Becoming a catholic?

11 replies

LinaDee · 11/09/2014 15:50

I was baptised in the CoS. But I have always felt a pull toward the Catholic Church.
I married my DH who is a catholic in the Catholic Church and my Dd is baptised catholic.
I've been to services in lots of churches but I feel at "home" in the Catholic Church.
We go to mass when we can which, with a 2 year old, is not always easy.
For a few years I have been considering converting. Has anyone done this?
What is the process? What should I expect?

OP posts:

gingerdodger · 11/09/2014 18:59

You need to speak to your priest as most parishes run some kind of programme for those wishing to convert or of not sometimes it's done as a one to one. You won't need to be baptised again as you already are but you will need to do your first reconciliation and go through a confirmation and First Holy Communion ceremony, usually done at the Easter Vigil and is very beautiful in my opinion.

Lots of people worry that they will do it with the children and have to do the whole white frock thing. Not so, I have seen it done in a very low key way when that was the person's wishes.

MaryBS · 13/09/2014 13:14

I used to be RC, and am now Anglican. If its where you feel you belong, that is brilliant. There is something called RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) which is how you are eased in gently. Lots of info on here:
www.rcia.org.uk/Enquirers

Original poster

LinaDee · 13/09/2014 17:47

Thank you both.
That's very helpful

OP posts:

DragonfliesDrawFlame · 13/09/2014 22:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lookingforfocus · 13/09/2014 23:25

I am also a convert Catholicism from atheism. If you have some thoughts or questions we could also discuss them here. I am very happily Catholic 20+ years later.

Original poster

LinaDee · 14/09/2014 09:05

I love the priest in our local church. He is great but I imagine my own personal first step would be to attend mass on a regular basis. As I've said, at the moment it's quite sporadic.
However, it doesn't mean I don't engage with god on a daily basis

OP posts:

MaryBS · 14/09/2014 11:39

Yes, a Sunday mass obligation is one of the hallmarks of the Catholic faith :)

Original poster

LinaDee · 14/09/2014 12:03

Stupid question - does it have to be Sunday? I'm planning on trying to go to mass during the week when my wee one is at nursery so that I can go...

OP posts:

DragonfliesDrawFlame · 14/09/2014 15:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lookingforfocus · 14/09/2014 18:14

The majority of Catholic parishes will have Mass every day and you can go as often as you want. There is usually a core group of parishioners who go to Mass every day or as often as they can.

Housemum · 15/09/2014 13:32

The official rule is go to Mass either Saturday evening or Sunday (our local church has Saturday evening, 2 Sunday morning, one Sunday evening). The vague advice when I asked the question of our local priest was, "it's up to you whatever your conscience tells you". Take that how you will! (With a hefty dose of Catholic guilt!)

RCIA course can be 1 or 2 years depending on your parish, Easter Vigil is a beautiful service for being received into the church. Good luck whatever you decide

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