Becoming a Catholic is a tough decision, but one that is easy to do even if it takes time. It's easy to take the first step and enter the world's oldest Christian institution. The Church is always waiting for you and also helping you in your life.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Self-Introspection
Step 1. Sit alone and meditate
Becoming a Catholic will change your life. It's not like considering becoming a hipster or donating organs. It will become a part of you and not something you will do half-heartedly. Sure, there will be sparkling lights at Christmas time, but that can't be the basis of your faith (even though it looks beautiful).
- Do you know enough about the teachings of the Catholic church to say that you believe you want to be a part of this religion? If the answer is yes, great! Please read on. If you're not sure, find a friend or member of the clergy who can provide you with information. And don't forget, there's the Internet!
- Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the true Savior? Do you believe in the holy Trinity – God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? What about Our Lady and transubstantiation? Yes? Good! Carry on.
Step 2. Read the Bible and the Catechism (if it's the Bible, you must be familiar with it, right?
). Catechisms are directions for Christians in the form of questions and answers. This may be the resource you need to make a decision!
Indeed, the Bible is very ancient, can be difficult to understand, and very thick, T-E-B-A-L. If you don't have much time, read the Book of Genesis and the New Testament. You will catch stories about creation and about Jesus. Otherwise, talk about your interest in Pastor, it will be clear that you have learned a lot
Step 3. Understand your situation
If you don't have experience with the Catholic church yet, you will go through the process as described in this article – namely, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA = Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes as well as full body spa packages on Easter eve (Baptism, Sidi, etc.) However, if you have been baptized but have only been baptized or if you previously had other ties to the Church, your process may be different.
If you have been baptized, but have only been baptized, you do not have to take an RCIA class. It all depends on your education and desires. Most people who are baptized will only attend a question and meditation class; and you can go straight to church on Sunday
Part 2 of 4: Choosing the Right Church
Step 1. Local Catholic Church
It's not that hard – just look it up in the phone book or when you're walking around the neighborhood. The Catholic Church building was always big, and there was a cross at the top. Another way to find it is via the internet; there you can find the address and the times when the mass/service starts. There are also apps like MassTimes which are free and use GPS to let us know where the Roman Catholic Church is in our area.
Yes, if you manage to find one church, great, however, four churches are even better. Think of the church where you go to college. In a place like that you are given an education, but in another building of course the way of teaching is different. In Church A you may not be interested, whereas in Church B you may feel comfortable. If you haven't found a Church that makes you feel part of that Church, keep looking
Step 2. Attend Mass
Have you ever bought a car without trying it first, surely you haven't? Church is not just for certain people, so come! Anyone will be accepted and will not be questioned if you come. Come with your Catholic friend who can explain what is done at mass. You will not participate in communion (Holy Communion), but you can follow other processes. And no one will care if you don't come forward to receive the Eucharist! (Bread of the Banquet). The church is open to everyone.
Don't let one particular Mass or Church influence your decision. Most churches vary in terms of their services. Many churches open “youth Masses” or “guitar Masses”. Moreover, there are also those who open Mass in a foreign language for the foreign community. In addition, you may enjoy the sermon depending on the Pastor speaking at the mass. So find out which one is suitable, there are many options available
Step 3. Pray
Being new to the Catholic Church doesn't mean you can't pray. And that doesn't mean God can't hear you either! Take time to pray and feel the difference. If this calms you down or takes you to a deeper level, that's great.
When you pray, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are looking for an answer. Sometimes prayer is just to talk to someone up there (including the saints!) to thank, ask for help, or just to calm down and reflect. This can be done anywhere, anytime, and can be through thoughts, words, songs, or deeds
Part 3 of 4: Church Initiation
Step 1. Contact the Parish Church of your choice
Tell them your desire to convert and then your journey begins! There are several classes at RCIA for all who wish to convert to Catholicism within a certain period of time, which will give you an overview/framework to study and study in depth. But before you start, you will have to go through a process where you will talk to the Pastor, reflect and come to Mass regularly. It sounds very intimidating, but it really isn't.
Sometimes the Church is like a school in the sense that we are only allowed to go to a place that is representative of our area. If you find further afield, the diocesan ordinance may require you to request a letter from the parish so you can go to the church of your choice
Step 2. Talk to the priest or deacon
He will generally ask why you want to be Catholic, he will also talk to make sure your intentions are sincere and you understand what it is like to be a Catholic. If it is ready, then the RCIA class process can be started.
At Mass, you and everyone in your generation will declare your intentions through the Ritual of Acceptance into the Catechumen Order and the Ritual of Welcoming in public. Don't worry – you won't be asked to make a public speech. You have become a catechumen
Step 3. Start your Catholic education class (RCIA)
You will learn about church history, the Faith and values of the Catholic Church, and the proper order in which Mass is celebrated. At this level, many of the classes will have you only part of Mass, leaving before communion, because you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist until you become part of the Catholic Church.
