Why am I catholic?

[chinamoon]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

 

[onthisrock]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I don’t know and if I don’t know I may not stay.

There is actually an entire thread of sorts on this topic. It’s in the “back fence” area and it says “WHY did I become Catholic” (or something really similar) I am story number 5 if I remember correctly, but you can also just look for all posts I have written. I would say that at 3 years old in being Catholic, is still very young. I think that the Holy Spirit guided you to the Church for a reason…a reason you are grappling with currently. I have had my “dry spells” where I feel nothing and then these amazing, faith filled times when I must go to daily mass or I feel I haven’t brushed my teeth or showered…it is just part of what I do. I was wondering what you have done to increase your knowledge of the faith and if you have a spiritual adviser/director? I am a convert from the Lutheran faith…but I was bouncing all over the place trying to find the “right fit” for years…even went into magic! I was attracted to the smells and traditions of the Catholic churches in my area at the time (Philadelphia) I would hide the Catechism under my passenger side seat, and go to mass about 20-40 miles away almost daily for over a year before even joining RCIA. when I became Catholic…I LOVED it! but for some reason I could not keep my morals and my thinking/feelings/reasoning, congruent with each other. I was still Pro-choice, thought PP was just a place that serviced woman…thought woman should be ordained you name it. My sponsor, whom I’m still friends with today (14 years later), wondered what I was doing becoming Catholic…but little seeds were being planted. I can’t imagine life without my Catholic faith now. I can defend it to anyone. the Mormons or JW’s come by, and they have a bunch of excuses on why they have to leave. On the back of their brochures it has a follow up date printed, but I was NEVER asked for further communication. I never yelled,and actually offered them some coffee etc…I just feel like, I chose my faith…converts are special in that way. I would beg you to read The Acts of the Apostles this Easter season…the gospel of John is a great one too. Of course the whole Bible is good to read, to get some immediate answers on how the early church was, and the church you are in now, maintain their prayer life and everything down to ordination of priests, is amazing. I personally recommend my favorite bible that I own…It is the New Catholic Answers Bible, or NAB. It is rather large in print, and has a lot of pages with questions that converts may have (or Catholics who just don’t know why they do what they do). There will be a doctrine, dogma, or teaching of the church and explain it…then it will give you biblical reference so you can see just how biblical the Catholic Church is…afterall, why would it compile a bible in the late fourth century, so that in 1100 years all of these different denominations could interpret it for themselves? Just not logical. You are in THE Church that Christ created. If you want to “be friends” I could write more, and even send you idea’s for books I have read that helped me through each teaching that was an issue for me initially. I’ll send over a request right now…but don’t give up. read that bible,some apologetic books that maybe are just stories of other’s conversions such as “Surprised by Truth” by Patrick Madrid…there is a 2nd follow up book “Surprised by Truth 2” which is more stories. I would say Scott Hahn, as he is the tried and true apologist, but these are other people’s struggles in simple format, where Dr. Hahn can really just get way over people’s heads. take care of yourself and God Bless!!!
Kathleen

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

Just out of curiosity: are you a convert from Protestantism, a cradle Catholic?

 

[chinamoon]

Just out of curiosity: are you a convert from Protestantism, a cradle Catholic?

Presbyterian convert …

 

[fred_conty]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

I don’t know how much you know about Our Lady of Grace or how much
you know about Mary’s power with her divine Son. But here is an account of
one incident of her love and mercy.

Mary appeared and spoke with Sister Justine Bisqueyburu, a
Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, in 1840, about a green scapular.

Mary herself made promises to those who would keep the scapular on them, and would say a certain prayer everyday, and believe that Mary would obtain those favors from her Son. Here are the favors she promised:

1. Conversion of those who do not have the faith
2. Reconciliation to the Church for those who have lost/strayed from the faith
3. Assurance of a happy death
4. STRENGTHENING of the faith for those already in the Church
5. Protection from Satan for those who wear or promote the scapular

This is the very answer to your search. But on your part you must
pray, at least daily: “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.”,

Here are the very words of Mary to Sister Justine:
“The GREATEST graces come from using the scapular but these graces come
in direct proportion to the degree of CONFIDENCE in ME which the user has.”

What kind of confidence? Mary showed this herself at the annunciation of Gabriel.
“Yes, blessed is she who BELIEVED that the PROMISE made her by the Lord would be FULFILLED.” (Lk. 1;45)
St. Elizabeth extolling the absolute trust of Mary in God’s promise. Mary believed without doubt that it would happen as the angel said it would.

