In my own conversion, I was surprised by how I had no roadblocks at all from family or friends. Christians have a keen eye for the work of the Holy Spirit. I'm glad your protestant friends could recognize His hand leading you!
Hello there - no idea how I came across your Substack. Coincidentally, I’m a neighbor. By that I mean, I can hear the bell tower of your school from my back deck. I share that just to say, I know the setting you live in during this process. I’ve gone through a somewhat similar conversion experience, and it’s confusing, and tough, and good Christian people can make you feel like such an outcast. I’d just encourage you keep saying yes to the Lord. Sometimes it’s horrifying, but He’s always with you, and He’s worth it.
I am happy for this step. The way God worked through the conversations you described was neat. I am happy because I know the true Church of Jesus Christ. It is the Catholic Church. This is the whole Christ that you will belong to. I will pray for you and for your friends. You need the Church and the Church needs you. I recently read how the Church was called the world reconciled. Enjoy your personal and more complete reconciliation with God !
“Let us love our Lord God, let us love His Church: Him as a Father, Her as a Mother; Him as a Lord, Her as His Handmaid, as we are ourselves the Handmaid’s sons.
But this marriage is held together by a bond of great love. No man offends the one, and wins favor of the other.
Let no man say, ‘I go indeed to the idols, I consult possessed ones and fortune tellers, yet I abandon not God’s Church, I am a Catholic.’
While you hold to your Mother, you have offended your Father.
Another says, ‘Far be it from me; I consult no sorcerer, I seek out no possessed one, I never ask advice by sacrilegious divination, I go not to worship idols, I bow not before stones, though I am in the party of Donatus [heresy/schism].’
What does it profit you not to have offended your Father, if he avenges your offended Mother? What does it serve you, if you acknowledge the Lord, honor God, preach His name, acknowledge His Son, confess that He sits by His right hand, while you blaspheme His Church? Does not the analogy of human marriages convince you?…
Hold then, most beloved, hold all with one mind to God the Father, and the Church our Mother. Celebrate with temperance the birthdays of the Saints, that we may imitate those who have gone before us, and that they who pray for you may rejoice over you, that ‘the blessing of the Lord may abide on you forevermore.’ Amen and Amen.”
As many Catholics like to say, "Welcome Home".
In my own conversion, I was surprised by how I had no roadblocks at all from family or friends. Christians have a keen eye for the work of the Holy Spirit. I'm glad your protestant friends could recognize His hand leading you!
Hello there - no idea how I came across your Substack. Coincidentally, I’m a neighbor. By that I mean, I can hear the bell tower of your school from my back deck. I share that just to say, I know the setting you live in during this process. I’ve gone through a somewhat similar conversion experience, and it’s confusing, and tough, and good Christian people can make you feel like such an outcast. I’d just encourage you keep saying yes to the Lord. Sometimes it’s horrifying, but He’s always with you, and He’s worth it.
Oh my goodness wow, thank you for the encouragement! You most certainly understand the environment of Samford then.
Yes very well, and the surrounding area is very similar.
I am happy for this step. The way God worked through the conversations you described was neat. I am happy because I know the true Church of Jesus Christ. It is the Catholic Church. This is the whole Christ that you will belong to. I will pray for you and for your friends. You need the Church and the Church needs you. I recently read how the Church was called the world reconciled. Enjoy your personal and more complete reconciliation with God !
“Let us love our Lord God, let us love His Church: Him as a Father, Her as a Mother; Him as a Lord, Her as His Handmaid, as we are ourselves the Handmaid’s sons.
But this marriage is held together by a bond of great love. No man offends the one, and wins favor of the other.
Let no man say, ‘I go indeed to the idols, I consult possessed ones and fortune tellers, yet I abandon not God’s Church, I am a Catholic.’
While you hold to your Mother, you have offended your Father.
Another says, ‘Far be it from me; I consult no sorcerer, I seek out no possessed one, I never ask advice by sacrilegious divination, I go not to worship idols, I bow not before stones, though I am in the party of Donatus [heresy/schism].’
What does it profit you not to have offended your Father, if he avenges your offended Mother? What does it serve you, if you acknowledge the Lord, honor God, preach His name, acknowledge His Son, confess that He sits by His right hand, while you blaspheme His Church? Does not the analogy of human marriages convince you?…
Hold then, most beloved, hold all with one mind to God the Father, and the Church our Mother. Celebrate with temperance the birthdays of the Saints, that we may imitate those who have gone before us, and that they who pray for you may rejoice over you, that ‘the blessing of the Lord may abide on you forevermore.’ Amen and Amen.”
St. Augustine, “Exposition of Psalm 89” (§41)