How to live the Catholic life

[skyrain30]

Somewhere in one of these posts I read someones answer saying to “Just start living the Catholic life.” Can someone tell me how to do that? I read so much about the rosary, how do you go about getting one. It somehow does not seem apropriate to just buy one online or is that how I do it? I have started attending Mass but have not been baptized into the church. I am still working on starting the RCIA classes. I have been interested in joining the Catholic church and have been studying for a couple of years now. Besides the rosary what should I be doing? I read the Bible and I pray but after attending Mass one time i can already see that I do not do things the Catholic way. Please make any recomendations.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The late Karen Marie Knapp put together something she called “Maximal Catholic Living: Spiritual Fitness Program for Beginners and the Out-of-Shape.” You can read it at my.execpc.com/~kmknapp/tracts/spiritualfitness.html

See if that doesn’t give you some ideas.

 

[djeter]

Somewhere in one of these posts I read someones answer saying to “Just start living the Catholic life.” Can someone tell me how to do that? I read so much about the rosary, how do you go about getting one. It somehow does not seem apropriate to just buy one online or is that how I do it? I have started attending Mass but have not been baptized into the church. I am still working on starting the RCIA classes. I have been interested in joining the Catholic church and have been studying for a couple of years now. Besides the rosary what should I be doing? I read the Bible and I pray but after attending Mass one time i can already see that I do not do things the Catholic way. Please make any recomendations.

As I recent Catholic convert (2006) I made a post that reflected over the past couple of years:

“I subscribe to an Amazon Discussion Forum called “What Makes Us Catholic?” and unfortunately I have to say this is NOT the answer to that question. This is what fully confirmed me in my faith: It is what made ME a Catholic, although oddly enough it happened after I had already taken the step. I see it almost as if God came along cleaning up after my messy first attempts, saying, “No, no, this is why you are here.” And lest anyone misunderstand here, having achieved this is NOT what I’m talking about; realizing it is perhaps the first step…”

You can follow the rest of the conversation here:

payingattentiontothesky.com/2009/06/22/called-to-holiness/

The details of the Catholic life are all over and best found at your local parish. This was a big truth I had missed out on.

Regards

DJ

 

[Sheeniac]

Welcome home!

I’m a revert after 25 years of atheism.

What is the Catholic life? Attending Mass at least on Sundays, partaking of the sacraments, learning the faith, following the precepts (see this beginningcatholic.com/precepts-of-the-catholic-church.html ), etc. That site seems to have some pretty good articles.

Of course, some of these you can’t do yet, but that’s fine.

Beyond that, you must live the Christian life. That’s the hard part that takes a lifetime. Become holy as Christ told us to be. Learn to forgive, try to see Jesus in people, try not to judge, etc.

Reflect on the virtues: vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a7.htm . There are many books and resources out there about such things. Learn about the capital sins - check here under vices - vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/index/v.htm . This will give information about the capital sins in general, as well as links to discussing them in specific.

Read the Bible, pray daily, learn about the saints. Get the catechism - you can start for free with the old Baltimore Catechism online. Examine your conscience on a regular basis.

Above all - don’t worry! The above is a life’s worth of tasks. Start the journey / pick any of the above - focus on making the small steps and it won’t become overwhelming.

Rosary - yes, you can buy one and just ask the priest to bless it for you. I try to pray the full Rosary once a week, but it’s not mandatory by any means. The Church is a banquet - no need to pile everything on your first plate. Go with what you’re draw to first.

Good luck!

 

[Catholic1954]

Once you are comfortable with attending Mass regularly in the same parish, check out the various other organizations they have to offer. You will meet practicing Catholics who will be more than happy to answer your questions, and help you along. Welcome Home!