Reverting vs Converting to Catholicism, the steps of the process?

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Ana_v

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First, a little bit of context (my two questions come at the end).

My mom is Catholic, as is her side of the family, and I was baptized in the Catholic Church. I did my First Communion the summer I turned nine.

I have not been Confirmed.

My dad is Protestant, and right around the above age I became “born-again” (I’m using the Protestant sense of the word) and as I had more talks with my dad, I came to reject the Catholic teachings that my mom was imparting on me, and thus theologically followed my dad, as well as where he went to church (Baptist, but afterwards joined a non-denominational church). However, if there is such a process, I never worked with the Catholic Church in a process of formally disassociating myself from it. I just simply, in my own conscience, rejected the Church.

So, from the latter part of my preteen years through my teenage years (up until some months ago actually), I embraced Protestantism.

Now that I have rejected it ( though I have not yet told my dad – I’m not sure how to approach telling him, but I have told my mom), and am very seriously considering Catholicism, I would like to know what I need to do if I decide to come back to the Church?

Also, I would like to know if and how, what I would need to do differs from those who were never part of the Church to begin with and desire to convert to Catholicism.
 
Since you haven’t been confirmed, I believe that you go through RCIA (or some sort of lessons at least).

I’m not really sure what it’s formally called (I was going to say “candidate”, but that’s for those baptized but outside the Church). For the best advice, speak to the priest at your local parish.
 
Strictly speaking, RCIA is for those who are not baptized. (I think the practice may vary depending on where you are).

You have already received Communion, and I hope, First Reconciliation (which is supposed to precede First Communion, but again, it doesn’t always). I would speak to a priest about this.

I suspect that what happens now will vary depending on your dioceses. You may have only to go to confession to resume receiving Communion, but it is possible that some catechesis will be asked. THAT is never a bad idea for anyone!

You will wish to be confirmed at some point, I suspect.
 
I suggest and interview with a priest of the parish you would be attending.You can make an appointment by calling the rectory listed in your phone book.Explain the issue.A new convert may consider the same approach by she may be referred to a lay Catholic counselor first.
 
Uh, I am going to tell you something that may bring some joy to your heart - except for a few circumstances that involve formal rejection - when you are baptized Catholic it leaves an indellible mark on your soul. Once a Catholic always a Catholic - no matter where you worship. So that being said - welcome home - come on back - make an appointment with a priest, get your reconcilliation, and start towards your confirmation assuming there are no other impediments standing in your way.
 
I’m a cradel Catholic who had not done communion/confirmation. Until last Easter, I have now finally been confirmed. While I had never left the Church, I was not in full communion. In addition, my wife and I needed to be blessed by the Church for we had only been married by the civil courts. In short, RCIA was my answer. Thank God and the many prayers for they have been answered for me.
 
Ana_v said:
First, a little bit of context (my two questions come at the end).

My mom is Catholic, as is her side of the family, and I was baptized in the Catholic Church. I did my First Communion the summer I turned nine.

I have not been Confirmed.

My dad is Protestant, and right around the above age I became “born-again” (I’m using the Protestant sense of the word) and as I had more talks with my dad, I came to reject the Catholic teachings that my mom was imparting on me, and thus theologically followed my dad, as well as where he went to church (Baptist, but afterwards joined a non-denominational church). However, if there is such a process, I never worked with the Catholic Church in a process of formally disassociating myself from it. I just simply, in my own conscience, rejected the Church.

So, from the latter part of my preteen years through my teenage years (up until some months ago actually), I embraced Protestantism.

Now that I have rejected it ( though I have not yet told my dad – I’m not sure how to approach telling him, but I have told my mom), and am very seriously considering Catholicism, I would like to know what I need to do if I decide to come back to the Church?

Also, I would like to know if and how, what I would need to do differs from those who were never part of the Church to begin with and desire to convert to Catholicism.
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Well,I too was baptized Catholic, had first communion…but never confirmed. I had to go to confession before I could receive communion again…which due to some bad teaching from my parents…was actually my first confession.

I went to a Catholics Can Come Home 6 week series…and that was VERY helpful…

Now for confirmation…it will depend on the resources in your parish. I could have just had a few classes…and then been confirmed by the Bishop this May…but since my husband is converting as well…and he was going to RCIA…I had no objections to going there as well…although I don’t have to do early dismissal. This Easter Vigil (next Sat) is our confirmation:thumbsup:

I am so glad that I had already had first communion…receiving communion has been so powerful for me…MUCH different then the Protestant communion at my old churches. I consider it a blessing that I had that…and I have really grown to appreciate the sacrament of reconcilliation…and that is something my husband had to wait awhile to be able to receive.

WELCOME HOME!
 
Hello!

At my Parish, somebody in your situation would usually go through the RCIA program to learn about the Church and prepare for the Sacraments (Reconciliation and Confirmation). Different Parishes handle it different ways though.

Step one is to speak to the Priest at your local Parish. He will be able to tell you what the rest of the steps are ;-). Chances are you will need to do some kind of preparation (either RCIA or a series or meetings with a Priest or something like that), and then you will be able to go to Confession and receive Confirmation.

