How do I become a Catholic?

[mollysmum82]

Hello everyone

This is going to sound really naive but how do I become a Catholic? I have always tried to live by the teachings of Jesus, treating others as I'd like to be treated and I have tried to be a good person. I have always believed in God; I love God and I pray many times a day. However I have never been part of a church but I really feel ready to share my prayers with other people. Does that sound silly?

My Gran is 98 now and has been a devout Catholic her whole life. She said to me recently how much she would love me to find her faith. I have wanted to go to church for a long time now but I haven't really had the confidence just to turn up. To be honest I don't know a lot about the differences in the Christian denominations but I would really like to go to a Catholic church because of my Gran's belief. I'm not doing this just to please her though, I have a strong feeling inside me telling me to go.

Would someone who's never been to church really before be welcome? If I did just start going would that make me a Catholic? Thanks so much for any advice.

find your local catholic church - ring them up, make an appt to see the priest.

you will need to be baptised. you will have to attend lessons- like bible study.

yes you will be made welcome, this always depends on how much you get involved in the church community usually raising funds for charity or something - alternatively you could tell the priest your worry and ask him i there is something specific that he could give you as a role to do before or after mass.

It doesn't sound silly or naive at all!

The way someone becomes a Catholic (often also used by people who may have grown up catholic but moved away from the church) is something called the RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Each parish or group of parishes will run sessions to which people who want to become catholics or think they might will encouraged to join. The sessions will involve lots of discussion and opportunities for asking questions, and exploring your faith, and generally lead up to baptism (for people who haven't been baptised), reception into the CAtholic church (for people who were baptised into the CoE or other branch of christianity) or confirmation (for people who were baptised catholic but didn't move from that into an adult version of their faith, for whatever reason).

RCIA programmes usually begin in the Autumn and run until the Easter of the following year, which is traditionally when adult baptisms take place. But now would be a good time to start finding out a bit more so that you can see whether it's something you might like to join after the summer.

You can do that simply by turning up to Church and seeing what goes on, though I would imagine it might feel a little disconcerting if everybody else seems to know what they're doing -- they won't be watching or judging you though, they really won't. Catholic churches always have a few slightly off-the-wall people doing their own thing, people are fairly chilled about it on the whole! The only thing you can't join in with is Communion, though you can go up for a blessing if you want to, with your arms crossed over your chest to show that you're not taking communion.

Alternatively, or after attending a couple of times for a look you can introduce yourself to the priest, either by approaching them after Mass or by making an appointment to go in for a chat sometime. Honestly, they will be more than happy to discuss it with you and help you find the path that you want to be on. Having a meeting might seem a bit more intimidating initially, but should mean that the priest can introduce you to someone who can make you feel more at home and support you a bit.

hth

Thank you so much for your replies! Frogs, I can't thank you enough for your detailed response, its really helped! I have made contact with our local church - I will let you know what happens! xx

Yep, frogs has said it all - good luck mollysmum82, keep us updated!

Thanks lots! xx

I was received into the Catholic Church through the RCIA programme about 12yrs ago.
I found it very informative, answered all the questions I thought were too controversial to ask. Also found it to be an informal, no-pressure environment in which to learn.

I now co-ordinate RCIA in our parish and am still learning!

frogs has explained it all brilliantly.

Hope you manage to get answers and find what you want

I was just about to stat a similar thread! I am Cof E but don't have a church I like at the moment. Went to a first communion yesterday and found the service beautiful, this isn't the first time I've been to that church and loved it then aswell.
The thing that puts me off is that being Catholic seems to be ingrained from birth and how would you ever catch up?!

Also are there any good books that would explain the basics?

Before I did my RICA course 4 years ago the "Dummies guide to Catholicism" was recommended.

Sounds strange I know, but it really helped me to get to grips with the basics and gave me lots of questions to ask.

Great post by the way frogs

Another good book is "The How To Book of Catholic Devotions"(There's also a sister publication "The How to Book of the Mass").

As the title suggests, it doesn't help with any real theology or explanations of what we believe, but it's a good step by step guide to what we do (rather than why) - traditonal prayers, the rosary, holy water, confession, stations of the cross etc. so it's good for anyone who's worried that they're sticking out by not knowing the words/actions to something that everyone else knows. Though BTW, I wouldn't worry - a lot of younger Catholics don't know many of the traditional prayers any more. And, as frogs said, no one's watching anyway.

If you're more interested in the underlying beliefs, the Catechism is always a good starting point. There's the Compendium of the Catechism which is an abridged version. These are both available in full online as well as printed.

Thankyou for the suggestions. Will have a read round, has been areal fascination for a long time. I feel much more fulfilled after a Catholic service than I do in other churches (that sounds wierd, don't know how to say it!)

There will also be mass books at the back of the church too as you go in- pick one up and try to follow along, it will make more sense as you go along!

Can I butt in please?! I started the RCIA a couple of weeks ago, am loving the sessions

I've just ordered the Dummies Guide.. and was wondering if any of you could recommend a good, easy-read version of the bible? I'm finding the huge choice of different versions (RSV, NIV, Good News, KJV etc etc) bewildering.

Thanks. And good luck mollysmum & 3monkeys

Cam I ask you Amazonian woman? When you first started going did you go on your own or take your children with you? Don't know if they'd find it confusing to change church again!

I've been going to Catholic mass on & off for about 8 years, since before I got married to (Catholic) DH. Firstly to DH's family's church - where we got married & where both our kids were baptised, then more recently to our local church because it's linked to DD's (Catholic) school. So, the kids already come along.

I don't think I've actually set foot in a CofE church (apart from friends' weddings) for about 20 years...

DD is almost 6 and has started asking why I don't take communion etc + lots of general religious questions that I can't/couldn't answer, hence I started the course.

Also, my good Catholic DH worships that other great religion, rugby , which occupies too much of our weekends, so I wanted to feel more comfortable taking our children on my own.

It helps hugely (for me at least) that our priest is married and converted from CofE to RC about 10 years ago. He's also just generally a fab person

amazonianwoman, would suggest the New Jerusalem bible, its a good translation and many RC churches use it.

Thanks. Have actually just found a NRSV Catholic Edition bible at home I'd forgotten we have

Forgive my ignorance, but how does it differ from the New Jerusalem version?

And sorry for hijack!

I have the NRSV - another fine translation, IMHO. The NRSV uses inclusive language - so whereas, for example the original might say "brothers" in Paul's letters, the NRSV would use "brothers and sisters".

grigaitis.net/?doc=articles/guide.html

Written more for young people in mind, but has a link to a fuller explanation of the mass, and prayers.

Can I just add my two bob for the mix! I am a convert, and love my faith. I never felt intimidated by not being a "cradle catholic" although I can see how you might feel like there is a lifetime to catch up! I don't know everything, but I have a lifetime to find out! You will maybe not realise at the moment how much joy you will be received into the Church with - the congregation will warmly welcome you - I will never forget the day I was received - it was pretty emotional!!! I turned round to go back to my place, and received a huge round of applause!

If you haven't already, check out Life4seekers - via the RCC in England and Wales website. And Ask.com - catholicism is good, if there is something that you feel silly about asking at RCIA.

I'll pray for your journey - how exciting!

Good for you. You'll be very welcome: most parishes are thrilled to have new people in them. Ours certainly is.

Good luck. I think you're doing something both brave and generous. I'm sure most people will be really welcoming. Priests vary, and I'm not sure where you are, but the priests of the Oratory are uniformly kind and polite. (As in Brompton Oratory, Oxford Oratory, Birmingham Oratory).

Thanks so so much for all your replies! I will tell you how my journey goes!