Can anyone help

  • Thread starter Thread starter IrnBru
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

IrnBru

Guest
Hello Catholic Answers, how is everyone today?

One of my RCIA class (grubbles) let me know about this site and hopefully you can help as she is kind of in the same boat.

I come from a Protestant family, i was christened and thats it - i have no other church education.

My husband is catholic and comes to the class with me but trying to get him to explain things is never too easy.

Basically we are doing the sacraments at the moment and we started over the rosary last night which i really enjoyed although i didnt actually know what or when to reply etc.

Basically i have had a good browse through the forums etc and i am in need of a enlightened hand with the below queries.
  • When as a candidate can i begin to genuflect and cross myself
  • When would be appropriate to buy a rosary and crucifix chain?
  • What books could you advise me to read up on to help me
    understand the teachings etc - the catchumate confuses me
    and i need something a little more basic to start with.
  • Has anyone else been through the RCIA programme in
    Scotland - if so, what was Easter Vigil like?
Hope to speak to you all soon.

Thanks
Irnbru
 
CAtholicism for Dummies, the yellow book by Fr Trigilio is a great first guide

Welcome Home! great that you and your husband are taking the class together, because we all need a refresher course at times. You may pray the rosary, genuflect, wear a cross etc. when you feel ready. You are already baptized, already Christian and have that dignity, so you are now preparing for full communion with the Church through profession of faith, Confirmaion and first communion (preceeded by first confession). Woo woo, great rejoicing in heaven and on earth.

oh and welcome to the forums, we hash over RCIA issues on the evangelization forum
 
IrnBru said:
Hello Catholic Answers, how is everyone today?

One of my RCIA class (grubbles) let me know about this site and hopefully you can help as she is kind of in the same boat.

I come from a Protestant family, i was christened and thats it - i have no other church education.

My husband is catholic and comes to the class with me but trying to get him to explain things is never too easy.

Basically we are doing the sacraments at the moment and we started over the rosary last night which i really enjoyed although i didnt actually know what or when to reply etc.

Basically i have had a good browse through the forums etc and i am in need of a enlightened hand with the below queries.
  • When as a candidate can i begin to genuflect and cross myself
  • When would be appropriate to buy a rosary and crucifix chain?
  • What books could you advise me to read up on to help me
    understand the teachings etc - the catchumate confuses me
    and i need something a little more basic to start with.
  • Has anyone else been through the RCIA programme in
    Scotland - if so, what was Easter Vigil like?
Hope to speak to you all soon.

Thanks
Irnbru
Click to expand...
Just a suggestion. Get two copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and two Catholic Bibles, one each for you and your husband. Go through it together when you both have some quiet time.

And do pray together!

God bless the both of you on your journey home.
 
IrnBru said:
Hello Catholic Answers, how is everyone today?

One of my RCIA class (grubbles) let me know about this site and hopefully you can help as she is kind of in the same boat.

I come from a Protestant family, i was christened and thats it - i have no other church education.

My husband is catholic and comes to the class with me but trying to get him to explain things is never too easy.

Basically we are doing the sacraments at the moment and we started over the rosary last night which i really enjoyed although i didnt actually know what or when to reply etc.

Basically i have had a good browse through the forums etc and i am in need of a enlightened hand with the below queries.
  • When as a candidate can i begin to genuflect and cross myself
    Right now. Or, when you understand the concept behind it (Genuflection, with the belief in the Real Presence (but only to the Tabernacle!)) You can cross yourself right now, if you like.
  • When would be appropriate to buy a rosary and crucifix chain?
    It’s ALWAYS appropriate to buy a rosary. Mary can probably even help you along the way. To Christ, through Mary!! And, I’m not sure what you mean by crucifix chain (perhaps a crucifix necklace?), but you can buy one now and start wearing it!
  • What books could you advise me to read up on to help me
    understand the teachings etc - the catchumate confuses me
    and i need something a little more basic to start with.
    The Catechism, for one. I’d vote for the green hardcover copy (go big or go home!). I’ve also heard wonderful things about the book “This is the Faith” by Canon Francis Ripley, or something like that. But, be warned, the Catechism is more a reference guide (I think). Perhaps you want the USCCB’s Catechism for Adults. Just go to a bookstore (Barnes and Noble typically works) and page through the copies. See which is more to your format.
  • Has anyone else been through the RCIA programme in
    Scotland - if so, what was Easter Vigil like?
    **Programme?! Across the POND!? Eeek! 😃 **
Hope to speak to you all soon.

Thanks
Irnbru
Click to expand...
 
more on books – I was browsing Barnes & Nobles, found great book called “Catholicism for Dummies” by Fr. Trigilio – real good & easy to read.

the Catechism (of course) & the Catechism Compendium (book) will help explain things more.

Easter Vigil in USA can be several hours long, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were that way all around the world (Church norms for mass)

Welcome home & God Bless 👍
 
another book that is good for beginners is Catholic and Christian by Schreck.
 
I also was helped out alot by The Catholicism Answer Book: The 300 Most Frequently Asked Questions, written by the same authors of Catholicism for Dummies. I do much better learning when it’s a question and answer type format, so if that’s a better learning style for you as well, then this would be a great investment.

For help with the rosary, this website helped me alot. Also, google mp3 rosary. It helped me alot to learn it by hearing it (either praying with others or the mp3’s I’ve found). Even though I know the rosary pretty well now, it helps me meditate on the mysteries better hearing it than reading it.

