Greetings!
I am a recent convert to the Roman Catholic Church, a mother, and wife. I converted
to the Roman Catholic Church for two main reasons.
I had been researching Orthodox Christianity
for about a year prior to dating my husband.
Once things became serious between us and we
were discussing marriage, I took to heart that
he had been a Catholic all his life. I had not
converted to Orthodoxy at that point, but since
I am a firm believer, thought that if God would bless
us with a child in our marriage, it would be
best for our child to be raised by parents who
share the same faith.
I also reasoned that the two faiths were as
close as any others could be — in all the important
ways. I soon came to love the Catholic faith
and no longer felt that I chose it as a close
second.
I tried so hard to get involved in my parish community though faith matters
have been painful and cutting at times.
I had a traumatic experience my first year,
a miscarriage on my birthday. I was so blessed
to have a priest who opened up the chapel (no
longer used for Sunday Mass, only weekday mornings)
to allow me to spend time with Our Lady in order to ask
for her comfort and love. I know she has helped
me many times since my conversion, but that was
the time I needed her the most.
God blessed us with a beautiful healthy little
girl fourteen months after that. I couldn't help but
feel that her Baptism was both the happiest and
saddest day of my life. I kept wondering if I
had done the right thing by her, when I realized
she was not able to receive the Body and Blood
of Jesus that day.
Orthodox Christians do it
all at once. I do not want to question the Church
teaching on this, as it has been explained to
me, but it really hurt me. A baby has to
be as close, as anyone will ever be, in their life to purity and perfection. They can't possibly be any less
worthy than anyone else, and more than likely,
they are most qualified in pureness of heart.
I feel like I am committing a sin for thinking
this way, and I do not mean to — I just don't
understand this.
- Can you please explain this to me so I can
be at peace?
I have asked Our Lady to help me, and I
know that somehow this is a misunderstanding
on my part.
Maybe I'm too impatient.
Please advise,
Helen
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