r/CatholicConverts

I started OCIA at a local parish a few months ago, and I've spent a few hundred hours researching catholic theology since then. One thing I keep noticing is people saying something like, "The church held X doctrine (or tradition) for 90% of church history, until Vatican II changed it." Are these types of things as prevalent as social media makes it out to be and, if so, how should I reconcile that? This has been the hardest thing for me to deal with since I started this process.

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Hi everyone!
After attending Mass and spending time listening to different Catholic YouTube channels and podcasts, my fiancé and I have decided to convert to Catholicism! We’re both incredibly happy and excited about this decision, and we’ve started attending OCIA.
That being said, we’re quickly realizing just how much there is to ilearn about the faith! Between the saints, different prayers, traditions, Church history, and teachings, it can feel a little overwhelming trying to figure out where to even begin.
We know we’ll learn a lot through OCIA, but we’re both eager to dive deeper and continue learning on our own. I’ve already purchased a few books, including Why Be Catholic?, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and, of course, the Bible.
I guess what we’re really looking for is something a little more structured—a book, video series, study guide, or even a suggested reading order that walks you through Catholicism from the ground up. Something that helps connect all the pieces rather than jumping from one topic to another.
For those of you who converted, or even lifelong Catholics who have deepened their understanding of the faith, what resources helped you the most? If you were starting from scratch, what would you recommend learning first?
We’re so excited about this journey and want to build a strong foundation, but we’re not quite sure where to start!
Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

I have just started OCIA classes at my local Parish. I have been off and on going to Sunday mass for 2 years. I started going for the first time with my boyfriend who is now my fiance. I have never been religious I've always been not interested in it. I find it hard to just believe in something. I'm not sure why. Religion was never pushed on me by my mother because she was forced to be a Jehovah's Witness from her mother. I considered myself agnostic, I believe there has to be something more in this world just not sure what. My fiance really wants me to become Catholic so I'm trying to do that. I also struggle with mental health and he says it could be good for me to find God since that's the only method I have not tried. I took the Alpha course and really enjoyed it, I felt something I'm just not sure what. It's like I'm parallel to it I see what people see I just can't find that connection to fully believe and have faith. I enjoy the community and I'm involved more than my fiance is. I also struggle with some of the beliefs but I feel like to fully commit to a religion I need to feel more and actually have faith and believe 100% or else it feels like I'm lying to God. My fiance says I'm not trying because I'm not adding an effort or reading the Bible or I don't understand certain parts even though I am trying. As a person trying to enter with no previous religion is there any resources someone can recommend or advice on how to get into it more? My fiance said I should just read or watch videos on the history and art and architecture since those are areas of interest but I'm just looking for more information or maybe advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Me, 22M, recently de converted from Christianity after years of belief. I live in the south, and grew up Presbyterian. I’ve always loved science, philosophy, and theology, but recently I’ve had some irreconcilable issues with the New Testament especially that slowly drifted me towards agnosticism. I’ve been agnostic for a few months now, but recently met a new Catholic convert around my age. He’s gone through a lot of similar experiences as me, and Catholicism has always been on my radar, even when I was a Christian, but I haven’t been convinced.

I’m gonna try to go to OCIA and learn more, ask questions, and see what it’s about. I don’t know the etiquette for Catholics, do I wear a suit to mass? Am I welcome in mass? Just what would you say to a person approaching conversion in terms of being respectful.

Hi! I’m only 16 and I’ve been wondering kung anong age yung legally pwede na mag pa convert? Kase hindi ko talaga feel dito.

It’s not that I despite my religion. Pero growing up, I’ve always felt like na obligation lang namin sumimba, not for God, but because we’re a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo and we’re required to. Parents ko sobrang strict pag dating sa mga schedules nila, na para bang ikakamatay ng nanay ko kapag hindi kami sumamba. As in dati pa, ganon na sila. Sobrang galit na galit. Kaya never ko talagang nakita itong place to worship God or to strengthen your faith kay God. Hindi ko talaga na fe-feel dito sa Iglesia, para lang talaga ako sinasakal dito help.

I’m am a 60 year old divorced Grandmother. I was never Baptized and had very little religious exposure as a child. My Daughter married a Catholic man and eventually went through RCIA and was Baptized, Confirmed and took her first Communion Easter Vigil 2018. She ultimately started teaching Faith Formation (Catechism) to the little ones. I would help her with the weekly lessons. Not at the Church, but did the Power Points and admin stuff. I learned things I never knew. I thought John the Baptist was a Baptist, as in Southern style. Learned that Eve’s eating from the forbidden tree is what caused women to have pain in Child Birth. I learned the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were all one and not 3 separate people. Made me hungry for more. So I started OCIA last month. I am the only one there that is not Baptized. As a matter of fact I am the only one in this class that doesn’t know the difference between scripture, the gospels and Holy Spirit. I pray but feel nothing. So I write letters to God…. I still feel nothing. I’ve been doing the Bible in a Year thing, but am only at Exodus. The Bible is no easy weekend read. It is intense and quite brutal and shocking. When can’t I feel him. Why is there no sign. Nothing. Are people telling the truth when they say the feel his presence ? I had late stage Ovary Cancer 15 years ago. I am the only survivor in my group. I may have made a deal with the devil to let me live. Is the devil blocking me from the Devine ? Any advice would be so appreciated.

I am having a crisis of faith. I am very drawn to the OPC. I cannot stop thinking about predestination, and how it makes the most sense. I have looked into Augustine and Banez's theology, even the Jansenists, but Calvin's seems much simpler. I am drawn to serious scripture analysis, and an overall more simple and straightforward faith.

I never was drawn to any protestant denomination before, I could certainly never be a baotist evangelical with all the yelling and it seems to be more about them than God.

But, double predestination seems to make the most sense if God is all-powerful and all-knowing.

What made you leave?

I'm currently in OCIA and I've been trying to take it seriously and learn. I've always believed in God but throghout my life I was pretty passive and almost lazy about it sometimes, especially now because I'm in a rigorous grad school program so I feel like I have no time for anything.

Specifically, I've always struggled with prayer. I struggle with praying consistently and even praying over certain things. Like I truly love praying for others but when it comes to prayering for certain things for myself, I just can't bring myself to do it because I believe God doesn't want to do it or it's too impossible. I feel like I'm crazy for this

Since October is the month of the Holy Rosary I thought it would be good a idea to become familiar with it and try to learn how to pray it. I actually have a rosary and while I don't know how to pray the rosary prayer, holding it already gives me peace. I've heard it's one of the most powerful prayers there is.

However, there's a few stumbling blocks I have about that I would love for someone to help clear up. I really don't mean to be rude, I just want to understand:

1. Why do we specfically say the creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, etc while we pray it? Out of all the prayers we could say, why those?

2. I know we're supposed to meditate on the mysteries of Jesus while praying it, but why does it seem like we're just praying to Mary during it? Especially because of all of the Hail Marys and Hail Holy Queen at the end? This is truly the hardest thing for me to wrap my mind around

3. How exactly am I supposed to meditate on the mysteries if I'm saying a prayer? Like my brain can't multitask and think about it if I'm trying to say all 10 Hail Marys at the same time

I also have another question about prayer in general:

4. I know Catholics believe in asking the saints for intercession because they're closer to God than we are since they're in Heaven with Him. However, I feel like that implies that God takes priority in listening to saints' prayer or anyone who's closer to Him over me. Perhaps that's the point, but that kind of makes me feel even more discouraged in praying for some things...

I appreciate if someone can help me understand this topics!!