Why a Charismatic Evangelical Became a Catholic Priest
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 2024
- In this week's episode of Catholic ReCon, testimonies from reverts and converts, guest Fr. Tim Segert breaks down his move toward the Catholic faith, then the priesthood, then a rediscovery of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
#Catholic #Protestant #Priest #Conversion #CatholicChurch #Vatican #JPII #Vocation #KofC #Testimony #God #Jesus #HolySpirit #Father
If you'd like to share your personal testimony, please fill out the form here: bit.ly/3bdE6pr
Wherever you are on the journey, God bless you.
For more information, visit eddietrask.com.
I met this priest for the first time last Saturday. What an incredibly kind, warm, loving, helpful and gentle man. Thank you so much for the kindness you showed me! ❤ God bless you!
@@tony1685 Tony, sounds you need to do the prayer, praise, and reading that this gentleman did on his journey TO TRUTH!! I will pray you rgrough the journey!!!
I came into the Catholic Church the THURSDAY before EASTER SUNDAY, known in the Catholic Church as the FEAST of the Lord's SUPPER with the receiving of the EUCHARIST at THIS evening FEAST, AFTER receiving my first absolution of my first CONFESSION then being CONFIRMED with the new "OIL OF CONFIRMATION" brought directly from the Rite of Blessing that morning by the BISHOP at the CHRISM MSSS that morning at the Cathedral in PHILLY PA, and carried by the Priest who was at the CHRISM MASS, wit Permission to ANOINT ME for the SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION!!! And later in the same MASS RECEIVING MY FIRST COMMUNION!!!!
BLESSINGS ON BLESSINGS!!! Plus the tremendous WEALTHY BIBLE KNOWLEDGE I received in my first first 20+ years as BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN!!! I DID NOT have to be "reBaptised," as my original BAPTISM (in WATER brought by our PASTOR from ISRAEL when he was studying in there!!!
I read my way into the Church by borrowing many books from the CATHOLIC INFORMATION CENTER in PHILLY, and other wonderful libraries at colleges, universities and other GENEROUS FRIENDS and sources!!!
SEEK OUT OTHER SOURCES OF WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE-- and COVER ALL IN PRAYER!!! BLESSINGS! Gwen in RURAL NYS & More Catholic than ever... See you in PARADISE...
@@tony1685 get to Answering Adventism pronto
@@tony1685the Bible is a Catholic. Book
Come home
Jesus is waiting for you
As a cradle Catholic
I’m so thankful for the converts
Me too, I learn sooo much, I apreciate sooo much more, I get inspired sooo much. Their newlywed love for The Church, The faith, The Holly Eucharist is contagious. We need it.
Converts to the Catholic Church are a blessing when they have been properly cathechized; otherwise, they are just a bad example to others.
As a former Baptist minister, who became Catholic while studying at a Bible College trying to prove the Catholic Church was in error, I thank you for being thankful.
🤗
@@harleymann2086 nice.
@@tony1685 As a former Baptist Minister who became a Catholic while attempting to prove the Catholic Church wrong, I encourage you to read Catholic Answers on Sola Scriptura and what the real meaning of the Church is. May God Bless you
Converts are the best Catholics . Thank you Lord for leading them to your Holy Church. 🙏✝️❤️
Oh no pls don't start sowing division between Catholic converts and cradle Catholics
@@bethpoot8836 Do you have eternal life or just behavior modification?
I which you would meet Fr Jim Blount Order of theaa Most Blessed Trinity. They have a place in Ga.
@@bethpoot8836 I don't think that would happen over a simple comment.
The good thing about converts is that we (me!) know what we've left and why. That makes it a little easier to argue apologetics because you know the weaknesses of the Protestant branches we've left. No one knows the weaknesses of ALL Protestantism just because there is no one set of beliefs like there should be in Catholicism.
My husband and I have been life long Charismatic Evangelicals (in our 60's) and we are entering the Catholic Church Easter 2024. We have finally found home! This interview has been so inspirational, thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this work. ❤
Welcome home.
