How do I go about being catholic?

[richardvk]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section don’t see one for general questions. Long story short I got into Christianity during my suicidal depression and it really helped. I asked my friend to go to church, it was a protestant church and very moderny feel. It was a nice rush but I find it is not very serious if that makes sense. A pastor I met that runs another local church calls it “Christianity Lite”

So I looked into it and Catholisism seems to be the one that interests me. My mind keeps nagging me about it. I want to go check it out and join but I have no idea how? Do I just walk in or? To be honest I am nervous about it but I feel a calling to it for some reasons. Maybe its the rituals and the deep history. Anyways if anyone could give me a how-to that would be awesome

Thanks

 

[Rob2]

@richardvk , ask the Holy Spirit for enlightenment and guidance to show you the way .

If you have friends who are Catholics talk with them .

Find out which Catholic parish you are living in and go to have a word with the priest , or telephone him to tell him you wish to speak with him .

Naturally you are nervous because you are in unknown territory .

You should find that the local Catholic priest is delighted to see you . He is an ordinary human being like yourself .

Keep on praying .

 

[Trishie]

God leads us to Himself by various means,
and I’m delighted that He has drawn you towards the blessings and consolations of the Catholic faith.
I hope that you will receive the most helpful advice and direction … and Rob’s suggestion to find a parish close to you is already excelent advice. Please keep in tough with us in this forum as your further questions arise.

 

[Reuben_J]

Richard, you cannot become a Catholic at the spur of the moment or like answering altar call. For you to become one, you have to go into a long process to make sure you really want it and not some rebound from your depression or personal disappointment. The time spent will allow you to really think about it and that you understand the Catholic teachings, belief and traditions. You can enquire with a nearby parish priest and perhaps register for RCIA classes. If everything goes on well, you can get baptised perhaps about a year later.

God bless you.

 

[Limoncello4021]

I would advise you to start praying (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) and other prayers daily. Tell God to help you be open to his will and to guide you. Get a Rosary and learn to pray it–even a little of it every day.
Start to go to Sunday Mass. You can participate in everything but receiving the Eucharist. That’s an excellent way to see how Catholics worship and to learn Catholic teaching.
Finally, call the parish and ask about joining RCIA. They most likely will start this fall so you are in good time. It is a learning series of classes about the Church designed for those interested in converting, and at the end of the process you make the commitment.
Also, there are zillions of good books on Catholicism. You might start with Catholicism for Dummies, which actually is pretty good! Scott Hahn books are excellent, as are the Journey Home videos on Youtube.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

My mind keeps nagging me about it.

That will be Christ nagging in your head, we are first chose by Christ.

When I was searching for God about twenty years ago, my brother in law just said, ‘You have to do something’.

The annoying thing was, he did not say what I had to do, but doing something brought me into the church. Twenty years later, I am still haunted by the words, do something.

 

[Dlee]

Feel free to go ahead and “walk in” to a Mass at your local parish. Arrive early so you can sit quietly and observe. It may feel different than the protestant church in that people will more than likely not approach you to chat, etc. Don’t worry about participating, you can just sit and observe. Most of all, relax and listen. As others have suggested, contact the parish priest. He won’t put any pressure on you - it should feel like a chat among old friends.

 

[joeybaggz]

All the above posts have good ideas. One thing you can do in addition to talking to a priest at a local Catholic parish is to read on your own. One very good book is Dr. Scott and Kimberley Hahn’s story, Rome Sweet Home about his journey into the Catholic faith. Other things like the works and writings of Bishop Fulton Sheen and others. Read with care and with some guidance by Catholics who you will encounter if you engage the process of entrance in a local parish. Good luck.