and trusting them to act in accordance with the Will of God. If you feel that you can surrender your own opinion to the teachings of the Church, then I think you can feel certain of your decision.

Suggestion: pray St. Michael’s prayer. It helps me focus when I am thinking theology.

This is actually why I love the Catholic Church. I love that IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT I PERSONALLY THINK. The Church will stand and say what’s right and what’s wrong. You can’t pick and choose God’s laws. I feel that is what it means to be a Christian and that people often take believing in God or being a Christian too lightly. When the Church says abstinence they mean abstinence before marriage and Chastity. My father told me today that he does not preach abstinence, I did not say anything to argue with him because I feel that it’s too late. I wish my parents would have warned me about masturbation and other mortal sins but they did not. In a away mortal sin and a search for deliverance brought me on this journey. NOw that I think of it my family and I truly do have different religious beliefs. I take the Catholic side and am pro-life, against contraception, and for abstinence, Oh and no remarrying after divorce. My parents disagree with me on this.

So far I can’t find a Church teaching I truly disagree with most of the time I start to disagree put I know that’s because I don’t understand right away.

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

You have lots of time, so you shouldn’t worry about “questions to go through” right now. Just learn and pray.

I understand what you mean but I have been on my conversion since the 8th grade. I am starting my junior year in the fall and once I get my license and start going to mass more regularly. I am aiming for saturdays so that my parents can’t make excuse to why I have to be at the other church. When I start doing this I am planning full steam of head. Really growing close to Christ and standing vulnerably on my own convictions. Trusting completely in him. That summer I want to start RCIA. So I just really wanted to assure myself one more time before diving deeper. Its not that I don’t trust in God I am just finding my way.

I also want to make sure I don’t teach myself too much and I become stubborn or cocky when I take RCIA I want to truly be humble in my RCIA so that I truly learn the faith. I think most people leave the Church because they don’t understand their faith and how important it is.

 

[phoenix3212]

I understand what you mean but I have been on my conversion since the 8th grade. I am starting my junior year in the fall and once I get my license and start going to mass more regularly. I am aiming for saturdays so that my parents can’t make excuse to why I have to be at the other church. When I start doing this I am planning full steam of head. Really growing close to Christ and standing vulnerably on my own convictions. Trusting completely in him. That summer I want to start RCIA. So I just really wanted to assure myself one more time before diving deeper. Its not that I don’t trust in God I am just finding my way.

I also want to make sure I don’t teach myself too much and I become stubborn or cocky when I take RCIA I want to truly be humble in my RCIA so that I truly learn the faith. I think most people leave the Church because they don’t understand their faith and how important it is.

As a side note, I have absolutely no idea how or when I’m getting my license

I don’t think it’s possible to ever “teach [yourself] too much.” There will probably still be useful information in RCIA for you, depending on how comprehensive the program at your Parish is. If you discover you already know most of what’s being taught in RCIA, you can talk to the priest and he’ll probably give you advice on what to do at that point.

Yeah, I strongly suggest that you not stop teaching yourself about the faith. That’s probably one of the worst things you could do. You really should maintain an active interest in the faith, and hopefully the time will pass by quickly that way.

Because you’ve been thinking about converting since the eighth grade, you’ll probably be more than prepared when Easter Vigil comes two years from now. I guess you should ask yourself whether you know enough about the faith and whether you can persuade your parents to support your decision. Other than that, just enjoy the journey back home

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

Thanks. That is the more difficult part, persuading my parents. My mother said I can convert when I graduate. I don’t know if she stick so close to her word and not try to interfere and the more unsure question is if she will let me convert earlier so I can be baptized in my home town God is really in control so I shoul have no fear.

BTW i love the Mass in spanish. Spanish is my second language.

Go with God.
Vayan con Díos.

 

[Eucharisted]

A good question to ask is, how can you know what is Jesus’ Church? The answer is, look for the Church that is One and Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.

 

[PJM]

I am a teenager “Closet Catholic.” I have been to Mass several times; including the Easter Vigil. My family is protestant therefore I go to a protestant Church on the sundays my family goes to Church. All of my personal religious views are Catholic though. SInce I have noticeably grown closer to the a Church my mother and father have tried to nudge me in the protestant direction. I still occasionally go to Mass though. This year I have been signed up for the usher board, vacation bible school, and a youth group all by my mother all at the protestant church. I have tried to be peaceful and willing to make some compromises but my patience is beginning to wear.

I plan on entering RCIA a full year from now. Right before I start my senior year of High School. I wanted to know, before I move further in my conversion, if their are any questions I should go through to be sure. I already feel in my heart and mind that the Catholic Church is for me. I just want some questions or suggestions to help me with my faith/discernment. I will also pray about this as I often do but, could always do more.

No real question than to make sure that your intention is pure. God works in wonderous and mysterious ways.

You seem to be aware that becoming a Catholic is a huge commitment. One becomes obligated before our God to obey ALL that His Church teaches, and to live our faith publically.

There are more graces and more avenues to Gods grace than anywhere else, because of the Seven Sacraments all instituted by Christ Himself, to better enable us to be informed and obedient to all Church teachings. Only in the Catholic Church may one actually partake of “Heaven Meeting Earth,” in a more intimate and personal way than married love, by actually receiving the very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our now Risen Lord, and His now Glorified body. We are also the only place that obeys 1 John chapter 5: 16-17, and John 20:22-23, and thus know with certitude that our sins have been forgiven. we don’t have to guess and wonder, we KNOW!

Take this time to become better aquainted with what we hold as true, what we practice in faith, hope and charity, and what we commit ourselves too, knowing that once committed, God will judge us differently because of our greater understanding, [Mk. 4; 24-25]

Keep close to the Lord, and He will be right at your side.

Love and prayers,