God bless you, and WELCOME HOME!!
 
Ana_v said:
I was baptized in the Catholic Church. I did my First Communion the summer I turned nine.

I have not been Confirmed.

I would like to know what I need to do to come back to the Church?

Also, I would like to know if and how, what I would need to do differs from those who were never part of the Church to begin with and desire to convert to Catholicism.
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Since you have already been admitted to Holy Communion, you may begin receiving that sacrament after you make a sacramental Confession. You’ll want to be Confirmed too, and your pastor will want you to have some classes to educate you about that sacrament.

Your process is different from a conversion from a cradle-Protestant because you have already received Holy Communion, and so no formal classes will likely be required.
 
I returned to the Church after more than 20 years away. I had not been confirmed but had done First Confession and Communion (that’s what we called it back in the day).

When my husband and I wanted to get our civil marriage blessed by the Church, or convalidated (I didn’t know the term then), I had to go to adult confirmation classes. I think it may have been 6-8 weeks long, maybe more. I had to find a sponsor, pick a saint name, etc. just like the teens who get confirmed.

Talk to your priest as soon as possible! Watch “Coming Home” on EWTN! And welcome home! You always have been a Catholic, you just wandered away for a while.

👍
 
Ana_v said:
First, a little bit of context (my two questions come at the end).

My mom is Catholic, as is her side of the family, and I was baptized in the Catholic Church. I did my First Communion the summer I turned nine.

I have not been Confirmed.

My dad is Protestant, and right around the above age I became “born-again” (I’m using the Protestant sense of the word) and as I had more talks with my dad, I came to reject the Catholic teachings that my mom was imparting on me, and thus theologically followed my dad, as well as where he went to church (Baptist, but afterwards joined a non-denominational church). However, if there is such a process, I never worked with the Catholic Church in a process of formally disassociating myself from it. I just simply, in my own conscience, rejected the Church.

So, from the latter part of my preteen years through my teenage years (up until some months ago actually), I embraced Protestantism.

Now that I have rejected it ( though I have not yet told my dad – I’m not sure how to approach telling him, but I have told my mom), and am very seriously considering Catholicism, I would like to know what I need to do if I decide to come back to the Church?

Also, I would like to know if and how, what I would need to do differs from those who were never part of the Church to begin with and desire to convert to Catholicism.
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When you were 9 yrs old, you couldn’t be expected to sort out religious differences between your parents. Especially since you say you had more talks with your dad, and you consider what your mom gave you as imparting her will on you. If you’re worried about telling your dad of your decision, is this because there is tension here between your mom and dad over this or is it just with your dad? Am I assuming correctly, you’re still living at home?

As long as you’re making your decision freely, with no pressure, and it’s not a knee jerk reaction to something or someone in your immediate surroundings, then learn the Catholic faith seriously this time for all the right reasons. Join RCIA AND start reading from solid Catholic materials that are readily available. You know you’re going to be challanged. Have answers this time. You need to be sure and be able to explain why you’re sure.

Here’s a great resource
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
use this search engine to review subjects you want immediate answers to.

Your dad might also be interested in how Catholics provide answers from scripture
scripturecatholic.com/

Afterall, the OT scriptures point towards Jesus, and the NT is the fulfillment by Jesus. And since Jesus started and established His Church, the Catholic Church,

Then the scriptures were written in, by, and for the Catholic Church.
 
The program on EWTN is actually called “The Journey Home,” not Coming Home.

🙂
 
The program on EWTN is actually called “The Journey Home,” not Coming Home.

🙂
 
uxordepp said:
You have already received Communion, and I hope, First Reconciliation (which is supposed to precede First Communion, but again, it doesn’t always). I would speak to a priest about this.

I suspect that what happens now will vary depending on your dioceses. You may have only to go to confession to resume receiving Communion, but it is possible that some catechesis will be asked.
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(emphasis mine)

Yes, I have, but that is the only instance of Reconciliation that I recall ever having.

Is there a book or booklet someone can recommend me, on how to prepare for Confession?
 
steve_b said:
If you’re worried about telling your dad of your decision, is this because there is tension here between your mom and dad over this or is it just with your dad? Am I assuming correctly, you’re still living at home?
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  • Yes, I still live at home.
  • It’s because (knowing my dad) he is likely to assume that, since I told her first, my mother played a role in my decision, when in fact, she had nothing to do with my decision. Just a few months ago, I was still in my conscience very committed to Protestant Christianity, though I had loosened a little bit my severely negative view of the Catholic Church.
My decision is a result of my research over the past two months – it all pretty much began with the issue of Sola Scriptura.

The other reason why I am uneasy about telling him is because, he relatively recentely started attending the same Baptist Church that we went to when I was younger (why we had left the non-denominational church a while back, is a story in itself) – and I have been going with him and my younger brother. Because he asks me to. Because he (understandably so) thinks I still identify with Protestantism. He doesn’t have a reason to suspect otherwise.

To make things more awkward and difficult for me, the assistant pastor of the church he is going to, is a very good friend of his (and additionaly have worked together in the past) he’s a wonderful person, as is his wife, his family and my family get along well.

