What I Was Before I Became a Catholic
I was raised in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. I attended a Lutheran school from kindergarten through eighth grade. That church was a huge part of my life all the way through high school.
Why I Converted to Catholicism
In college I began dating the man who is now my husband. I remember when I found out he was Catholic that I thought, "Oh, darn" (or something similar). We began dating at the end of our freshman year. My senior year I decided I needed to do some praying and reading to discern whether I should convert. I borrowed my boyfriend's copy of The Catholic Catechism by Fr. John Hardon and read it cover to cover. I was shocked when I realized that, intellectually, I couldn't find anything to argue with. It all made sense to me. At that point, I felt that I had to convert.
How I Converted to Catholicism
I began by talking to the priest at the church my boyfriend attended. We had taken a basic "Introduction to Catholicism" class at the church a year or so before, so that I could learn more about the Catholic Faith. Because I already knew so much (the Lutheran Church has a fair amount that is shared with the Catholic Church) and had taken that introductory class, the priest gave me the option of not taking the full RCIA class. He said I could meet with him privately for a time to go over what I still needed to learn about the Catholic Faith. I was confirmed in the spring of 1990 at a Mass with my fiancé, Scott, as my sponsor. Scott's parents and sisters and my parents were also there. Converting to Catholicism was the best decision I ever made, and I have not regretted it for even a second. Thank you, Scott, for introducing me to the Catholic Faith.
Advice
- Read. Read good books. The Catechism is a wonderful resource for factual information.
- Talk to Catholics who are knowledgeable about their faith.
- Pray.
- Don't let people who disagree with you talk you out of doing what you know is right.
- Get involved in your parish.
