Becoming a better Catholic

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Scarpone

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Hello Everyone,

This is my first time posting on this forum today, I just signed up. I also would like to say that i was not sure where I should post this so I’m sorry if it should be in another topic

I’m 26 years of age and over the past few weeks my erge to become a better catholic has been in my head none stop every single day, I’m not sure if it’s just that time for me to do so or maybe someone is trying to tell me…

Growing up I was attending church regularly with my family and followed the Catholic religion like anyone else and it slowly became less and less at the age of 16 right after confirmation. Maybe it was my age, I started working and starting my life really outside of my home.

But like i said above the last few weeks, and maybe this sound weird to some, but it’s like something clicked and has me thinking about my religion and everything that goes along with it. I’m going to church Sunday and going to enjoy every second I’m there. I have been reading up the last few days on becoming a better catholic and some of it is common sense that i know of but I wanted to post because I have read lots of threads on this forum and I would like to hear some opinions from others of becoming a better catholic, following my religion. I also want to read the bible and have read that the NAB or the revised one is the best choice. I know reading the bible is not an overnight process but I’m looking forward to reading it to better myself and my understanding of my religion.

Thank you all for reading and I’m looking forward to your comments.
 
Scarpone welcome to our Forum.

We are delighted that you are responding to the graces that God is placing in your mind and soul.

Wonderful that you are reading the bible. May the Holy Spirit direct and bless you.

You may perhaps also find the Catechism of the Catholic Church helpful in your deepening faith journey:

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

May God guide and protect you as He leads you.
 
may OUR LORDS SACRED HEART BLESS YOU for coming home. You are in the best place possible! 😃

May I recommend:

Go to Confession- We are obligated to go once a year for mortal sins, but we can go as often as we like, personal preference, so may I recommend at least monthly if not weekly confession

Pray the Rosary- Instructions are online, Prayers as well, you can buy the beads at a religious goods store (Catholic BTW) for as low as $5 sometimes (Depending on what kind of beads you like)

Read the SACRED SCRIPTURE- try for 15 minutes or at least three chapters, and after reading, close your Bible and meditate on what you just read for a little bit, and before you read the Bible, say a prayer to the HOLY SPIRIT to enlighten you. As for translations, the Douay-Rheims is the most accurate and IMHO has the most beautiful language. The NAB is fine as well, although Im a little bit hesitant of that translation. (Im not one for the contemporary language, although if you are personally, thats fine)

Recieve Our LORD in the EUCHARIST AT LEAST once a week, daily if possible, while you are in a State of grace (Meaning you dont have any mortal sins unconfessed)

Spiritual Reading- Read a holy book, the Catechism, life of a saint, writings of saints, moral theology etc., so that youy can grow in your Faith journey.

Start a devotion to the SACRED HEART-Pray the litany of the SACRED HEART, say the SACRED HEART Chaplet ( a Chaplet BTW is a rendidtion of the Rosary although styled to a specific devotion)

These should help as starters, please check back on the Forum as there are always great ideas to be found here!!
 
Welcome to the forum and welcome home to the Church!

It is interesting and admirable that you mention Bible study. The NAB is the translation sanctioned for use by the USCCB (you can find it online via the USSCB website - Books of the Bible), although you might find some harsh critics here. Irrespective of translation, a good study Bible might be a consideration.

I would also recommend getting a copy of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an abridged version of the Catechism designed for the laity. I gave a copy as a gift to my father-in-law, who recently returned to the Church, and he found it to be a great resource.

Are you simply interested in reimmersing in the Faith, or do you have specific questions at this time?
 
In addition to reading the Bible, doing spiritual reading can also be very helpful.

You could visit your local Catholic bookstore and see what might interest you there, or visit a site like Ignatius Press. ignatius.com/Pages/Group/379/Best_Sellers.aspx

If you like biographies and history, reading about the lives of the saints can be interesting and inspiring.
 
The RSV CE (the Catholic Edition) is very good. There is an online version here.

