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CatintheHat
Guest
How cool! Welcome to the forums!Hi!
I’m a convert from atheism. I will be baptized this Easter, too.
Chrissi
How long had you been contemplating conversion? What made you pick the Catholic Church?
- Status
How long had you been contemplating conversion? What made you pick the Catholic Church?
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ncpizza
Guest
I can not wait–
wow just wow!!
wow just wow!!
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elizebeth123
Guest
Only 16 wakeups left! My husband told me last night he would probably not attend to support me. My husband was brought up Catholic and has since fallen away! I’m sad about that, but I will not let it ruin my excitement!
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ChrissiM
Guest
Thanks for your reply.How cool! Welcome to the forums!
I began to consider christianity first when I was 21 (now I’m 26). At this time I was studying medieval german literature at the university. At one day we were asked to read some parts from the bible for a seminar. So I bought a bible and read the requested parts. Then I thought, if I already have a bible I could also read the rest of it. And I did it. I’ve read the complete bible, every book. I also have to say that I wasn’t an aggressive atheist. I didn’t believe in God (or anything supernatural) at this time, but I didn’t saw me as an enemy of religion. I was quite open minded.
Well, my bible study made me think about it. Could it be true? Could there really be a God? So I went to forums at the internet and read the arguments of believers and atheists. There were two main questions which were most important for me: 1. Are there good arguments for the existence of God? 2. Did Jesus really rose from death? It was a long process but in the end I came to the conclusion that the Christians had the better arguments. Finally it was the evidence of the resurrection which mainly convinced me that God exist and that Christianity is true.
Then there was the question which denomination I should join, if I become a Christian. Well, I have to say that this choice was very easy for me. While I was reading the bible I came to the conclusion that if I would become Christian, I had to become a Catholic. And I was quite surprised how catholic the bible was(is). I hadn’t expected this (everything what I had heard before in my life were either atheist or protestant points of view). In spring 2005 I finally got in contact with the Church and my preparing for baptism started. I learned a lot more about Catholicism during this time and my conviction that the Catholic Church is the true church grew even more (I’ve also read some books from Scott Hahn which were very helpful). Now I just have to wait less than three weeks untill I will become an official member of the Church. I can’t wait. I feel so privileged. For me it is the greatest to become Catholic. :extrahappy:
Chrissi
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Lizziebel
Guest
Oh, I hope he does go to support you! My prayers are with you.
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CatintheHat
Guest
What a great story. Thanks for sharing! I know I can’t wait either. One one hand, I feel like it can’t come fast enough, but on the other hand it has been a long journey, hasn’t it?Thanks for your reply.
I began to consider christianity first when I was 21 (now I’m 26). At this time I was studying medieval german literature at the university. At one day we were asked to read some parts from the bible for a seminar. So I bought a bible and read the requested parts. Then I thought, if I already have a bible I could also read the rest of it. And I did it. I’ve read the complete bible, every book. I also have to say that I wasn’t an aggressive atheist. I didn’t believe in God (or anything supernatural) at this time, but I didn’t saw me as an enemy of religion. I was quite open minded.
Well, my bible study made me think about it. Could it be true? Could there really be a God? So I went to forums at the internet and read the arguments of believers and atheists. There were two main questions which were most important for me: 1. Are there good arguments for the existence of God? 2. Did Jesus really rose from death? It was a long process but in the end I came to the conclusion that the Christians had the better arguments. Finally it was the evidence of the resurrection which mainly convinced me that God exist and that Christianity is true.
Then there was the question which denomination I should join, if I become a Christian. Well, I have to say that this choice was very easy for me. While I was reading the bible I came to the conclusion that if I would become Christian, I had to become a Catholic. And I was quite surprised how catholic the bible was(is). I hadn’t expected this (everything what I had heard before in my life were either atheist or protestant points of view). In spring 2005 I finally got in contact with the Church and my preparing for baptism started. I learned a lot more about Catholicism during this time and my conviction that the Catholic Church is the true church grew even more (I’ve also read some books from Scott Hahn which were very helpful). Now I just have to wait less than three weeks untill I will become an official member of the Church. I can’t wait. I feel so privileged. For me it is the greatest to become Catholic. :extrahappy:
Chrissi
C
csg1976
Guest
16 days - whoo-hoo! I’m sorry to hear that about your husband, and know how you feel - I was raised Jewish and my husband and mom will be there at the vigil but my dad will very much not be there. His loss!
