In the process of converting . . . what happens from this point?

[Leshaigh]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to the site, to the faith and in desperate need of help. I have recently decided to convert and I absolutely love it! I just have a few problems and educating myself over the internet is NOT helping!

I’m 16 and started attending Catechism classes at my church about June last year. I attended up until about August but due to unfortunate family problems, I stopped going. It took me a while to pluck up the courage to go and see my Catechist to ask if I would be allowed to come back, I realize the church will never deny you but I was really worried! I’ve been attending Church and Catechism again for about 2 or 3 weeks now. It’s amazing! I’ve never experience such excitement for Church in my life. I wish the week away just so I can go to Catechism and I have this new-found dedication to becoming Catholic. (That speaks volumes for me as a person) That was a bit of useless information just so you understand where I’m coming from.

I have been blessed in an Anglican church as a baby, but never been baptized. (Apparently there’s a difference?) If there is a difference and I decide to get baptized this year, how would it all happen and work? Do I still get a baptism name even though my parents are Pentecostal? Also, either next year or the year thereafter, depending on how much work I catch up at Catechism, I’ll get confirmed. Can anyone explain the whole Saint and Sponsor thing to me?

Thank you so much!

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Greetings Leshaigh,

First and foremost wecome home to the Catholic Church.

Are these Catechism classes the same things as RCIA classes? I have never heard of RCIA classes called Catechism classes before, this is why I ask.

If you have never been baptized, you wil be baptized when you enter the Catholic Church. You would be catechized in the faith and probably be baptized on Easter Vigil. Talk to your RCIA coordinator or priest if you have questions about the process. Yes you will get a baptismal name when getting baptized. Though usually most people take the name that they have and use that as their baptismal name.

You will have to get baptized before getting Confirmed. Baptism is the gateway to the other Sacraments in the Catholic Church.

Probably you are asked to pick a Saint for your Confirmation to be your patron saint. Ask the Holy Spirit as to whom you should pick. I would read about the saints to decide.

A sponsor is one who helps you through your journey and stands with you when you are baptized or confirmed. I am blessed as I have a priest for one of my sponsors, that usually does not happen, but in this case it did. The same priest is my baptismal sponsor and my Confirmation sponsor as well. I would get to know people at your parish, and if there is anyone that you are close to, I would ask them to be your sponsor. Somtimes the sponsors are assigned.

God bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I have been blessed in an Anglican church as a baby, but never been baptized. (Apparently there’s a difference?) If there is a difference and I decide to get baptized this year, how would it all happen and work? Do I still get a baptism name even though my parents are Pentecostal? Also, either next year or the year thereafter, depending on how much work I catch up at Catechism, I’ll get confirmed. Can anyone explain the whole Saint and Sponsor thing to me?

Thank you so much!

Anglicans do baptize infants, so you may want to check further on whether you have already been baptized.

If you are not baptized, you will go through several rites as part of RCIA – the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Election, and the Scrutinies. They all lead up to the Easter Vigil where you will receive your sacraments of initiation. At one glorious Mass you will be baptized, confirmed, and receive your First Communion.

If it turns out that you have been baptized, then it will not be repeated. But you will make your profession of faith, be received into the Church, be confirmed, and receive your First Communion at one Mass.

Either way it will be a wonderful experience and something to look forward to. Welcome home!

 

[HelenRose]

Welcome Home,

My advice is to read and enjoy what you can on the Internet but… don’t take it all to heart. Talk with your priest when you have questions that you can’t find answers to.

There are billion or so Catholics in this world and each one of these souls search and seek God and have their own special journey to make. You will learn that your journey will be a special one for you.

 

[tuscany]

**I just wanted to say “HI” and welcome you.

I am what they call a “Cradle Catholic”, someone who is Baptized Catholic while still a baby. Having grown up Catholic during the time the Mass was in Latin, for us, learning about the faith back then was called Catechism.

To show you how different things used to be, we Catholic kids were allowed to leave our Public School classrooms so a Sister could take us to a nearby Catholic’s garage where benches were set up, and we would have Catechism for an hour every Thursday. Then every Saturday morning, we would go to one of the church’s classrooms, and have another hour of Catechism.

Enjoy your journey home.**

 

[John_2029]

Welcome to the journey…

Catholic Answers Forums is a good place to ask all your questions. As mentioned by others, RCIA is the usual path into the Church for someone who wishes to join as an adult (yes, 16 counts as an adult!). Your parish RCIA team will be able to describe the program and the various steps along the way. They will also discuss with you your baptismal status and determine whether you will need this sacrament before confirmation.

In any event, you have made the most important decision of your life: to join the Church. I will keep you in my prayers.

Yours in Christ,

 

[starsmurf]

I’m a convert too. I had been baptised but one of the women in the group I converted with had not been baptised, so I know what happens. You said that you had been blessed rather than baptised, this happened to my friend’s daughter in the Church of Scotland, as neither she nor her husband were members of the Church. I’m assuming it was something like that in your case.

