Son seeking to become Catholic

ClaireZ

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Hello all,


I hope this is the right place to post this.

My 17 year old son would like to be come Catholic. I have read some here, and he has talked to the priest at the local church without asking me about it.

He also has asked for a Catholic Bible, instead of the ones we have and a Rosary.

We had a long talk last night about why he is drawn to the Catholic Church and he says it is because of the traditions, the long history of Scholarship within the Church and the sacraments of Confession and Penance. He says it is too easy in our Church's just to ask God for forgiveness and not have to do anything to make up for your sins.

I can respect his feelings and his wishes, and believe he is of age to decide for himself.

He told me that since his grandmother and her family on one side and his great grandmother and family on the other side were Catholic, he would not have to convert as such. (This is what he said the priest said). Is this the case?

Also he said he would like some books on the lives of the Saints, I would like recommendations for this, and also recommedations for writings by the early Church fathers that might interest him.

Also is there a good history of the Catholic Church I can recommend to him?

Any suggestions or opinions would be most welcome.

Thank you. :)

Oh I also wanted to add that he greatly admires the last Pope, John Paul II and this is part of his inspiration to join the Church. I agreed with him about the late Pope, and told him the two people I have admired most in my lifetime as Christians were John Paul and Billy Grahmn. I told him the story of John Paul forgiving his would-be assassin, which he did not know, and which greatly added to his regard for him.
 

WarriorAngel

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God Bless you Claire. Nice to meet you. :hug:

Lives of the Saints would be good.
Also any book about St Padre Pio would be very nice since he was a more recent Saint...who died in 1968.
He also had the stigmata for 50 years.

Anyway, he could research on www.Newadvent.com for early Church fathers writings. And the history.

As far as 'converting' he does need to take some classes for the Eucharist and such...maybe go to CCD with other high school kids...

The priest would be better at telling him what to do.

I know my son is taking his 1st Communion this May 6th. And he has to attend classes.
And your son will need to know what to do about Confirmation.

I am happy to hear of his desire, and very happy you are helping him.

Doing this research together will help you gain information too.

Peace and HUGS! :hug:
 
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Filia Mariae

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Hi Claire,

Welcome to OBOB.:wave:

I think your son might be a little confused re:what the priest said about conversion. Regardless of Catholic relatives, he'll still ahve to be received into full communion with the Church. If he's baptized, he won't be "re-baptized," but he will go to confession, receive Eucharist, and be confirmed upon making a profession of faith.

For saint recommendations, I would strongly recommend St. Augustine's Confessions and St. Therese's Story of a Soul.

There are many fathers of the Church, so is there a particular subject he's interested in?

The Compact History of the Catholic Church by Alan Schreck is a good, short read. Also good is Fr. John Laux's Church History (but its a little dry).

Hope that is helpful!
 
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ClaireZ

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Thank you both for your answers.

I agree he might be confused about what the priest said, as he was talking to him for awhile, and might not have remembered it all.

No, he has not been baptized, because in our church it is done as one comes to a profession of faith as a young adult or adult usually, so he would have to take the classes and be baptized into the church.

I did know about St. Augustine's Confessions and recommended that to him, and thank you for the other book recommendations, I am looking for a whole list to get him for his birthday, as well as with the rosary he wants.

According to him the priest said that he could study on his own, with personal guidance from the priest, perhaps because there are no classes for his age in our area?

I think here the Catholic congragation is rather small, as it is mostly Baptist, and Lutheran here. Although I did see a large selection of Catholic books in the public library. I really want to be sure he knows what he is doing, and is sure of his decision.

He hasn't been interested in religion at all up until now, and just talked to me about this last night. Also I would like to encourage him to pursue this before some other mood takes over and he loses the present motivation that he has.

Thank you again for your help. :)
 
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Carrye

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If he hasn't been baptized, that's where he'll start after some instruction.

Also he said he would like some books on the lives of the Saints, I would like recommendations for this, and also recommedations for writings by the early Church fathers that might interest him.

There are really so many that it's difficult to know where to begin. Is he looking for spiritual reading or more academic texts?

I would be a bit careful with the public library (or the local Barnes and Noble's "Catholic" section, to be fair). Just because it is labelled Catholic doesn't mean that it reflects Catholic teaching. I'd be happy to suggest things as he is interested. You're most welcome to post those here or PM me.
 
