Why did you convert to Catholicism?

[curiousgirl26]

I am considering conversion-really considering it. I just want to know why people have converted. For me, so far, it’s been like walking in a desert. I believe that the Holy Spirit has lead me to this point. My parents are both somewhat supportive if not cautious. They are both Protestant and it works for them. Just not for me. It’s almost a preferred way of worship on some counts and on others it’s this peace that I have about my decision even if I don’t understand it fully right now. My Pastor’s might not understand and no doubt they will try to dissuade me-I wouldn’t blame them though since they’ve known me since I was 12. I do remember one night at church when a family friend prayed for me and what has stuck out since then is what she said, “Kristen, your mantle will be different than that of your parents.” I have remembered that ever since. It has been true. I am leaving to go teach English overseas. Because of this, I am hoping that my conversion can be completed quickly. Until then, I’ll be going to Mass as often as I can with my hands crossed over my chest as I go up for a blessing for Communion. I don’t know why I love it. I just do. Can’t explain it completely with scripture. But it’s just this knowing that, for me, this is right. So any stories especially from more of the Pentecostal denominations would be appreciated. The support and encouragement on this forum has been great.
Please and thank you.

 

[Blessed_Karl]

catholic-convert.com/

That is a good website with many stories and forums that deals with this.

First I would like to congratulate you on accepting God’s calling you back home to Rome.

I am a Catholic because I believe in Jesus. As I read history I understand that the Catholic Church was the Church of the first centuries of Christianity. Reading the early Church Fathers we can see that this was the Church. Why would Jesus just leave the earth without leaving some kind of institution to lead people to the truth?

Who compiled the Bible? The Catholic Church in the late 4th century.

Who were the early Christians? Catholics. By the end of the first century we see that things such as sacraments and priests and bishops were clearly present. To say that the Protestant Christianity is truth is to completely ignore the early years of the Church.

Did Jesus just abandon his followers after he died? To ensure that Christianity would be, on terms of faith and morals, kept clean he would want to assign some form of institution or group of people, no? In my opinion, the problem with Protestantism is that we must ask which one, out of thousands, of these denominations is true?

 

[Della]

I was a Pentecostal, too, for many years. It had its attractions: a strong belief in God and Christ, firm values, lots of fellowship. But, it didn’t have the one thing I think most important–it didn’t have the fullness of Truth. I came into the Catholic Church because I was searching for the truth no matter what part of Christianity it might lead me into, even “Gulp!” the Catholic Church. Once I started RCIA I knew I was in the right place doing the right thing. You’ll want to talk to the priest of the parish you are attending to ask him about your situation. All the best to you–you have my prayers.

 

[banished]

My first wife and I converted during the 70’s to save our marriage. Seems like everyone was getting divorsed back in those day. I had been going to Mass (on and off elegally) since the 1950’s, so I talked her and my daughter into converting to Catholic. The three of us got Baptized, had our First Communion, got Confirmed, plus my wife and I were married in Church. My wife had a Methodist background, so she went on to teach Catechism to small children. We didn’t get along well with the laity, because they were way too loose for us. During the Catechism Appreciation Dinner, the priest was so drunk that he almost fell off his chair, plus most of the laity were drinking and smoking. The Fiestas at the Church were drunken parties too. Everything was more Worldly than our lifestyle was before converting, plus it didn’t sit well with my wife. Anyway, my wife went home to be with the Lord within a couple of years, so she had the Anointed of the Sick, Last Rites, and Catholic Burial.

If I could live my life over again, we would convert to Methodist instead. I really felt bad at my wife’s funeral about my in-laws having to sit there. Converting to Catholic was all my idea, and I should have taken my wife’s family into consideration. Now, years later, I have high hopes for converting to the Traditional Catholic movement. They seem to more straight-laced.

Richard

 

[Traditional_Ang]

I am considering conversion-really considering it. I just want to know why people have converted. For me, so far, it’s been like walking in a desert. I believe that the Holy Spirit has lead me to this point. My parents are both somewhat supportive if not cautious. They are both Protestant and it works for them. Just not for me. It’s almost a preferred way of worship on some counts and on others it’s this peace that I have about my decision even if I don’t understand it fully right now. My Pastor’s might not understand and no doubt they will try to dissuade me-I wouldn’t blame them though since they’ve known me since I was 12. I do remember one night at church when a family friend prayed for me and what has stuck out since then is what she said, “Kristen, your mantle will be different than that of your parents.” I have remembered that ever since. It has been true. I am leaving to go teach English overseas. Because of this, I am hoping that my conversion can be completed quickly. Until then, I’ll be going to Mass as often as I can with my hands crossed over my chest as I go up for a blessing for Communion. I don’t know why I love it. I just do. Can’t explain it completely with scripture. But it’s just this knowing that, for me, this is right. So any stories especially from more of the Pentecostal denominations would be appreciated. The support and encouragement on this forum has been great.
Please and thank you.

