Why are you a Catholic?

[Memaw]

First of all, I love this question. Secondly, I get this question a great deal from my devout Southern Baptist family members. (I was baptized into a Southern Baptist fundamentalist church) Although, I never quite felt comfortable there.

I converted to Catholicism after visiting numerous churches during a trip to Ireland several years ago. In Galway, I experienced an overwhelming emotional reaction to the statute of the Holy Mother. Most of which, I cannot explain. All I know is the feeling was the most powerful spiritual energy I had ever felt in my life. It took me days after to fully feel “myself” again. I am not sure where this falls in the list, I just know this experience was life-changing.

Shortly afterward, I entered RCIA and began to truly learn the history and background of the Catholic Church. The Mass, the rituals, the Holy Days, the true relationship to Christ, that all go back centuries were comforting and uplifting to me. I always wondered who made up the protestant religions and how was it possible that someone could just randomly decide “this is how it should be”.

I actually enjoy the participation in Mass, rather than being “preached to”. it has been such a magnificent journey and I finally feel I am home. Again, I am not sure where it all falls in your categories, I just know this is why I am Catholic and proud to be so!

Welcome “home” and we’re proud your here !! God Bless, Memaw

 

[Petaro]

I don’t believe there is ever a simple answer for religious belief.
Firstly, I believe that my faith is a gift from God…
Secondly, I was raised a Catholic by good and faithful parents. I was educated in a prison of fear and loathing by the Christian Brothers, but was not swayed from my faith, seeing the pedophile scandal just another attack on the Church which has been reflected in every social structure within our society that cares for children from the Salvation Army to the Scouts.
I believe my faith has a solid intellectual foundation as I have never in my life had any religious or spiritual experience. The silence of God has been my constant companion, but I guess he just doesn’t have anything to say to me.
I have developed a devotion to Our Lady which has been of great value.
However, my main reason for remaining a Catholic is found in my study of History. The Church stands as the only civilizing force that remains constant throughout history both of the the East and the West. It has been the focal point of all organised charity for most of our cultural experience and remains the only standard of truth, honour and charity that I can find in today’s dying world. I hold true to it as I try to hold true to my own honour, integrity and charity. I look to Christ as my Saviour in the Triune God of Moses.

 

[wcknight]

I went to Catholic grade schools and HS even though my parents were not Catholic. They were borderline Buddhist like most folks in China. I left the Church and came back after looking into various other faiths, none of the others made sense in view of what I believed about Church history.

 

[Charlemagne_III]

I left the Church in my 20s and did not return until I was in my early 50s.

One of the reasons I retuned to the Catholic Church was that I saw American culture moving in the opposite direction of common sense, which happened also to be the opposite direction in which the Church had reared me. Whereas the Church had proscribed many things that lead to self destruction, I saw society advocating those very same things with a self destructive vengeance. This pattern of national descent into collective madness has only accelerated since the Church has lost ground in America.

I think it’s very possible the pendulum will swing back toward common sense and the Catholic Church, but probably not before I die.

 

[RGCheek]

Although the penitent shares His love, God loves us all, not just the penitent.

God loves us all and He also loved Sodom and Gomorrah.

Clearly God’s Holiness trumps His sense of love if we do not repent.

 

[7_Sorrows]

My father was a non-practicing Catholic and my mother a non-practicing Lutheran. They converted to the Episcopal church and I was baptized and raised they. As I got older I believe I knew the Catholic church had the fullness of the faith. I would have liked to have converted to Catholicism when I was a teenager, but no one took me seriously and I became a non-practicing Christian after 18.
I finally took the initiative in my late 40’s to start learning about the Catholic church and converted at 56. I wonder how different my life would have been if someone would have taken me to a Catholic church and talk to a priest about converting at 16. Anyhow, I am glad I am Catholic now!