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ClaireZ

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If he hasn't been baptized, that's where he'll start after some instruction.



There are really so many that it's difficult to know where to begin. Is he looking for spiritual reading or more academic texts?

I would be a bit careful with the public library (or the local Barnes and Noble's "Catholic" section, to be fair). Just because it is labelled Catholic doesn't mean that it reflects Catholic teaching. I'd be happy to suggest things as he is interested. You're most welcome to post those here or PM me.

Well he asked for books about the lives of the Saints. I thought a good book about the Church history, and maybe the lives of the Popes would be good, since I don't know anything really about these things.

I think he is interested in both the teachings of the Catholic Church as opposed to what he knows from the Baptist church and also, the history. He particulary asked about the lives of the saints, and since we don't have that, I know next to nothing about them.

I will follow your advice and not get anything from the library. That is why I wanted to post here for recommendations, so I wouldn't get him something that wasn't correct or that had a slant other than a Catholic one.

I am sorry but this is all so new to me, and while I have always respected the Catholic faith, most of what I know has been learned from reading the posters here.

I knew enough to tell him what a rosary was, and how it was used, but questions he asked about the stations of the cross and such, I didn't know.

Sorry if this post seems a bit jumbled, this all took me a bit by surprise. :eek: But if the Catholic Church is where he feels led, I want to honor his wishes, and help him in his quest to the best of my ability.
 
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Epiphanygirl

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Hello all,


I hope this is the right place to post this.

My 17 year old son would like to be come Catholic. I have read some here, and he has talked to the priest at the local church without asking me about it.

He also has asked for a Catholic Bible, instead of the ones we have and a Rosary.

We had a long talk last night about why he is drawn to the Catholic Church and he says it is because of the traditions, the long history of Scholarship within the Church and the sacraments of Confession and Penance. He says it is too easy in our Church's just to ask God for forgiveness and not have to do anything to make up for your sins.

I can respect his feelings and his wishes, and believe he is of age to decide for himself.

He told me that since his grandmother and her family on one side and his great grandmother and family on the other side were Catholic, he would not have to convert as such. (This is what he said the priest said). Is this the case?

Also he said he would like some books on the lives of the Saints, I would like recommendations for this, and also recommedations for writings by the early Church fathers that might interest him.

Also is there a good history of the Catholic Church I can recommend to him?

Any suggestions or opinions would be most welcome.

Thank you. :)

Oh I also wanted to add that he greatly admires the last Pope, John Paul II and this is part of his inspiration to join the Church. I agreed with him about the late Pope, and told him the two people I have admired most in my lifetime as Christians were John Paul and Billy Grahmn. I told him the story of John Paul forgiving his would-be assassin, which he did not know, and which greatly added to his regard for him.
You can also find some great resources and info at the top of our main OBOB page!! Some of our members here did a great job compiling information and such.
*I would like to say how wonderful I think it is that you are supportive of your sons desire to learn more about the Catholic faith....for that I have to Thank you!:angel:
 
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Carrye

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Well he asked for books about the lives of the Saints.

This website has a bunch of stories as well.

I think he is interested in both the teachings of the Catholic Church

As far as teachings go, the best summarized resource is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They publish hard copies of this as well. He might also be interested in Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Dr. Ludwig Ott.

I am sorry but this is all so new to me, and while I have always respected the Catholic faith, most of what I know has been learned from reading the posters here.

I knew enough to tell him what a rosary was, and how it was used, but questions he asked about the stations of the cross and such, I didn't know.

I would be most interested to hear any of your (or his) questions. May God bless your supportive nature!
 
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helenofbritain

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And there's also Catholicism for Dummies (yes, it's a "for dummies" book) which explains pretty much everything about Catholicism in an easy to understand, yet still fully comprehensive way. And it's got a brief Church history, and it's got brief lives of 10 saints, so it pretty much covers everything in one book! The NewAdvent website always has ads for it on there... you could buy it online!

Good on you for supporting you son!
 
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foxsta

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It is a wonderful journey! I went through a similar experience myself, although I had been slightly interested in my faith in the past. I was received into the Church at Easter after months of classes which you're son will have to take. I don't know what else to say at the moment but will pop in again later :)
 
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BillH

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Dear ClaireZ -- I don't have a whole lot to add beyond what people have already told you, but I just wanted to say that I think it takes a strong parent to be supportive of her child when you don't quite understand what he's doing. God bless both you and him.
 
