Michael Brooks
Becoming Catholic involves a serious commitment to God and the local Catholic community. It is a decision that should not be taken lightly. The Catholic Church will never pressure you to sign up or rush your journey. The process of becoming Catholic is known as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), formerly known as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). The catechumenate's purpose is to provide a thorough background in Christian teaching. The Bible and the Catechism are the Catholic Church's main literature. It is important to learn the beliefs, sacraments, and initiation rites of the Catholic Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reading | The Catechism, Bible, Genesis, Gospels |
| Prayer | Hail Mary, Rosary, Our Father, Jesus Prayer |
| Sacraments | Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion |
| Rites | Election, Presentation of the creed, Lord's Prayer, Book of the Gospels |
| Church attendance | Every Sunday, Holy Days of Obligation, Holy Communion |
| Church leadership | Pope, Metropolitan, Patriarch, Deacon |
| Church traditions | Sign of the Cross |
| Marriage | Permission from bishop or religious figure |
| Confession | Regular |
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What You'll Learn
Praying and participating in the Sacraments
Catholics have a rich sacramental life, with seven holy sacraments that are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. Each is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. While some sacraments are received only once, others require active and ongoing participation to foster the "living faith" of the celebrant.
The seven sacraments are:
- Baptism: This is the first sacrament that any Catholic receives, usually as a child. It washes away original sin and actual sin, and is necessary for salvation.
- Confirmation: This is the second sacrament of initiation and is usually received after Baptism. It is a common requirement for couples to have been confirmed before receiving the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
- The Eucharist (Holy Communion): This is the central rite of Catholic worship and the third sacrament of initiation. It can be received daily if desired. It is preceded by the first confession (the sacrament of Reconciliation). During Mass, the priest consecrates bread and wine, which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. The congregation then shares in the sacred meal.
- Confession (Reconciliation): This is an opportunity for renewal and can be done as often as needed. Some Catholics participate weekly before receiving the Eucharist.
- Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction or Last Rites): This sacrament is for those who are ill or homebound.
- Holy Matrimony: This sacrament is for those who wish to be married in the Catholic Church.
- Holy Orders: This sacrament is related to the consecration of the bread and wine during Mass.
To participate in the sacraments, Catholics typically need to be initiated through Baptism and then continue to live a Catholic life, which includes frequent reception of the other sacraments, such as Confession, attendance at Mass, daily prayer, and submission to the laws of God.
Prayer is an essential part of Catholic life and can take many forms. The Mass itself is one big prayer, with all four types of prayer—adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS)—featured during the service. Adoration shows God how much you love Him and can be expressed through reciting a prayer from the Bible or simply speaking from the heart. A prayer of contrition acknowledges your sins and helps bring you closer to God. A prayer of thanksgiving can be formal or casual, while a prayer of supplication is a request made to God. Other types of prayer include meditation, which involves pondering the mysteries of God, and contemplative prayer, which is a wordless communion with God.
There are also devotional prayers that can be done throughout the day, such as the Angelus at noon or the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 pm. Novenas can be done once an hour for nine hours, once a day for nine days, or as a "flying novena" of ten prayers in a row.
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Reading the Bible and Catechism
If you are short on time, it is recommended to start with Genesis and the Gospels. This will give you a good grasp of the creation story and the story of Jesus. Reading the Bible and Catechism together is a great way to understand the Church's teachings. For example, if you want to understand the Church's teachings on the Eucharist, you can read the relevant section in the Catechism and refer to the Bible each time there is a reference. This will help you see how the Church's theology is grounded in Scripture.
Another way to read Scripture with the tradition is to use Catholic Bible commentaries, which often highlight how Saints, Fathers, and Doctors of the Church have interpreted particular passages in their writings. It is also important to remember that the Church existed before the New Testament, and the Apostles continued their mission for several centuries before the canon of Scripture was defined. Therefore, reading the Bible apart from the Tradition may cut off an important resource for understanding the deeper meaning of the text.
To interpret the Bible, it is helpful to first familiarize yourself with a particular passage by reading it several times and formulating questions about its meaning. You can then study the historical and cultural background of the text. For example, knowledge of ancient Near Eastern culture can help to understand certain passages in the Old Testament. Following this, you can look at the rhetoric and literary devices of the text, paying attention to the literary genre and the modes of feeling, speaking, and narrating. Finally, you can examine the text within the context of the Bible as a whole, considering its place in the divine economy and related texts.