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Regi
Guest
God bless you ALL!!! And congratulations! I am a cradle Catholic, but it always inspires me to see so many people embrace the faith that I love so much - makes me love it even more. May the Holy Spirit be with you and strengthen you as you come into the church! I will pray for all of you when I attend the Easter Vigil at my church.
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moen
Guest
I will be confirmed April 26 by the Bishop, and am ecstatic. I was baptized Presbyterian, raised and confirmed Luthera,.then lots of wandering w/in LOTS of other churches, and now I’m coming home! Went through RCIA 2 years ago, but didn’t follow through to the end because of husband/family/friends’ reactions. Now, it’s time!
TO Missy: Wow, what a story! You can be a light and encouragement to a group of people many of us life-long church goers could never be. Praise to God for your conversino!
TO Missy: Wow, what a story! You can be a light and encouragement to a group of people many of us life-long church goers could never be. Praise to God for your conversino!
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mystagogia
Guest
I am not being baptized because the Southern Baptists already did that for me.
I am joining the Catholic Church during this springtime. Sometime. I don’t know when, but I am assured that it will happen! (Timing and locality issues with Easter Vigil).
I am compelled to fall to my knees and thank God for the magnificent gift he has given to us!
Who can tell me anything better that has happened other than the Eucharist?
Oh, my fellow catechumens and candidates, the time is near! It is nigh! haha
The Beginning is Nigh!
HaHa, let us rejoice you and me!
I am joining the Catholic Church during this springtime. Sometime. I don’t know when, but I am assured that it will happen! (Timing and locality issues with Easter Vigil).
I am compelled to fall to my knees and thank God for the magnificent gift he has given to us!
Who can tell me anything better that has happened other than the Eucharist?
Oh, my fellow catechumens and candidates, the time is near! It is nigh! haha
The Beginning is Nigh!
HaHa, let us rejoice you and me!
M
moen
Guest
To all who are unaware before deciding on my conversion to the CC, someone on this CA forum gave me a link which was great. It seems most think that Easter Vigil is the only time to cross over the Tiber, and that everyone just needs to be clumped together.
Here it is, from the TEAMRCIA website, quoting (I think?) the CCC: (notice in 5th paragraph down, those baptized should NOT be brought in at Easter Vigil). It’s wonderful that it’s a choice, of course, for the individual and priest to decide…logistics/numbers may impede one way or another…
"The means by which those who have already been validly baptized become part of the Church differs considerably from that of the unbaptized. Because they have already been baptized, they are already Christians; they are, therefore, not catechumens. Because of their status as Christians, the Church is concerned that they not be confused with those who are in the process of becoming Christians.
“Those who have already been baptized in another church or ecclesial community should not be treated as catechumens or so designated. Their doctrinal and spiritual preparation for reception into full Catholic communion should be determined according to the individual case, that is, it should depend on the extent to which the baptized person has led a Christian life within a community of faith and been appropriately catechized to deepen his or her inner adherence to the Church” (NSC 30).
For those who were baptized but who have never been instructed in the Christian faith or lived as Christians, it is appropriate for them to receive much of the same instruction in the faith as catechumens, but they are still not catechumens and are not to be referred to as such (NSC 3). As a result, they are not to participate in the rites intended for catechumens, such as the scrutinies. Even “[t]he rites of presentation of the creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the book of the Gospels are not proper except for those who have received no Christian instruction and formation” (NSC 31).
For those who have been instructed in the Christian faith and have lived as Christians, the situation is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, “Those baptized persons who have lived as Christians and need only instruction in the Catholic tradition and a degree of probation within the Catholic community should not be asked to undergo a full program parallel to the catechumenate” (NSC 31). For this reason, they should not share in the same, full RCIA programs that catechumens do.
The timing of their reception into the Church also is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, "It is preferable that reception into full communion not take place at the Easter Vigil lest there be any confusion of such baptized Christians with the candidates for baptism, possible misunderstanding of or even reflection upon the sacrament of baptism celebrated in another church or ecclesial community . . . " (NSC 33).
Rather than being received on Easter Vigil, “[t]he reception of candidates into the communion of the Catholic Church should ordinarily take place at the Sunday Eucharist of the parish community, in such a way that it is understood that they are indeed Christian believers who have already shared in the sacramental life of the Church and are now welcomed into the Catholic Eucharistic community . . .” (NSC 32).
Christians coming into the Catholic Church must discuss with their pastor and/or bishop the amount of instruction needed and the time of their reception."
