How To Become Practicing Catholic

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palacios1976

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Hello. I was baptized Catholic but have not practiced for many years. When I was younger I was brought up Protestent. For many years I identified as Atheist/Agnostic. Now that I’m older I miss and appreciate the tradition and sacraments that go along with the church. What is the best place to start on the path to re-becoming a Catholic? What is the best way to learn the church’s teachings. Thank you.
John P
 
Start going to Mass and speak with a priest for guidance. To learn about the faith I highly recommend the Institute of Catholic Culture:

https://instituteofcatholicculture.org/

It is free to register and has over 800 hours of free archived video talks on everything from Liturgy, the sacraments, Church history to apologetics from some of the Catholic worlds greatest minds. Founder, Fr Hezekias a Melkite Greek Catholic priest, started the Institute 10 years ago so that the average Catholic could receive the same education he did at Christendom college. They also have a wonderful Sunday Gospel reflection for both the Roman and Byzantine lectionary.

What neck of the woods are you from?

ZP
 
@thistle

Everything is free! After you register you can sign up for free webinars. Click on the library tab and search for archived lectures (by speaker, topic, etc.). Sunday Gospel reflections can be found by clicking the program tab.

ZP
 
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palacios1976 said:
What is the best place to start on the path to re-becoming a Catholic
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I was baptized Catholic (and received first holy communion) but then my family left the church and I spent a lifetime searching for that church again. Some advice, make an appointment and talk to a priest. Don’t discuss it with the church secretary or the rcia director…talk to the priest. Don’t waste your time with deacons, either. Every parish is run differently. They all use different programs for rcia. It doesn’t fit everybody especially returning Catholics. I finally gave up and when my husband converted to Eastern Catholicism I was graciously allowed to transfer in. Godspeed.
 
There is a document about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/RCIA.pdf .

On page 37 it has a section headed “4 PREPARATION OF UNCATECHIZED ADULTS FOR CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST” which begins:

“376 The following pastoral guidelines concern adults who were baptised as infants but did not receive further catechetical formation nor, consequently, the sacraments of confirmation and eucharist.”

[Excerpt from the English translation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults © 1985, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All Rights Reserved.]
 
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ziapueblo said:
@thistle

Everything is free! After you register you can sign up for free webinars. Click on the library tab and search for archived lectures (by speaker, topic, etc.). Sunday Gospel reflections can be found by clicking the program tab.

ZP
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Thanks for the information.
 
Start going to Mass and make an appointment with your local parish. I also recommend going to RCIA, Scott Hahn’s books, The Coming Home Network and there’s a group that I am part of on facebook, called Catholic Converts. Welcome home!
 
Pelacios, WELCOME BACK!

First, everything everyone else said. Second, The Catholic Answers main site has decades of material, but start with the Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth pamphlet. Third, I was 26 years away, 16 as a gutless atheist (agnostic), some as a mainstream Protestant, so I know where you’ve been and where you’re going. God bless!
 
Welcome!

Start right now, pray and read some Scripture before you go to bed tonight:

There are today’s readings and reflections on those readings here

bible.usccb.org

Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Daily Bible Readings, Podcast Audio and Videos and Prayers brought to you by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
bible.usccb.org bible.usccb.org

Tomorrow morning, call your parish and ask for an appointment to speak to Father. He will guide you in your return to the Sacraments.

Welcome Home!!

This is another excellent resource

https://www.catholicscomehome.org/home-page-content/
 
@palacios1976: Welcome to the forum.

Hi, John:
Because you’ve been away for so long, I suggest you talk to your priest. If you have not been confirmed, he might well suggest RCIA, a nine-month program of classes and rites. Baptized Christians prepare for Confirmation and Communion. Unbaptized people prepare for all the sacraments.

I was raised as Protestant. Thirty years ago, I started RCIA. I was confirmed and received Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil in 1990. I loved RCIA. Our leader was more than a catechist. She was on fire for God.
 
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