Curious Girl:

I’m probably not what you’re asking for, but I hope watching me struggle with this will encourage some of my brothers…

I was raised an Episcopalian, in a Low-Church (“Evangelical”) Parish. I also occasionally went to the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (Originally affiliated with the Foursquare Gospel Church) concerts in the Mid - Late 1970’s. In 1977, P.E.C.U.S.A. (I can tell you what that means - P/M me) Ok’d the Ordination of women “Priests”, a new Book of Common Prayer, Sex Outside of Marriage (including Same Sex Activity) and “Abortion Rights”.

Bishop Robert Rusack of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles was a supporter of the ordination of women “Priests” (NY Times - Bishop Rusack dies), who ended up ordaining 13 women “Priests”:
andromeda.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/womenpr.html

By the time I left for college in late Aug., 1977, my parents had left the parish had been raised in, and I no longer had a Church home. It’ll probably shock you that I chose to attend the St. Ignatius Institute at the University of San Francisco - Partly to get away from my parents, and partly because I was like you, curious about Catholicism. Fr. Joseph Fessio & Fr. Brian Mullady more or less took me under their wings, and convinced me that I had a home in the Catholic Church, if I wanted it.

I still remember reading one Sunday at St. Ignatius (they were REAL desperate for Readers) and finding out that the priest celebrant was the dear man from Sri Lanka who was new to the USA & that NO ONE had ever chanted the Alleluia’s in the Gospel Verse at St. Ignatius (Talk about LITURGICAL BLIGHT!). Needless to say, The LORD gave me far more courage than prudance, so I asked my new friend from Sri Lanka if he wanted me to “sing the ‘Alleluia’s’ and the ‘Gospel Verse’”.

“ALLELUIA – ALLELUIA – ALLELUIA,” The words bounced off the back of the church, :extrahappy: and those people who had thought they could “get 40-winks” during the “Liturgy of the Word” :coffeeread: now found themselves firmly awake. Even the Sri Lankan priest couldn’t restrain his laughter. It then became MANDATORY for all Lay Readers to sing the Alleluias and the Gospel Verse.

At the Beginning of the next Semester, I knew my mother was very ill, but went to college in obedience to my parents. Within 4 weeks, I received a letter from my father saying that my mother was ill but for me not to come home. At that time, I expressed my belief that she was going to die in a week to my roommate, Fr. Fessio and some others… At the end of the week, my father called, trying to tell me that she had died. I confirmed it by calling his church.

By the end of the day, Fr. Fessio & Fr. Mullady had arranged a Requiem Mass for my mother, which they held for me before I left on Monday. I remember reading the Old Testament lesson from the Book of Wisdom which described why the Lord had “Called my mother home” when she was only 44. Everything they had done had been because of their pastoral care for me.

I can go into more, but much of the rest has been poured out on these pages. This may describe why I’ve been so willing to work so much at persuading my fellow Anglicans to lay their fears aside and to unite themselves with God’s Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I’ve got to go now. Thanks for listening. I hope this answers at least some of your answers.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

PS: I can only say Fr. Fessio & Fr. Mullady were a LOT more Godly and a LOT less worldly than those described by Richard (Banished), and that they still are a LOT more HOLY and Godly than most of the people I encounter in most churches.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I am considering conversion-really considering it. I just want to know why people have converted. For me, so far, it’s been like walking in a desert. I believe that the Holy Spirit has lead me to this point. My parents are both somewhat supportive if not cautious. They are both Protestant and it works for them. Just not for me. It’s almost a preferred way of worship on some counts and on others it’s this peace that I have about my decision even if I don’t understand it fully right now. My Pastor’s might not understand and no doubt they will try to dissuade me-I wouldn’t blame them though since they’ve known me since I was 12. I do remember one night at church when a family friend prayed for me and what has stuck out since then is what she said, “Kristen, your mantle will be different than that of your parents.” I have remembered that ever since. It has been true. I am leaving to go teach English overseas. Because of this, I am hoping that my conversion can be completed quickly. Until then, I’ll be going to Mass as often as I can with my hands crossed over my chest as I go up for a blessing for Communion. I don’t know why I love it. I just do. Can’t explain it completely with scripture. But it’s just this knowing that, for me, this is right. So any stories especially from more of the Pentecostal denominations would be appreciated. The support and encouragement on this forum has been great.
Please and thank you.

