Conversion Stories

[minutz3]

Well, I converted this saturday, during Easter Vigil, and have been an atheist before that. I did look into other faiths as well, mostly the Quran. I've also been interested mostly in other churches of course, since it's a bit un-swedish to join the Catholic Church, but I found out that I couldn't deny The Truth. The Roman-Catholic Church, The One Church, has always been true to Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. Of course, there has been some individuals that have not been that good, but I believe in The Church and its authority, given to her by Jesus Christ Himself. It's not easy being a catholic, but it's the right thing to do.

Pax et Bonum.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Well, I converted this saturday, during Easter Vigil, and have been an atheist before that. I did look into other faiths as well, mostly the Quran. I've also been interested mostly in other churches of course, since it's a bit un-swedish to join the Catholic Church, but I found out that I couldn't deny The Truth. The Roman-Catholic Church, The One Church, has always been true to Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. Of course, there has been some individuals that have not been that good, but I believe in The Church and its authority, given to her by Jesus Christ Himself. It's not easy being a catholic, but it's the right thing to do.

Pax et Bonum.

wow that's great, thanks for sharing! Welcome!

God bless!

 

[PaladinofByzantium]

Copied from my new member intro (I finally was confirmed at Easter vigil last week):

In 2006 I converted to Christianity and was baptised into the Episcopal church in January 2007, being confirmed June the 10th of later that year. However, my reading of the Bible was beginning to lead me more towards the more ancient Christian traditions of Orthodoxy and the Church of Rome.

Solely by reading of scripture, with no outside influence from anyone, I came to the conclusion that the Roman Catholic Church was the one true physical manifestation of the Church Christ established, with other Churches sharing part of the Body and consequently the salvation it offers while in some circumstances being incomplete or imperfect (not meant in an insulting way, but in elucidating people as to how I felt when I reached this epiphany.) I quickly began to study Catholic apologetics, Augustine, Aquinas, patristic writings, and other texts which would educate me more about the Catholic faith. I am educated in Greek, Hebrew, German, and Latin, so I began to read theological works and scriptures in those texts as well, finding that the oldest manuscripts of scripture agreed with the Vulgate and Douay-Rheims far more than they did the King James Version, which was based on the much newer Masoretic Text. This further soldified my conversion and I quickly sought out a priest that I might undergo the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. I soon was confirmed on Holy Saturday 2008.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Costruire]

Out of interest, is there anybody here that has converted to Catholicism?

I, myself, am in the process of converting to the Catholic Church from the Anglican Communion and was really wondering whether others have had similar experiences. My own reasons were that there was no real faith anymore and that leaders were wasting there time trying to make the Church look "cool" and "modern" by pandering to atheistic and hedonistic ideals.

I'm in the process as well. I'm coming from a mixed background of both protestant and atheist upbringing, so it's been a bit of a bumpy ride so far, but it's going forward well. The reading and decision process was done on my own, without influence from anyone else (on the contrary, I had a few people try to convince me it was entirely the wrong direction to be going in). I am sure that this is the Chuch that Christ himself made, however, and that I am going in the right direction.

 

[MaximusFrancis]

Salvete,

I have joined the Catholic Church this past Easter Vigil, after spending my whole life in the Lutheran faith. After being confirmed Lutheran, I began a four year study of theology and Scripture, with the help of many friends, especially the user here, "Irenaeus". Eventually, led by the Grace of God through Scripture, theology, the early church fathers, and family and friends, I came to the truth that the Catholic Church is the One True Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ, whose authority was given to St. Peter. I have greatly rejoiced in my conversion an am eager to begin the spiritual journey as a Catholic. Pax tecum.

 

[CatholicFlame]

Praise the Lord brother.

Irenaeus must have been a good friend to help you. You have been blessed.

Probably now you can also help others who are in the same situation that you were in.

 

[Col]

I had my confirmation at this past Easter Vigil and am so happy. I have never felt so close to God as I have in the past year. I love the quiet and reflective times spent one on one with God during Mass. This quality time with God is priceless.

 

[CatholicFlame]

I had my confirmation at this past Easter Vigil and am so happy. I have never felt so close to God as I have in the past year. I love the quiet and reflective times spent one on one with God during Mass. This quality time with God is priceless.

