Grace Thompson
Becoming Catholic is a profound and joyous experience, and a person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the reception of the three sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. The process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms and can last anywhere from a year to several years. If you have been away from the Church for a while, it is recommended to go to Confession first and purchase a quality Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You can then begin reading the Bible and familiarizing yourself with the Catechism before reaching out to your local parish to get connected and start your Catholic education classes (OCIA or RCIA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Find a local Catholic parish | Use http://www.masstimes.org to find parishes in your area |
| Attend classes | OCIA/RCIA classes typically start in September and last around six months |
| Read the Bible and the Catechism | Purchase a Didache Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church |
| Go to Confession | Make a mental list of your sins and follow the instructions for Confession |
| Talk to a priest or deacon | They will guide you through the period of purification and enlightenment |
| Receive the Sacraments of Initiation | Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist |
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What You'll Learn
Find a local Catholic parish
To become a practising Catholic again, one of the first steps you can take is to find a local Catholic parish. This is a great way to get connected with the Catholic community and learn more about the faith.
You can start by searching online for Catholic parishes in your area. Websites such as http://www.masstimes.org list every Catholic parish and their service times, so you can find one that fits your schedule and that you feel comfortable with. You can also visit the parish office and speak to a priest or pastoral associate to find out more about the parish and how you can get involved.
If you have been away from the Church for a while, it is recommended that you go to Confession first. You can find a parish that offers Confession, and follow the instructions for a proper Confession, including saying an Act of Contrition. This will give you a fresh start as you begin your journey back to practising Catholicism.
Once you have found a parish that feels like a good fit, commit to going regularly. Attending services and getting involved in the parish community is a great way to deepen your faith and feel connected to your local Catholic community.
Additionally, you can reach out to your local parish to enquire about OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes, which typically start in September. These classes are a great way to learn more about the Catholic faith and are usually followed by Confirmation at the Easter Vigil, making it a roughly six-month commitment.
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Go to confession
If you have been away from the Church for a while, going to Confession is a good first step to becoming a practicing Catholic again. To do this, you should first find a parish that offers Confession. You can then make a mental list of your sins, including skipping mass, and prepare to follow the instructions for a proper Confession, including saying an Act of Contrition.
Confession is a sacrament that was instituted by Jesus Christ to offer forgiveness for sins against God and your fellow humans. It brings reconciliation between God and the penitent, between the penitent and others, and to the individual penitent. One goes to Confession privately, either behind a screen or face-to-face with a priest. Beforehand, you should prepare by examining your conscience, guided by the Ten Commandments. This examination prepares you to confess your sins to the priest. It is important to approach Confession with true remorse and a firm resolve not to sin again.
The process of Confession begins with the Sign of the Cross and the penitent greeting the priest with the words, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was...", stating how long it has been since your last confession. You then confess your sins to the priest, who stands in the name of Christ and the Church. The priest will help you make a good confession, so if you are unsure or uneasy, you can ask them for guidance.
After confessing your sins, you can say, "This is all I can remember. I am sorry for these and all my sins." The priest will then assign you a penance, which may take the form of a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service, or sacrifice. The penance is tailored to your personal situation and supports your spiritual well-being. Following this, you will pray the Act of Contrition, expressing true sorrow for the sins confessed. You can use your own words or one of the formal prayers of sorrow, such as, "My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things."
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Purchase a Bible and Catechism
Purchasing a Bible and Catechism is an important step in becoming a practising Catholic. The Bible is the foundation of the Christian faith and is essential for understanding the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church. The Catechism is a summary of the Church's teachings and doctrines, which provides a clear framework for living a Catholic life.
When choosing a Bible, look for a quality translation that includes all the books of the Bible, including the deuterocanonical books. The Didache Bible is an excellent choice, as it includes liner notes that reference the Catechism, making it easier to understand and apply the teachings in your life.
In addition to the Didache Bible, you may also want to consider purchasing a YouCat (youth catechism) and the Compendium of the Catholic Church. These resources can provide valuable supplementary information and insights that can enhance your understanding of Catholic teachings.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the official summary of the Church's teachings. It is a comprehensive text that covers a wide range of topics, including doctrine, morality, and liturgy. By reading and studying the Catechism, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and how it relates to your daily life.
As you read and study your Bible and Catechism, it is important to pray and reflect on the Scriptures. Ask Jesus to illuminate the passages for you and use the Catechism to follow up on your readings. This practice will help you cultivate a Catholic worship spirituality and become more informed in your faith.
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Pray the Scriptures
Prayer is an essential means of cultivating a relationship with God. Praying to God can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be complicated.
Praying the Scriptures is a way of engaging in a relationship with God. It is a form of meditation, or Lectio Divina, which means divine reading. This form of prayer involves reading a short passage from the Bible, preferably from the Gospels, and reading it carefully, perhaps three or more times. The idea is to let the words sink in.
The second element is meditation, or using your imagination to enter into the Biblical scene, to "see" the setting, the people, and the unfolding action. It is through this meditation that you encounter the text and discover its meaning for your life. You can use your senses, seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling, to make the Gospel scene real and alive.
The third element is your personal response to the text. This can be asking for grace, offering praise or thanksgiving, or seeking healing or forgiveness. You can also make the prayer your own by journaling your thoughts, aspirations, and prayers to Christ.
Lectio Divina can also be a group prayer. After a passage is read, there can be a period of silence for each person to reflect on what they have heard. This can be followed by sharing a word or phrase that stood out to them. The prayer can be concluded with an Our Father.
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Attend Catholic education classes
If you are interested in becoming a Catholic Christian, you can start by contacting your local Catholic parish and speaking to the parish priest or pastoral associate to find out more. Parishes have teams of catechists who assist individuals on their journey to becoming Catholic. They can adapt the process to be age-appropriate and address any special needs or circumstances.
Once you have decided to become Catholic, you will need to prepare to receive the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. This preparation involves familiarizing yourself with Catholic beliefs and practices. This can be done through Catholic education classes, such as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) or RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
OCIA/RCIA is a gradual "journey of faith" that varies in length depending on each individual's progress. The classes typically start in September, with Confirmation occurring at the Easter Vigil, making it a roughly six-month commitment. However, the process can be flexible and last as long as you feel you need it to. During OCIA/RCIA, you will be introduced to Catholic beliefs and practices and will learn how the Church prays and what she teaches.
In addition to attending Catholic education classes, you can also read the Bible and the Catechism on your own. The Catechism can help you follow up on the readings and examine the Priestly Prayers for that week. You can also attend Adoration and follow the practice of praying the Scriptures, asking Jesus to illuminate the passages for you.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have been away from the Church for a while, it is recommended to go to Confession first. You can find a parish that offers Confession, make a list of your sins, and follow the instructions for a proper Confession, including saying an Act of Contrition.
Bring your Didache Bible, your Catechism, and the lists of readings and prayers for the upcoming liturgy. Read the readings there and follow the practice of praying the Scriptures.
The first step is to contact your local Catholic parish. Parishes have teams of teachers, or catechists, who can assist individuals on their journey to becoming Catholic.