This past Sunday, I went with my dad to the adult bible study session, and I participated in the discussion. At the end, when we were leaving, I overheard my dad telling his friend how I was really into Christian apologetics and that that’s a grand part of what I read about online (it was yes, but, again, for the past weeks the focus of my studying online has been the Catholic Chruch-- and that part my dad does not know) and then he said to his friend (jokingly) " so, you don’t want me to bring my daughter up here anymore right?".

So, another thing I predict, is that my dad will be upset when I tell him, because then he will be put in an awkward position, when his Protestant friends learn of my decision. Since, to many Protestant minds, Catholics are “lost”, they are not saved.
  • Lastly, I think that (or, at least, would not be surprised if) to try to convince me out of it, my dad will try to set up a meeting between myself and probably someone from work, his church, or other personal friends that is a devout Protestant Christian, so that I can discuss with the person my reasons for wanting to come back to the Catholic Church.
I would prefer that not happen, but I want to prepare for it in case it does. Because, though I know the information I would present (i.e. know what to present) I would probably be a bit nervous, and thus might not present it well (i.e. know how to present it).
 
Ana_v said:
(emphasis mine)

Yes, I have, but that is the only instance of Reconciliation that I recall ever having.

Is there a book or booklet someone can recommend me, on how to prepare for Confession?
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There is some good examinations of conscience that also tell you how to do it. IT would be best to call a priest and make an appointment. He should be able to lead you through it…such as mine did. I pray that you get a priest as wonderful as mine was in helping me through that step back to the Catholic Church.👍
 
Ana_v said:
  • Yes, I still live at home.
  • It’s because (knowing my dad) he is likely to assume that, since I told her first, my mother played a role in my decision, when in fact, she had nothing to do with my decision. Just a few months ago, I was still in my conscience very committed to Protestant Christianity, though I had loosened a little bit my severely negative view of the Catholic Church.
My decision is a result of my research over the past two months – it all pretty much began with the issue of Sola Scriptura.

The other reason why I am uneasy about telling him is because, he relatively recentely started attending the same Baptist Church that we went to when I was younger (why we had left the non-denominational church a while back, is a story in itself) – and I have been going with him and my younger brother. Because he asks me to. Because he (understandably so) thinks I still identify with Protestantism. He doesn’t have a reason to suspect otherwise.

To make things more awkward and difficult for me, the assistant pastor of the church he is going to, is a very good friend of his (and additionaly have worked together in the past) he’s a wonderful person, as is his wife, his family and my family get along well.

This past Sunday, I went with my dad to the adult bible study session, and I participated in the discussion. At the end, when we were leaving, I overheard my dad telling his friend how I was really into Christian apologetics and that that’s a grand part of what I read about online (it was yes, but, again, for the past weeks the focus of my studying online has been the Catholic Chruch-- and that part my dad does not know) and then he said to his friend (jokingly) " so, you don’t want me to bring my daughter up here anymore right?".

So, another thing I predict, is that my dad will be upset when I tell him, because then he will be put in an awkward position, when his Protestant friends learn of my decision. Since, to many Protestant minds, Catholics are “lost”, they are not saved.

-* Lastly, I think that (or, at least, would not be surprised if) to try to convince me out of it, my dad will try to set up a meeting between myself and probably someone from work, his church, or other personal friends that is a devout Protestant Christian, so that I can discuss with the person my reasons for wanting to come back to the Catholic Church. *

I would prefer that not happen, but I want to prepare for it in case it does. Because, though I know the information I would present (i.e. know what to present) I would probably be a bit nervous, and thus might not present it well (i.e. know how to present it).
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Prayers ascending for you. That’s not going to be easy. As a suggestion, if this meeting is orchestrated, and you can’t disuade your dad to drop it, then just listen. When some people’s ears are back, and frustration levels hit peak volocity, it can get crazy quickly. You don’t need that. That doesn’t mean you always have to remain silent, but for now, as you mention, your dad has alot on the line. He needs to maintain face. God knows what’s in your heart. Pray about it and let God do the heavy lifting on this. In the mean time, study. As Peter taught, always be ready to defend your faith, and do it with gentleness and love.
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
There is some good examinations of conscience that also tell you how to do it. IT would be best to call a priest and make an appointment. He should be able to lead you through it…such as mine did. I pray that you get a priest as wonderful as mine was in helping me through that step back to the Catholic Church.👍
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There is lots of info online (look up “Examination of Conscience”) but talk to your priest. RCIA entails prep for the initiation sacraments, and you’ve already had all but confirmation. Your priest can give you an idea what you should do and he can step you through a good confession, which you will need to begin receiving the Eucharist. There is no need to wait for that. Just call the priest.

Take it from there.
 
I went to see a priest today and went through Confession with him, and I very much look forward to receiving the Eucharist this Sunday.

Prior to that, we did talk about Confirmation (since I came in saying I was interested in being Confirmed), and the priest said I might be allowed into the RCIA classes of those who will have a Pentecost Confirmation in June, but that I’d have to speak to a deacon about the possibility of making up classes/ or be evaluated to see if I have a sufficient enough knowledge base of Catholicism to enter the program at the point that it is at currently.
 
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