@cal
July 3, 2026
Currently agnostic but feeling a pull towards Catholicism
Simply hoping to chat and have an honest and open discussion about Catholicism. A bit more info in my bio, please feel free to hit me up, maybe you can convert me 👀
25 comments
25 Comments
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@misericordiaJul 3Happy you're here and thank you for your openness! What's the thing that pulled you towards Catholicism the most? If there's anything you want to know more about, feel free to ask it here or to message me!
@calJul 3I’ll try my best to keep this brief but I have so many thoughts spinning round 😂 basically, I had a problem with Protestantism, or all denominations for that matter, they all claim to be the truth, but there’s so much contradiction from one church to another, so I looked to the Catholic Church, learned that it meant “universal” and I started to learn a bit of its history. I think with how old the Catholic Church is, the fact you can draw a line of the popes back to St Peter, it strengthens the case for me. And, from what I understand, if someone wants to become a priest, they’re encouraged to study philosophy? I don’t like the idea of blind faith, I think it should hold up when scrutinised and we should be able to ask questions. Side note, it’s not my intention to cause any offence, I truly do want to learn and understand the Catholic faith, traditions, the whole way of life. Either way, thank you for your time 🙏🏻
@misericordiaJul 3@cal Yes, the apostolic succession in the Catholic Church really is one of the most important and beautiful things! The fact that we go all the way back to St. Peter in the Church that Jesus founded just is mind-blowing when you think about it. I converted from Protestantism too and, besides the Sacraments, the apostolic succession really was an important thing for me!
And absolutely, every priest even has to study philosophy. The formation in the seminary is quite extensive, the study itself is six years, with I think at least two years of mostly philosophy. At least that's the case in the seminary in my country. And a priest can always further specialise in it, too. In general, the Catholic Church really supports the use of reason, asking questions etc (compared to blind faith). Of course there are always things we just can't fully know or understand, but God gave us reason and we should use that!
And again, you're not at all causing offense! I really do appreciate your openness 🙏
And absolutely, every priest even has to study philosophy. The formation in the seminary is quite extensive, the study itself is six years, with I think at least two years of mostly philosophy. At least that's the case in the seminary in my country. And a priest can always further specialise in it, too. In general, the Catholic Church really supports the use of reason, asking questions etc (compared to blind faith). Of course there are always things we just can't fully know or understand, but God gave us reason and we should use that!
And again, you're not at all causing offense! I really do appreciate your openness 🙏
@calJul 3@misericordia it’s so fascinating to me, I’m so interested in the history which is tied to all this, politically, socially and culturally I like to try and make sense of it all, but I think those are questions for another day.
Can I ask you, were you raised Christian? And what were the things that took you away from being Protestant to become Catholic?
Can I ask you, were you raised Christian? And what were the things that took you away from being Protestant to become Catholic?
@misericordiaJul 3@cal There's so much to learn about the Catholic Church haha, it's definitely a lot! Yes, just take it one thing at a time, there's no rush in understanding it all at once.
Yes, I'm raised Christian. At least, my mother is Protestant, my father is an atheist. My mother isn't super active in the faith outside of going to church on Sundays, but I did also go to a Protestant school, so I learned a lot about the faith and the Bible and all that.
For me it's mostly the Eucharist that got me into Catholicism! As Catholics, we believe Jesus is really present in the bread of the Eucharist, instead of only symbolically/spiritually like in Protestantism. I learned about that during a Catholic youth group where they had Adoration (where we venerate the Blessed Sacrament) and just having Jesus so closely present, even physically, made me want to convert.
Though for me the learning process also took quite a long time, it was a lot to learn! But absolutely worth it ❤️
Yes, I'm raised Christian. At least, my mother is Protestant, my father is an atheist. My mother isn't super active in the faith outside of going to church on Sundays, but I did also go to a Protestant school, so I learned a lot about the faith and the Bible and all that.
For me it's mostly the Eucharist that got me into Catholicism! As Catholics, we believe Jesus is really present in the bread of the Eucharist, instead of only symbolically/spiritually like in Protestantism. I learned about that during a Catholic youth group where they had Adoration (where we venerate the Blessed Sacrament) and just having Jesus so closely present, even physically, made me want to convert.
Though for me the learning process also took quite a long time, it was a lot to learn! But absolutely worth it ❤️
@calJul 3@misericordia that’s really interesting, it’s something that I don’t quite understand, maybe I won’t until I do it. I do intend to go along to Sunday mass soon, maybe that’s the best way to learn, and actually speak to a priest. So you believe in your heart that the bread really is the body of Christ? Or is it like, a spiritual thing? It’s a way to accept the Holy Spirit into your body? Sorry for being ignorant!