Unless you wish to change your first name, you will use the same name at baptism. It will most likely take place at the Easter Vigil service, but if it isn’t possible for you to attend that service, it can take place at a normal Mass, probably on a Sunday. That happened to me and my group as we were at university and the halls of residence were closed for the Easter break. We were received into the Church two Sundays later.

Basically, you’ll go up with your sponsor (your parish will provide someone if you don’t know someone Catholic you could ask) and the priest will pour water over your head while you lean over the font. You should wear something white, as during the baptism you will be told to “bring this white garment” before God when you die (a symbolic way of saying that you will repent of your sins). My priest forgot to tell the person being baptised, she was converting from Buddhism so had no idea and was wearing black. When the priest reached that line, he faltered, looked at her for a moment then carried on.

After you are baptised, you will be confirmed. The priest will put a special holy oil, called chrisim, on your forehead. He will say “(name of saint), be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”. Your confirmation saint is a saint you are asking to have a special interest in you and one you feel some sort of connection with. Try reading a book with several short descriptions of saint’s lives and see if there is one you feel drawn to. You can then read more about that saint. For example, I took Teresa as my confirmation name, for St Therese of Lisiuex. I had always loved the name Teresa (I don’t know why) and when I looked up the name in a dictionary of saints, Therese had been anglicised to Teresa. I noticed that “St Teresa of Lisieux”, as they called her, had died on my birthday. I felt that was a sign from God and chose her. I also asked St Teresa of Avila to look after me too, as I feel I’m too much work for one saint!

Finally, you will receive communion for the first time, most parishes will have those joining the Church at that service bring the unconsecrated hosts and wine forward. You will be given communion before the rest of the congregation, and in most parishes you will also be given the chalice (the Precious Blood) as well as the Host, even if the rest of the congregation do not receive both. The only things you have to worry about now are that it will take you ages to leave the church because of all the complete strangers coming up and congratulating you and the fact you probably won’t stop grinning for a few days.

I hope this has helped. Welcome home!

 

[joanofarc2008]

Just one other point - what your parish may also offer is a program called RCIT -it is Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens. It is just like RCIA but it is for Teens. Welcome home and good luck to you.

 

[SecretGarden]

When you decide to join the Catholic church, it is customary to take RCIA from the local parish. If this isn’t available or if the time doesn’t fit into your schedule, sometimes it’s possible to meet with the priest instead. Generally that Easter, people will join the church. Depending on what the person is missing sacrament wise, the parish may decide to baptise and give the first communion on separate days then confirm them at Easter vigil. Or the parish may decide to give all three at Easter Vigil. It is also possible to join the church on another day such as a feast day or a day that has special significance. The latter of the three options happens more seldom but it does happen.

After you join the church there is also a transitional period the new Catholic undergoes which is wonderful but also challenging. Until you begin to live the new denomination, do you fully understand what a beautiful gift you are giving yourself.

As you begin RCIA or the equivalent, remember you are under no obligation to join that Easter. You have the right even at the point when they call your name to say you aren’t ready. This is a life long commitment and if there is doubt, talk it out with your spiritual director or parish priest. He will help you make the right decision. Sometimes it’s necessary to take the plunge other times it is better to wait. You also have the right to redo RCIA again or a few times if you are uncertain. I know several people who did this and it worked out ok. I did that myself. I took RCIA once when I explored the church and the second time it was towards becoming Catholic. I also didn’t join the church at Easter vigil either.

As you explore pray constantly. I also suggest that you read as much as you can. “Catholicism for Dummies” is a great beginning. Interlibrary loans are wonderful because you can read as much as you without costing any money. I did that when I did my research and it helped a lot.

Hope it helps,

SG

 

[Leshaigh]

Greetings Leshaigh,

First and foremost wecome home to the Catholic Church.

Are these Catechism classes the same things as RCIA classes? I have never heard of RCIA classes called Catechism classes before, this is why I ask.

Catechism classes are the classes children attend at the church. The classes you attend up until a certain grade or level then you get confirmed. The range from the 1st grade til the 11th grade. Not sure if I described that properly lol

God bless

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Catechism classes are the classes children attend at the church. The classes you attend up until a certain grade or level then you get confirmed. The range from the 1st grade til the 11th grade. Not sure if I described that properly lol

God bless

Greetings Leshaigh,

Then I would seek out the RCIA coordinator of your parish and talk about the RCIA process. I am not sure if the catechism classes will take the place of RCIA. IF you cannot get a hold of the RCIA coordinator of your parish, talk to you priest.

God bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Catechism classes are the classes children attend at the church. The classes you attend up until a certain grade or level then you get confirmed. The range from the 1st grade til the 11th grade. Not sure if I described that properly lol

God bless

That’s for children who were baptized as Catholics and received their First Communion as Catholics. You need a somewhat different process because first you have to become Catholic.

