What are conversion to faith nightmares?

Nightmares during conversions, mirror spiritual tension as the soul moves from the shadows into the light. The enemy resists letting go of our soul. Scripture affirms that God speaks even in dreams—sometimes to console, warn, and/or instruct as with St Joseph. How do we discern God in fitful dreams? Below are four priest's opinions.

1. Numbing Nights. Faith-conversion nightmares arise when souls wrestle with grace. As Father Fernando Pascual, L.C. notes, conversion is “a beautiful, sometimes difficult experience, which deeply changes hearts” and can feel frightening when “one fears the reactions of others” or senses “the allure of evil” pulling back toward darkness. Nightmares accompany conversion because the soul is shedding old habits, fears and attachments. Fr Pascual writes, Christ’s voice “invites us to the most radical and decisive change: to leave sin behind and begin to live in the Lord.”

2. Formation Fears. Many converts describe dreams of dread—falling, being chased or facing judgment. These images often reflect interior struggle, as described by Fr Mike Schmitz, who once admitted: “My own pride, is it my fault? Absolutely.” His conversion involved a collapse of certainty, a confrontation with truth that felt like “the joy of being wrong.” Nightmares are part of this collapse: the ego resists surrender and the subconscious dramatizes the battle. Yet Fr Schmitz’s testimony shows his fear was the precursor to humility, gratitude and liberation.

3. Darkness Dissolves . Conversion involves not only psychology—it is spiritual warfare. As Bishop Joseph Strickland warns, many have “stopped noticing the serpent.” He urges believers to “rise and resist evil with the authority of Christ.” Nightmares may be the soul’s alarm bell, signaling the awakening grace to the realities we previously ignored. They are invitations to vigilance, prayer and sacramental life.

4. Merciful Metanoia. The Church teaches that conversion—metanoia—is a radical turning toward God. It involves “recognizing our own fragility,” sincere repentance, and returning to holiness daily. Below is abridged advice to a convert, from Fr Robert Spitzer in this You Tube video.

Convert A: I am “…getting nightmares that will wake me up in the middle of the night. I haven’t had that in like 20 years. But Dude, that fear was humbling. I’m not a very fearful person.

Fr Spitzer: “These nightmares … you shouldn’t be worried about them at all. Believe me, I have helped a lot of people through the conversion process ... this is … a sign of the authenticity of your conversion. The evil spirit knows he has now been powerfully weakened by your faith, by your using the name of Jesus, by your prayer. He knows you’re on the right track and you’re going to keep discovering that you’re on the right track. As you said, it’s real. And of course, he knows that you’re doing this. And he knows now that you’re going to testify to this. So, what does he do in almost every case of authentic conversion like yours? He gives people nightmares. He tries to scare you off. He tries to plant the seed inside of you that indicates, “Oh, maybe this isn’t for real.” It’s actually the opposite. The nightmares indicate it’s for real. And of course, he’s trying to plant that seed and [you’re] thinking, “I shouldn’t have nightmares. I’m moving in the right direction.” But this is exactly what happens … just cast them off … pray to the Lord who protects you. And … you will be protected. Don’t worry about the nightmares. They will continue. As long as … the evil spirit thinks they can inhibit you, he’ll try and give you nightmares. Worry not about them. They will surely be gone as your faith life [grows].

Healing Horizons

When nightmares strike, we lean on sacramentals, the saints who dreamt like St Joseph, Scripture and the sacraments. The Church reminds us that private revelations—including dreams—must be discerned carefully, but they can be moments of grace. Ultimately, conversion nightmares are not signs of abandonment but of transformation. They reveal a soul being pursued by the Father’s love—especially—in the shadows.

O Father of the Dawn prayer

Father of mercy, calm my night, when shadows stir and fears ignite.
Hold my heart in gentle grace, and let Your love, my dreams embrace.
When terrors rise and tempests roar, send Christ’s comfort to my door;
Whisper to my trembling will, calm my hand to steady me still.

In darkest hours when doubts appear, remind my soul that You are near.
Your guiding truth, to fears unmade. Your faithful light will never fade.
Father, lift my weary eyes; with evil storms, the serpent tries.
 Let hope ascend where heaven gleams, to sanctify my scary dreams.

Until the dawn breaks clear and true, I place my fragile trust in You.
Transform my night with love divine & claim my heart as wholly Thine.

Sources

Bishop Strickland: We stopped noticing the serpent | YouTube.com

Catholic.net. (n.d.). Christian conversion and message.

Catholicus.eu. (2025, July 2). Conversion to Catholicism through a dream: A divine call that awakens the soul.

Catholicus.eu. (2025, March 5). Convert and believe in the Gospel: A call to eternal life.

Chris Stefanek. What nobody knows about Fr Mike Schmitz | YouTube.com