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foxsta

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Yes I agree with that! My mother (and father) were like that as well. Everyone in my church thought how nice it was that my parents were there every time to support me although they weren't Catholic
 
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DonnaB

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Your son is very blessed to have such a wonderful mother! I converted at 17, after being called to the Church for many years. I was going to recommend "Catholicism for Dummies" as well--it is often recommended on Ave Maria radio.

When I converted, I attended RICA classes with the adults. If your parish does not offer such a group, you may want to seek another parish. The classes were very important, especially since I did not have any close Catholic relatives at the time. I will remember both you and your son in my prayers!
 
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Your son is really lucky that you are so supportive of this. Let me tell you, as someone who has dealt with family issues in conversion, that your son probably has been nervously wondering how you will react for a long time and is probably so happy that you are being supportive.

I don't know of any books to recommend, but you should watch the movie A Man For All Seasons. I love St. Thomas Moore (even though he's not a Saint in the Orthodox church). He was a man of great integrity.
 
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NewMan99

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I concur with the others that he is very lucky to have supportive parents.

I converted to the Catholic faith back in 1999 (hence my username) and it was a wonderful journey of discovery. More than likely he will need to take RCIA classes (adult catechism classes for prepare people to enter into the Church and partake of the Sacraments). Since he has not yet been baptized he will not have to go to confession until after he is brought into the Church (since Baptism will cleanse him of all sin both original and actual).

Here is a list of books that may be of interest to him:

Great Books.

As for books about the saints, I would say that Butler's Lives of the Saints is probably the standard for that kind of material.

I taught RCIA for many years and would be happy to help him if he has any special questions about Catholicism itself or the history of the Church.

Feel free to come to me with questions. There are also many people in OBOB who would be willing to help.

God's Peace,

NewMan99
Catholic Affairs Director
 
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restlesslilly

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What an amazingly wonderful mother you are to be so supportive of his journey! If only all parents understood that their journey is not everyone's! (coughmyowncough)

I hope and pray your son gets all the answers he is seeking. I am in the process of converting, been studying Catholicism for a year now and hope to be confirmed asap, as I am baptized. Not sure what else to add to what others have already provided, but if there is any way I can help just ask!
 
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Angeldove97

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This book is what changed my life and really made the decision for me to be Catholic. I highly suggest you get your son a copy of it and I also suggest for you to read it too (it may help you understand the Sacraments alot better):

Sacred Passages: Bringing the Sacraments to Life
By: Bert Ghezzi
ISBN 0-385-50340-7
It's $17.95 and worth every penny. I'm not trying to sell the book, but it really touched my life and I'm sure your son would enjoy reading it.

I typed up certain passages that really touched my life from the book, so if you would like a copy of those notes please feel free to send me a pm with your contact information and I'd be more than happy to do that (that goes for all of ya who visit OBOB too!).

Bless you for being supportive of your son... that's what a good parent should do. I hope you'll be at ease with this decision and also learn a bit about Catholicism along the way. God bless :hug:
 
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ClaireZ

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Thank you all for the wonderful and caring answers. I am going to get several of the books recommended here, and call the local catholic church and either set it up for him to attend classes or for him to start counseling with the priest if that is what the priest that he has talked to prefers.

He is a very intelligent but undisciplined, and unfocused young man, and I think the Catholic Church may be just what he needs to help him find meaning in his life.

I think those who are more intelligent also deal with the greatest angst, and he has chosen to deal with this by reading the great philosophers, and through expression in art and music. He remains depressed and dissatisified with any answers in life so far, and continues to search for some meaning.

I told him that the Catholic Church really stresses authority and obedience, and was surprised to find that he accepts that. He seems to really wants to find the level of scholarship of spiritual things that the Church has historically offered.

Thank you once again for you kind and thoughtful answers, like I mentioned this all came out of the blue for me, as the only Catholic influence he has had thus far is historic in talking about family history as his grandparents had all passed long before he was born.

I was a little worried how the rest of the family would respond but his dad just said basically, "fine, whatever." and his older sister, just was curious as to why, but no reproach from her either.

I think they both realize that he has been unhappy and dissatisfied for a long time, and that if this is where God leads him, then this is what will be best for the son and brother that we all love.
 
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