The process is called RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Don’t let the “adults” part throw you. For the purposes of baptism, anyone over about 7 years is considered an adult. That doesn’t mean that an 8-year-old and a 25-year-old go to the same classes. RCIA is adapted for different circumstances like different age groups.

AS has it right – check with your parish. Either the RCIA director of pastor will be able to get you started in the right place.

 

[joanofarc2008]

That’s for children who were baptized as Catholics and received their First Communion as Catholics. You need a somewhat different process because first you have to become Catholic.

The process is called RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Don’t let the “adults” part throw you. For the purposes of baptism, anyone over about 7 years is considered an adult. That doesn’t mean that an 8-year-old and a 25-year-old go to the same classes. RCIA is adapted for different circumstances like different age groups.

AS has it right – check with your parish. Either the RCIA director of pastor will be able to get you started in the right place.

Or again depending on the size of your parish you may luck out and have an RCIT program available to you as well.

 

[PJM]

=Leshaigh;8323904]Hi everyone,

I’m new to the site, to the faith and in desperate need of help. I have recently decided to convert and I absolutely love it! I just have a few problems and educating myself over the internet is NOT helping!

I’m 16 and started attending Catechism classes at my church about June last year. I attended up until about August but due to unfortunate family problems, I stopped going. It took me a while to pluck up the courage to go and see my Catechist to ask if I would be allowed to come back, I realize the church will never deny you but I was really worried! I’ve been attending Church and Catechism again for about 2 or 3 weeks now. It’s amazing! I’ve never experience such excitement for Church in my life. I wish the week away just so I can go to Catechism and I have this new-found dedication to becoming Catholic. (That speaks volumes for me as a person) That was a bit of useless information just so you understand where I’m coming from.

I have been blessed in an Anglican church as a baby, but never been baptized. (Apparently there’s a difference?) If there is a difference and I decide to get baptized this year, how would it all happen and work? Do I still get a baptism name even though my parents are Pentecostal? Also, either next year or the year thereafter, depending on how much work I catch up at Catechism, I’ll get confirmed. Can anyone explain the whole Saint and Sponsor thing to me?

Thank you so much!

The program in which you are enrolled is either RCIA or some form of it. RCIA stands for Rites of Christian Iniation for Adults.

It has normally three MAJOR components:

1. An overview-introduction to what we Catholic believe.
2. A decision by you if you’d like to continue in your path into Christ own Church and further and DEEPER study of what we believe with an additonal emphasis of WHY we hold these beliefs.
3. Depending on the individuals backgrond EXPERIENCE; baptized or not; one is prepared for the “sacraments of Iniation” … that may include Christian -Baptism, Confession/Reconcillation, Eucharist and Conformation. …In route to this are various ceremonies and Rites called the “scrutinies.”

It will ALL be layed out and explained to you; and is nothing to fret about. Pray often and pray much!

God Bless you; and may HE be your guide in the road ahead.

Love and prayers,
Pat

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi
I have been blessed in an Anglican church as a baby, but never been baptized. (Apparently there’s a difference?) If there is a difference and I decide to get baptized this year, how would it all happen and work? Do I still get a baptism name even though my parents are Pentecostal? Also, either next year or the year thereafter, depending on how much work I catch up at Catechism, I’ll get confirmed. Can anyone explain the whole Saint and Sponsor thing to me?

Thank you so much!

what happens next is simply that you pick up where you left off and move forward. It is very common for this journey to have starts and stops and waiting periods. There is no set schedule as everyone starts from a different point.

don’t know what blessing means, as Anglicans in general have valid baptism (sometimes called Christening), so that is the first thing to establish, if your parents will cooperate with getting the documentation. If you have never been baptized (and most but not all Pentecostals do not have valid baptism) you will be preparing to celebrate baptism, confirmation and first communion all at the same time, usually at Easter. But there is no guarantee you will be ready this coming Easter, because as you already know there are things that can come up to interrupt your preparation. You are ready when you are convinced the Catholic Church holds and teaches the fullness of truth and is the Church established by Jesus Christ. You do not have to know and explain each and every one of those teachings, but you have to admit the authority of the Church to teach what she has received from Jesus Christ. The formal name for this is the profession of faith.

If it turns out, as seems likely, you were already baptized in the Anglican Church, you will be confirmed and make first communion at the same time, having made a sacramental confession sometime before. That may happen at Easter, or another time as determined by the bishop of your diocese.

Enjoy the journey it is a transformation, not a class, not a program and each stage has its own value, its own healing, its own encounter with Christ.

Welcome home.

Most of the questions you have should be asked of your pastor, catechist and RCIA director, not for nothing is this period called “Inquiry”. The more you ask the more you learn. You may, but are not required to choose a saint name as a patron, but you will learn about the saints as friends, intercessors and models of the Christian life during your formation. You may have a sponsor assigned to you by the parish whose role is to invite you into parish life and answer questions. You may also choose a Catholic adult as a baptismal godparent or confirmation sponsor, or the pastor may choose a sponsor for you.