Will conversion to Catholicism help the healing process?

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TreeOfLife123

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I have been doing various Catholic practices for the past 5 months but have not yet converted to Catholicism officially.
It has helped me heal very much it seems and had me endure things I would have never thought I would endure.
Some of my practice involves visiting the Vatican official website and reading and viewing images of the Pope and other pious Catholics, that way being connected to the Catholic Church.

I do believe that the Catholic Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ.
I’ve had many religious and spiritual experiences since around the time of the last Easter after having accepted Jesus Christ and following many Catholic practices.

I’m wondering if when I convert to Catholicism it will contribute even much more to my recovery and healing in general. I believe that mass and receiving the Eucharist is of very great importance in healing. But I’m wondering if actually converting is in itself very helpful to the whole healing process. I would imagine it would have to be and is a very life sustaining thing to do.

I know I didn’t say what I need healing from but it’s a personal matter and I would like to refrain from saying it. I’m asking would I heal from things in general better after a conversion? Many Catholic practices have had a healing effect on me. And praying to Jesus Christ for healing has a great healing effect on me. But it’s an up and down process. **I’m wondering if conversion to Catholicism will make things better and more consistent regarding healing. **

Thanks,
A.
 
Converting to Catholicism was a big step in my husband’s healing process. Of course it did not solve his problems, he still had to do a lot of work, but the connection to God he found in the lives of the saints and the amazing, limitless mercy and unconditional love he received in the Sacrament of Reconcilliation and the Eucharist really helped him put his life on track.
 
Can you tell me more about what kind of connection to God converting to Catholicism brings? Is it true that through conversion we form a stronger connection to God and can commune with him more?

I was previously Jewish but that wasn’t really healing my situation or providing much comfort or nearly as much of a connection to God as various Catholic Practices.
 
I converted myself and yes I found it helpful in my healing process. From your post I think you already know the answer is that God does want you to join His Church. Most parishes start their RCIA classes (basically conversion classes) in the next few weeks. If you are unable to attend the classes, speak to a priest and see if you can be given instruction at time you can make. Are you attending Mass on a Sunday? I found this helpful for healing while I waited to formally convert.

Welcome home, I’ll be praying for you.
 
First let me say I really appreciate both of your responses.

Well I’m really hurting. I have all sorts of problems and suffering from a bad lifestyle I lived in the past and seeking solutions other than Judeo-Christian solutions or approaches to my problems.

Much of my healing is an up and down process. Various practices help me heal a lot and then within hours or less I start suffering again. And sometimes the suffering is REALLY bad. Most of the time it’s rather bad. Most of it is psychological.

I have never attended mass.

After reading your posts it had a healing effect. But unfortunately it seems I’ll be right back to the suffering in less than an hour or so.

A.
 
I don’t know what set off my suffering so badly this evening.
Sometimes things I eat make things 20 times worse.
I think that at the very least contributed very significantly.
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
Can you tell me more about what kind of connection to God converting to Catholicism brings? Is it true that through conversion we form a stronger connection to God and can commune with him more?

I was previously Jewish but that wasn’t really healing my situation or providing much comfort or nearly as much of a connection to God as various Catholic Practices.
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I found receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time helped to increase an indescribable sense that I was close to Jesus. I am aware of that closeness every time I take communion. You may find that different aspects of the Catholic faith will give you the sense of connection that you desire so much. I find that the rich literary history of the Church, the writings of people like the Desert Fathers and Mothers (the early monks and nuns), the lives of the Saints and the books on various aspects of spirituality are a fantastic resource that is unique to the Catholic Church.

As each person is unique, so each person’s journey to the Church and their closeness to God will also be unique. However, everyone I know who converted found they were closer to God as a result.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
 
I am sorry that you are suffering so much, I will pray for you. If I can be of any help, please just ask.
 
Great news. Merely through thinking of what it would be like to be Roman Catholic and I can commune with God much more after expressing to God that I love the Eucharist! I’m not going to say what God said but it was good. I think he’s upset over my lifestyle especially my desires of the flesh…

I think my suffering has much to do with punishment for my sins. Especially desires of the flesh.
 
Saying that you pray for me has a very good effect and takes away a lot of my suffering. Jesus Christ teaches to pray for others. It does a lot of good when you pray for me(and I’m sure if others would too). When I read that you do it instantly takes away most of my suffering. It’s what Catholics are supposed to do.

What a great effect it has on my mind.

Thank you,
A.
 
The sacrament of reconciliation is a healing sacrament. It seems like God is drawing you to the Church, can you start RCIA this year? Classes usually star about now. Have you seen a priest about these feelings. We are all sinners who need healing. I pray you will seek to be in full communion with the Church & become Catholic.
 
God does not send suffering as punishment for our sins. Your suffering can be of value if you unite it with Christ’s suffering, offering it to God. Have you read Isaiah chapter 1 verse 18? It says, “‘Come,’ says the Lord, ‘let us talk this over. Though your sins be like scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they be as crimson red, they will be white as wool.’”

Do not be worried about your past lifestyle, the water of baptism will wash all that away. Also the temptations you feel are natural. Remember that Jesus pardoned a woman caught commiting adultery, saying that those who had caught her could only apply the death penalty if they’d never sinned. God knows of your stuggles with temptations to give into desires of the flesh, but he will help you, if you ask Him to.
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
Saying that you pray for me has a very good effect and takes away a lot of my suffering. Jesus Christ teaches to pray for others. It does a lot of good when you pray for me(and I’m sure if others would too). When I read that you do it instantly takes away most of my suffering. It’s what Catholics are supposed to do.

