Thinking of becoming Catholic

First I would say go talk to the Parish Priest about it. Some Parishes require those who have been Baptized to go through a series of classes in a program called RCIA, others only require it of those who have not been Baptized. For those who have been Baptized, some Parishes just have you speak with the Priest as you study with your Sponsor. After/during the classes, you will go to Confession, then you will be Confirmed and given your First Communion. The classes are a good idea at any rate, if the teachers are good.

Good luck, and God Bless,

Neal

Mine were once a week from Sept. - just after Easter. I didn't make it to all of them and there were some who came in later in the year... I suppose it will vary a little between parishes.

Neal

s0uljah -

It depends.

Most RCIA - Right of Christian Initiation for Adults lasts 9 months (Fall-Easter).

Some parishes offer inquiry classes that run for only a few months.

If you are into reading here are some good books:

1. Surprised By Truth 1 & 2
2. Rome Sweet Home

and there are more...but its best to take it a little at a time.

Good luck! I converted 5 years ago and I am glad I came home.

To Souljah:

My daughter's boyfriend recently completed the RCIA classes. They began in October, I believe, and the focal point is that the Initiates join the Church at the Easter Vigil service.

When I took my Inquiry class, a hundred years ago, the priest who taught it explained that the Easter Vigil service is the culmination of the entire Christian faith. While most of us remember Christmas as the "biggie holiday," the Vigil occurs the evening before Easter. Jesus has died, His death occurred on Friday. While we KNOW that He will rise again on Sunday, Easter Sunday, the Vigil service is in complete anticipation of this glorious event. We are confident, we are excited, for the entire focus of Christianity is that JESUS IS RISEN!

The service is quite lengthy, for the Scripture readings are numerous. The entire prophecy in the Old Testament is recalled, all building the anticipation for the Messiah, Jesus, our Lord.

Incredible, incredible experience!



Peace be with you,
~VOW

I think you are making a very wise decision

I can't add anything to what has been said, except to say that I hope you see the blessings in what you are doing.

A few notes for any individual who is considering joining any branch of the Catholic Church (Roman or otherwise):

1. Don't convert to make life easier, you often won't. My girlfriend's sister converted to Roman Catholicisim, took the RCIA classes, made the retreats, the whole nine yards. . . and she does not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in any way in the Eucharist, she refuses to go to Confession, she believes that Protestant communion served with grape juice and cookies is just as good as the Catholic Mass, she doesn't see a problem with allowing personal fun to take the place of Mass, she uses every form of birth control known to man. . . and she still considers herself a better Catholic then anyone else in her parish. She became Catholic because her husband wouldn't convert to Protestantisim. . . but he might as well have, considering that he has consented to her use of birth control pills. She realises that if anyone in her parish who was conservative told the Priest (also a conservative) that she'd be in big trouble, but she goes on ignoring the Church's clear teachings anyway.

2. Make sure that you know what branch of the Catholic Church you wish to join. There are many on this board who will disagree with me (so be it), but Rome is not the only Catholic game in town. If you don't mind some ethnicity, you might consider Eastern Orthodoxy. . . if you don't mind traditional language, consider Anglicanisim (not the Episcopal Church, they have lapsed beyond heresy with the Ordination of Women). If you want a more Roman Catholic service, look at Old Catholicisim or Latin Rite Orthodoxy (yes, it exists!). If Rome suits you, look to Rome.

3. Make sure your wife is a very important part of your process of entering the Church. You need to learn what she knows, and you need to be able to compliment her faith with yours. You need to be able to support eachother more than just financially, but spiritually, in hard times and in joyful times.

4. Make sure you are converting to please God, not your wife. If pleasing your wife is more important than pleasing God, don't bother with converting. There are far too many people who think that converting will save a failing marriage (I am not implying that such a situation exists with you), cause some wonderful change for the better you have yet to see, or will cause you to have to have one less trip to Church on Sunday. Your conversion must, must, MUST proceed from a belief that the Catholic Church is the true Church that Christ established, and that whatever branch you choose of that Church is a branch which you believe, through Study and Prayer, best preserves the Ancient, Apostolic faith.