@@MrDavidObeid thank you, so thankful to be here.💚
Praise God! Welcome! What changed your mind?
@@Obedience33 learning about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist! That is life changing.
❤ Welcome home
As a cradle Catholic I love these Conversion journeys. You can always learn from Converts to our faith. ☺🙏♥️✝️
Absolutely 👍
I've been Evangelical my whole life, and will enter the Catholic church this Easter, praise Jesus! Coming home was a hard fought journey that I can only attribute to God’s leading and mercy. Please pray for me as I begin this new season. I wish I had this Priest to talk to along the way. Sounds like he understands where we Protestants are coming from and has empathy. I loved your story, Father, and pray God’s abundant blessings on your mission to be a bridge for charismatic Catholics and the rest. Thank you for sharing! So powerful!
Praying for you, Leila! God bless you on your journey.
@@CatholicReCon thank you so much. That means a lot 🙏❤️
@@Leila-GrandemangePraying for you, daily, God is calling us, Holy Love to you and your loved ones from Australia.❤🙏🙏🙏
@@genevieverose931amen. Thank you so much for praying ❤️🙏 God bless you.
Welcome home!❤
As a Protestant becoming a catholic, I’m so thankful for this episode. It helped me sort out some important things
WELCOME HOME!
Yes. Our Lord's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church! THE Way!
Fr Tim is my parish priest and he’s such a blessing to our parish! I love his unapologetically Catholic homilies. He’s a gifted leader. I hope you will interview Fr Nathan Dail too!
And Fr. Justin Brady!
Boise, amen!
We get the best Protestants. I enjoy listening to these conversions because I learn more about my Catholic faith
Protestants get weak Catholics
Me too. I love this channel.
Allelujah! Another story! :) Thank God for all the conversions and saved souls and the ripple effects they make.
God bless you! I hope you're well.
@@CatholicReCon Yes, quite well. Thank you. :)
Keep the alleluia for Easter mate
Love seeing a convert becoming a priest! I became Catholic seven years ago at age 60. I married a Catholic, but also didn’t convert for her. I did want to learn more about her faith, and when you see the truth, nothing will stop you!
Wow.. I love your interview style.. you never interrupt… and allow the flow to go on uninterrupted. Perfect. I e-mailed you my reversion story as well. .. not sure it is very
Exciting lol.
I’m so happy to see all of these great people coming into the Church. It is such a relief to see such smart people coming in… and so on fire.
I'm not sure I got your email. Can you send again? Thank you.
Looking forward to the interview!
We are so blessed to have Fr Tim and other young priests like him. Please remember to pray for seminarians and priests
I just moved to NC 2 years ago. They're are definitely not many of us, but I attend a wonderful church with many devout catholics. We're truly blessed
34:39 I lived in NC for 5 years. When people meet you (at least in Coastal Carolina), they often ask you where you go to church. I was regularly told I needed to try a "real church" (theirs, obvs) where they have biblical teachings. 😊 I always said thank you, but I'll continue attending Annunciation, thanks. 😂
Cradle Catholic. 12 years of parochial education. And I’m completely enthralled and thankful to the Lord for my reverting faith THANKS to this show, you Eddie and Father Segert!! God bless you!!! 🙏🏻
As a charismatic Catholic, I would be so happy to have a priest in my parish who was charismatic, who believed and practiced the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Too few priests, in my experience, have a high regard for these gifts. God bless you Father Tim. The Holy Spirit is so powerful and we need to be docile in order to hear his voice. But without the proper guidance of a priest, it can become dangerous for us.
I would have liked to hear how his parents dealt with it all. With him being an only child had to mean no grandchildren for them. Although I've no doubt they are wonderful faith filled Protestants having raised this exceplary young man who is now a priest. May God bless them immensely for the gift of their son. 🙏🤲🙏💝
Wellcome Home Father Tim!. I love your testimony, God bless you!!