@misericordiaJul 3@cal Going to Mass is definitely the best way to learn more about it! Your priest can definitely explain more of it to you. But yes, during the consecration (basically the blessing) of the bread and wine, they really become Jesus' body and blood. So we believe that Jesus is fully present there in a physical way, even though He's "hidden" in the bread and wine. When we receive the Eucharist, we get to be united to Him not only in a spiritual manner, but even physically. Like Jesus has actually said it in the Bible, and how the Church has always believed. Just like as humans we're both body and soul, we experience our faith not only spiritually, but also in a physical way through the Sacraments.
@misericordiaJul 3@cal No need to say sorry at all, it's really good you're asking these questions!!
@calJul 3@misericordia wow okay, I understand a little better now thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to have a chat, and hopefully not for the last time! Genuinely appreciate it so much thank you 😊
@misericordiaJul 3@cal You're very welcome, feel free to message whenever you have any questions or just want to talk! God bless 🙏
@glassildiasJul 3As Ms. Cordia mentioned, bravo to your openness!🕊️
@calJul 3Thank you 🙏🏻 Im truly here to learn and understand, my heart is open so any advice is very much welcomed
@glassildiasJul 3@cal Were you born in family who followed Protestant Teaching?
@calJul 3@glassildias not at all, there was no religion growing up. I first came into religion when I was 18 because I was a lonely kid and some really difficult things happened to me growing up, long story short, i went to a music based youth club and the guy that ran it was an evangelical and he got me to come along to the church and things took off from there until I started to understand philosophy a little better
@lucaJul 3Thanks for sharing your story and I really loved the convo between you and @misericordia .
You’re welcome and I appreciate your honesty and open mind approach.
My two cents:
You can start reading the CCC ( The Catholic Catechism).
I would suggest the Compedium, which is a short version of the Catechism made by Pope Ratzinger.
I’ve never read before, even I’m a cradle catholic, but the last week I start reading it.
It is fascinating how this is starting changing views.
It’s like a “behind the curtain” memo of why you act (or should act).
You’re welcome and I appreciate your honesty and open mind approach.
My two cents:
You can start reading the CCC ( The Catholic Catechism).
I would suggest the Compedium, which is a short version of the Catechism made by Pope Ratzinger.
I’ve never read before, even I’m a cradle catholic, but the last week I start reading it.
It is fascinating how this is starting changing views.
It’s like a “behind the curtain” memo of why you act (or should act).
@calJul 3Amazing thank you! I’ll try get my hands on it, any other advice or guidance is massively appreciated
@mau_wavJul 4@cal
One year ago I was a staunch atheist, respectful of religion, but attached to a materialistic worldview. Faith completely reordered my life.
I’ve read many testimonies. I believe everyone’s way to Christ is unique, but I can offer my perspective. I think what stops a lot of people from finding Christ is a lack of humility. I knew recognizing God would force me to look at myself and see all my mistakes. Pride was safer.
One night I made a confession and a petition: to destroy me and make me new again. I knew I couldn’t depend on human virtue, I knew I was deep in sin. I got on my knees like a child and just surrendered.
After that night, life was no longer the same. No, I didn’t see supernatural apparitions, but I had a certainty and a conviction that God was welcoming me with open arms. Reach out to Him with humility and he will not be silent. I'm not special, God's waiting for all of us!
Praying for you to find your way to him
One year ago I was a staunch atheist, respectful of religion, but attached to a materialistic worldview. Faith completely reordered my life.
I’ve read many testimonies. I believe everyone’s way to Christ is unique, but I can offer my perspective. I think what stops a lot of people from finding Christ is a lack of humility. I knew recognizing God would force me to look at myself and see all my mistakes. Pride was safer.
One night I made a confession and a petition: to destroy me and make me new again. I knew I couldn’t depend on human virtue, I knew I was deep in sin. I got on my knees like a child and just surrendered.
After that night, life was no longer the same. No, I didn’t see supernatural apparitions, but I had a certainty and a conviction that God was welcoming me with open arms. Reach out to Him with humility and he will not be silent. I'm not special, God's waiting for all of us!
Praying for you to find your way to him
@calJul 4You sound like the type of person I need to talk to. I’ve actually been praying and opening myself up more every day to the point that now, I do feel this sense of peace.
I think my next step will be to go along to my local church, come up with my biggest burning questions and hopefully have a conversation about all this.
Was there anything you read, watched or listened to that helped you convert?
I think my next step will be to go along to my local church, come up with my biggest burning questions and hopefully have a conversation about all this.
Was there anything you read, watched or listened to that helped you convert?