I am a convert from Protestantism, having converted about 12 years ago. The Catholic Bible I’ve got has an inscription inside the cover indicating it was given to me on 7/12/96, and it was given to me as part of the procedure.

In my case I felt a sort of spiritual “push” towards it. Quite similar in fact to the impetus I had when I became a Christian another 14 years before that. In both cases there was a sort of dissatisfaction beforehand - I became a Christian after the worst four years of my life, and became a Catholic when there was a sense of dissatisfaction with the Protestant church. For one thing, the Protestants are so divided.

For another I got tired of hearing it’s “all in the Bible”. My first Protestant pastor, a Methodist by training domiciling in the Presbyterian Church (that’s a long story I won’t go into here) and who is still the wisest and most prophetically accurate man I’ve met, albeit discouraging, said to me he thought I might become Catholic. He added the rider, “I think the Lord might use you to bring the churches together somehow. It will probably destroy you - there’s still a lot of tension between the churches.”

So far he’s been half right, in that I’ve become Catholic. I did lose my single career to date partly through the chicanery of some supposed Protestant “Christians”, so I’ve had some frustration already as a result.

In your case, you’re heading in the right direction. But you will probably find rejection at the hands of some you’ve previously been close to. On the other hand, you’ll meet Catholics just as worthy and possibly even better Christians.

Personally I think the Catholic is “closest” to the truth. I have concerns about “infallibility” and the ruling on the contraceptive pill. But apart from that I think the Catholic Church is closer to the truth than any Protestant church. What you may find frustrating is that its a slow moving, hierarchical beast, and if you’ve got ideas of starting ministries as easily as laity can start them in a lot of Protestant churches, you’ll find yourself getting frustrated.

 

[JustaServant]

I am considering conversion-really considering it. I just want to know why people have converted. For me, so far, it’s been like walking in a desert. I believe that the Holy Spirit has lead me to this point. My parents are both somewhat supportive if not cautious. They are both Protestant and it works for them. Just not for me. It’s almost a preferred way of worship on some counts and on others it’s this peace that I have about my decision even if I don’t understand it fully right now. My Pastor’s might not understand and no doubt they will try to dissuade me-I wouldn’t blame them though since they’ve known me since I was 12. I do remember one night at church when a family friend prayed for me and what has stuck out since then is what she said, “Kristen, your mantle will be different than that of your parents.” I have remembered that ever since. It has been true. I am leaving to go teach English overseas. Because of this, I am hoping that my conversion can be completed quickly. Until then, I’ll be going to Mass as often as I can with my hands crossed over my chest as I go up for a blessing for Communion. I don’t know why I love it. I just do. Can’t explain it completely with scripture. But it’s just this knowing that, for me, this is right. So any stories especially from more of the Pentecostal denominations would be appreciated. The support and encouragement on this forum has been great.
Please and thank you.

Many of the Pentecostals/charismatics I met were not violently anti-catholic. But there is much within the movement that is dangerous and heretical. Be prepared to lose some friends over this. But our Lady is leading you into the Church of all ages, and you will never regret it.

 

[perfectpeach]

I converted because I learned The Catholic Church was established by Jesus Chirst and that it can be traced back to Him and the Apostles.

Before, I was a christian who believed in OSAS…

 

[curiousgirl26]

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. I really appreciate it. The particular church that go to has plenty of converts from Catholicism and I wouldn’t be surprised about what might happen. That bothers me more than anything else. I look at it this way. Both places are right. Catholicism for me is where I am called. It’s just right. I don’t know how to explain it. Right now I am waiting for a call from the church that I’ve begun attending about converting. I’ve read that conversion for me might be a simpler process since I’ve been baptized once as a Baptist then again as an Assemblies of God. I am excited about learning as much as I can.

 

[JaredR]

I am not yet a Catholic, but I believe that the Church is the only visible organization established by Jesus Christ. I can no longer accept Protestantism because “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Cor 14:33

On the level of the heart, I am drawn to Catholicism because the rest of God’s family (Mary and the Saints and the Church in heaven) is actively involved in God’s work. That makes more sense to me than the Protestant view, and it makes me feel like Jesus did not just come to deal with us one-on-one but to save people.