You may get a free one by googling “Green Scapular”.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=620449
(From an atheist)
How did you come to embrace Catholicism?
Strangely enough, it was the Blessed Virgin Mary. That friend of mine had sneakily
snuck in a scapular under my mattress. I didn’t know until about 1 year into my
conversion. I imagine that she had something to do with it. I think it was the
green scapular.​

You are going thru a spiritual desert right now but it will pass if you pray for strength as our dear Jesus did in the Garden of Olives. The angel came down and strengthened him.

God look upon small things as important. Baptism for instance is simply a little water poured over the head and one phrase pronounced and a person becomes a child of God who can look up and call God his Father.

The Green scapular is also a small thing but is powerful if used as our Mother Mary requested.
Keep it on you and pray the prayer everyday. Let her take care of your problem.

Be at peace.

 

[St_Francis]

I returned after being baptized but not raised Catholic, from being a Mere Christian," as CSLewis woud put it.

I read as many Christian books as I could get my hands on, then bogged down and couldn’t figure out how to go on. Decided I needed to pray more deeply, went to buy a Rosary from a Catholic bookstore, got “Home Sweet Rome” which explained theology really well. That was on a Wednesday. That Sunday I went to Mass, the following week to a thorough Confession, and I’ve been “home” ever since

To me, one’s faith is like a plant. God plants it and ultimately makes it grow, but I have to cooperate by watering it (prayer and sacraments) and feeding it (learning more about the Faith).

Why did I return to Catholicism? I joke and say because Catholicism has more books! but that only touches on the reality, which is Catholicism has more books because it has more to teach. Catholicism is like entering a tiny bookstore, then seeing a doorwar into another room, then seeing more doorways into other rooms, and this all goes on forever! (Can you tell I really like to read?)

This is why I love the expression the Fullness of the Faith… that to me is what Catholicism has over every other religion in the world. It has all the answers, it all fits together, and it is all more beautiful and shiny and true than any other way.

 

[JRKH]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I don’t know and if I don’t know I may not stay.

I have to say that the biggest reason that I am Catholic is the Eucharist - The body Blood Soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, received in the Bread and Wine as the most Holy gift of our Loving Father. It is real and it is here and it is no where else…

That said, there are a number of other reasons. Primary among them is the very fact that the Bible itself leads me to the Church. I find nothing in Scripture that supports the position of the Sola Scriptura folks either in their idea of Church structure and authority, nor any biblical precedent for their separation from and rejection of the Holy Father and the Magisterium. I find much in Scripture that supports the Catholic/EO view of the Church.
History also points to the Church (Catholic and EO) as being the true and original Apostolic Churches.
These two things, Scripture and history, mean that there are only two Church groups I could ever consider as fully and legitimately true…The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox. And -well - frankly - since I was originally raised in the RC, when I came back, I naturally came back to the RC Church.

So - If you are reconsidering your move into the Church, I would suggest that you consider first and foremost what Scripture and Early Christian history point to…and that is:
One (united and authoritative), Holy (given of and protected by God), Catholic (universal), and Apostolic (passed from the Apostles to us in direct line)

I hope the above is of some help to you.

Peace
James

 

[philial]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

You are currently being mightily blessed, Chinamoon! I have experienced my faith over many years now, and have notice that the call to deepen it has always been by way of a period of “sterility”.

I believe that it is God’s way of teaching us about ourselves, as we become a wee bit puffed up & self-reliant, so He shows that we are wholly & totally dependant upon Him. He strengthens our perserverance by testing it! He deepens our faith by challenging it!

Above all, entering the Church is not just joining a like-minded body of people, but embarking on a new relationship with God. He knows us, but our getting to know Him takes longer, much longer, and we have to lose ourselves on the way. But dont worry, by losing ourselves we find the truer self that God reveals to us!

 

[tbcrawford]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

Hello chinamoon.
It is natural, usual and healthy for each of us to question our faith from time to time.It encourages us to question things so we seek answers to things which concern us.I consult the bible at times like this.I search for what would Jesus do?
The catholic church as an institution is made up of mere human beings…us! We know us human beings are not perfect and can make mistakes.We can only try to follow Jesus teachings to us and the church He established here we call the catholic church.