God bless you Father, you’re now included in my prayers for all the Holy Priests. Mamma Mary protect you and help you all to lead us to God through you all. Yes if we don’t want to do God’s will.. our Mother knows how to make us to live in the will of God. Beautiful and pray our Rosaries daily. God bless you all❤❤❤❤
SAINT FAUSTINA'S PRAYER
FOR THE HOLY CHURCH AND PRIESTS
O my Jesus, I beg Thee on behalf of the whole Church: Grant it love and the light of Thy Spirit, and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to Thee, O Lord. Lord, give us holy priests; Thou Thyself maintain them in holiness. O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of Thy mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil's traps and snares which are continually being set for the souls of priests. May the power of Thy mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naught all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests, for Thou canst do all things. (Diary 1052)
All Priest are alter-Christus, another Christ whether Holy or unholy. We need to pray for all Priest.
I so agree with him about our devout Protestant friends and aquintances. I have some Protestant friends I have such respect and love for. Of course I always hope and pray for their conversions into the fullness of Faith. I also expect to see them in heaven after we enter into eternal life. Although Purgatory is definitely going to be a big surprise for them, and that's ok.
We met Fr. Timothy when he was Deacon Timothy in St. Anthony at Mary Immaculate. Very happy to hear his conversion story.
Lord Jesus Christ please our brother and sisters in the Protestant denomination join the Church You founded..the Catholic Church.
Thank You Lord. Jesus Christ. I am proud to be a Catholic.
God bless you, Father!
Fr. if you are involved in the Catholic Charismatic movement, that’s great. My uncle priest died in 2006 at the age of 80, was involved in the Catholic Charismatic renewal movement for many years. I have seen him perform tremendous healings. People need these today more than ever. My only concern is that one should not over do anything. God helps those who help themselves 🙏
I met this priest recently through my own conversion journey at the Rite of Election or in my case, the Call to Continuing Conversion. It was an incredibly long night due to the vast number of catechumens (in particular) as well as candidates. Despite the long wait time, Father Tim remained visibly energetic and circled the room, making a point to connect with those of us waiting. He asked to hear our conversion stories. After learning that he is also a convert, I now understand his palpable excitement and interest in our stories that night. I remember thinking to myself how cool it was to meet such a warm and young priest. We are lucky to have a priest with such deep passion and sincerity. Thank you Father, for making us feel so welcomed that night, even those of us who aren't your parishioners 🙏
Soy de Puerto Rico. Viviendo en Louisiana, USA por mas de 40 años. Buen programa hoy, tienes toda la razón. Siempre oigo tu programa desde hace mucho tiempo. Dios te bendiga. Si no nos venos mas, algún dia, si Dios quiere yo te reconoceré por que te veo. Gracias.
Thank you. God bless you!
So blessed from hearing this! Thank you so much for sharing with us.
I come from an unbroken chain of Catholics in every generation. My parents were almost the downfall of that, as both stopped practicing our families faith, but God, the Saints, and our Blessed Mother would nor permit that line to be broken. I am the only one of my sisters to return, for the evening Easter Vigil Saturday March 30th of this year my children and I will be received. The prayers of the Church Militant and Triumphant are always answered. God is so faithful
Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands to them that love me, and keep my commandments [Exodus 20:5-6]
If someone in your family has fallen away, do not be afraid for the Lord our Shepherd will seek them out and bring them back. Keep praying faithful of God, for the prayers of the righteous avail!!
God bless you father!! 🙏🙏
For me, this is why I have no issues with the Assumption- Now, keep in mind I’m Catholic. I grew up Catholic but left the Catholic Church and then came back. - so ..: If Mary actually died and was buried, you just KNOW that that grave would be the most guarded grave in all of Christendom. That grave would be well known, and it probably would’ve never been left unguarded, by any Christian ever, and if it was stolen, people would know who stole it, and where it was.. This was the mother of Christ, and upon her death and burial that grave would’ve been so well marked and preserves It would still be easily findable today, just as Peter’s grave- he died not long after and we all know where that grave is - it is still there.. The fact that Mary has no grave is all I need to know that she was never buried and was assumed into heaven- you couple that with all of the typology, and is very easy to accept. So yeah- where is Mary’s grave? :)
And the Immaculate Conception- she’s the Arc of the Covenant.. the Theotokus. How could Christ reside in nothing but a pure, unblemished vessel? The theology behind this is so deep and beautiful.
