My conversion story

Well, since this is a blog about living out my faith, and me pondering about God and life in general, it seems natura to share how I came home to the Catholic Church.

lets just start with the backdrop. I was baptized and confirmed Lutheran, and remained active for about a year after my confirmation, but then fell away, and became a lukewarm Christian. Considered myself as a believer, but did nothing with my faith. I went to church on Christmas, and didnt pray much.

Then, one day, I came in contact with a friend, I hadnt spoke with for over a year (Viking). He said that he was going to join the Catholic Church. I was in shock, and spoke loudly that “everyone knows that the Church wasnt really established before 400 ad.” I also had problems with praying to saints, and purgatory.

In an attempt to disprove Catholicism, I started reading about Catholic Dogma, the early Church, and offcourse the Bible. I quickly realized how Catholic the Bible was!

I remember the first thing I realized was right that the Church teached was Purgatory. It hit me like a brick! “Offcourse, how could I be so stupid!”

Then, by reading the Gospel of Luke I understood how Biblical devotion to our Lady was. But still, I was afraid that I could be wrong. while reading about Catholicism I got a free from the apostolate Rosary Army, I started praying it, and asking for Marys intercession. At first I asked God that, if what I was doing was wrong, he would give me a sign. I also asked Mary to pray that if devotion to her was right, I would get a sign too. I started to pray the Rosary, and eventually I said it daily, and my faith got stronger than ever, and I felt peace I had never experienced before, it was wonderful.

After reading the NT I understood that Christ founded one Church, not thousands. But how could I know that the Catholic Church was the one true Church? I found the answer in Mat 16, 18, and the Acts of the Apostles. It was clear that The Church had a leadership and that St. Peter had a leading role. I also found apostolic sucsession in acts 1:20 ff. I started reading about the Papacy, and I actually found a list of popes from St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI, something that was rather of a shock for me, this gave the papacy credibility for me.

After a lot of reading, and some talks with Viking, I agreed to go to a Catholic Mass. I have never been more nervous in my entire life. I was going to a Catholic Mass! I met Viking outside the Church, and explained parts of the Mass for me before we entered. When we walked in, I was kinda dissapointed, I had expected a beautiful traditional Church, instead I got a rather modern (protestant) Church, but then I noticed the beautiful statue of Mary, and of St. Swithun, and was stunned. We sat down, and the Mass started. I didnt understand everything, I got lost, I didnt kneel when supposed to, and so on. I loved it. After this I was sold. I was convinced the CC was the one true Church. I was ecstatic, I experienced a joy I had never felt before, I quickly signed up for the RCIA course, already convinced that I would become Catholic. I had this feeling. “I have come to the truth, now I must spread it!” I attended RCIA faithfully and learned even more about the Faith, and the week before easter on Wednesday 28. of March, I came in full communion with the Churh. Finally I was home!

Now I have become more active in my Parish, and I am currently discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood Wow, this was a rather long post Thanks for reading, if you managed to read it all!

Pax