My suggestion to you would be write down all the things that are of concern to you. If you feel you can talk to your parish priest or deacon then make an appointment to see them and discuss your questions and I hoep they will be able to guide you to find the answers you seek.

If you feel you cannot do that you can always send a PM to Fr Vincent Serpa who is an Apologist here at CAF.

Please don’t worry too much. God loves you as he loves each of us.Prayer is very powerful. Pray to God for guidance.

May God bless you and guide you my friend

 

[fbl9]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

I am a revert of sorts.

1. Authority.
2. The Eucharist.

Who has through the ages declared what is the truth? One can hold the bible high and say this is my authority and one with an opposing view can hold the bible high and say the same. Who decides the case?

Without the authority not one can claim the bread to be anything other than bread, no they can not even claim Christ present in an invisible manner either.

 

[constantconvert]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

A couple of questions:

• Why did you convert in the first place? That may help you answer your question.
• What is leading you to question your conversion?

Two things for me:

• I came to believe that the Catholic Church is the church that Jesus established, so where else would I go?
• The Real Presence in the Eucharist.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

I have been thinking alot about my faith and in recent weeks the lack of faith. I have been questioning why I , 3 years ago became catholic and why am I catholic today. I have spoken with my priest and he suggested I search for the answer. I was wondering if anyone here would mind sharing with me why they became catholic from another denomination ?

Cause right now I dont know and if I dont know I may not stay.

Well I’m not Catholic now, but I want to be because:

It’s the Church Christ established.
The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
The Liturgy is beautiful
Beautiful Churches/Cathedrals
There is no other organization on earth that contains the fullness of the Truth
There are a ton of issues with the ELCA now (modern liberalism is a big issue)
Since Justification was the real reason for the Reformation and Catholics are right about it, there is no reason to be Lutheran.
It is one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
The Catholic Church is the most charitable organization in the world (hospitals, charities, etc.)

 

[chinamoon]

My suggestion to you would be write down all the things that are of concern to you. If you feel you can talk to your parish priest or deacon then make an appointment to see them and discuss your questions and I hoep they will be able to guide you to find the answers you seek.

I dont know what is of concern to me. I met with my priest yesterday and we didnt come up with anything. I just cant go to Mass , I feel so unworthy. My son is an altar server and I drop him off and go home then pick him up and hope I dont see anyone.

 

[chinamoon]

***A couple of questions:

• Why did you convert in the first place? That may help you answer your question.
• What is leading you to question your conversion?

Two things for me:

• I came to believe that the Catholic Church is the church that Jesus established, so where else would I go?
• The Real Presence in the Eucharist.***

I cant remember why I converted. I use to find Mass a place of peace in my busy busy world but now I cant even enter a church building.
I have only found out recently that the catholic church believes it is the church that Jesus has established.
I dont get the whole Eucharist , several people in recent weeks have told me how wonderful the Eucharist is but I dont understand . I have read several books on the subject but still I dont get it. I know that before my not going to Mass period, I was attending without receiving the Eucharist and the first couple of times upset me then I just didnt receive it and it didnt really bother me.

Please dont attack me for the way I feel…

 

[constantconvert]

I can remember why I converted. I use to find Mass a place of peace in my busy busy world but now I cant even enter a church building.
I have only found out recently that the catholic church believes it is the one that Jesus has established.
I dont get the whole eucharist thing, several people in recent weeks have told me how wonderful the eucharist is but I dont get it . I have read several books on the subject but still I dont get it. I know that before my not going to Mass period I was attending without recieving the eucharist and the first couple of times upset me then I just didnt recieve it and it didnt really bother me.

Please dont attack me for the way I feel…

Why would I attack you for the way you feel? :hug1:

I’m a little unclear. Have you gone through RCIA and come into the church officially? What has upset you so much that you cannot enter a church building?

 

[tbcrawford]

tbcrawford;9317628:

My suggestion to you would be write down all the things that are of concern to you. If you feel you can talk to your parish priest or deacon then make an appointment to see them and discuss your questions and I hope they will be able to guide you to find the answers you seek.

I dont know what is of concern to me. I met with my priest yesterday and we didnt come up with anything. I just cant go to Mass , I feel so unworthy. My son is an altar server and I drop him off and go home then pick him up and hope I dont see anyone.

Bless your heart.

I am sorry that speaking to your priest did not help.How wonderful your son is an altar server.Perhaps it is the parish you are attending that makes you feel uncomfotable?You can always go try another parish.

