Everyone,

[cheryl]

[quote name='Seven77' post='1704913' date='Nov 19 2008, 06:46 PM']give him your copy of Story of a Soul after you read it... Lutherans should love St. Therese' simple trust in God.[/quote]

I've been meaning to ask you, which translation do you suggest?

[cheryl]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1705061' date='Nov 19 2008, 09:54 PM']Dear its not your job to talk him into being Catholic. Be a happy Catholic and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. You can always invite the bf to phatmass .[/quote]

I haven't told him yet. I'm going to wait until I actually have a date to be received into the Church, that is, until I'm absolutely positive this is the direction I want to go in. I did get a hold of my priest, I will be visiting him Tuesday. After that, God willing maybe my head will clear. My mind has been very cloudy these last few months, first with the angst over the attrition/mortal sin issue, and then rejecting the apparitions, because I thought that maybe I'd be E.Orthodox. I think one of the biggest things that held me back from making that leap, was Mary's immaculate conception. Once I was convinced of it, it's been impossible to shake. Then when I realized that was a no-go, I decided maybe I ought to go home to Lutheranism. Both Lutheranism and E. Orthodoxy were spiritually dry for me, I don't really know why. I do remember making the comment to mom at one point, that I didn't know how to act without my rosary and all my little devotions. And unfortunately, through no fault of those with whom I spoke, I was left with that same sort of fear and dread, I remember having as a child. There's something about Lutheranism and me that doesn't really mix and from which I seem to emerge an emotional wreck. But anyways, as sure as I think I am, who knows, it's all in God's hands. But you're right, all I can do for him and for myself is just pray and "be a happy catholic".

[cheryl]

[quote name='Seven77' post='1705068' date='Nov 19 2008, 10:00 PM']Cmom is truly wise![/quote]

And very kind.

[cheryl]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1704427' date='Nov 18 2008, 11:26 PM']I have known two former Lutheran ministers who later became Catholic priests. Both told me that two things really started their path to the Catholic Church. One was reading Luther's letters in an un-edited form. His writing is actually, shockingly, profane. The second thing was reading the writing of the Early Church Fathers, St. Polycarp, St. Clement of Alexandria, St. Ignatius, St. Irenaeus, and St. Justin especially. Their theology is our theology, and Protestants can't say that these guys were anything but the real deal. It makes one really start to think rather than just spout tired old attacks on Catholicism.[/quote]

The thing about him though, is that he is a walking encyclopedia. Even if he were wrong about something, it would be very hard to argue to that effect. I haven't met very many people that have been able to intellectually persuade him to "their side". He's read Luther extensively as well as the church fathers. Right or wrong, serious, confessional Lutherans, believe that they are in congruity with the church fathers. In fact, the lutheran confessions makes a point of this. Historicity is very important for confessional Lutheranism. It's one of the legs she stands on. Not to mention the confessions themselves. Confessional Lutheranism has more in common with say, traditional Anglicanism, when it comes to how Tradition, Liturgy ect plays out in the church, than with what one might consider mainstream evangelicalism.

[quote]If I were in the same situation that you are, I would buy him a book with the writings of these guys, not to try to convert him, but to have something for the two of you to study together. Let the Holy Spirit do the work for you. When trying to convert a former roommate, I used to leave EWTN on in the background. She fell in love with Mother Angelica, and Fr. Corapi. She entered RCIA two years later. Sometimes indirect methods work best.[/quote]

You all are right I just need to pray and let God handle the details. As for indirect methods, all I can really do is see if he wants to go to church with me. Can you believe I don't get EWTN anymore!!!??? Most everything else is private e.g. prayer/rosary time ect.

[cheryl]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1704939' date='Nov 19 2008, 07:07 PM']I know he wont; none of us do...at first. Do you know how many of us here would have said, one, two, five, ten, or twenty years ago that we'd, "Never ever be Catholic, as long as I live!" ? [/quote]

Are there any here, who are adult converts to Christianity, but didn't convert to Catholicism right away (maybe they were evangelical or anglican first?)

[cheryl]

[quote name='Selah' post='1704923' date='Nov 19 2008, 06:53 PM']Prayers [/quote]

Thank you....pray pray pray....

[Christie_M]

Praying for you and your BF. I hope everything turns out all right in the end. Just trust in God and you will be fine.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='cheryl' post='1706137' date='Nov 20 2008, 08:39 PM']The thing about him though, is that he is a walking encyclopedia. Even if he were wrong about something, it would be very hard to argue to that effect. I haven't met very many people that have been able to intellectually persuade him to "their side". He's read Luther extensively as well as the church fathers. Right or wrong, serious, confessional Lutherans, believe that they are in congruity with the church fathers. In fact, the lutheran confessions makes a point of this. Historicity is very important for confessional Lutheranism. It's one of the legs she stands on. Not to mention the confessions themselves. Confessional Lutheranism has more in common with say, traditional Anglicanism, when it comes to how Tradition, Liturgy ect plays out in the church, than with what one might consider mainstream evangelicalism.



You all are right I just need to pray and let God handle the details. As for indirect methods, all I can really do is see if he wants to go to church with me. Can you believe I don't get EWTN anymore!!!??? Most everything else is private e.g. prayer/rosary time ect.[/quote]


Introduce him to our Brother Adam or Phatcatholic or anyone of our apologist/church militant scholars here they are walking encyclopedias, and I think BA was a devout Baptist to boot.

[cheryl]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1706202' date='Nov 20 2008, 09:33 PM']Introduce him to our Brother Adam or Phatcatholic or anyone of our apologist/church militant scholars here they are walking encyclopedias, and I think BA was a devout Baptist to boot. [/quote]

Anyone's welcome to try.

[cheryl]

[quote name='Christie_M' post='1706150' date='Nov 20 2008, 09:01 PM']Praying for you and your BF. I hope everything turns out all right in the end. Just trust in God and you will be fine.[/quote]
Thanks.

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='cheryl' post='1706138' date='Nov 21 2008, 12:41 AM']Are there any here, who are adult converts to Christianity, but didn't convert to Catholicism right away (maybe they were evangelical or anglican first?)[/quote]
Many of us here are adult converts, and I don't think any of us converted at the first experience of Catholicism. (If I had, I would have converted at a very early age, since I was around my Catholic cousins a lot). I was Southern Baptist, by the way. I certainly didn't fall in love with the Mass immediately, it took time and study and understanding what was going on.

Just think of St Monica, who prayed for the conversion of her husband and son for years and years. Her son is St Augustine, so must have worked. (I St Monica)

[cheryl]

[quote name='Archaeology cat' post='1706962' date='Nov 21 2008, 10:24 AM']Many of us here are adult converts, and I don't think any of us converted at the first experience of Catholicism. (If I had, I would have converted at a very early age, since I was around my Catholic cousins a lot). I was Southern Baptist, by the way. I certainly didn't fall in love with the Mass immediately, it took time and study and understanding what was going on.

Just think of St Monica, who prayed for the conversion of her husband and son for years and years. Her son is St Augustine, so must have worked. (I St Monica)[/quote]

So you converted to christianity as an adult, became baptist then catholic?

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='cheryl' post='1707042' date='Nov 21 2008, 04:03 PM']So you converted to christianity as an adult, became baptist then catholic?[/quote]
Ah, I misunderstood you. I grew up Baptist, and then Catholic as an adult.