Call it fear, or just a downright loathing of being the center of attention, but this is the only thing that's keeping me from converting to the Catholic faith.

I go into an absolute panic, just from THINKING about being baptized or confirmed in front of a crowd.

(In addition to which, I also feel it's nobody's business but mine whether I'm a convert or a cradle Catholic, and converting in public would effectively rob me of my privacy. But this is only a secondary issue with me.)

I desperately want to become a Catholic. Is there any solution? Are there exceptions made for extremely shy people?

-- jcjb (inte@viktigt.com), February 07, 2004

Answers

Aside from witnesses (as in a marriage), the Church does not require a "crowd" for the reception of the sacraments.

There's no reason this couldn't be handled privately with just a few friends or family in attendance.

-- jake (j@k.e), February 07, 2004.

indeed, i was baptised with only my family and a few family friends present, because in order to be ready for the confirmation a nearly a year later, I couldnt wait for the next baptism service.

Just talk to your priest

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), February 07, 2004.

Baptism can be administered with your sponsor (that is your Godfather or Godmother). Confirmation I believe will always be before others because, again you will have a sponsor, and this is generally administed during Mass by the Bishop to many people. There is also the case when one has studied the faith and receives Baptism and Confirmation in one ceremony (as my friend did recently, he is 21). You have it easy if you're a shy person because the Church used to generally baptize only on Holy Saturday and the Vigil of Pentacost. Those crowds were normally large.

But I want to first say that the desire to become a Catholic is possible only by the Holy Ghost, and it is wonderful, and I will include you in my prayers that Christ may wash you clean. I do, however, want to focus your attention on this privacy thing. Christ is not like what toothpaste you use, or who your girlfriend is, or other things which can genuinely be called none of no one elses business. But Christ is public. He is the filter of your every action, thought, and deed. He comes first. You must keep in mind then that this does not entail only one type of expression. Since you are shy your expression of your faith may be in your humble demenor, modest dress, and virtuous conduct. But your heart must still have a zeal for Christ and never hide away that He is your Lord and His Catholic Church is His Mystical Body. Keep private what dinners you like to eat, the type of shampoo you prefer, things that don't really matter. But always be ready to stand with Christ when the opportunity presents itself (which aren't by chance but presented by him). Again, people are called to different vocations, and so you must pray and discern exactly how He wants you to be His disciple. Not your will but His. Investigate the saints and select that one who will be your patron saint. Then call on him or her to help you. They went through the same stuff, and not every saint was social (that is, some had shy dispositions). And beware of your shyness/privacy issues damning your soul, for our Lord said, "Everyone therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 10.32-33). He will always help you and he never fails. God bless you.

-- Sean (s22w22@yahoo.com), February 07, 2004.

Thank you all for your answers. Now I think I can have the guts to go through with it soon. (I don't have a sponsor, but I'm told that's not absolutely necessary.)

Sean, I'm sorry, I didn't really explain myself very well. I'm not shy about being a Christian or a Protestant, just as I have no intention of being shy about being a Catholic (Have you ever seen a guy on a public bus in Manhattan, saying the Rosary? If you ever do, come on over and say Hello!)

What I regard as private information is my (future) status as a "convert." This is something I plan to share with individuals, as I get to know them and when I feel the time is right, on a person-by-person basis.

On the other hand, my being a Catholic is something I'll be happy to let everyone know, even strangers. Even strangers on a bus who notice my Rosary in my hands and assume I'm a Catholic now. (I just won't tell anyone exactly how long I've been a Catholic, until I feel I know them well enough to share that with them.)

BTW, I chose St Joseph as my saint 25 years ago!

-- jcjb, but call me Joe (inte@viktigt.com), February 07, 2004.

Joe,

When you started this thread I thought it could be a anxiety problem being in front of a crowd, but your last posts makes me think that you might worry about what people "think" to much on being a Catholic for such a short time. Your "secondary" problem is realy what is stalling the process because any man that prays the Rosary on a subway is proud of his Catholicism.

So just do what you have to do to get this done. And the sooner you do it, the sooner you can be a Catholic. :-)

Rember satan will try and get you to put this off forever, and your pride will help you procastinate.[ When I say "[pride" I mean worring that someone will think different of you because you are a new convert]

St. Seton(a convert) pray for you.

-- - (David@excite.com), February 07, 2004.