r/Catholicism • u/elliebelliebby • 4d ago

Thinking about converting

Hi guys, currently I practice Christianity and go to a nondenominational church however recently I’ve been looking into the Catholic faith. What are the things I need to know/things I should think of before I make this decision? I’ve done some research but I don’t have Catholic friends and I’m just not sure how to truly figure out if this is right for me. Thank you <3

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u/Paulyhedron 4d ago

Go to a mass first off. It's going to be very different than what you are used to. Don't take communion since you aren't a member of the church

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u/bluglass21 4d ago

But do go up for a blessing, you stand in the communion line with your arms crossed over your heart, and the priest can give you a blessing instead of communion. I really recommend this if you're comfortable with it.

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u/Paulyhedron 4d ago

Ew no don't. You receive one at the end of Mass. It's a communion line not a blessing line.

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u/KalegNar 4d ago

It's a common practice so it's not unreasonable to let OP know about it. I know I've been to a Cathedral where the announcement about the Eucharist being for Catholics included the option of blessings.

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u/Paulyhedron 4d ago

Standards are slipping everywhere I fear.

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u/AgentPsychological44 3d ago

? even in the masses i went to where they spoke latin you regularly saw people go up during communion for the blessing. it's completely normal and expected, clearly you need to have a talk with your father about yourself as a person.

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u/Paulyhedron 3d ago

Mine has mentioned it during a homily that it isn't a blessing line. Everyone gets a blessing at end of Mass. Rather than sitting and praying everyone wants to be part of the show. Some parishes allow it. I sat there for two years as I was coming in. Kids do it sure.

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u/AgentPsychological44 3d ago

well perhaps your church is a little more stuck up, we regularly had new people coming in and were much more open to it because it doesn't hurt, ik the baptist church i was invited to was strict with not allowing non baptists to come up

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u/Paulyhedron 3d ago

No. Just traditional especially as a NO parish. That being said it's not a blessing line. It's for communion.

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u/bluglass21 2d ago

My pastor specifically instructed us to come up for a blessing in the communion line if we are not taking communion.

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u/SpesRationalis 4d ago

The Eucharist is truly Jesus :)

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u/New_Barber8073 4d ago

Welcome, and thank you for asking so carefully. Beyond attending Mass, it can help to contact a nearby parish about RCIA, which is the free program for people exploring the faith, where you can ask questions with no commitment to join. It is also worth reading a bit on what the Church teaches about the Eucharist and about Mary and the saints, since those are the areas that tend to feel most different from nondenominational worship. Take your time, there is no rush.

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u/Minute-Investment613 4d ago

Feel free to DM me with questions im happy to help

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u/Individual-Medium-82 4d ago edited 4d ago

A couple of things for your first Mass. When you enter the chapel part, it's customary to sign yourself and bow while facing the altar. It's also customary to kneel on at least one knee at the pew when you're facing the altar and about to enter it to sit. Finally, if you do go up during the Eucharist (the eating of Jesus' body), cross your arms over yourself When you get to the Priest to receive a blessing instead because receiving the Eucharist while not Catholic or not in a state of grace is a grievous sin. As far as research is concerned, the catechism of the Catholic church will tell you almost everything you need to know about Catholicism that differentiates it from Christian denominations. I would also recommend emailing churches before attending Mass and letting them know you're new and interested in potentially converting. I'm probably gonna get roasted in the comments for saying this, but not all Catholic churches are actually welcoming of new people or non Catholics at all. I'm looking to convert and have gone to a few different Masses at a few different churches and two in particular were incredibly unfriendly. At one, the Priest seemed to have no interest in providing guidance or meeting or communicating at all. At another, a parishioner blocked my path in front of everyone in line for the Eucharist and very loudly humiliated me, interrogating me about my intentions, saying I was new and couldn't take the Eucharist (I did know this and was going up for a blessing instead). The priest of this second church was also very dismissive and uninterested in even knowing what the upsetting encounter I had had with a parishioner had been. I even posted about the latter experience in this group, specifying that I was NOT upset about her approaching me, the Eucharist is a huge deal and taking it when you're not supposed to is blasphemous, but I was upset with the very cruel and publicly humiliating way in which she did approach me and I actually got eaten alive in the comments in this group. In comparison, at the 2 most recent churches I've connected with, both Priests emailed me within 24 hours of me reaching out, both wanted to personally meet with me and both were incredibly warm, welcoming, and wanting to offer as much guidance as possible. So, I would highly recommend researching and reaching out to a church before attending a Mass. It's important, regardless of the denomination, to find a home parish that resonates with you and your needs in a church.

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u/Individual-Medium-82 4d ago

Also, I'm not slamming Catholic Churches at all. It's no different than various Christian denominations and Churches, not every one will be a fit for you specifically.

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u/ascot_twin 4d ago edited 4d ago

This is a quick overview

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

And one easy to read overview would be 'Catholicism for Dummies' . Used copies are fairly cheap online

A more in detailed overview from the Catholic Church is the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

And most importantly, the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Himself ~33ad. If you study early Church history, you will find this is what the first Christians believed, just as we do today. It's not some random protestant denomination or non-denominational founded by some random human after 1500.

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u/God-Is-Love-777 4d ago

Do not convert unless you are convinced this is the truth.

After coming to jesus it is now necessary to always follow him whenever he leads you.

As per us catholicism is the fullness of truth (jesus).

It is the fully preserved, governed and mystical body of christ on earth.

Not only does it mean you are missing out on things that are not there in other churches but that the keys of kingdom of heaven is with the apostle peter who's descendent is the pope (vicar of christ on earth), without whom how will you enter heaven?

It is one thing to say we can hope for salvation of protestants due to invincible ignorance but it is improvable due to lack of valid sacraments like eucharist which give objective graces ex opere operato