Here it is, from the TEAMRCIA website, quoting (I think?) the CCC: (notice in 5th paragraph down, those baptized should NOT be brought in at Easter Vigil). It’s wonderful that it’s a choice, of course, for the individual and priest to decide…logistics/numbers may impede one way or another…
"The means by which those who have already been validly baptized become part of the Church differs considerably from that of the unbaptized. Because they have already been baptized, they are already Christians; they are, therefore, not catechumens. Because of their status as Christians, the Church is concerned that they not be confused with those who are in the process of becoming Christians.
“Those who have already been baptized in another church or ecclesial community should not be treated as catechumens or so designated. Their doctrinal and spiritual preparation for reception into full Catholic communion should be determined according to the individual case, that is, it should depend on the extent to which the baptized person has led a Christian life within a community of faith and been appropriately catechized to deepen his or her inner adherence to the Church” (NSC 30).
For those who were baptized but who have never been instructed in the Christian faith or lived as Christians, it is appropriate for them to receive much of the same instruction in the faith as catechumens, but they are still not catechumens and are not to be referred to as such (NSC 3). As a result, they are not to participate in the rites intended for catechumens, such as the scrutinies. Even “[t]he rites of presentation of the creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the book of the Gospels are not proper except for those who have received no Christian instruction and formation” (NSC 31).
For those who have been instructed in the Christian faith and have lived as Christians, the situation is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, “Those baptized persons who have lived as Christians and need only instruction in the Catholic tradition and a degree of probation within the Catholic community should not be asked to undergo a full program parallel to the catechumenate” (NSC 31). For this reason, they should not share in the same, full RCIA programs that catechumens do.
The timing of their reception into the Church also is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, "It is preferable that reception into full communion not take place at the Easter Vigil lest there be any confusion of such baptized Christians with the candidates for baptism, possible misunderstanding of or even reflection upon the sacrament of baptism celebrated in another church or ecclesial community . . . " (NSC 33).
Rather than being received on Easter Vigil, “[t]he reception of candidates into the communion of the Catholic Church should ordinarily take place at the Sunday Eucharist of the parish community, in such a way that it is understood that they are indeed Christian believers who have already shared in the sacramental life of the Church and are now welcomed into the Catholic Eucharistic community . . .” (NSC 32).
Christians coming into the Catholic Church must discuss with their pastor and/or bishop the amount of instruction needed and the time of their reception."
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Lizziebel
Guest
It’s true that it can be done sooner than the Easter Vigil. That had been discussed as a possibility for me, but it would have meant leaving out many of the classes. The Easter Vigil mass is at such a special time of year and will be such a beautiful mass, that it makes the experience of Confirmation and First Communion that much more special!
Just over a week to go! I’m so looking forward to Holy Week.
Just over a week to go! I’m so looking forward to Holy Week.
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FCEGM
Guest
It’s a joy to hear of your own joy in coming into full communion with the Church! 87 people at my parish will be joining you in this great pilgrimage of Faith. God bless you all.
F
funnyyetsavvy
Guest
I swam the Tiber this evening as a candidate
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surfgirlusa_200
Guest
Me too, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done
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damooster
Guest
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DavidW
Guest
Went swimming myself last night. Baptized, confirmed and first communion all in one ceremony!
A bit overwhelming, but wonderful experience.
A bit overwhelming, but wonderful experience.
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Blue_Eyes
Guest
Yay, I was confirmed last night. Thanks be to God! I’ve been waiting for this moment for many, many years.
Now, the work begins.
Oh, and I need to update my signature.
I’ve been waiting for this moment for many, many years.Now, the work begins.
Oh, and I need to update my signature.
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ChrissiM
Guest
Now it has become reality: I’m a Catholic!!!
:yeah_me: :egyptian: :extrahappy: :dancing:
Chrissi
:yeah_me: :egyptian: :extrahappy: :dancing:
Chrissi
C
CatintheHat
Guest
I was baptized and the whole shebang last night. The whole 3 hours went by so fast, that I was disappointed when it ended. It was all very emotional for us. Many of us were crying, including my sponsor.
On a lighter note, I had NO idea that the oil of Chrism would be POURED on my head and RUBBED all over my head by the priest. YUCK. I was dripping with oil the rest of the night. It all came out last night after a good washing, but my hair still smells like it, which isn’t a bad thing.
On a lighter note, I had NO idea that the oil of Chrism would be POURED on my head and RUBBED all over my head by the priest.
YUCK. I was dripping with oil the rest of the night. It all came out last night after a good washing, but my hair still smells like it, which isn’t a bad thing.- Status