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Catholic Conversion Stories & Resources

About The Catholic Conversion Page

Are you drawn to the Catholic Church (East or West)? Do you feel something is lacking as a non-Christian or a Protestant? Do you feel called to convert to Catholicism? Are you unsure about converting from your own denomination and want more guidance? Are you afraid of converting? Do you want accurate information about Catholicism that is not "sugar-coated" in favor of Catholicism, or full of obvious anti-Catholic bias? If you are asking these or similar questions, then this Catholic conversion page is for you! Even if you are just seeking and looking for more information, we hope this page helps you understand more about the Catholic Church. Please check out our expanding collection of Catholic Conversion stories.

Just as a note, we are aware that the term "conversion" is inadequate to describe the process whereby a Protestant becomes Catholic, since most Protestants are already baptized and committed followers of Jesus when they decide to become Catholic. More accurately, a Protestant is "entering into the fullness of the Apostolic faith" when he becomes Catholic, or perhaps we can say he is "fully reconciled with Christ's Church." Also, he is "entering into full communion with the Church." However, "conversion" is the popular term employed to describe the change, and we retain it for this reason.

Conversion Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Check our our brand new Catholic Conversion Frequently Asked Questions. This page contains common questions about converting. Check out this list to see if your question is there! If your question is not there, please feel free to contact us.

Conversion Stories

We are now expanding our roster of Catholic Conversion stories to include stories by folks from all over the Catholic blogosphere, including our stories posted on the Ancient and Future Catholics site! Please bear in mind that these stories represent the perspectives of different people. Thus, their personality types and perspectives will be expressed in their writing. The Catholic faith is deeper than any one person's perspective on it, so we ask that you continue your exploration of the Catholic faith even if someone's individual story may not resonate with you. We have tried to avoid stories that are overly polemical or that express anger towards other churches.

Thank God I Made It Home by Kathleen Laplante
This is an engaging story of a Catholic revert who once asked, "Who does the Catholic Church think they are, telling me I can't have an abortion if I chose to?" However, after struggles with depression, and going through a divorce, she returned to the Church, and has replaced past hopelessness with joy.

Rosary and Bible, photographed by David Bennett

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Finally Catholic! My Conversion to the Catholic Church by David Bennett
David became Anglican in 2000 after being raised Evangelical Methodist. He became Catholic in 2004. He is co-editor of this website. This story details his faith history, and his eventual discovery of the riches of the Catholic Church.

My Journey to the Catholic Church by Jonathan Bennett
Jonathan joined the Anglican Communion in 2000 after being raised Methodist. He joined the Catholic Church in 2004. He is co-editor of this website.

My Journey Back to the Catholic Church by Carmel Brizzi
Carmel was raised Catholic, but became a member of a non-denominational church. She reverted to the Catholic Church in 2004. She is a contributor and blogger.

I: From Catholicism to Evangelicalism by Rosemarie
II: From Evangelicalism to Christian Feminism by Rosemarie
III: From Feminism to the Arms of Mary by Rosemarie
This is a fascinating and informative three part story of a cradle Catholic who explored Evangelicalism, feminism, and then eventually returned to the Catholic Church as an educated, orthodox, Catholic.

My Return to the Faith of My Youth by Richard Evans
Richard Evans grew up Catholic, but "came out of the closet" in the early 1990s. He attended an evangelical Methodist church for a time, but returned to the Catholic Church in 2006. Richard regularly blogs at Richard's Ramblings.

My Personal Conversion Story by Russ Rentler
Russ was raised Catholic, but as a teen became involved in an anti-Catholic fundamentalist movement. He then landed in a charismatic church. Sadly, in the midst of his time in the charismatic movement, his wife passed away. This is a fascinating story about how Russ returned to the Catholic faith. He blogs at Crossed the Tiber and also has his own music site, Russ Rentler - Acoustic Minstrel.

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Informational Materials and Books

Basic Catholic Beliefs and Practices
These are some of our introductory pages, explaining the Catholic Faith in a postmodern context (without changing the Faith), that takes into account the entire Catholic faith, East and West.

Catholic Practices, Duties, and Lists
You have asked for it, so we have delivered it: all the common Catholic lists and practices in one place. The Seven Deadly Sins, The Cardinal and Theological Virtues, The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, the Duties of a Catholic, and more! We are always saying, "now what is that 4th corporal work of mercy again?" or "I can't remember the last deadly sin!" Now you don't have to sweat it.

Online Handbook of Denominations
We have collected information on various denominations and churches, reviewing them from a Catholic perspective. Our intent is to be accurate and charitable, making this online handbook of denominations handy for all Christians. Currently we have information on the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, the Anglican communion, Lutheran churches, and Methodist churches.

Possible Objections to the Catholic Faith
We have compiled (and are compiling) common objections and concerns many people have with the Catholic Church. There are many myths about the Catholic Church, and we hope to set the record straight. We are trying to answer these objections by being truthful and explaining clearly what the Church actually teaches, as well as explaining why such practices and beliefs are true.

Per Christum
This is our group blog. Most of the contributors are individuals who have become Catholic after being raised in another Christian Tradition. Often material of interest to converts is posted.

ChurchYear.Net
We have created these pages to reacquaint Catholics, Orthodox, and Anglicans to their own Church Calendars (since many are still undereducated about this great reality), but also to introduce non-Catholics to the beauty of the Church Year.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
This site has photos and video of the Rites of Initiation into the Catholic Church. The process consists of education and regular meetings, but the rites themselves are the most important part of the RCIA process. This page will give you a look into what the rites consist of. Thanks to Jason Sims for the link.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
If you want to know what the Catholic Church believes about any issue of theology, morality, etc. this is the book to consult!

Surprised by Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic
Author Patrick Madrid chronicles stories of people who have converted to the Catholic Church.

Handbook for Today's Catholic
Considered to be a "handbook" of the Catechism, this is the source for anyone wanting a concise primer on the Catholic Church. The low price makes it even more accessible.

The Orthodox Way
Kallistos Ware, an Orthodox Bishop, explains the Orthodox Church, and details the beauty of Eastern Christianity, as experienced in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches.

Ancient and Future Catholics
Last, but not least, we have to include our main page, which has evolved over the last year and a half to become a page for presenting the timeless Faith to a postmodern world. Run by Catholics, we also have many Orthodox contributors, and even some Christian contributors from other churches. As such, one major goal we have is to always include the Eastern perspective, of both the Eastern Catholics and Orthodox Churches.

Questions?

Contact Us
The Catholic and Eastern Churches can seem a little scary at times and unfortunately local parishes don't always put enough energy and thought into effectively reaching out to non-Catholics. If you have a question, please email us and we'll help you as best we can (or put you through to someone who can). We have a network of contributors are willing to guide you through the process of becoming Catholic. Only honest inquiries from please. No flaming or trolling.

Article and Photograph(s) by David Bennett. Last updated 10-04-2009


All articles are © (copyright) the original authors, and all rights pertaining to the articles belong to them. Articles may be printed or linked to freely for personal use, however to reprint, distribute, or post on another webpage, email us for permission first. Ancient and Future Catholics and the editors do not "endorse" per se any article in its entirety, but rather, we provide a forum for writings on Catholic and Orthodox thought.

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