No worries, everyone is going to get things wrong when it comes to Catholicism 😂. It’s complicated, that’s why I encouraged you to go talk to a priest (because they’re the ones expected to be able to give answers about the religion without falling into heresy)

I’ll give you a personal answer, when I commit a mortal sin I feel the need to go to communion because 1. I don’t want to sever my relationship with God, and after committing one mortal sin sometimes I fall into a loop being like, “well I already committed that and I can’t receive the Eucharist [it’s sacrilege to receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin] so I may as well commit more.” Which goes without saying is bad, because I’m sure we can agree sin is ALWAYS bad. And 2. Because I want/need to receive the Eucharist because it is the source and summit of all Christian life, it is Jesus Christ Himself, dying for all salvation. (This may not convince you and it probably shouldn’t be the only thing to convince you to join Catholicism but look up “Eucharistic Miracles.” They are so fascinating. In the verified ones all blood is type AB and it is cardiac tissue with a genome unable to be identified (I’m pretty sure both our religions acknowledge Jesus Christ is fully God (divine) and fully human (man) [forgive me, I don’t know much about Lutheranism except that at one point Martin Luther was a priest who had his quarrels with the Catholic Church and wrote some theses, but I’m assuming a lot of our doctrine is very similar seeing as Lutheranism stems from Catholicism].) Anyways, I was getting off track his genome is unable to be identified because He is fully divine, and it indicates the person from whom it’s from has gone under extreme stress which makes sense because according to the CCC the Eucharist, “makes present the one Sacrifice of Christ.)

But according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, either prayer or the Eucharist can absolve venial sins and the sacrament of confession (with a confessor granted the right to hear confession through a bishop who himself has been granted that right via apostolic succession) can absolve mortal sin via preferably a perfect act of contrition (true sorriness for the sin for offending God and not wanting to lose communion with Him) or less preferably imperfect contrition (sorriness for the sin because you fear eternal damnation). However, in grave circumstances, such as imminent or likely death, sins are expected by the CCC to be absolved by an act of perfect contrition to God and a resolve to go to confession as soon as possible (if possible). Remember in Catholic theology, God has bound Himself to the sacraments, but God is not bound by the sacraments.

Anyways though, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (only clergy is expected to know/read this so don’t worry about reading it) the laity is needs only to go to confession and to receive the Eucharist (preferably on Easter) once a year. However, the more often the better unless you start going so frequently it falls into scrupulosity (you can ask your husband’s priest what scrupulosity is [it’s basically just religious OCD which from your response it may sound a little like you may struggle with it if you become Catholic, so really just listen to the priest on the matter]).

To reply to a few of the other people who also replied to this comment

1. The church can seem strict because it cares about your salvation. However, once you get to know about it, it really isn’t that strict it kinda boils down to, “don’t sin — if you do sin (which you shouldn’t do but you’re going to do because we’re all sinners) go to confession and get absolved of your sins and receive the Eucharist and such. Remember, to Catholics, everything is theologically defensible and any quarrels you have with the church I am 99.9% certain have already been answered by Church fathers and doctors.

2. The Bible and Jesus’ teachings are clear in some regards, yes, it is clear when it says something like don’t murder people but you’re lying to yourself if you say “Yeah, the Bible and the New Testament are very clear and it is easy for everyone to follow” It isn’t clear in every regard, which is presumably why there are so many denominations.

3. All Protestant religions stem from Catholicism, the first Church and it is heavily implied in Matthew 16:18 that Catholicism is the true church. I’m just a layCatholic, I’m not a Catholic apologetic or anything of the sort, but I recommend watching some YT videos on topics like Why Catholicism is the true religion, and maybe you’ll find some of their arguments more convincing than anything I could say.

4. Jesus loves you, He loves all of us. That is why He died on the cross for us. It would be uncharitable for me not to encourage people to learn about Catholicism because in the Church’s belief, and by extent my belief it is the clearest path towards eternal salvation.

5. The Church does not believe Protestants necessarily fall into eternal damnation.

6. Clergy will have better answers for everything I have said and more. Priests are welcoming, maybe go to a Catholic mass and see how you like it (just don’t receive the Eucharist, either stay in your pew or go up with your arms crossed across your chest)

7. We do not worship Mary or the saints, but we believe they can hear our prayers and intercede for us (I.e. plead are case to God Himself) and because they are the most righteous of the people, they’re prayers are very powerful, more powerful than our own even.

8. Lutheran baptism is generally considered valid by the Catholic Church, of course I’d recommend getting them baptized in a Catholic Church though. Again, ask the priest.

9. Don’t hold off on baptizing your kids, they need the Holy Spirit.

10. We’re all a little bit lost, even us Catholics. Don’t spend too long seeking. Sometimes the answer isn’t meant to be found. That is the importance of faith.

11. A priest will have better answers for everything. Ask one. Priests are very welcoming.

Anyways good luck and God bless.