What a great effect it has on my mind.

Thank you,
A.
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I’m glad to help, I will also ask two communities of nuns I know to pray for you too.
 
Hi,

Welcome to the forum and to the faith, though you are not fully initiated yet you are spiritually. I would just like to tell you a little bit about my situation. I am a cradle catholic but in the last few years I became fully Catholic. What I mean is that for some time I was soul searching and wondering when my pain and suffering would end. I wasn’t sure about my church and searched high and low for a place to give me that all around good feeling all the time. When I realized that the Catholic Church is the true church and immersed myself fully into her and believed it completely, my outlook and psyche did change. I feel more secure and confident; especially through the sacrament of the Eucharist and also that of Reconciliation. I feel one with the church, one with the body of Christ that no other place made me feel. Of course I have my good days and my bad but Jesus and His Church is always there for me. What is also unique about our church is that we have the Adoration of the Eucharist and we pray the rosary. I find this so peaceful and meditative. I feel like I am alone with Jesus and His precious mother who watches over us. Many of the saints are like role models and because they are living saints they pray for us too.

Just a reminder, God doesn’t punish us but allows us to suffer due to our own sins. He is calling you that is why you suffer anguish over your actions. You know they are wrong and He is teaching you that they are wrong so that you can change. Be still, and know that He is with you and you will find peace and blessings.

God Bless:highprayer:
 
God is a very healing God therefore if He is using your Catholic exploration to heal from many things, I believe it can only increase. When I began my own exploration, I was hurting from many things and as I said yes to God, as difficult the healing process was and still is, it was filled with a lot of grace and wonderful people who helped me along the way. I don’t know what you are dealing with but an idea would also to seek professional help because sometimes God sends us professionals to help us heal from whatever elements that plague us.

It wouldn’t hurt to sign up for RCIA. Some start now and others begin in Sept and Oct it all depends on the parish. If you decide to do it, I suggest that you pray and ask God for guidance. I also suggest that you ask yourself why are you curious. Is it because you are interested in only the healing aspect or are you curious about the Catholic church because you are finding peace, truth and more. If the latter is the case I am happy for you because in my case as I found peace, God opened the doors to heal my broken heart.

Healing draws us closer to Him and it takes time.
 
There really has been tons of healing from accepting Jesus Christ and recognizing the Catholic Church.

All in all I think that officially joining the Catholic Church will definitely increase my connection to Jesus Christ and make me feel spiritually connected in brotherhood to all serious practitioners and perhaps all of humanity as well.

I believe suffering is part of being a good catholic. A part that is very difficult.

It’s quite an up and down process. I heal then I suffer moments or hours later. The healing is unmistakable and at times glorious.

I don’t understand the cause. It has to do with things I did but sometimes I think that God guided that process and I don’t yet understand why. I consider that God worked through me which I think is likely.

A.
 
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It is wonderful that you are being drawn to Christ and his church. Yes, God heals, many can give a witness to that. However, don’t expect it to be an instant thing, like taking a strong painkiller and never feeling pain again. Taking communion will probably not get rid of your suffering in a way that perhaps you imagine. Healing can be slow and sometimes it takes a long time. Problems don’t just go away but God helps us deal with them.

Let me give you an example. In my case it means that I am still facing a difficult situation in my life but that I feel more and more detached from it, and at the same time closer to God. This thing just doesn’t get to me the way it used to, it doesn’t consume me and torture me. It is quietly there, it exist independently of me and I go on about my life free of its grip. Yes, I am occasionally reminded of the painful thing and it hurts, but it is nothing compared to what I went through before I asked God to step in and take care of it. Now it is a sting that quickly goes away, while before it was like a disease eating me inside and out.

I wish you all the best in your journey, and welcome to the forum.
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
I have I’m wondering if when I convert to Catholicism it will contribute even much more to my recovery and healing in general. I believe that mass and receiving the Eucharist is of very great importance in healing. But I’m wondering if actually converting is in itself very helpful to the whole healing process. I would imagine it would have to be and is a very life sustaining thing to do.

I Thanks,
A.
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yes conversion is at its core a process of healing, beginning with healing the original wound which is always sin. No further healing can take place until that is addressed, the original sin we inherited from our first parents, and personal sin. Conversion is a process, not a one time event, and as part of your preparation to enter into full communion with the Church she invites you to confess your sins to a priest, in the manner Christ envisioned, precisely so you may have assurance of that healing and not rely on your own subjective experience. The Eucharist as you correctly observe will complete that healing as you are drawn into union with Christ and communion with His Church.

Welcome home.
 
That all sounds very good to me puzzleannie.

Already from being here I feel closer to the Church and am getting more healing.

I like what you all have said including you puzzleannie.

I derive GREAT enrichment and spiritual nourishment in viewing pictures of Pope Benedict and other devout Catholics on the official Vatican website. So good. When I’m converted and go through the process more and more I think I will more often feel so lovingly connected to the Church and Jesus Christ. I think I will embrace humanity in general with love much more so as well.

Peace,
Adam
 
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