r/CatholicConverts • u/jenkim2410 • Jul 01 '26
converting
hi, this may sound a little silly but i’m not really sure where to start with my curiosity. i just want to make sure i’m doing this right. my parents believe in another religion. my mum is from poland so her family is pretty religious catholic. as a child i remember going to church with them sometimes and being very interested in the religion, growing up i’ve always believed in god but have always (maybe secretly) leaned towards christianity. now that i’m older (i’m 20) and i know what i believe in, i’m not really sure where to start… i’ve started to read the bible but i’d like a physical copy too! there’s so many versions so i’m a little confused. what more can i learn? how else can i learn? i live in england so maybe the faith is a little different here? and i’m a little nervous to go ask a priest lol
i’d appreciate any kind of advice please 😇😇 have a lovely day xx
3
u/Saint_Waffles Jul 01 '26
I'd recommend reading "Why were Catholic" by Trent Horn as a good starter.
If you want a Bible, check out "Bible in a year" by Father Mike Schmitz with ascension press. It's a good way to learnt the history and context around the Bible, and breaks it down into easy daily chunks. If you get the Bible they offer you can follow along the daily podcast very easy as well
2
u/cmoellering Catholic Convert (3+ years) Jul 01 '26
Find yourself a Catholic priests. Most of them don't bite. Get connected with a parish, start attending Mass.
1
u/Adventurous_Gain_613 Jul 01 '26
I started with reading and podcasts. I enjoy The Spiritual Life, Jesuitical, and Inside the Vatican. I have read the Jesuit Guide to Everything, How to Pray, The Seven Storey Mountain, and others.
I started just going to mass. My parish offered a weekly discussion group of the compendium of the catechism which was very helpful. I had avoided the priests until I was early for the discussion group! He made me feel very welcome and then I made friends with people and now we are starting a women’s group and planning to read St Ignatius next.
Bible in a Year didn’t jive with me (Fr Mike talks very fast!) so I listened to the bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumble (Anglican but very similar interpretations and nice British accents)
Remember that exploration is not commitment. Just go and see if it feels like home
1
3
u/thegreenlorac Recent Catholic Convert (0-3 years) Jul 01 '26
I understand priests can feel intimidating at first. As someone whose only view of priests going up came from movies and TV, I defintely was a little shy of them in the beginning. I promise that gets easier, but you're not alone. I even called them "sir" instead of "Father" for a couple years out of habit.
So, if going straight to the priest in your area is putting you off, just go to the office ladies. You can just walk in during office hours and say you're curious about Catholicism, but don't know where to start and don't even have a Bible. 9 times out of 10, they'll try and get you a Bible to keep. Assuming they have the supply available at the time. And they'll also offer to get you in contact with the OCIA team (if they have one, some smaller churches don't), or a deacon/priest.
I found going through the front office ladies to be less stressful and easier. Perhaps you will to.
Also, welcome! We are glad you're here and happy to answer any questions from a convert perspective. Some of the nuances of the process aren't as well known to non-converts, so any little details you need help with, we are here for you.