Totally agree with you. However, I’m wondering why St. Joseph’s grave was never guarded or how was it allowed to be lost?
Very Very well Explained,for your explanation about our Immaculate Mother Mary Assumption is irrefutable YEAH AMEN 🙏 GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO,HOSANNA IN EXCELSIS DEO DEO GRATIAS.
What convinces me is Genesis 5:24 where Enoch is assumed body and soul into heaven, and 2 Kings 2:11 where Elijah was taken into heaven, body and soul into heaven in a whirlwind. The Old Testament proves people can be assumed into heaven. Why wouldn't Jesus do the same for his mother? Every time I hear Protestants condemn the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, I just want to ask them "Soooo...., you think Jesus may have let his mother go to hell????"
That's the strongest argument for the Assumption I think I've ever heard!
I absolutely love his advice on if you don’t want to do what God is telling you to do, don’t say a rosary every day. 😅you made my day. And BTW I love this channel. I’m a cradle catholic. I’m blessed with faith that God will always have the best plan for me. But all these converts have really taught me about my Catholic religion. Thank you.
Super talk! This is one of my favorite channels now. Great Catholicism. Great Christianity. Keep the interviews going, they are a treasure for all people. Great story, Fr. Tim. Very interesting and inspiring.
I’m from the parish in Lewiston and met you long ago. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you much for your Yes to Jesus, Fr. Tim! Way back when the Charismatic was its "heyday" for lack of a better word, we would have charismatic Holy Mass once a month at another Catholic Church and I was comfortable with it.
Charismatics asked if they could pray over me and I reluctantly agreed because I didn’t want to be rude. I walked up to be prayed over and as I did I told Jesus privately that I’d do anything for him but I wasn’t going to fall on the ground. One minute later I was looking at everyone’s shoes. I went down in the spirit immediately. I felt God telling me He needed to be in charge! It was a great lesson. Don’t put restrictions on God!
They shouted in joy when the found out you were a Catholic.
Never let anyone touch your head except a Catholic priest.
Ha
Thank you Fr Tim! Boise, ID Catholics Love you!
I met him in Boise! Had a great confession with him!
I have teats on my eyes and there is no words to express anew priest is ordained is a blessing
For the Glory of God
Beautiful witness of the Holy Spirit!
What a great interview, thank you both so much!
Thank you for sharing your story .
You are both Blessed 🙌
I find God has a great sense
of humour when you tell
protestants that you were a protestant before you became a Catholic Priest.
The Holy Spirit is moving in all Christian faiths
I am so Happy for Heaven in this great time of History .Our Lord will bring us all together
It is a Blessing 💕🙏📿🕊
I was away from my Catholic Faith in my teenage years & my conversion bought me back to Catholicism .i remember asking The Lord where to go i said not Catholic but the Holy Spirit lead me & i ended up at a small Church in Syd Australia going to a healing Mass i was oh Lord i like the sound of all these gifts but tongues is so weird not for me well i was given the gift & many other amazing graces through the Catholic Church
God is Good & very funny when we get to know Him
I am grateful that He loves me & has ne as His friend
God Bless from Australia 💕🙏📿🕊
Rhat we would all be one, as He prayed😊
Wonderful testimony. Very warm, welcoming, snd and sincere. Most enjoyable.
Great podcast. Incredible conversation story.
God bless you Fr.
Amen! Im from Boise. Ive meet this great priest at St.Johns Cathedral. Nice to see him here.
Thanks Father for sharing your beautiful story
Thank you for this awesome testimony.
Fr Tim! I Love him so much ❤️
I used to listen conversions stories on EWTN only from this month I found this channel. Interesting for every christiams and catholics
Same! I still can't believe this hadn't come across my you tube feed long ago. They go back even 2 and 3 years. I'll never catch up with them all.