I hope this has been helpful. I don't intend to be presumptious, but these are the most common reasons given to me when folks inquire about conversion because of a spouse, and I thought they might be of some help.

Father Rob
Anglican Catholic

Father Rob, thanks for posting that ... I was married for seven years to my first husband before even opening myself up to asking the Lord if HE wanted me to be Catholic and after being led by the Holy Spirit I then join the Roman branch.

Would you kindly open a thread and tell me the differences between the three branches that you mentioned here ... also, would I still have to get an annulment to be able to fully participate in the Anglican or Eastern Orthodoxy????

My DH and I have discussed this and he does not feel led at this time to leave our present church but is open to the idea, especially if we get a woman preacher. I am looking into retaking the RCIA classes this Fall ... is that allowed??? I really think I need a refresher ....

LilyLamb, that was allowed in my parish. I called and asked if it would okay for me to "audit" the RCIA classes and they had no problem with it.

I don't know about Anglicanism as far as annullments go. (Just a reminder, the Catholic Church does not necessarily believe the Anglican Church has valid orders.)I think the Orthodox allow divorce (I think I remember reading that while writing my report for my history final, which was on Eastern Orthodoxy).

There are also Eastern Catholic Churches which are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, but have retained Orthodox traditions. The Orthodox are not in full communion, but they are still viewed as our Sister Churches because of their valid orders.

Originally posted by pax
I don't know about Anglicanism as far as annullments go. (Just a reminder, the Catholic Church does not necessarily believe the Anglican Church has valid orders.)I think the Orthodox allow divorce (I think I remember reading that while writing my report for my history final, which was on Eastern Orthodoxy).

There are also Eastern Catholic Churches which are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, but have retained Orthodox traditions. The Orthodox are not in full communion, but they are still viewed as our Sister Churches because of their valid orders.

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Pax, et.al.,

Not all Anglicans have apostolic succession through the Church of England (mine is through the Roman Church and my bishop's is through the Eastern Orthodox Churches -- amongst others), but the Eastern Orthodox have no problem with Anglican Orders, and do not re-ordain Anglican clergy who convert.

At any rate, the "Anglican Communion" (i.e., in the USA the Episcopal Church) allows divorce to flow as freely as water. True Anglicans do not permit divorce, and my particular bishop will grant anullments under a very, very, very limited set of circumstances.

The orthodox get three strikes, though the second and third marriages, as I recall, are not Sacramental.

Father Rob
Anglican Catholic

To souljah:

Fantastic about the priest wanting to discuss it further!

I believe the Catholic Church was the first church

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If you believe this, then you are already on your way. That was my origin, as well. I first looked at WHY the other churches branched off from Catholicism. I knew Anglican/Episcopal is closest to the Catholic teaching and the actual service of worship. I knew that Henry VIII is the one who made the break from the Church because of his difficulty in getting a divorce (hey, in High School, we actually went as a CLASS to see the movie, "Anne of the Thousand Days.")

I researched about Luther, and the reasons behind HIS break.

THEN I made a mental list of what I considered to be MY problems with the Catholic Church. Number One, what most Protestants don't understand: the Pope. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to Matthew 16, the Peter and the Rock discourse.

For me, after that, it was like the proverbial snowball rolling down a mountain.

I speak for myself, and probably for a LOT of other Catholic converts on this board: once you start the research, you find that EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE. It's been over twenty years now for me, since I joined the Church. I've been studying and learning ever since. And NOTHING I've found is contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Blessings to you in your journey!


Peace be with you,
~VOW

do not be a catholic if u r not ready
i have friends who felt they are not ready to be baptized
so i encourage u to study and understand more at the same time go for masses and see a priest
never change your faith according to ur "suitness"

Originally posted by s0uljah

I'm not trying to make my life easier, but my son's understanding of religion in general. If both parent's are the same denomination, then I see it as easier for him.

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Unless, of course, he has questions about other denominations, and doesn't feel comfortable asking them... I think it's important to at least *present* the choices openly, and it may be that a "mixed" marriage will make it easier to ask those questions.

Not saying you're wrong; offering a possible angle you may not have seen. Either way, your concern for your son is noble.