May God bless you on this journey, and welcome home!

Ericka
 
I too would recommend “Catholicism for Dummies.” I have a copy and I was born into Catholicism, but went away for about 21 years. As an accompaniment to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, get a copy of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Catholic Catechism” by Mary DeTurris Poust. This is a great book and was recommended to me by my very traditional FSSP Priest. Easy to read and understand.
 
Hi everyone

WOW - thank you very much for your help!!

I’ve ordered the Catholicism for Dummies and my mum in law is going to get us a catholic bible for my communion, but i can borrow the family bible whenever i please.

I’m going to the library later tonight to see what else is availble as im really interested in the whole aspects of the church and its beginnings, basically all the nitty gritty stuff as an informed opinion should read everything possible.

we did hear something quite shocking on Tuesday though!

50% of those who come back to the church in Scotland via the RCIA actually leave within a year!!!

Praying for you all and giving thanks for your help!
 
I highly recommend Theology for Beginners by F.J. Sheed as well as Catholicism for Dummies and Catholic and Christian as previously stated. Congrats on finding your way home!!!
 
We have Catholicism for Dummies and also have Why Do Catholics Do That? A Guide to the Teachings and Practices of the Catholic Church, by Kevin Orlin Johnson, Ph.D
Get a Catholic Bible!!
 
IrnBru said:
Hi everyone

WOW - thank you very much for your help!!

I’ve ordered the Catholicism for Dummies and my mum in law is going to get us a catholic bible for my communion, but i can borrow the family bible whenever i please.

I’m going to the library later tonight to see what else is availble as im really interested in the whole aspects of the church and its beginnings, basically all the nitty gritty stuff as an informed opinion should read everything possible.

we did hear something quite shocking on Tuesday though!

50% of those who come back to the church in Scotland via the RCIA actually leave within a year!!!

Praying for you all and giving thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
I have seen those statistics for the United States, also. The “why” of it is a rather long story, and the answers are not necessarily as clear as some woud have them to be. But that could (and should) be the subject of a different thread.
 
IrnBru said:
  • When as a candidate can i begin to genuflect and cross myself
Click to expand...
You can begin as soon as you feel you understand the reasons behind them. These are two signs of your faith and many people get complacent when doing them. You’ll see people do the sign of the cross like they are swatting flies, and genuflect when they aren’t even sure if or where the body of Christ is.

You genuflect before and after sitting in the pew, but you only genuflect before the Lord. Find the tabernacle by searching for a gold box near a lit candle, and touch your right knee to the ground as a sign of respect for Christ’s presence in the tabernacle.

Some Churches do not have the tabernacle in the Church itself, they have a seperate room. If you can’t see the tabernacle don’t genuflect. Again, you’ll see people kneel out of habit, but there is no sense in kneeling if you aren’t in the presence of the Lord. A simple reverant bow toward the altar will do.

On that note when you pass in front of the altar it’s appropriate to give a bow as a sign of respect because that’s where the miracle of Christ’s sacrifice occurs.

As for the sign of the cross. This is to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and to invite God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit into our hearts and minds. When done with holy water, it’s to remind us of our baptism. If you aren’t baptised it the water can be a sign of hope for your upcoming baptism. It’s ok to do this at anytime. In fact do it the next time you go to Church and just remember everytime why you are doing it.
IrnBru said:
  • When would be appropriate to buy a rosary and crucifix chain?
Click to expand...
You don’t have to be Catholic to pray the rosary. Go and get one. Most Catholic stores that sell them also sell a little pamplet that has the prayers and instructions on how to pray it. Sooner the better. The Crucifix chain I would say to buy when you feel like expressing outwardly that you recall the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
IrnBru said:
  • What books could you advise me to read up on to help me
    understand the teachings etc - the catchumate confuses me
    and i need something a little more basic to start with.
Click to expand...
Pillar of Fire Pillar of Truth

Catholicism for Dummies

Those a good starters. Hopefully this helps. Welcome home to God’s Church.
 
IrnBru said:
50% of those who come back to the church in Scotland via the RCIA actually leave within a year!!!
Click to expand...
It’s unfortunate, but some people join the Church because they feel obligated by a loved one, or they are getting married and want to make their spouse happy, or for some other reason other than answering God’s call to be part of the one and true Church.

This isn’t too unlike getting married for the wrong reasons. The relationship ends up not working.
 
Evening everyone!

The good thing is that since i began dating my now DH, i have been attending mass and then i met grubbles who led me here.

Our parish is beautiful - basic, but very very welcoming and thankfully im familiar with the mass enough to know the basics.

My whole family is supportive of my conversion and i will genuflect on sunday at mass!

Ps - the books are great!!!

Peaceful evening/afternoon to you all!

:tiphat: :thankyou:
 
IrnBru said:
Hi
we did hear something quite shocking on Tuesday though!

50% of those who come back to the church in Scotland via the RCIA actually leave within a year!!!

Praying for you all and giving thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
this is experienced in other places as well
reasons: those asking for entrance into the Church are doing so for the wrong reasons, getting married to a Catholic, family pressure, whatever.
no.2, the newly initiated Catholic do not participate in mystagogy after reception of the sacraments. Those who do not come for at least 50 days after reception, preferably for a year at least once a month, are almost guaranteed to leave the Church within 5 years.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top