Joshua Bennett
Becoming a practicing Catholic is a profound and joyous experience. The process of initiation into the Catholic Church involves receiving the three sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the holy Eucharist. The first step to becoming Catholic is knowing the faith, the second is accepting it, and the third and most difficult step is practicing it. This involves adhering to the five precepts of the Catholic Church, including attending Mass on Sundays and holy days, confessing sins at least once a year, receiving the Eucharist during the Easter season, observing days of fasting and abstinence, and contributing to the needs of the Church. Practicing Catholics often go beyond these minimum requirements, engaging in activities such as reading the Bible, praying the liturgy of the hours, and participating in Adoration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Knowing the faith | |
| Accepting the faith | |
| Practicing the faith | |
| Getting baptised | |
| Getting confirmed | |
| Receiving the holy Eucharist | |
| Attending Mass on Sundays and holy days | |
| Receiving the sacrament of reconciliation | |
| Observing the days of fasting and abstinence | |
| Helping to provide for the needs of the Church | |
| Going to Adoration | Bring your Didache Bible, Catechism, lists of readings and prayers for the upcoming liturgy |
| Praying the Scriptures |
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What You'll Learn
Attend Mass weekly and on holy days
To become a practising Catholic, one must attend Mass weekly and on holy days. This is the first of five precepts of the Catholic Church, outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2041–2043. The first precept states:
> "You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labour."
This requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord, as well as the principal liturgical feasts honouring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints. This is done by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities that could impede such sanctification of these days.
To achieve this, one must find a local Catholic parish and commit to going there every week. Websites such as www.masstimes.org list all Catholic parishes and their times, allowing you to pick the parish that best fits your schedule and that you feel most comfortable with.
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Read the Bible and pray
To become a practicing Catholic, one must first know the faith, then accept it, and finally, practice it. Reading the Bible and praying are two essential components of practicing the faith.
The Bible is a collection of sacred texts that serve as the foundation of the Catholic faith. It is divided into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament chronicles the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophets' teachings. On the other hand, the New Testament focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the early Christian Church. Reading the Bible is crucial for understanding the tenets of Catholicism and deepening one's relationship with God.
When starting to read the Bible, it is recommended to begin with the Gospels of Matthew or Luke and then proceed to read the Acts of the Apostles. These books provide a comprehensive introduction to the life and teachings of Jesus, which form the cornerstone of Catholic doctrine and spirituality. Additionally, exploring the liturgy of the hours through resources like the iBreviary app can be a valuable guide as it is a collection of Bible passages and prayers used by monks and nuns daily.
Praying is another fundamental aspect of practicing Catholicism. Prayer allows Catholics to communicate with God, express their devotion, and seek guidance and strength in their spiritual journey. The Catechism of the Catholic Church outlines the precepts, or minimum requirements, for a practicing Catholic's spiritual and moral life, which includes attending Mass on Sundays and holy days, resting from servile labor, confessing sins at least once a year, and receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist during the Easter season. Observing days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church is also part of the precepts, as it prepares Catholics for the liturgical feasts and helps them cultivate self-discipline.
When attending Adoration, it is customary to bring the Didache Bible, the Catechism, and the lists of readings and prayers for the upcoming liturgy. Reading the Scriptures and praying them is a common practice, where one asks Jesus to illuminate the passages and uses the Catechism to gain a deeper understanding. Examining the Priestly Prayers and adapting them to one's personal prayers is also encouraged. Journaling can be a valuable tool during this process, as it allows one to record thoughts, aspirations, and prayers, creating a space for a personal dialogue with God.
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Be baptised into the Catholic Church
To become a Catholic, one must receive the three sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the holy Eucharist. A person who is baptised in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. One's initiation is deepened by confirmation and the Eucharist, but baptism is the key step in becoming a Catholic.
If you have been validly baptised outside the Catholic Church, you can become a Catholic by making a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church. This is normally followed immediately by confirmation and the Eucharist. However, if you have not been baptised at all, or have been baptised in another denomination, you will need to enter the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), sometimes called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
Preparation for reception into the Church begins with the inquiry stage, in which the unbaptised person starts to learn about the Catholic faith and decides whether to embrace it. The first formal step towards becoming a Catholic is the rite of reception into the order of catechumens, in which the unbaptised express their desire and intention to become Christians. The period of catechumenate lasts for a variable period of time, depending on how much the catechumen has learned and how ready they feel to take the step of becoming a Christian. However, it usually lasts for less than a year and provides candidates with a thorough background in Christian teaching.
The initiation itself usually occurs on Easter Vigil, the evening before Easter Day. That evening, a special Mass is celebrated, during which the candidates are baptised, then given confirmation, and finally receive the holy Eucharist. At this point, the candidates become Catholics and are received into full communion with the Church. The final stage of Christian initiation is mystagogy, during which the new Christians are strengthened in their faith by further instruction and become more deeply rooted in the local Catholic community. The period of mystagogy usually lasts throughout the Easter season, from Easter to Pentecost Sunday.
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Observe days of fasting and abstinence
Observing days of fasting and abstinence is an important part of being a practicing Catholic. The specifics of fasting and abstinence vary depending on the country and the local Catholic Church.
In general, fasting refers to limiting oneself to one full meal per day and two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Abstinence refers to refraining from eating meat or other specified foods.
In Canada, for example, the days of fasting and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and Fridays are considered days of abstinence throughout the year. In England, Catholics are expected to abstain from eating meat on Fridays as well, and this practice is seen as a penance to remind people of past wrongs and to identify with those who are suffering.
In the United States, Fridays throughout the year and the Lenten season are considered penitential days, with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday being obligatory days of fasting and abstinence. Members of the Latin Catholic Church between the ages of 18 and 59 are expected to fast on these days, while abstinence from meat is required for those aged 14 and above.
It's important to note that the specifics of fasting and abstinence may vary between different Catholic Churches and communities. Some may encourage non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up texting or other personal forms of penance. Ultimately, the observance of fasting and abstinence is a way for Catholics to engage in penance and deepen their spiritual connection.
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Help provide for the Church's needs
To help provide for the Church's needs is the fifth precept of the Catholic Church. This precept means that followers are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, according to their abilities. This could include donating money, time, or other resources to support the Church's activities and maintenance.
There are many ways to contribute to the Church's needs. For example, you could volunteer your time and skills to help with Church activities, such as teaching religious education classes, assisting with administrative tasks, or participating in social justice initiatives. You could also consider donating money to support the Church's upkeep, such as contributing to the collection plate during Mass or donating to specific Church projects or charities.
Another way to help is by participating in Church events and rituals, such as attending Mass regularly, receiving the sacraments, and taking part in special liturgical celebrations throughout the year. These contributions help to strengthen the Catholic community and ensure the Church can continue its work.
Additionally, you can also help by spreading the Catholic faith and its teachings. This can be done through evangelization efforts, such as inviting others to learn about Catholicism, sharing your own experiences, or participating in missionary work. By doing so, you contribute to the growth of the Catholic community and help ensure the Church's message reaches a wider audience.
Finally, it is important to remember that contributing to the Church's needs is not just a financial or physical contribution, but also a spiritual one. Praying for the Church, its leaders, and its members is a powerful way to support the Catholic community and contribute to its overall well-being.
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