As usual, anothrr great guest. MassTransit filmed at the ordination, and I believe Fr. Segert celebrated a Mass we attended while staying at the Monastery of Our Lady of Ephesus in Boise.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am catholic and have learned a lot listening to you, specially the last twenty minutes. Thank you so much.
Yes converts have the passion that everyone shd have🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Raised Catholic but became charismatic evangelical. Came back to the church after 40 years. I love the church and the Jesus presence in the Eucharist. I am not a cessationist and support the fullness of the Holy Spirit with all the gifts. The church needs to make a place for this move of the Holy Spirit. I do miss the depth of worship. I understand that Mass is not the place for this but there should be other gatherings weekly where this is encouraged. It is difficult as my wife has not come back to the church and is still very upset I have done this. I think if they had these weekly services it would help bring my wife back home. She did get saved in the Charismatic Catholic movement 40 years ago but quickly left. Great conversion story thanks so much for sharing
Welcome home prodical son, we L❤VE you! 😀
Thank you, this was lovely.
Nice story of conversion & became a priest
This was amazing.
How did Father's family take his conversion?
Welcome home! ✝🙏📿
Very powerful conversion story. Thanks be to God and thank you for sharing
Amazing I’m lol and crying as I just got done praying extra Rosary’s today this is weird
thanks for this channel and thank you father tim for giving ur life to God.. Proud Catholic from Philippines... Praise d Lord
Beautiful!
So nice to encounter another high church charismatic
Loved, loved, loved this interview, God bless that priest and this channel
Converts always refer to the BVM as their stumbling block in becoming totally Catholic...but they eventually do. What made these Converts believe in the (let's say) relevance of Mary in our faith & salvation - no one really talks about it in detail - i thought it would make a good apologist content esp for your Protestant viewers who may be struggling with these Marian dogmas.
For me I heard the voice of Jesus from the cross "Behold your mother." while looking at a picture of Mary. I fell head over heels in love with her.
@@bradleesargentwhat a beautiful way she brought you to her!
@@matthewthomasjames I know right. I was a Protestant at the time but thank God my sweet mother Mary took me into the church of her son Jesus, founder of the catholic church.
@@bradleesargent Well, praise Our Lord and His Blessed Mother for bringing you home!
@@matthewthomasjames I was a Protestant for 40 years going all over the world as a missionary to Muslims and helping plant Arabic speaking churches in Orlando when God brought me home
Thank you Father Tim!
Awesome testimony. As a 65 year old woman, raised Catholic, baptised, confirmed, went to Catholic school through 9th grade. I found my personal relationship with Christ at 20 in a non-denominational church. During Covid came across all these testimonies of reverts and converts. It got me checking things out. More than 40 years as a protestant isn't easy to walk away from. My heart is being drawn but there's a resistance on my part. I wish I had a person in my area that I could talk to about these things.
I do wholeheartedly agree with your statement to not judge or criticize people going through this. They don't understand. God bless you all.
Catholic answers has a daily radio show you can call in questions, or email on their contact page. They also have many answers to many questions on their website.
I pray someone comes into your life that can walk this journey with you, and personally answer questions.
Adoration is awesome to attend, silent prayer in God's presence, if you're not ready for Mass.
Rcia is also a good place to discover more
I've spent some time praying for you. You may visit a Catholic church without committing to leave your present church. If there is a Catholic parish near you, you might try to visit for Mass in the middle of the week when there is less hustle. Also, people who attend daily Mass are usually spirit filled, and most likely will approach you in a kind and welcoming way. (Many of these people will be reverts and converts, so they will be sensitive to your concerns.) If you worry about when to stand and kneel, just sit in the middle, but not so far in the back as to seem unapproachable. If you remain in prayer for a few minutes after Mass, you will most likely find one or more lovely ladies who will be helpful; and if you need to see a priest, they will recommend the best one for you to see. In the event that no one approaches you, be sure that as you leave the church you notice people who may be chatting near the front door. Make eye contact, smile and wish good morning or offer some kind word. Your guardian angel and their guardian angels as well as the Holy Spirit will be guiding everyone. As I continue to pray, I sense that you will find great joy, peace and beauty.
