What do you miss being a convert from Catholicism to Protestantism?

[Reuben_J]

That’s how I feel…as a Baptist who is considering conversion to Catholicism. My Catholic wife and I go to both Baptist service and Catholic Mass on Sundays, and the differences are day and night. Mass just seems so much more mature. I know if I did convert, I would miss that hallelujah, orans posture during hymns, preacher in suit-and-tie, greet everyone around you type of service. That’s what I grew up in. You hear so many conversations before and after service. With Mass…it is more reverent and nobody should be talking in the sanctuary before or after Mass (although some do).

I enjoy seeing the Eucharist, whether it is during Mass or in adoration. I almost feel shameful that I cannot partake in it. I just have to sit there and pray for forgiveness in case that really is Christ being offered on the altar. I think about my Baptist upbringing that says it is merely symbolic…but then I read those scriptures and think how in the world could so many folks think that Jesus was NOT talking about his actual body and blood? This past Sunday was the Lord’s Supper at the Baptist church we’re visiting (we moved here and haven’t yet transferred our letter). The preacher read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and I just sat there thinking there has to be more than just symbolism. During the sermon, I went through every apostles’ account of the Lord’s Supper for comparison. During brunch after Baptist service, I opened my Answers4Catholics iPhone app and started reading the apologetics. But I digress…

I, too, enjoy seeing all the different cultures at Mass. Baptist church seems so segregated (unintentionally, I know). Preaching styles seem to drive only a select demographic to that particular church. There are many exceptions, but the Southern Baptist Convention churches I have attended were like that.

One thing I have always admired is the uncountable ways in which y’all send prayer, praise, and honor to God: through His Son, through the saints, through Mary, etc. You can pray the Rosary, perpetual adoration, daily Mass, Confession… It’s amazing.

-Mark

God bless you bro. Sometimes God is calling us in things we may not know but you do know what you want. Allow God to lead you there. You sounds even more Catholic than them, perhaps that’s worthwhile to ponder.

I’ve never experienced any other religions but I do have Protestant friends and we do have time of fellowship together and ecuminical worship as a matter of choice. I think they are good and sincere people but what I feel is they do miss out on what Catholic have. But maybe that’s because I am Catholic and know what it feel to be one and it’s because they are non-Catholics and have never experienced what we have.

I have to be honest, your post is very encouraging.

 

[Todd520]

I miss odd things

• midnight Mass at Christmas
• the routine of mass (sit, kneel, sit, stand, kneel, etc)
• the blessed souls who have made their vocation in the Church

 

[CalCatholic]

I miss odd things

• midnight Mass at Christmas
• the routine of mass (sit, kneel, sit, stand, kneel, etc)
• the blessed souls who have made their vocation in the Church

How about the Easter Vigil Mass? To me this is the highlight of the Liturgical year, it really is a beautiful Mass.

 

[Miriam1947]

One thing I have always admired is the uncountable ways in which y’all send prayer, praise, and honor to God: through His Son, through the saints, through Mary, etc. You can pray the Rosary, perpetual adoration, daily Mass, Confession… It’s amazing.

-Mark

 

[Reuben_J]

How about the Easter Vigil Mass? To me this is the highlight of the Liturgical year, it really is a beautiful Mass.

It’s quite a marathon though. I enjoy it as always, the readings, the candles, the procession. But for the very senior citizens it can be very trying to keep up with the long hours. But it worth the while - to keep watch for the risen Lord. :bowdown2:

 

[Janet1983]

I just remembered that I do actually miss something: I used to be able to sing almost all songs out of the hymnal without even looking and I sung dozens of songs with the choir. I miss that music, but as I am in the US now it wouldn’t have been any different had I remained within the Catholic Church.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

I was reading these posts and couldn’t help but think about a young lady I met this past Sunday.

I am part of the RCIA support team that my parish started last year. We provide snacks at the classes, walk the jouney with them and are sponsors if needed. It is a blessing to us to get to know these people as they explore the Catholic Church and grow in their faith.

This young lady called the pastor about two weeks ago and expressed an interest in learning about the Church. He invited her to RCIA and advised her to come to Mass.

This lady has bounced between many Protestant churches most of her adult life. She has issues that have held her back professionally and, now, she’s an unemployed.