However, you can get involved in other ways. You will receive the anointing, join in prayer, and become involved in the community. Otherwise, your class will be closer to being able to do other things on time
Step 4. Spend some time with the sponsor
RCIA classes are placed along with the liturgical cycle. In that way, we will be able to experience banquets, fasting, and holidays. This is when you will receive a sponsor -- if you are thinking of someone to sponsor you, you can choose them to work with. The sponsor's purpose is simply to assist and answer any questions you may have.
At this time, you will be asked to explain your marital status. If you are divorced but have not received an annulment of status, you will need to take care of it before you can become a Catholic. If you are married but not in the Catholic Church, you may be asked to “remarry”, (or your marriage can only be blessed) this way -- believe it or not -- can be done by delegation (appointment of someone to represent YOU)
Part 4 of 4: Joining the Church
Step 1. Begin a period of purification and enlightenment
At the end of the liturgical cycle, you are already considered a “chosen candidate.” This is when you get ready for the three general celebrations: the Ritual of Elections, the Call to Continuing the Conversion, and in closing, the Lenten Ceremony.
Purification and enlightenment begins at the beginning of Saum (the Christian Fasting Month). After 40 days, it is at the Lenten ceremony that you are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist. Yessss
Step 2. Be a full Catholic
After the Lenten ceremony (a truly beautiful and unforgettable experience), you are now a recognized member of the Catholic Church. All your lessons and hard work paid off and now you're all set. Welcome to the club!
If you want to know, you don't have to do anything for the sacrament. Just come with a smile and good intentions, that's all it takes. No need to memorize, practice and also no exam anything. The church is happy just by your presence. Pastor will take care of next
Step 3. Begin a period of mysagogy
Sounds a little weird right? Technically, mystagogy is a lifelong process in which a person becomes closer to God and more deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Non-technically, mystagogy ends at pentecost and means studying experience through catechism.
Some churches may teach you, (but more in the form of guidance if this is needed) for up to a year. You're still relatively new and can ask all you want! They are only here to help. The rest, we continue our faith journey to become more independent
Tips
- If you're just wondering, but aren't convinced that you want to convert to Catholicism, you can go to the priest, deacon or parish staff member to hear their answers. They will certainly be happy to arrange a time to meet you.
- As usual, Catholic churches carry out many social activities, such as feeding the homeless or serving in nursing homes and orphanages. This is usually what is done most often in Church social activities and is indeed a powerful way to gather with fellow Catholics while doing charity in society.
- You may think that some of the Catholic traditions are strange or difficult to understand, ask your priest about it or join a catechism.
- If you were previously baptized in the Trinity form “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”, your baptism is still valid and you do not need to be baptized again. If you have not been baptized, or your previous baptism was not in the form of the Trinity, then you need to be baptized in the Catholic Church.
- In many Mass books there is a sequence of Masses with answers and times at which we must sit, stand, or kneel back and forth.
- Pray every night and morning. Of course you want God to feel happy and accepted!
- The Catholic Church is often associated with feelings of guilt and strict rules. After attending several Masses and making friends with Catholics, you will feel that this classification is unfair
- The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults is a great introduction to the doctrines and prayers of the church, and is an interesting read. The book Catholicism for Dummies is also very useful.
RCIA is not meant to teach everything about the Catholic faith - but to show a little bit about the Catholic faith, in hopes of piquing our curiosity. Our journey of faith continues and is very dynamic. Even though you're done with the RCIA, that doesn't mean this lesson about your new faith is also over.
Warning
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Until you become a member of the Catholic Church, you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist. There will be no penalties for transgressions, but the Church hopes that you will respect tradition. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ, no longer bread and wine. Remember that Paul said, “So whoever in an unworthy way eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord, he is sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. For whoever eats and drinks without acknowledging the body of the Lord, he will bring judgment upon himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:27, 29). Long story short, the resulting sin is deadly (very big), and avoiding major sins is important while waiting to become a Catholic.
Those who have not received First Communion may stand and queue up to the front of the altar, but when they arrive at the altar they must cross their arms over their chests with their palms touching their shoulders. This indicates to the Pastors that they only want to be blessed (only the priest is authorized to bless at Communion; in this case, if you are not eligible for Holy Communion, you should stay seated to avoid confusion)
- More than that, never enter a religion for the sake of another. Do it only if it's something you really believe in.
The Catholic Church is an institution that has existed for thousands of years; therefore, the Church has many rituals and traditions. If you are not sure that you want to be a part of this institution, hold your steps until you really believe and believe. Purchasing and reading the following will be of great help.