Amen. what peace we have in His presence.

Col, have you gotten to be before the Lord in adoration yet? I really think that you will love it based on what you just said. I myself have had so much peace there. Jesus is truly present.

This link will help you to find the nearest Chapel to where you live. Probably well within driving distance.

just click on the gate.
http://www.therealpresence.org/

 

[helenofbritain]

I had my confirmation at this past Easter Vigil and am so happy. I have never felt so close to God as I have in the past year. I love the quiet and reflective times spent one on one with God during Mass. This quality time with God is priceless.

So.... what's the diocese of Canberra like? (Is Canberra a diocese? Does K-Rudd go to your church?) Did your son convert? Is he coming to World Youth Day?

Welcome!!!

 

[Virgil the Roman]

I had my confirmation at this past Easter Vigil and am so happy. I have never felt so close to God as I have in the past year. I love the quiet and reflective times spent one on one with God during Mass. This quality time with God is priceless.

Cool col, I hadn't known that you converted to the Holy Catholic Faith. May our Lord bless thee and all who are converting to his Holy Catholic Church. I have one friend in the process of converting, and one friend who I am encouraging to exploring to explore the Catholic faith, though currently he is uninterested, and instead studies the historical and philosophical aspects of Buddhism. Prayers for my friends if you please.

 

[Nimrauko]

....

 

[helenofbritain]

Welcome to OBOB!

Welcome back to the Church!

 

[Bartek]

Nimrauko@:
Your jewish heritage is the treasure. Take care about it.

 

[InTheCloud]

If you read the Dead Sea Scroll you will find how Jewish Apostolic Christianity really is.

 

[Reader Antonius]

There is a lengthy history to why I am converting, for technically I am still in the process.

I was born into a Catholic Family on my Dads side, and a Jewish Family on my Mothers side. I was raised jewish, and I strayed from that faith when I was 12 and was taken by the lure of Wicca. I began to look down on Christianity and Jesus and all that went on in "Christian Society." Well I continued down that path till I was 15 when my mother said that she thought I should try my fathers religion (They are divorced btw). I said no harm in it, so I found a local Catholic Church and began attending. I got a rosary from the family that took me. Well one day, I was shaving and accidentally cut my cheek. For some reason, and many may chastise me for doing it but I dont know why I did it, but I felt compelled to put the cross of the rosary (Which I kept with me always) on the cut. When I removed the cross, the blood welled up in the center of the back of the cross in a perfect dome and the cut on my cheek was gone. No sign that it had ever been there. To me this was a miracle, I dont know the exact specifications but it was a display of the divines power. This swayed me, and I forsake my old ways of Wicca.

When I moved out of my mothers house the following year, I began going back to the synagogue and stayed with it till recently. However the whole time, I felt the tug of Jesus calling me back, but I resisted because I viewed Christianity was to exclusive and bigoted so I put that on Christ. I finally had an epiphany and saw that I was quite misguided and in my heart I felt the urgent need to continue down the path of Catholicism and become a Catholic. So here I am, in all my flawed glory and for the first time in a long time I feel peace and comfort.

Have you taken a look at Hebrew Catholicism?

http://hebrewcatholic.org/

 

[Reader Antonius]

Many people have told me that my personal journey Home (which is not finished yet)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Peace be with you!

After about two years of catechesis, struggle, and working with God’s Grace, I was fully initiated into the Body of Christ through the Mysteries of Confirmation and the Eucharist yesterday evening. By the Grace of the undivided Trinity, I believe and confess that the Holy Spirit of God descended upon me allowing me to share in the Pentecostal mystery. After my anointing with the sacred chrism, I was allowed to come to the Lord’s Table where I received the Sacred Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I desire to share this experience as a testament to the Glory of God, who is blessed unto the ages of ages!