You say you are feeling unworthy. Not one of us is ‘worthy’ but as I always say in my prayers…“thankyou Lord for hearing and amswering our prayers I am not worthy but truly grateful”.

Pray at home or wherever you feel comfortable.Ask God for guidance. Here is a couple…

Holy Spirit, open my eyes and calm my mind. Give me the recollection of the Father’s love, of the Son’s unceasing prayer, of the world as God’s world and of your own presence within me.

Holy Spirit, give me Faith. Holy Spirit, reveal to me the truth of the Father’s unfailing purposes, of the Son’s victory and risen presence; the truth about myself – sinner yet child beloved of God.

Holy Spirit, give me Hope. Holy Spirit, give me Peace; peace with God and peace with people. Kindle my desire for you. Strengthen my will to live and serve. Teach me and lead me where you will.

Holy Spirit, Give me love. Amen

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the Divine Power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Do not be too hard on yourself.It is completely natural to question and go through periods of doubt.Each time you doubt something Google it.Seek answers in the bible and through prayer. I shall keep you in my prayers

God bless

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Presbyterian convert …

I put this question for a reason.

My youngest son is a cradle catholic, went on purpose to a Catholic University and became an atheist. Well, I guess it is just the normal development of a kid who questions things. I think he will come again.

But I noticed, and I am new here, that some converts from Protestantism, past the first enthusiasm, become unsatisfied. Some go out of the Catholic Church.

The question, as a friend of mine, who is Protestant, put it, the Protestant are used to question more or less everything and if they do not find an answer in their Congregation, they look for another.

In the RCC, we understand certain things, others that we do not understand, we just accept. The question is that the reason, the “why” does not solve everything. I have many “why” unanswered. A French Philosopher called God the God of Silence. We ask and he does not answer. Yet, as with St Paul who asked God to deliver him from the devil that was slapping him, God answered: “My grace is enough for you!”.

The question “why am I catholic?” is one of those mysteries. Were I born in the deep jungle of the Amazon or within a former Communist Country, would I be a Catholic. Maybe not. Maybe yes. God Knows.

Thank you for answering my question. Now I will answer yours.

I think I am a Catholic because I have nowhere else to go but Jesus Christ and His RCC. I have looked around and I do not see anything better: Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Marxism, Protestantism, Atheism and other “isms”. Nothing is better. So, why choose something else but the best?

 

[chinamoon]

Why would I attack you for the way you feel? :hug1:

I’m a little unclear. Have you gone through RCIA and come into the church officially? What has upset you so much that you cannot enter a church building?

I have gone through RCIA 3 years ago. I dont know what has upset me so much I cant enter a church building. When I left work today I looked at the church and thought of going in then I burst into tears cause I know I am unable to go in to the building.:crying:

 

[JRKH]

I have gone through RCIA 3 years ago. I dont know what has upset me so much I cant enter a church building. When I left work today I looked at the church and thought of going in then I burst into tears cause I know I am unable to go in to the building.:crying:

Are you experiencing other “unholy” thoughts?
I ask this because it sounds as though you might be under demonic attack…Not possession but attack.
Do you carry a blessed rosary with you?
Do you have any holy water at your house?
I ask because I wonder if you are able to use these things - these sacramentals…just trying to get a handle on what is going on…

You said that you have talked with your priest about this. Please continue to do so…

Peace
James

 

[chinamoon]

Are you experiencing other “unholy” thoughts?
I ask this because it sounds as though you might be under demonic attack…Not possession but attack.
Do you carry a blessed rosary with you?
Do you have any holy water at your house?
I ask because I wonder if you are able to use these things - these sacramentals…just trying to get a handle on what is going on…

You said that you have talked with your priest about this. Please continue to do so…

Peace
James

Hi James,

Unholy thoughts come and go all the time.

I dont have a blessed rosary atm I keep losing them…

I dont have any holy water at the house. What would it be used for ?

I have been talking today with the priest attached to my catholic school where I work. I had reconciliation with him during my lunch time. So I have now been into the church building but i didnt bough, I didnt sign myself on entry. I was literally scared the whole time I was there. I spoke but couldnt remember any of the things I was suppose to say for confession … I stumbled my way through with the priest then left quickly. I thought it might have made me feel better but it didnt. I looked at the church again today longing to go in but again cried at the thought of it.