But this past Sunday, she attended Mass for the first time in her life. She said that when she walked into the church, she felt a peace and a presence that she has never felt before. Talk about an “aha” moment!

 

[FaustinaClare]

But this past Sunday, she attended Mass for the first time in her life. She said that when she walked into the church, she felt a peace and a presence that she has never felt before. Talk about an “aha” moment!

Exactly!! I have never felt such a peace as I do in the Mass or just being in a Catholic Church. There is something special about them especially if the Eucharist is honored appropriately. Now when I walk into other non Catholic churches I feel an emptiness. Maybe it is just in my head. I know the Father/Son/Holy Spirit are always present everywhere but you can tell a difference I think with the Eucharist.

 

[atara]

I was a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, and I saw inklings of the same thing. When you look at Catholic worship songs, the majority of the time they will say “we” instead of “I.” In evangelical protestantism, it is usually the other way around. It makes sense with their theological positions: Protestantism as a personal relationship with God, Catholicism as the church’s relationship with God.

Oh wow - that’s a neat way to explain it!!!

 

[rben20]

with all due respect, I wouldnt trade the True Church, the Eucharist(the presence of Jesus in the Bread and Wine), the priesthood, the authority of the Church established by Christ, the obedience to Christ to persevere until the end so I can be saved, for anything specially for attention of other human beings. I thank God, I dont crave for attention from anyone…

I had a close friend who left Catholicism for protestantism for the completely wrong reasons. He is guilty of doing this exact thing, leaving for people in another “church”. How anyone can leave for that I don’t understand and the worst part is he knows he is ignorant and does not wish to learn what the Church really is.

 

[mountaintop]

well if you read numbers 21 and look at the crusifix you will find the door. Everyone is invited into the upper room to celidrate the last supper and partake of the lamb.if catholics worship bread did water turn into wine at the wedding of cana? try casting your net over the other side of the boat,everything work for good for those who love christ.

 

[Esdra]

well if you read numbers 21 and look at the crusifix you will find the door. Everyone is invited into the upper room to celidrate the last supper and partake of the lamb.if catholics worship bread did water turn into wine at the wedding of cana? try casting your net over the other side of the boat,everything work for good for those who love christ.

None said that Catholics worship bread!
What a ridiculous way to describe the Holy Eucharist!

I think on that point we all can agree: Nobody is woshipped except Jesus!

Actually, the Catholics do the same in the Holy Eucharist as Lutherans for example do (or in fact any other chrisitan denomination!): they remember what Jesus did for us on the cross and that he saved us through His blood and that His body is symbolized by the bread (that’s how our Pastor once said when blessing bread and wine [grape fruite juice] at the Holy Supper - I like this explanation. It’s neat in my opinion.)

But Catholics and Protestants have a bit another preception what’s going on when bread and wine are blessed! Catholics: real blood and real flesh/body of Jesus. - Protestants: a Meal in remembrance of what Jesus did for us (as he had commanded us to do!)

But actually I myself am leading away from my own OP!

Any other things that you miss after converted FROM Catholicism to another denomination?

Esdra

 

[mountaintop]

None said that Catholics worship bread!
What a ridiculous way to describe the Holy Eucharist!

I think on that point we all can agree: Nobody is worshiped except Jesus!

Actually, the Catholics do the same in the Holy Eucharist as Lutherans for example do (or in fact any other Christan denomination!): they remember what Jesus did for us on the cross and that he saved us through His blood and that His body is symbolized by the bread (that’s how our Pastor once said when blessing bread and wine [grape fruite juice] at the Holy Supper - I like this explanation. It’s neat in my opinion.)

But Catholics and Protestants have a bit another perception what’s going on when bread and wine are blessed! Catholics: real blood and real flesh/body of Jesus. - Protestants: a Meal in remembrance of what Jesus did for us (as he had commanded us to do!)

But actually I myself am leading away from my own OP!

Any other things that you miss after converted FROM Catholicism to another denomination?

Esdra

is there a better way to worship Jesus than in Eucharist adoration?:bowdown2::bowdown2::bowdown2:

 

[Esdra]

is there a better way to worship Jesus than in Eucharist adoration?:bowdown2::bowdown2::bowdown2:

well, maybe not better, but at least of same value!

Jesus is IN us through His Holy Spirit! We need no outward vessels that He is with us…
And he is present when 1 or 2 have come together in His name!