Thank you both so much for sharing this beautiful testimony. Smiled a lot while listening to Father Tim's conversion story. I thank God for the gift of you and trust that He bless your parents for raising such a wonderful priest. God bless you all real good.
Thank you Father Tim! Beautiful conversion story!
This was so enjoyable. Thank you both. Father Tim has a wonderful personality for the priesthood. I loved listening to his thoughtful journey to Catholicism and the priesthood.
God bless. 🌸🌸
Hey!!! Fr. Tim!! Love Fr. Tim!!!!
I love to watch your channel. Thank you for your service over here in Western Australia.
Great not talking and letting the guest share. And even greater questions! Amazing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great story, thanks for sharing!
Hey everybody 😀
Father, you have the greatest laugh! Joy filled. God bless you and keep you.
Amen and welcome ❤
So great!! Wish we’d heard about what his parents thought/ what their journey has been like
A beautiful witness, God is working in all our lives in far more ways then our human intellect can understand. Knowing when to be silent and when to speak is a beautiful gift of discernment from the Holy Spirit. Praying for you and your family Eddie, and for you Father daily as the blessed Mother warned us was a nescessity for Religous Clergy and the Triumph of the Church.❤🙏🙏🙏Oh most Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Sorrowful Immaculate heart of Mary and with her tears I offer you all my prayers works joys and sufferings of this day. Godbless and Holy love to all❤
God bless you! And thank you!
You will never be bored when you are a Priest. So many Priests say how happy they are being a Priest.
Amazing
The depth of typological contexts of the New Testament is my best way to engage my brothers and sisters in Christ from Sola Scriptura traditions. It always help more than I expect
Thanks to those who commented out of a sincere heart.
Very interesting.
God bless you both (from no man's land!)
All Glory Praises and Exaltation and sweet thanksgiving’s to The ALL HOLY AND SACRED TRINITY FOR AN OTHER PRIEST ORDAINED IN THE ONE HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS AND WORSHIP ALLELUIA DEO GRATIS AMEN 🙏 🐑🕊️✨🌈
Thank you for this video! I would love to have passionate Protestants come into the fullness of the truth! Bible Study's would be so amazing!
Father, you cannot get away from Jesus, if he wants you to be a priest he will have his way.
AMEN!!!
Really interesting mid-video about having to accept the Immaculate Conception and Assumption purely on faith. Shows we aren't islands, we are buoyed by our brothers and sisters in Catholic faith, and certainly by the Magisterium. God Bless you through Easter, Glory to God.
WELCOME HOME!!! 😇🙏📿❤️🔥👑💒✝️☮️🕊
My understanding of the term "low church" is that it’s nonliturgical. I was raised Lutheran, then became Pentecostal at age 19, which was during the "Jesus Movement" of the late 60s/early 70s. Many people in our church had been raised Catholic. We thought our nonstructured, non-liturgical-style services were surely what worship services looked like in the book of Acts. We felt our "free-form" services were open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I was as shocked as any convert to Catholicism to find out that the early church services of the book of Acts looked more like a Catholic Mass than like our services.
Not only Acts. Revelation 4-8 altar, incense, bowing, praying etc. It's all there for eyes that can see.
WELCOME HOME!
Wow
Usually converts make the real ,strong Catholics.For born Catholics ,we take it for granted.Its true that we are hard core believers but we never care to dig that much.we learn much from you.
Fr. Tim, the Lord gave you the eyes to see at 5 yrs. old. Reverently kissing the bible and reading/praying the prayer to the Holy Spirit before reading Sacred scripture has been what strengthened my faith as a (cradle) Catholic.. I never believed in speaking in unknown tongues other than the languages that are known on this earth, because of Acts 2, all the different "divers" (look up biblical definition).languages that the Apostles were able to speak by gift of the Holy Spirit. John Paul II was very proficient in numerous languages, which I believe was a gift too. This is why I find it hard to accept charismatic enthusiasm. esp when reading 1 Corinthians 14. If we can not interpret how do we know what someone is saying or even praying over us? I understand your apprehension there. We attend the latin rite. Any way, welcome to the Church Father Tim!
