Being catholic? Catholic life

[NickiLynne]

I am not happy with my religion. I want to convert to Catholicism. Could some explain to me what this would mean for me? I am a 16 year old female. Everything there is to know plz

 

[tbtcom1213]

Welcome home!

In order to begin the process of conversion you will inquire about the faith at your nearest Catholic Church. The priest and his assistants (curates, deacons, RCIA leaders, catechists etc) will recommend you for RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. In this process you will learn about the deposits of the Catholic faith and sacred traditions.

You will God willingly become a catechumen, a person preparing for baptism or if you are already validly baptized, a candidate, a person preparing for reception into the church and the initiation of the sacraments (confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation).

The process lasts approximately several months and culminates with the reception of the sacraments at the Solemn Easter Vigil. During the beginning of Lent, Catechumens and candidates are presented to the Bishop or his delegate. Thereafter you will observe the scrutinies, wherein you and the other catechumens and non-catholic candidates are dismissed from Mass after the Homily to reflect on God’s word.

After you receive the sacraments you are a member in full communion with the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church! You are encouraged to become active in the parish in the various prayer groups, sodalities, clubs etc. Thoughout the process you will need a sponsor, a qualified Catholic who stands with you at the major ceremonies at this time. This person will help guide you in your precious journey of faith before and long after your reception of the sacraments.

Welcome!

 

[HelenRose]

There is nothing in this world more beautiful than a 16 year old girl searching for and finding God. I can only express my hope and prayer for you in this journey. I think it would be helpful for you to read “Story of a Soul” the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. Read all you can about Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and check out desertnuns.com. I am not suggesting that you become a nun but these resources will give you an idea of the depth of spirituality that the Catholic Church has to offer young women.

 

[on_the_hill]

Why aren’t you happy with your religion?

 

[Basilios]

Why aren’t you happy with your religion?

Non-Catholics will always be unhappy because it’s not Jesus’ Church

 

[PRmerger]

I am not happy with my religion. I want to convert to Catholicism. Could some explain to me what this would mean for me? I am a 16 year old female. Everything there is to know plz

I would not recommend you search for a church that makes you happy. Rather, I suggest you find the Church that Jesus established, and conform your views to that Church. That will be what brings you happiness.

And, of course, the Church that Christ established is the Catholic Church.

Church shopping seems to me to be the epitome of creating a church in one’s own image.

 

[on_the_hill]

Non-Catholics will always be unhappy because it’s not Jesus’ Church

True, but a 16 year old girl might be unhappy for any number of reasons, which may or may not be resolved by converting. Not that I discourage conversion, but a young adult converting out of her family’s faith is bound to face many obstacles, and she should be sure about why she’s doing it.

 

[HelenRose]

Non-Catholics will always be unhappy because it’s not Jesus’ Church

As a young woman I was very happy being in the Christian Church founded by Campbell. I found Christ there. It is my hope for this young woman that her love for Christ will lead her to the beauty in the Catholic Church. One of the many beautiful aspects of the Catholic Church is the honor She gives the faith of young women. Mary the Mother of God was such a girl. Often the faith of young women are dismissed. But our beautiful Church elevates and honors this faith.

 

[Tigg]

I am not happy with my religion. I want to convert to Catholicism. Could some explain to me what this would mean for me? I am a 16 year old female. Everything there is to know plz

I alone from my immediate family was called to the Church at the age of 14. It began while walking in front of a Catholic Church on the way to school with my friends every day. I could not understand why I always felt so drawn to it when I had had no prior religious instruction. One Saturday, I walked there alone and went inside. When I saw the tabernacle and the red light, and the lit candles something overcame me and I sank to my knees, not beginning to know why.

I later contacted a priest, and after a small family battle was allowed to take instructions. I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and you will want to heed His voice. Our explanations as to what this might mean to you will be meaningless as each soul has their own unique journey to take. As you learn about the faith you will begin to appreciate the gift and grow in love for Christ. Blessings on your journey!

 

[Arturo_Ortiz]

I am not happy with my religion. I want to convert to Catholicism. Could some explain to me what this would mean for me? I am a 16 year old female. Everything there is to know plz

Deus Gratias!

Welcome Home and I hope you will find all that the Catholic Church has to offer. I have barely been studying my Catholic faith after all these years of idleness. I am sure you will find beauty and truth in the Catholic Church which was founded by Christ himself.

As a previous poster had suggested I recommend you to find where the nearest Catholic church is and ask about the RCIA program. There you will learn about what the Catholic faith teaches and why it teaches it.

I also recommend you do several things to prepare yourself for learning about the Catholic faith. There are 5 main things that I recommend.

The first is to read the bible. This will help you learn about God’s word.

The second is to study the Catechism of the Catholic church. This will be a reference for Catholic teaching.

the third is to read the Lives of the Saints to learn what made people holy and thus saints

The fourth is to have a prayer life

The fifth is to learn about the Mass

God Bless
Arturo

 

[NickiLynne]

Thank you everyone! Thank you for the support!! Can you explain the differences in the Catholic religion and the baptist Christian religion?