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Making daily sacrifices
Sacrifices do not have to be grand gestures; they can be simple acts such as eating bread without butter or driving in silence. These small sacrifices help cultivate holiness and detach us from worldly possessions. Similarly, look for daily opportunities to serve others. This could be doing the dishes for your mother, paying for a stranger's coffee, or picking up litter.
You can also make sacrifices by practicing virtues that counter your vices. For instance, if you struggle with selfishness, practice humility by not seeking praise for your good deeds or by doing things someone else's way. Be patient and forgive others as you would like to be forgiven. Make a conscious effort to express gratitude for the people in your life and the little things you may take for granted, such as a comfortable bed to sleep in or a home-cooked meal.
Incorporating these sacrifices into your daily life will help you grow in your faith and strengthen your relationship with God and those around you.
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Going to church regularly
In addition to Mass, many churches offer a service called Adoration. During Adoration, the consecrated Body of Christ is displayed in a special frame on the altar, and the congregation is invited to spend time in silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Guests are warmly welcomed to attend Mass, Adoration, or any other service at a Catholic Church. However, only members of the Catholic Church may receive Holy Communion. If you are not yet a member, you can either stay seated during Communion or join the line to receive a blessing. To request a blessing, simply fold your arms in the form of an "X" over your chest.
If you wish to become a Catholic, you will need to get accustomed to attending Mass regularly. This is because joining the Church involves a serious commitment to both God and your local Catholic community, and it is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. You can begin by attending your local church and talking to the priest about becoming Catholic. You can also do some research by going to your local library, looking at Catholic websites, and observing Mass at your local church.
If you are seriously ill or your health prevents you from attending Mass regularly, your local parish can arrange for Holy Communion to be brought to your home.
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Knowing your Church's traditions
Catholicism has many traditions, some of which are unspoken and passed down through generations. Here are some of the key traditions that are important to know:
The Sign of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross is a common gesture in Catholicism, often performed before and after prayers, when entering or leaving a church, and at the start of Mass. It involves making the shape of a cross on one's body with their hand, accompanied by the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". This symbolises one's belief and faith in the Holy Trinity.
Genuflection
Genuflection is a common act of worship in the Catholic Church. It involves touching the right knee to the floor while bending the left knee. It is typically performed in front of the Eucharist and is often accompanied by the Sign of the Cross.
Sacraments
The Catholic Church has seven sacraments, which are considered essential traditions. These include Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist or Communion, Reconciliation or Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
Prayer
Prayer is a fundamental aspect of Catholic tradition. Catholics are encouraged to pray daily, making it a natural part of their lives. In addition to personal prayers, Catholics also participate in the Mass, which is a communal prayer offered by a priest. The Rosary is another traditional Catholic prayer that is recommended to be prayed daily.
Apostolic Succession
Catholics believe in the importance of apostolic succession, which refers to the direct lineage of bishops to the apostles. This means that bishops must be ordained by someone with a direct connection to the apostles.
Rites of Initiation
The Catholic Church has specific rites of initiation for those seeking to become members. This includes the catechumenate process, which involves studying Catholic doctrine and reflecting on their desire to join the Church. The Rite of Election is the second formal step, where individuals express their intention to become Christians and receive the sacraments of initiation.
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Frequently asked questions
The process of becoming Catholic is known as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), formerly known as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). It involves studying the teachings, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic Church, and receiving the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
Mass is the main service in a Catholic Church, typically celebrated on Sundays. Catholics follow Jesus' command to "do this in memory of me" by sharing in the Eucharist, which involves the consecration of bread and wine. The priest repeats the words of Jesus: "This is my body, this is my blood."
Catholics are expected to attend church every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. They are also expected to know and follow the teachings of the Church, which are led by the Pope.
Some daily habits include making sacrifices, such as eating bread with no butter or driving in silence, and serving others, such as doing the dishes for your mom or paying for a stranger's coffee. You can also make it a habit to tell at least one person in your life how much you love them and bring God into your conversations.
Common prayers include the Rosary, the Our Father, and the Jesus Prayer (Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner).