In the past few months prior to last night, I struggled with deep questions. As I noted in my testimony here on OBOB, I did not receive the sacraments last year do to scrupulousness and a lack of trust in God. As the months approached close to the date of Initiation this year I was fraught with doubts, scruples, and anxiety. There was nothing factually that would cause me to doubt, rather it was a feeling of uncertainty that my Confirmation may be invalid (although again, nothing factually suggested that it would). I was also plagued with fears that I had committed a mortal sin, even though I was unaware of committing one prior to my Initiation. I have discerned, after long discussions with my priest and deacon, that these anxieties and doubts were the work of the Evil One.

So, I turned to the Lord my God and made a heartfelt act of Faith in Him. In short, I told Him that despite my doubt I choose to believe in His Word regardless of my doubt and that I would live my life as if there was no doubt and trust that God would one-day grant me confident Faith. I let go (with tears) of my inhibitions and feelings, and I clung to my Savior, to His promises and His love. I surrendered my will and fears to His Will, trusting that He would be Faithful. Still, the act of faith did not do away with my feelings of worry or doubt. However, I had placed my trust in God’s Holy Word and had “set my face like flint” to do His Will.

I am glad that I did.

On the morning and afternoon of the day prior to the celebration, my worst episode of Satanic attack hit me. The fear boiled down to my scruples in which I feared that I had committed a mortal sin. If I had committed a mortal sin, I would be unable be Initiated. I made an examination of conscience and determined that I had committed some sin, however as far as I knew they were not grave sins AND I was not aware of any grave sin. Still I desired to come to the Cross in Confession prior to Confirmation to allay my fear, but after desperate attempts to locate a priest I was unable to find one who could hear my Confession.

At that point, which was about 20 minutes prior to the actual Initiation Liturgy, I was faced with a choice:

Would I give in to my fears and doubts, even though as far as I knew there was nothing substantial to those feelings?

OR

Would I place my trust in the Lord God, and cling to His promises to be Faithful to His Covenant?

I chose to trust in God.

So I entered the waiting area to sit and wait for the procession into the Church. Due to the discernment of my pastor, I was to be Confirmed with a group of middle-school kids. There was a girl there whom I had met before though who showed me Christ. I should probably mention her somewhat to make this recollection more comprehensive.

Her name was Emma, and she was (I assume) a devout cradle Catholic probably 12 or 13. I had met her at the Confirmation Retreat, and my first impression of her was that she was truly blessed. I remember thinking and later telling her that she will make a great saint. Despite her age, she exuded a love for the Lord Jesus and His Bride. At the rehearsal, a day before the Initiation, she had asked me why I had not gone to Communion with the other kids. When I responded that this Confirmation Mass would be my First Communion her eyes lit up and she told me she was so happy for me. Her love for the Lord shined within my doubting soul and I saw Christ in her.

….But back to the story……

When the time came for the procession, we all lined up in the waiting room and made our way to the Church. After processing in under the crossed swords of a group of Columbian knights, we sat down and waited for the service to begin. Emma was sitting a few seats away from me and, thanks be to God, the 8th grade kids finally were being quiet. The Mass began with the usual rites including of course Bible reading which focused on the God the Holy Spirit within the Scriptures. After the readings, the Dean-priest of our area of the state, who came in place of the bishop (our diocese, as of now, has no bishop), gave a stirring homily. He was a black priest from the good Ol’South and his preaching rivaled that of the Baptists. In his homily he urged us (the candidates) to remember that we are salt to the world. He urged us to go out and proclaim the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His homily moved me and I will no doubt never forget those words, which, I believe, were the Words of the Holy Spirit.

Then came the time to renew my baptismal promises. Due to the fact that I was baptized as an infant, the profession of Faith necessary for salvation was made for me by my parents and godparents in union with the whole Church. Now that I was of age, I was called to profess my faith myself which I did with all my strength. In that moment, I renewed before God and His Church, the ancient creed. After we professed our Faith, the dean and our pastor (who was also administering the Sacrament) raised their hands over the crowd of candidates and called down the Blessed Spirit in prayer. Then we filed up to either the dean, or in my case, the pastor to receive the anointing.