@mau_wavJul 4Studying the faith is very important, but I don't think faith comes through the intellect most of the time. What made me more convinced is seeing Christ in the church. The people, the priests, the genuine love that pours from fighting for his Church. The witnesses. Some good priests I can think of: Fr. Mike Schmitz, Fr. Columba, Fr. Mike Beard, Bishop Barron. I picked those not because of theological depth or intellect but because I can see their love for God.
I know there are many denominations and you can see his grace acting on many people from different backgrounds, but once I came back to church I couldn't *see* anywhere else. There was no more searching to be done. It's like I was in the hottest point of the flame.
So don't try to understand everything! Not even the Saints did. Your faith may start small, but God helps you water it everyday. Feel free to message me if you want to bounce ideas or questions, we're all in the same journey.
I know there are many denominations and you can see his grace acting on many people from different backgrounds, but once I came back to church I couldn't *see* anywhere else. There was no more searching to be done. It's like I was in the hottest point of the flame.
So don't try to understand everything! Not even the Saints did. Your faith may start small, but God helps you water it everyday. Feel free to message me if you want to bounce ideas or questions, we're all in the same journey.
@calJul 4Thank you, I know that I’ll never understand everything, but when I was in my old church, my faith came from a place of emotion, I had a pretty tough time growing up, and so when I did start to ask questions, I found too many cracks in the story, it was a Pentecostal / evangelical church I was in. I think I just need understanding to build a foundation which is something I like about Catholicism, it seems to me that questions and conversations are a big part of the faith. Thank you for your time anyway, I might drop you a message soon 😊
@luke_3Jul 4Hi Cal, when I read your initial post and the conversations you have had with various people on this thread it reminded me of a prayer we sometimes pray in mass as part of what are called the Prayers of the Faithful which are basically short prayers of intercession for example “we pray for all who are sick in our parish,” “we pray for [name] who has died,” etc.
Anyway the prayer that I thought of when I read your post was “for all who seek You [Christ] sincerely,” as you certainly fall into that category. As Christ said “ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you,” (St Matthew 7:7-8). Christ not only waits for us He actively searches for us and seeks to draw us closer to Him. The intellectual tradition of the church is so deep, never be afraid to ask questions, keep praying, keep reading, keep learning. I’ll would definitely recommend attending your local parish, there’s nothing like seeing the mass celebrated to help it all click.
Anyway the prayer that I thought of when I read your post was “for all who seek You [Christ] sincerely,” as you certainly fall into that category. As Christ said “ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you,” (St Matthew 7:7-8). Christ not only waits for us He actively searches for us and seeks to draw us closer to Him. The intellectual tradition of the church is so deep, never be afraid to ask questions, keep praying, keep reading, keep learning. I’ll would definitely recommend attending your local parish, there’s nothing like seeing the mass celebrated to help it all click.
@calJul 5Aw thank you mate, really appreciate that. It’s really taking up a lot of my headspace at the moment, not that it’s a bad thing! It’s bringing me back to all the questions I had and the excitement I felt when learning various philosophies. I will definitely get along to the local church soon.
@luke_3Jul 5@cal hey Cal, thanks for getting back. You’re more than welcome, not it’s not a bad thing at all, the best thing to fill your head with in fact! That’s great, I’m delighted to hear how excited you are about exploring the faith, the Lord reaches out to us all in the way He knows we will be the most receptive and for you it is clearly the intellect and philosophy. As I’m sure you know the church has a very rich philosophical tradition from St Augustine and St Anselm all the way through to St Thomas Aquinas who ultimately formulated Thomism. Sounds great. God bless
@luke_3Jul 4I forgot to tag you sorry @cal 🤦♂️😂. I’m also more than happy to chat about theology, church history and anything else faith related. God bless you on your journey.
@rosepetalsofmaryJul 10It’s awesome reading through these conversations! You’ll have to update us on your experience with Mass! A resource I recommend is the Ascension app. The podcasts I’m recommending are free. There are some paid areas of the app, but you can just focus on the free content:
1. Bible in a Year
2. Catechism in a Year
3. Mass in a Month (Very underrated, but I think it’s great so you know what’s going on! Each episode is pretty short)
There are many resources, but these are nice bite-sized resources for ongoing learning. If you like books, then the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is an interesting read since it’ll help teach you some context of how Christianity fulfills Judaism. The author has some other books, but that one is a good start!
1. Bible in a Year
2. Catechism in a Year
3. Mass in a Month (Very underrated, but I think it’s great so you know what’s going on! Each episode is pretty short)
There are many resources, but these are nice bite-sized resources for ongoing learning. If you like books, then the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is an interesting read since it’ll help teach you some context of how Christianity fulfills Judaism. The author has some other books, but that one is a good start!