 

[HelenRose]

Thank you everyone! Thank you for the support!! Can you explain the differences in the Catholic religion and the baptist Christian religion?

Several important difference that I see.

Baptists do not accept the authority of the Pope.

Baptists do not believe that the Eucharist is in reality the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Christ. They believe that Communion is a symbol and remembrance of Christ.

We share a belief in the Trinity. Father Son and Holy Spirit.
We share a belief in the divinity of Christ.
We share a belief in the virgin birth of Christ.
Baptists believe that Mary had other children and had normal relations with her husband Joseph after Christ was born.
We share a deep and abiding love for Christ.

 

[HelenRose]

Other differences stem from these main issues. Some of our differences are cultural due to a different approach to spirituality. Baptist baptism is recognized as valid baptism in the Catholic Church. If you were to decide to become a Catholic, you would not need to be re-baptized.

 

[FrancisBenedict]

The Catholicism I know is based around the presence of God, silence, contemplation, study, and love, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus, and finally the church -the people of God, the poor the sick, the depressed filled with the love of God, then the world. Creation, all life made by God and reflecting God’s amazing awe inspiring power and love for us. This is the Catholicism I know.

 

[CrossofChrist]

I am not happy with my religion. I want to convert to Catholicism. Could some explain to me what this would mean for me? I am a 16 year old female. Everything there is to know plz

You find the nearest Catholic Church (or a Catholic Church within driving distance) and enroll in RCIA and talk to the priest about your desire to become Catholic.

It might be different if you go now since RCIA starts in the fall.

When you get confirmed, you go to Mass every Sunday. It’s a good thing to go to confession frequently as well.

In addition to the “essentials”, reading the Bible and the Catechism are always good things, especially for a new person to the Faith as well.

 

[CrossofChrist]

Thank you everyone! Thank you for the support!! Can you explain the differences in the Catholic religion and the baptist Christian religion?

There are too many to count. You’d probably have to be more specific.

 

[poustiniak]

The best way that I can answer the question vis-à-vis the differences between a Baptist and a Catholic is to offer you a comparative view of the apologetics of James White (Baptist) vs. Peter Kreeft (Catholic convert)
I think that the best way for you to understand what it means to become a Catholic is to listen to the testimonies of people who have converted to Catholicism. I believe that its pointless at this stage for you to you talk to a cradle Catholic like myself because I just won’t understand where you are coming from.
The thing that worries me is that you say that you are not happy with your church. Well guess what! Neither are we!
My concern is that you may be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Because I promise you one thing, and that is that becoming a Catholic is not a happy affair.
So before you jump ship I’d advise you to transfer your dissatisfaction to God. Get angry with God before you get angry with people is my motto. Because only God can fathom the depth of your soul and only He can tell you what you have to do.
This might sound like I’m saying that you shouldn’t become a Catholic right now, but I’m not. How could I? But if push comes to shove, and I were a priest, and you came into my confessional, I would send you away and advise you to read the parable of the ten bridesmaids.

 

[Lucky7]

I would not recommend you search for a church that makes you happy. Rather, I suggest you find the Church that Jesus established, and conform your views to that Church. That will be what brings you happiness.

And, of course, the Church that Christ established is the Catholic Church.

Church shopping seems to me to be the epitome of creating a church in one’s own image.

Good advice. I also was drawn to the word “happy” in her post. Be sure to be drawn to the Truth.

Considering your Baptist background, may I suggest the following book by a Baptist convert:

amazon.com/Crossing-Tiber-Steve-Ray/dp/0898705770

 

[Arturo_Ortiz]

Good advice. I also was drawn to the word “happy” in her post. Be sure to be drawn to the Truth.

Considering your Baptist background, may I suggest the following book by a Baptist convert:

amazon.com/Crossing-Tiber-Steve-Ray/dp/0898705770

seconded +1

You shouldn’t want to convert because it will make you feel happy, but rather because it is the truth. Happiness is only a temporal feeling. Rather you should want to be Catholic because the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ and thus it holds the full and complete truth that Jesus Christ stated.

I myself do feel happy in the Catholic Church because the truth makes me feel happy

God Bless
Arturo

 

[detoutcoeur]

I alone from my immediate family was called to the Church at the age of 14. It began while walking in front of a Catholic Church on the way to school with my friends every day. I could not understand why I always felt so drawn to it when I had had no prior religious instruction. One Saturday, I walked there alone and went inside. When I saw the tabernacle and the red light, and the lit candles something overcame me and I sank to my knees, not beginning to know why.

I later contacted a priest, and after a small family battle was allowed to take instructions. I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and you will want to heed His voice. Our explanations as to what this might mean to you will be meaningless as each soul has their own unique journey to take. As you learn about the faith you will begin to appreciate the gift and grow in love for Christ. Blessings on your journey!

Beautiful.