If you are just getting into reading Scripture it is often suggested to read a translation you will actually read; meaning trying an easier translation which continues to interest you as you read. As one’s interest grows, more formal translations are often chosen for their more refined clarity. You can see other translations at the above listed site or another site at this link.

Congratulations on your new found interest!!!
 
Scarpone said:
Hello Everyone,

This is my first time posting on this forum today, I just signed up. I also would like to say that i was not sure where I should post this so I’m sorry if it should be in another topic

I’m 26 years of age and over the past few weeks my erge to become a better catholic has been in my head none stop every single day, I’m not sure if it’s just that time for me to do so or maybe someone is trying to tell me…

Growing up I was attending church regularly with my family and followed the Catholic religion like anyone else and it slowly became less and less at the age of 16 right after confirmation. Maybe it was my age, I started working and starting my life really outside of my home.

But like i said above the last few weeks, and maybe this sound weird to some, but it’s like something clicked and has me thinking about my religion and everything that goes along with it. I’m going to church Sunday and going to enjoy every second I’m there. I have been reading up the last few days on becoming a better catholic and some of it is common sense that i know of but I wanted to post because I have read lots of threads on this forum and I would like to hear some opinions from others of becoming a better catholic, following my religion. I also want to read the bible and have read that the NAB or the revised one is the best choice. I know reading the bible is not an overnight process but I’m looking forward to reading it to better myself and my understanding of my religion.

Thank you all for reading and I’m looking forward to your comments.
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I was exactly where you are not too long ago. It’s been wonderful! You’ve gotten great suggestions here for books which someone had given to me as well. There’s so much on youtube as well. The pastor of my parish recommended the CDs from www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org. A lot of parishes display them and you can pick them up for a small donation. Good stuff!

If you want to get excited about going to Mass again, read or listen to Scott Hahn’s The Lamb’s Supper. I listened to it and it blew me away.

Grab it with gusto! Wished I’d returned when I was your age. 🙂
 
Concentrate on becoming a better Christian and becoming a better catholic will take care of itself.
 
Welcome to CAF!

I think a lot of great advice has already been offered to you. So, I just wanted to say that I think this is definitely an answer to prayer! A lot of Catholics pray for an increase in faith… actually that’s what the first Hail Mary bead on the Rosary is normally prayed for… And when you say something just clicked, and this has been on your mind a lot; well, that’s a pretty good indication that the Holy Spirit is at work in your life.

My only advice is to start going to Church and try to get to know people at the Church you attend regularly. Hopefully you’ll find a community of people where you’ll feel at home. *

All the best, and God bless!*
 
Thank you everyone for the quick comments, I am definitly going to have to look into everything you guys have suggested in books etc… I do have rosary beads so I’m already ahead. I’m glad I came across this website, I was not sure how active people would be but with 8 replies under 24 hours I’m very happy and to see that people took time to help me.

Thanks everyone.
 
May God continue to bless you for responding to His call!

A great way to keep the fire of God’s love burning within you is to prayerfully read the lives of the saints. St. Philip Neri strongly recommended this practice. It is so easy to grow cold; we must remain vigilant. The Rosary and the Sacraments will bring you a lasting peace and joy.

“Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven. There are others: Innocence, but that is for little children; Penance, but we are afraid of it; Generous endurance for the trials of life, but when they come we weep and ask to be spared. The surest, easiest, shortest way is the Eucharist.” -Pope St. Pius X

God bless.
 
I’m sure your desire was put in your heart by God.

If you have been away from Mass for year, I can’t recommend strongly enought that you make an appointment for confession before you receive Holy Communion again. If you’re not sure what to the priest, tell father and he’ll make it easy for you.

I recommend getting yourself a catechism. It will explain the Catholic Faith more clearly than the Bible will. The Baltimore Catechism is one of the best, though older. If you prefer modern authorship, try the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.

Keep the Faith. You’ll be in my prayers at Mass tonight.
 
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