I was in the second row praying for God’s Spirit to come upon me, to complete what began almost 19 years ago. When it was my turn, I walked up to my pastor with my sponsor and was Chrismated on my forehead. After the words of Chrismation were said, I gave a hearty “AMEN!” to which my pastor smiled. After exchanging with him the sign of peace, I went back to my seat. I soon realized, even as I was going to sit down, that some, actually quite a bit, of the Holy Chrism had gotten on to my hands, much to my joyous delight. I could smell the sweet balsam and I thought: “I am a sweet fragrance for Christ!” As I was sitting in my seat waiting for the others to be Confirmed, I engaged in prayer. My soul cried out to God in thanks for the gift of His Spirit, and even though I could not see the Holy Spirit, I knew that with the imposition of the Chrism I had been forever sealed, I was now a true bondservant of the undivided Triune God. Placing my hands to cup my face, I breathed in the deep scent of my new life in Christ.

After the Chrismations had been completed, it was time for prayer. We beseeched the Lord to hear our prayers as we made intercessions for the world. When we were done, we all sat to wait as the sacred altar was prepared for the Sacrifice of the Eucharist. As the Table was prepared, I again prayed for God’s Grace. I realized that the moment I had so long awaited for was soon about to take place. When the gifts had been brought and the Altar prepared, we stood for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I bowed my head in adoration at the Anaphora when by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of Christ the bread and wine changed substance into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through the Thrice Holy Hymn and the Anamnesis I professed my Faith and worshipped my Living God. I then gave my assent of Faith with the Great Amen along with all the Church. Then the entire Church prayed to the True Father in Heaven in the words Christ taught us. After which (or maybe before, I don’t quite remember the exact sequence at the moment) we made the sign of peace. As I gave the handshake to my brothers and sister in Christ, I came to Emma. I gave her God’s peace and with love in my heart called her my sister.

Then came the Lamb of God when the Eucharistic host was broken. I meant every prayer with my heart especially when I said, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you…”

Very soon after this came the moment of Communion when the priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers came down and went to their stations. As the Communion hymn started to play and the kids started to file up, my hands began to tremble. I prayed to the Lord professing to Him my faith in His spotless Mystery, and asked Him to commune with me in the Eucharist. Soon, it was my turn to approach my pastor for the Sacred Flesh. My hands trembled, albeit easily since they were covered with Chrism, as I went up and upon the words, “The Body of Christ” I gave my heartfelt Amen saying with my heart, “Yes Lord, I believe!” I received the spotless Body of Christ on my tongue and gnawed on and then swallowed His Flesh. I then approached the extraordinary minister who held the chalice containing the Blood of Christ. This Sacred Blood, poured out to cleanse me of my sexual sin, my idolatry, my apostasy, was offered to me with the words of Truth: “The Blood of Christ.” With another true Amen, I drank of the Blood of the Risen King. After I had received Communion I went back to sit down, with hands still trembling.

At that moment I knew that I, like Mary, carried Christ within me spiritually and physically. I though to myself (I think I may have even prayed this) that now my Savior had become the Flesh of my flesh, and the Bone of my bone. Halleluyah!

As I sat there contemplating how long I had waited for that moment and what it meant, I felt tears begin in my eyes. At first, I wanted to cry but I was hesitant to do so. I had never cried before in Church. But a post-Communion hymn soon began to play called “All in All.”

Anyway, the lady who sung it praised the Lord beautifully and as I began to recall what Jesus meant to me and what He had done in my life prior to that day, I couldn’t help it and quite frankly I didn’t want to stop it. I took my glasses off and cried. It wasn’t that loud wailing, but rather, a gentle sort of cry. Tears welled in my eyes and my chest trembled as I cried inside. It was like a quiet sobbing and I knew that others could see me but I didn’t care anymore. As the song continued to play I worshipped God without even praying. It was love for Christ, gratitude for what He had done for me, but also the love that I felt knowing that He did it for me out of His Love. All the stupid and immoral things I had done hadn’t cancelled His love for me. No, not at all, and to prove it He allowed me to consume Him and be with Him intimately as Heaven on Earth. Now that I look back, I kind of imagine it as if I was laying my head on Jesus’ chest sobbing in His arms.