Esdra

 

[abort73catholic]

I would miss the peace in the Catholic Church. As a college student who is trying to basically figure out what I’m called to do, life can be incredibly confusing and stressful at times. I have the great fortune to be attending an amazing Catholic college. Kneeling in church Sunday night before Mass begins, praying the Rosary…there is nowhere else that I feel the most at peace.

That being said, I am so excited for Mass tonight.

 

[ActuallyAquinas]

I do not miss anything, I do long for my friends to come to Church though.

If you are wanting community, Mass is not where it is at. It’s a place for the community or even one person to thank the Lord for his sacrifice on the cross.

However, there are plenty of places for community outside Mass. I’m part of the Knights of Columbus and there is opportunity every other day to meet up and do stuff that involves the Church. You can create a Bible study, I even created one that meets at a local pub.

If what you wanted was community you left the wrong Church, because you have one of the biggest communities in the world in the Church.

What I see now when I go to my old service, is an empty celebration. No Eucharist, no worship, not sacrifice, nothing. Just entertainment and asking, “what’s the preacher going to give me this Sunday.” All about a “personal relationship” with Jesus, always wondering what Jesus is going to give you. If you’re not dead, you’re ahead of the game so don’t worry about it, and go to confession.

 

[Steadfast_love]

I like that the Catholic Church has history. I grew up in a family with Baptists and Presbyterians and Atheists, and none of them had any connection to the past. The Baptists claimed Dr. Martin Luther King as their own and all of them claimed to be the spiritual sucessors of the Pilgrims that founded America but apart from that, history was just a long line of Catholics with narry a Baptist, Protestant or Atheist in sight. I like that the Catholic Church has a history.

I like that the Catholic Church has a future. From my experience as a Baptist/Presbyterian/Atheist kid there’s no future for any of them, it’s just confusion and theological churn. I love that the Catholic Church has a future, following the path she was given and becoming ever more true to her mission.

I like that the Catholic Church has all the sensible dogma. Growing up, I was infuriated at how many times I’d do exigesis on this or that verse and discover that I wasn’t allowed to believe the clear and sensible interpretation because it was a Catholic answer!! And then we’d talk for hours about all the second-rate ideas and decide we all need to make up our own minds because there was no consensus on anything except that the Catholics were wrong. I love that now I get to believe all the Catholic answers. It makes reading the bible SO much easier!

I like that the Catholic Church has the sign of the cross. I always wished that I could make the sign of the cross, and now I can! Actualy, there’s no end to the number of occasions I get to cross myself now that I’m Catholic

I like that the Catholic Church has the cruxifix. All those sermons about how our Christ-less crosses were superior to the Cruxifix struck me as nothing more than sour grapes.

I like that the Catholic Church has a Catechism. Ok, so this is sorta a repeat but I love the idea that Jesus wants us to be one church and not everyone going astray like a bunch of lost sheep with a dead shepard.

And speaking of shepards, I love my German Shepard! Pope B16 is a wonderful read and I’m very thankful for having him as my shepard! I’m especialy glad, because of his exemplary role in the sex abuse scandal to have him in command.

But most of all I love Catholic prayer. Now when I pray, I can pray not just me and my buddy Jesus but me and all the saints – everyone throughout history with the same shared convictions with Jesus as Lord.

The Catholic Church is the best thing in the universe. And while I am greatful for my Presbyterian/Baptist/Atheist upbringing, I’ll never go back. I’d rather cut of my own head.

 

[Miriam1947]

I like that the Catholic Church has history. I grew up in a family with Baptists and Presbyterians and Atheists, and none of them had any connection to the past. . . .

I like that the Catholic Church has a future. . . .

I like that the Catholic Church has all the sensible dogma. Growing up, I was infuriated at how many times I’d do exigesis on this or that verse and discover that I wasn’t allowed to believe the clear and sensible interpretation because it was a Catholic answer!! . . .

I like that the Catholic Church has the sign of the cross. I always wished that I could make the sign of the cross, and now I can! Actualy, there’s no end to the number of occasions I get to cross myself now that I’m Catholic

I like that the Catholic Church has the cruxifix. All those sermons about how our Christ-less crosses were superior to the Cruxifix struck me as nothing more than sour grapes.

I like that the Catholic Church has a Catechism. Ok, so this is sorta a repeat but I love the idea that Jesus wants us to be one church and not everyone going astray like a bunch of lost sheep with a dead shepard.