 

[Wampa]

Hey curious, congratulations on finding your way to the Catholic Church. I, too, have no doubts that you won’t regret it.

My path/reasons for converting, in a nutshell:

I was atheist/agnostic until age 25. I entered the Christian Church as a Lutheran. After five years there, I agreed to take the RCIA classes when my girlfriend and I were contemplating marriage. She was a cradle Catholic and not open to changing, but I was pretty open to converting, for the sake of being consistent within our family. About one month into the RCIA classes, the Truth of the Catholic faith grabbed a hold of my heart and never let go!

The more I learned about the faith, the more it all made perfect sense sense. It filled so many of the holes in my life and answered my questions. Although there are many ways it all came together for me, I will mentioned two very important ones.

1. When I was young, one of the things that always kept me away from Christianity was the idea that all Christians believed in Young Earth Creationism. Personally, I could not believe in something that the physical record disproved. Once I learned that that is not a particularly Catholic view, and that Catholicism goes a long way (compared to many Protestant denominations) towards reconciling faith and science, I was thrilled.
2. I read one of Christopher West’s books about JPII’s Theology of the Body. Once my eyes were opened to a Catholic view of sexuality, the wreckage of my youth finally made sense. How I wish I could have learned that information at age 16!

Welcome (soon, hopefully) to the faith!

 

[JKirkLVNV]

I am a Catholic because it makes complete and total sense. It makes sense in the claims which the Church makes about Itself and it makes sense of everything else in this world…and it is completely shot through with love, the most real and thus the only true LOVE.

I could go on and on and on about all my reasons for becoming Catholic. Keep this before your mind. Either Jesus was Who He said He was or He wasn’t. If He was and is who He claimed to be, then everything He had to say is not only important (the most important thing), it is urgent. He had very specific things to say about His Church. My mantra these days, as I reach the midpoint of my life, is this: it’s either true or it isn’t. If it isn’t true, then to hell with it. If it is true, I’d better pay attention.

 

[historyb]

I am considering conversion-really considering it. I just want to know why people have converted. For me, so far, it’s been like walking in a desert. I believe that the Holy Spirit has lead me to this point. My parents are both somewhat supportive if not cautious. They are both Protestant and it works for them. Just not for me. It’s almost a preferred way of worship on some counts and on others it’s this peace that I have about my decision even if I don’t understand it fully right now. My Pastor’s might not understand and no doubt they will try to dissuade me-I wouldn’t blame them though since they’ve known me since I was 12. I do remember one night at church when a family friend prayed for me and what has stuck out since then is what she said, “Kristen, your mantle will be different than that of your parents.” I have remembered that ever since. It has been true. I am leaving to go teach English overseas. Because of this, I am hoping that my conversion can be completed quickly. Until then, I’ll be going to Mass as often as I can with my hands crossed over my chest as I go up for a blessing for Communion. I don’t know why I love it. I just do. Can’t explain it completely with scripture. But it’s just this knowing that, for me, this is right. So any stories especially from more of the Pentecostal denominations would be appreciated. The support and encouragement on this forum has been great.
Please and thank you.

For me I went from Assembly of God (AOG) to Baptist back to AOG and onto Vanguard College (an AOG College) I converted to Catholicism because my NT professor challenged us to see if we could own our faith are was it our parents faith and we were just piggybacking without knowing anything about it. I took his challenge and investigated the Catholic Church; Then I went home and went into one and I loved the historicity of it so I converted.

I converted and stayed for all the wrong reasons, after ten years I unconverted and been mixed up ever sense. If your going to convert pray to make sure it’s in your heart and you know God is drawing not because of anything else.

 

[Cat]

I don’t have a lot of time this morning (sorry), but I’ll state briefly that my husband and I converted because we became convinced, after three years of study, that the Catholic Church was the Church that Jesus founded on this earth, and that He Himself passed His Authority over Christians on this earth to the Catholic Church.

I highly recommend Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic, by David Currie.

Also try to get hold of any Michael Cumbie and Tim Staples CDs/tapes that you can. If you lived near us, we would be happy to loan you our numerous sets, but perhaps other converts in your parish, or perhaps your diocescan headquarters, could loan you the CDs. If you have the money, buy them.

I believe strongly that you need to have FACTS to back up your feelings about the Catholic Church. If you convert because you “feel” that it’s the right thing to do, within a few years, you’ll get used to the worship and the Mass, and it won’t be a novelty anymore, and then you’ll become disillusioned and you’ll say, “I’m not being fed anymore,” and you’ll quit and move on to another church that you “feel right about.”

