I feel so drawn to Catholicism, what does this mean?

Question

whenever I pass by a Catholic Church, I feel very at peace for some reason.

I have been studying Catholicism and what's it all about for that very same reason, but I still don't know what to do. it seems like I am from the outside just looking in, standing in amazement and awe.

being a non-Christian, I really don't know what draws me to Catholicism.

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then again, maybe because I am in constant search for answers to our very existence.
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idahomike3, do you want to know why I only feel drawn to Catholicism instead to other protestant denomination?
it's because I don't hear any bashings from the Catholic Church. maybe that's the reason why I feel at peace in Catholicism.

Answer 1

I find sitting in a chapel to be one of the most peaceful things also , and I am not Catholic
but if I were to choose one of the Abrahamic faiths , it would be Catholicism
go with your heart ... see where it leads

Answer 2

We Catholics have a word for this uncertainty about what a feeling like this represents - we call it "discernment." A tiny wee voice is asking you to look into it, and your first response to that voice need only be a few small steps. You don't have to make any big decisions at this point - right now, you're probably just looking to learn a little more, and see if this is for you.

If that is so, you should consider taking part in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) at a Catholic parish. RCIA is what you might call an adult education course in Catholicism - one that's focused on the basics. People who are planning to convert would take this course, but not just would be converters do this.

Seekers can too. There's no obligation to actually go all the way and convert if you start taking part. You can treat it as just a "come and see" opportunity to investigate something that is intriguing you.

If you're interested in finding out a bit more, drop me an email, and I might be able to help you track down information about RCIA in the area you live in.

Answer 3

I too was drawn to Catholicism for many years before I surrendered to the Spirit that drew me. I was a Protestant minister and had been in the same church for all of my then 50 years. I made a mistake by not heeding the Spirits call for so long and I pray that you will not make the same mistake as I. Go to the local parish and at least take the RCIA classes to see if it is what has been drawing you . The worst that will happen is that you will learn the truth about the Catholic faith and practice. May the Lord bless you on your journey.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 4

I think that this is a sign that you feel drawn by God's Holy Spirit to Catholicism. Please do me a favor though and ask around about the individual parish that you are interested, there is a different emphasis from parish to parish. I would look for an emphasis on following church teaching and a great respect and honor for the pope. If they do not have these things in place you may want to check with another parish.

But go in one, and ask a priest about starting a class to join. It will change your entire life.

E-mail me and I can give you more info or refer you to someone who is extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of it. I can also give you web links to some great info.

Sparks

Answer 5

Hi Velvet, I am late in reading and responding to your post but that really does not matter as you have received several excellant answers that tell the truth regarding the beauty of Catholicism, so I just wanted to add for your information and anyone else who may be interested about a very good book that is called``Born Fundamentalist born again Catholic`` by David.B.Currie, it is printed by Ignatius Press(San Francisco) and it is a very honest account by the author of his discovery of the truth of Catholicism.
God bless.

Answer 6

Pastor Billy says: you are so right. Generally Catholics are not raised on an endless drivel of anti-Protestant propaganda like non-Catholic Christians. The difference is Protestantism only exists by protesting Catholicism or more correctly protesting what they THINK it to be, whereas Catholicism doesn't have to be true to disprove Protestantism.

The reason you are drawn to the Church as you pass by the physical building is because Jesus is truly in there both spiritually and physically. Learn more on Catholicism and you'll understand better. It is said Catholicism is the fulfilment of Judaism.

Don't let the screen-name fool you because of all the abuse Catholics receive my screen name is a parody on poor Protestant instruction

addendum: Monica sounds confused Christianity is the religion. Many times non-Catholics speak a different language or a one in which terms are reinvented. What Monica calls "religion" she means to say denomination. Catholicism has never claimed to be just one more denomination it has always taught there is but one Church created by Jesus Christ and led by his apostles and bishops.
The false dichotomy of pitting the Church against God just doesn't wash simply because the Church is the body and Christ is the head, without the Church we would not have the written scripture, without the Church we would not hear the gospel, without the Church we would be outside God's plan of salvation. It is never either or simply because God did not plan it that way

Answer 7

Do not be too hasty to change churches or denominations. It is not unusual for a new Christian to feel this way. It is called growing pains. I am not Baptist, I am non-denominational Christian. If you hated Catholicism before, you will hate it again---nothing has change over the years. It may not be God that is speaking to you---it may be Satan. He is very cleaver at disguising himself and he is very subtle in his suggestions. People who change churches frequently are confused. You need to stick to one church for a while and set some roots in your Christian life. The Baptist church is a good place to do this. My Christian education is Baptist in background and I have no problem with their teachings. In fact, the study Bible that I use is published by Liberty University. Pray a great deal about this and seek the advice of your Pastor. Please do not make any decision on your own. Read John 15:5 and take it to heart. Jesus loves you.

Answer 8

With joy swelling in my heart, I wanted to tell you welcome home.

The draw you feel is God calling you home. What a gift. I strongly encourage you to speak with a priest; he is the first step and guide to helping you on your journey to the Faith. If you are an adult, he will point you to RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). These are the religious classes that will teach you the Faith. I am also a convert to Catholicism; I went through RCIA 2 years ago at the age of 30 - best decision of my life. I can tell you straight up that I get the same feelings you do - when I pass a church, I tend to look at it with longing, adoring eyes. It’s like a love wells up in my heart for a dear loved one. I cross myself, and relish in the peace of Jesus. I do have my sins and struggles, but I can’t begin to tell you the joy, the peace I have come to know by being in my Father’s house. The Church has answered so much in my life, and I’m learning more from Her every day. At times there are no words to describe how I feel.

I sincerely pray that God graces you the same as He has graced me, and even more. Speak with a priest, tell him what you’re looking for. He’ll be so glad you did.

Once again, God bless you and welcome home.

Answer 9

By now, you know which voices here to ignore. You'd think, though, that they get special brownie points for diverting a seeker away from the Church, for all the vehemence with which they denounce it. Only the self-righteous condemn, though, and Jesus had some sharp words for that type.

Evolver's advice is sound. You really couldn't go wrong by doing as he suggests. May the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, continue to draw you nearer to Him.

Answer 10

Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This means that his Church will never be destroyed and will never fall away from him. His Church will survive until his return. Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The Protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. (Most of today’s Protestant churches are actually offshoots of the original Protestant offshoots.) Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing. The line of popes can be traced back, in unbroken succession, to Peter himself. This is unequaled by any institution in history: Even the oldest government is new compared to the papacy. The Catholic Church has existed for nearly 2,000 years, despite constant opposition from the world. This is testimony to the Church’s divine origin: Any merely human organization would have collapsed long ago. The Catholic Church is today the most vigorous church in the world (and the largest, with a billion members: one sixth of the human race), and that is testimony not to the cleverness of the Church’s leaders, but to the protection of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ Church is called catholic ("universal" in Greek) because it is his gift to all people. He told his apostles to go throughout the world and make disciples of "all nations" (Matt. 28:19–20). For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this mission, preaching the good news that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us to be members of his universal family (Gal. 3:28). Nowadays the Catholic Church is found in every country of the world and is still sending out missionaries to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). The Church Jesus established was known by its most common title, "the Catholic Church," at least as early as the year 107, when Ignatius of Antioch used that title to describe the one Church Jesus founded. The title apparently was old in Ignatius’s time, which means it went all the way back to the time of the apostles.

Answer 11

Perhaps it is because Jesus Christ Himself is physically present in every Catholic Church. His body and blood (the Blessed Sacrament) are kept in the tabernacle of each parish night and day.

God bless you and bring you to the true Church.

Love in Christ
Anne