And speaking of shepards, I love my German Shepard! Pope B16 is a wonderful read and I’m very thankful for having him as my shepard! I’m especialy glad, because of his exemplary role in the sex abuse scandal to have him in command.

But most of all I love Catholic prayer. Now when I pray, I can pray not just me and my buddy Jesus but me and all the saints – everyone throughout history with the same shared convictions with Jesus as Lord.

The Catholic Church is the best thing in the universe. And while I am greatful for my Presbyterian/Baptist/Atheist upbringing, I’ll never go back. I’d rather cut of my own head.

Great post. Loved it all.

 

[Esdra]

I do not miss anything, I do long for my friends to come to Church though.

If you are wanting community, Mass is not where it is at. It’s a place for the community or even one person to thank the Lord for his sacrifice on the cross.

However, there are plenty of places for community outside Mass. I’m part of the Knights of Columbus and there is opportunity every other day to meet up and do stuff that involves the Church. You can create a Bible study, I even created one that meets at a local pub.

If what you wanted was community you left the wrong Church, because you have one of the biggest communities in the world in the Church.

What I see now when I go to my old service, is an empty celebration. No Eucharist, no worship, not sacrifice, nothing. Just entertainment and asking, “what’s the preacher going to give me this Sunday.” All about a “personal relationship” with Jesus, always wondering what Jesus is going to give you. If you’re not dead, you’re ahead of the game so don’t worry about it, and go to confession.

Well, actually I (nearly) have left the CC because I haven’t found any “Christians” among them.
This means, most (in fact nearly all!) Catholics, especially the younger ones, are Cafeteria Catholics or more often Catholics on the paper only who life an Atheist life!

Among the Baptists (to be accurate it’s a “Freie Evangelikale Gemeinde” (Free Evangelical Church) which could be more classified as Anabaptists [without community of property]) I have found real Christians who love their Lord and who try to live according to His teachings! - Also the younger generation (in my age, 20+)

Esdra

 

[Esdra]

I like that the Catholic Church has history. I grew up in a family with Baptists and Presbyterians and Atheists, and none of them had any connection to the past. The Baptists claimed Dr. Martin Luther King as their own and all of them claimed to be the spiritual sucessors of the Pilgrims that founded America but apart from that, history was just a long line of Catholics with narry a Baptist, Protestant or Atheist in sight. I like that the Catholic Church has a history.

I like that the Catholic Church has a future. From my experience as a Baptist/Presbyterian/Atheist kid there’s no future for any of them, it’s just confusion and theological churn. I love that the Catholic Church has a future, following the path she was given and becoming ever more true to her mission.

I like that the Catholic Church has all the sensible dogma. Growing up, I was infuriated at how many times I’d do exigesis on this or that verse and discover that I wasn’t allowed to believe the clear and sensible interpretation because it was a Catholic answer!! And then we’d talk for hours about all the second-rate ideas and decide we all need to make up our own minds because there was no consensus on anything except that the Catholics were wrong. I love that now I get to believe all the Catholic answers. It makes reading the bible SO much easier!

I like that the Catholic Church has the sign of the cross. I always wished that I could make the sign of the cross, and now I can! Actualy, there’s no end to the number of occasions I get to cross myself now that I’m Catholic

I like that the Catholic Church has the cruxifix. All those sermons about how our Christ-less crosses were superior to the Cruxifix struck me as nothing more than sour grapes.

I like that the Catholic Church has a Catechism. Ok, so this is sorta a repeat but I love the idea that Jesus wants us to be one church and not everyone going astray like a bunch of lost sheep with a dead shepard.

And speaking of shepards, I love my German Shepard! Pope B16 is a wonderful read and I’m very thankful for having him as my shepard! I’m especialy glad, because of his exemplary role in the sex abuse scandal to have him in command.

But most of all I love Catholic prayer. Now when I pray, I can pray not just me and my buddy Jesus but me and all the saints – everyone throughout history with the same shared convictions with Jesus as Lord.

The Catholic Church is the best thing in the universe. And while I am greatful for my Presbyterian/Baptist/Atheist upbringing, I’ll never go back. I’d rather cut of my own head.

Hi

yes, indeed, nice post.
I wish I could also see the CC as you do.

Esdra