So I sobbed for as long as Communion lasted. I finally forced myself to stop, but I think I may have started again spontaneously. Anyway, I eventually stopped noting that I wasn’t the only one crying even though I wasn’t sure who was. We as a Church thanked the dean for coming in place of the bishop, and for his awesome Spirit-filled preaching. Then there was a benediction and we processed out and around the Church to a place where we were to take a group picture. I remember seeing Emma. She stood next to me and told me, with her gentle, loving voice, something to the effect of “Why did you have to go and cry? You got me started.” Not knowing what to say in response I blurted out a “sorry” which she met with “I am so happy for you.” After being bombarded with flashing camera lights, we were allowed to go to our families for a Church dinner/reception. Before I went to my parents I stopped to speak with Emma. Her face yet again shined with Christ (not to mention gleaming Chrism), and we talked for a few seconds. Then she told me that, “I have nothing of value except this,” and with that traced the sign of the Cross on my chrism-covered forehead giving me her blessing. I was moved and I returned the gesture blessing her likewise as my sister. Never before have I seen such depth of Faith in someone so young.

The rest of the story is little more that some fellowship, hugs, and smiles. There was great love in the Church last night. The love was palpable. As so often happens to me, a man who I didn’t know came up to me and basically asked me if I was going to become a priest. With the many instances of this I am beginning to wonder whether God is trying to get my attention.

Even as I type this, I can smell the sweet Chrism’s scent on my head. With a mere nod of the head I am reminded of my new life in Christ.

After trying to find happiness in Paganism, Buddhism, Protestantism, and Shintoism and finding silence; after indulging in fleshly pleasures and finding emptiness; after running from God only to learn that I cannot live without Him; I am finally Home where I belong:

In the arms of Jesus Christ, He who knew me in my mother’s womb and knit my flesh together, He who love me and redeemed me on a cross of wood, and He whom I love and desire to love even more.

Thank all of you here on OBOB who have been with me on this long journey. Thank you for your prayers, your support, and your answers to my endless questions. May Almighty God Bless all of you, I look forward to being here as a fully-initiated Christian.

Peace be with you all,

-Anthony John

 

[nucat78]

I haven't been able to read through everything, but I've seen some interesting stories here. I am beginning an exploration of Catholicism, so this isn't really a conversion story.

I was raised Lutheran and had an old European pastor when I was young who used to slam the RCC every chance he had. About 5 years ago, I left the Lutheran Church and joined a Methodist congregation. I started missing my LC roots and visited an ELCA church in a regular basis. It is a welcoming place but I'm afraid the powers that be are way too liberal for my tastes.

It seems to me that the RCC actually stands for something instead of catering to politics and gays and whatever else the popular cause du jour is. I don't understand all RCC doctrine but I feel like the Church is a genuine church and the sense of history is amazing. And yes, I know there have been scandals and sexual abuse and abuse of power by members of the RCC.

I attended a morning mass last Sunday, almost on a whim, and it didn't feel like home but it did feel real. So I guess the next thing to do is see if this is the right path for me or if it's just a passing infatuation.

 

[Bartek]

nucat78@:
no one said, the way to truth is easy. if you doubt - you are normal. only fanatics have no problems with their religion. i'm catholic, i believe RCC is the correct path. But i don't understand all points and rules of doctrine. an maybe i never will. but i trust in Jesus. i will pray for you

 

[Col]

So.... what's the diocese of Canberra like? (Is Canberra a diocese? Does K-Rudd go to your church?) Did your son convert? Is he coming to World Youth Day?

Welcome!!!

The diocese is Canberra and Goulburn. I don't have anything to compare it to but I feel very much at home wherever I go. Can't say I have seen Kevin at Mass. My son is only 7 and Autistic, however he really enjoys the structured routine of mass and particularly enjoys the "giving a sign of peace" and likes to shake as many hands as possible. He prefers the small midweek services (which I take him to during school holidays) to the Large Sunday gatherings. Too many people can be overwhelming for him. He doesn't make a scene or anything he just quietly lets me know he needs to go the toilet, which is really just an excuse to leave the crowded church and be somewhere alone and quite for a while. In these instances he always make sure we get back to mass in time for him to get his "Blessing" during the eucharist which he also enjoys.

Col