Is converting to and practicing Catholicism difficult?

Question

Two years ago I seriously considered converting to Catholicism. Today, I am once again. It's hard, all that memorization, and all the traditions and rites. I went to a mass once and felt like an alien. I was turned off by that alienation feeling too, felt that Catholicism only works for cradle catholics.

Answer 1

Being a Catholic isn't about memorization. I'm sorry if something along the way has caused you to think that. Learning prayers, etc will come with time.

There are many people who have converted. In my experience, it is the Catholic converts who actually know more about the faith than the cradle Catholics.

Attend Mass on a regular basis. It will start making sense, I promise!

Can I suggest going to your local parish and asking about the RCIA program? RCIA is a series of classes for people considering converting to the Catholic faith. By attending the early classes, you aren't agreeing to anything, you are only learning more about the Church.

Also, I highly recommend reading some conversion stories; stories of/by people who converted to Catholicism. I think you'll find them incredibly insightful and helpful. A few of my favorites are:

"Rome Sweet Home" by Scott and Kimberly Hahn
and
"Surprised by Truth" by Patric Madrid

Below I am including some websites where you can order FREE tapes and CDs! The second one has two very powerful conversion stories on CD; Scott Hahn and Father John Corapi.

May God bless you on your journey.

Answer 2

It's only overwhelming because it's unfamiliar. The rituals are 90% repetition and not all Catholics do them all. Sunday Mass is the primary liturgy, and after a few months, it will be very straightforward for you. There are special ceremonies on special days, but they each happen only once a year.

Of course the important thing is understanding what Catholics believe. Every parish has a process for preparing newcomers called the Catechumenate or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). You can arrange to attend some Inquiry sessions, which are basically unscripted question and answer sessions to provide information to the inquirer about Catholicism. If it still sounds like a good idea, the inquirer becomes a Catechumen, or if previously baptized in a Trinitarian faith, a Candidate for Confirmation. Both types spend a good part of a year using the Sunday readings as a springboard for discussing the various aspects of Catholic Christianity and developing their own spirituality with a Catholic volunteer sponsor who can share their own experience. During Lent, self-examination becomes important, as the seeker comes to a final decision: Is this faith right for me? If all is still well, they become full members of the Church during the Easter Vigil service.

During this time, you would become acquainted with the greater majority of beliefs, techings, devotions, practices and traditions of Catholicism. You would probably meet a variety of Catholics with different personalities and attitudes toward their faith. It's a big tent with a wide variety of outlooks, from "charismatic" to conservative to liberal, some into obscure private devotions and some into social action networking. Catholicism "works" as well for everyone, raised or converted. It's just a matter of deciding how you want to participate.

Answer 3

Converting to Catholicism shouldn't be difficult.

I used to teach RCIA - the classes for those who want to become Catholic. You normally take the classes for about 6 months and then you are baptized and confirmed on Easter Sunday. The classes normally met once a week - or twice a month depending on what church you are in.

These classes are often misunderstood by outsiders. They are a chance for all those interested in becoming Catholic to get a firm grasp on the roots and traditions of their faith. And to ask practicing Catholics about the faith. You really shouldn't have to memorize anything. If you would like - many Catholic book stores sell Catholic prayer books, that have the entire litany of the mass in them - with the four year reading plan. Along with other prayers and help.

Taking these classes doesn't make you Christian. Catholics believe the only way you can do that is to put faith in Jesus. And then through that faith, show your love for God through your deeds. The classes offer support for faith, and a chance to understand where all of this comes from.

Ask your local churches when they are starting new classes. It should be in the fall. Some offer one-on-one counseling also. RCIA teachers don't bite, and are there to help you learn and grow.

Taking these classes

Answer 4

The ease of conversion and practice is different for every convert.

I have been involved in the conversion process, the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) and, while a lot of growth and some learning is expected, little or no memorization is required.

This seems to work for many people. In 2006, there were 80,817 adult baptisms and an additional 73,684 baptized adults were received into full communion with the Church. And that's only in the United States.

You might want to try a different parish this time.

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 5

I converted to Catholicism in almost 8 years ago, so I know it can be overwhelming. If you keep studying and going to Mass, though, I promise it WILL get better. If you turn out to be anything like the average convert, you will know and understand Catholicism far better than the average cradle Catholic!

"Catholicism for Dummies" is a better book than "Complete Idiot's
Guide", and if you need something even more basic, the Pius X and Baltimore Catechisms are wonderful and available online:

http://www.ewtn.com/library/CATECHSM/PIUSXCAT.HTM
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14554/14554.txt

Answer 6

True Catholicism results in perfect freedom, and converts have proven to be some of the most effective at practicing and greatly benefitting from their Catholic faith.

What you perceive as rules and rituals are simply the means to an end ... and a very, very good end, at that.

Quit procrastinating, set aside your fears, and get busy.

Ecc 3:1 All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.

Send for my free Catholic Resource CD and you can experience the fundamental truths, principles, and practices of Catholicism for yourself, in a simple, easy to understand, point and click format.

Answer 7

Keep in mind that the memorized prayers and traditions aren't an end-in-themselves, but are created to help up grow in holiness and strength so that we might be more open to doing God's will.

Don't shy away from Catholic Christianity because you're sitting in the shallow end of the pool: all those people who seem to know what's going on have been there for years, and I hope you try and met helpful ones.

Answer 8

If it doesn't make sense and feels alien to you, then why are you considering converting to Catholicism? Its obvious you don't really want to do it or it would feel comfortable to you.

I know a great deal about Catholicism since my entire family (but me) is Catholic. Its no more difficult than any other Christian religion, and about as ridiculous, based in as much fantasy.

Answer 9

The only thing I can suggest is, if you plan on converting to a new Christian denomination, or to a new religion entirely different from your own, read everything about the religion, get to know it inside out.

If for some reason, during your educational period you come across something, such as a particular doctrine, that turns you off completely, you may want to rethink converting to the religion.


Good luck.

Answer 10

Learning a new religion is just as hard as leaning a new language. I had a religion since I was a child, I would never change mine. It is nice to choose what suites you though. If you like that religion then learn as you go with no rush. Personally I do not attend mass much. I like it but I rather pray at home. It is less distracting and no one to check out what I am wearing.