Don’t do that. Instead, get these books and CDs and study the FACTS about Catholicism. Then you’ll have solid answers for your pastors, friends, and family about WHY you are Catholic.

There are also plenty of apologetics papers on this wonderful website. I would recommend getting out of this forum for a little while every day and going to the Home Page of CAF, and reading all the various tracts about many aspects of the Catholic Church. IMO, it’s a great crash course on Catholicism and will give you many good facts. And it’s free!

 

[JustaServant]

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. I really appreciate it. The particular church that go to has plenty of converts from Catholicism and I wouldn’t be surprised about what might happen. That bothers me more than anything else. I look at it this way. Both places are right. Catholicism for me is where I am called. It’s just right. I don’t know how to explain it. Right now I am waiting for a call from the church that I’ve begun attending about converting. I’ve read that conversion for me might be a simpler process since I’ve been baptized once as a Baptist then again as an Assemblies of God. I am excited about learning as much as I can.

Feel free to read my story in the link below.
Could I inquire why you were baptized twice?

 

[curiousgirl26]

I felt it didn’t “take” the first time. When I was baptized. I was five years old the first time and thirteen the second time. By the way, how does one handle possible hostility from the family? It’s true that I am moving in August but my mom is irritated already. Somehow I don’t think this would have been an issue had I wanted to go to any other church.

 

[JustaServant]

I felt it didn’t “take” the first time. When I was baptized. I was five years old the first time and thirteen the second time. By the way, how does one handle possible hostility from the family? It’s true that I am moving in August but my mom is irritated already. Somehow I don’t think this would have been an issue had I wanted to go to any other church.

I cant really give you an answer on that, there are nominal Catholics and Protestants on both my and my wife’s side. Their replies are usually ‘oh aint that nice…hey, how about those Steelers!?!’
Our former ‘friends’ in fundamentalism just stopped talking to us. I doubt you will get that from family, but if they are deep into Pentecolism, there will be tension.

 

[banished]

I felt it didn’t “take” the first time. When I was baptized. I was five years old the first time and thirteen the second time. By the way, how does one handle possible hostility from the family? It’s true that I am moving in August but my mom is irritated already. Somehow I don’t think this would have been an issue had I wanted to go to any other church.

Hello again Curiousgirl,

You can expect a few hurt feeling from family and friends, but some Christians consider themselves to be disciples of Christ. If that’s how you relate to it, then Matthew Chapter 10, Verse 21 describes what you can expect. I can tell you this much: During a funeral of a loved one we have an opportunity to reflect, so your family and friends could be more important than you think?

Also, as I stated in my previous post, my first wife with a Methodist background couldn’t get used to the Worldly lifestyle of the Parish we belonged to. Now remember, I am not saying the sucking up a few beers at the Fiesta, have a few drinks with a Priest, or playing Bingo has anything to do with receiving Grace from the Catholic Church. But of course, if your present family and friends follow Protestant ideals about Grace being obtained from living a Christian life, then you will be rejected.

John Westley’s version of Grace is quite a bit different than what you are about to receive from the Catholic Church.

Richard

 

[Monica4316]

I was a Protestant and converted to Catholicism because slowly over time I started to believe it’s the truth… especially about the Eucharist. Also studying Church history really helped

By the way, how does one handle possible hostility from the family? It’s true that I am moving in August but my mom is irritated already. Somehow I don’t think this would have been an issue had I wanted to go to any other church.

I think this is pretty common, sadly I’ve lost several friendships because of my conversion…however, God brought new friends into my life. As for family, you gotta take it slowly and give them time to get used to it.

It can be really hard, but if in your heart you are doing this for God, if you feel that this is where you belong, He will give you strength. I have to say that in the end, it is very much worth it

God bless

 

[historyb]

I felt it didn’t “take” the first time. When I was baptized. I was five years old the first time and thirteen the second time. By the way, how does one handle possible hostility from the family? It’s true that I am moving in August but my mom is irritated already. Somehow I don’t think this would have been an issue had I wanted to go to any other church.

I was baptized many times myself taking a low view of Baptism, every time I joined a denomination I got re baptized. My Dad observed once to me that once seemed enough if you believed and the rest I had ave me an extra bath for that day minus the soap

The animosity that the conversion will create will depend on how committed the people are. Me and my mom had many arguments about it but before she passes we were better. If I could have it to do all over again I would have never converted and not strained my relationship with my parents.

Converting to the Catholic Church is a very big decision with many consequences evaluate them carefully.