Every one get a gift, som of tounge, s other dercerment. Etc etc. 😊
I don't get it - you say as a evangelical - someone who knew the Bible and was wanting to enter into the Catholic Church, that one of the obstacles was the teaching of the Assumption of Blessed Mary. I did not think that would be one of the first things you'd think of, but would be more likely the praying to Mary, as it was for me, and so many other converts. In fact the first time I heard of Blessed Mary, Mother of Jesus/God being Assumed Body & Soul into Heaven, I thought why not - that makes perfect sense. Because I knew Enoch in Genesis did not experience death, nor did Elijah in 2 Kings - so if these men could go right up to Heaven without seeing death, then surely the Holy Mother of Jesus would be Assumed as it would make so much sense, especially knowing it had been done before. Now, as far as me understanding the Immaculate Conception, that took a little bit more connecting the dots in Scripture. Blessed Mary being the Ark of the Covenant, the dwelling of God in the Tabernacle, and so the Tabernacle being so Holy - that you could not touch - as evidenced by the mdn who died when he touched it to keep it from falling. It all points to, that it would have to be this way, that Mary would have to be conceived without sin for Jesus to be able to reside in her womb. Of course, in what we also know, only because of her Fiat - Mary's yes - let it be according to Thy Word. (I might add, it has taken me many years as a convert, to get to this point of more fully understanding the significance of all this, that in many ways, I don't feel I've even scratched the surface). Our Triune God is so simple and loving - full of compassion and mercy and yet complex and deep at the same time.
Having been an atheist, my biggest regret is that I didn't get to know Him sooner. My biggest surprise and ultimate joy was when God unexpectedly showed up - and that Holy Scripture pierced and broke through into my heart - which then led me from being a staunch atheist to the Baptist Church where I learned the Bible and then became my wanting to know the History of the Christian Faith - back to Apostolic times with the Old and New Testament under my belt, which then led me to become Catholic ( I might add I was very skeptical for a long time, but diligently did my homework and discerned this was where God wanted me and I know where I will stay - connected to Holy Mother Church with Her Sacraments and the teachings as handed down from Jesus Christ, to Peter and so on. What a beautiful and incredible succession of Faith - since Apostolic times, withstanding all types of evil heresies to pull down the Catholic Church, from within and from without. Yet God's Word, His promises, are always True and faithful - the Gates of Hell will not prevail.
I think most of us are sering the dark and even ominous looking clouds starting to roll in more and more and getting closer - some now experiences those squalls already, yet we know it will be best and safer if stay in the boat, to hold on tight, to have on our foul weather gear, for we can feel a great and perilous storm is coming...
But let us not forget, that if we're in the boat with Jesus, even if He appears sleeping, we should have no fear as long as we stay near Him. ❤
Wow what a thorough explanation of Catholic doctrine! These are issues I continue to struggle with and so I very much appreciate the scripture-backed explanation. I also struggle with transubstantiation because it is such a departure from Protestantism.
My confirmation is coming up shortly and I too am a convert. I grew up Episcopal and so my journey into Catholicism is not a very big leap as the actual mass is nearly identical, even though there are major doctrinal differences. Like you, history was also my starting point into Catholicism. With degrees in history, including a minor in classical civilizations (Rome), I couldn't deny apostolic succession nor the foundation of Catholicism in all our Christian faiths. And I became increasingly uncomfortable with being part of the church established by a demon like Henry XVIII. Talk about all the mortal sins incarnate!
Anyway, I digress because I wanted to discuss the Baptists. Growing up in Texas, I have always envied the Baptists and their breadth of scriptural knowledge. I do wish Bible study was a bigger part of both Anglican/episcopal and Catholicism. I do not believe sola scriptura is the way, but neither is next to no working knowledge of the Bible.
Need more converts
Jeff Cavins used to be a protestant pastor and I like him very much.
Scott Hann, Steve Ray and Keith