Seeking Guidance

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LydiaW

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I am 17 years old, and I am just starting out in the Catholic faith. I am taking RCIA classes at a nearby parish. I was wondering, now that I am on my way to becoming Catholic, is there anything i should do, or buy? I want to get stuff like a nice Catholic Bible, a Crucifix, etc, but is there anything i absolutely need? I want to be a good Catholic, and don’t want to slip up on anything.
 
I am happy for you!

I think the only thing you really need is love for God!

Although some things can help, bring you closer to God, and help remind you of your faith. The Bible and the crucifix, definitely, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is handy, a rosary (and perhaps a little guide to remind you how to pray it), a scapular . . . these are all great things. There are many other great books as well, such as Saint Augustine Confessions . . . but no physical materials are absolutely necessary, for faith and love are the most important, and you can’t buy those!

And of course be sure to have a church to go to every Sunday 😃
 
Congratulations on the path you are on! God must have great plans for you!

The first two things I would get is a Catholic Bible (RSV-CE, Douay), and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Once RCIA completes, there is still tons to learn about our faith - for All of us. Jesus says in the Bible to continue to read and Word all the time.

In fact, IMHO, growing our Love for God is done through the sacraments, reading the Word, building our faith through learning about Church teachings, almsgiving (charity), and prayer. A life focused around these things will be a life very close and in love with God.

God bless you!
 
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LydiaW:
I am 17 years old, and I am just starting out in the Catholic faith. I am taking RCIA classes at a nearby parish. I was wondering, now that I am on my way to becoming Catholic, is there anything i should do, or buy? I want to get stuff like a nice Catholic Bible, a Crucifix, etc, but is there anything i absolutely need? I want to be a good Catholic, and don’t want to slip up on anything.
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Whoooo! Another person on the Road to Heaven! YEAAAAAAAAA! Hey Im 16, anyway, there’s so much stuff that helps the soul center on God. Mayhaps you could talk to your Priest and tell him your issues and maybe ask for some second hand or practise ones? That is ofcourse assuming that you are as most teens, without a bottomless wallet. But some must haves would be:
Crucifix
Icon of Our Lady
Rosary
Bible
Catechism
and if you wanna get really deep, buy the morning and evening prayers breviary, or look around your parish for a second hand one (mine cost a fair bit). This is one prayer that will unite you with the universal church! And its my personal favourite private prayer.

Peace, good luck and congrats! Maybe you could talk about your conversion on another thread.
 
Oh and also I’d visit www.ewtn.com and look at the freeonline programming. This is the easiest way to ensure orthodox viewpoints in one’s spirituality. You can’t be in love with God unless you’re sure you know the right things about Him and only the constant teaching of the Church can give us that.
 
often a cross is presented during one of the rites during your preparation time, and sometimes a bible as well. these are also items sponsor, friends or family may wish to purchase as gifts (of course it is not polite to hint, but your teachers may give those concerned some suggestions for appropriate gifts). A bible, catechism and rosary will probably be made available for you during class, even if they are not given to you to keep. Before purchasing a bible please get advice on buying a Catholic bible in an approved translation.
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LydiaW:
I am 17 years old, and I am just starting out in the Catholic faith. I am taking RCIA classes at a nearby parish. I was wondering, now that I am on my way to becoming Catholic, is there anything i should do, or buy? I want to get stuff like a nice Catholic Bible, a Crucifix, etc, but is there anything i absolutely need? I want to be a good Catholic, and don’t want to slip up on anything.
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Thank you everyone for your advice! It means a lot to me that you all would take the time to talk to me about all this. I will get advice from some good Catholics i know on what Bible version i should get.
 
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twiztedseraph:
Oh and also I’d visit www.ewtn.com and look at the freeonline programming. This is the easiest way to ensure orthodox viewpoints in one’s spirituality. You can’t be in love with God unless you’re sure you know the right things about Him and only the constant teaching of the Church can give us that.
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I’ll 2nd that! Real good advice. EWTN will put you on a fast track in your Catholic teaching.
 
The Catholic “essentials” that I would recommend are:

Bible
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Rosary
Crucifix

Let’s start with the Bible. I’d recommend getting the RSV:CE. Depending on how much money you want to spend, here are some options:

Ignatius Holy Bible:
catholiccompany.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=684

RSV-CE:
ewtn.com/vcatalogue/pages/itemdetail.asp?itemcode=98011&source=categories.asp&category=BOOKS&pgnu=2

The difference between them is pretty much ascetical. The Ignatius is more utlitarian and comes in soft and hardcover. The content (translation) is the same as far as I know.

I’d also recommend the Douay-Rheims Bible although the translation of the RSV:CE is a bit more familar for our times. For example, Shakespeare wrote in English yet reading his writings today may seem unfamilar. You can preview the Douay-Rheims text at:
drbo.org/

If you have the money I’d suggest investing in a good Bible study book. I’m reading “Understanding The Sciptures - The Didache Series” and I would recommend it. It’s organized like a textbook and should help you better understand the Bible:
ewtn.com/vcatalogue/pages/itemdetail.asp?itemcode=7474&source=categories.asp&category=BOOKS&pgnu=2

If you don’t have a lot of money you might want to pick up the Igantius Study Bible series every so often. All the Books of the Bible haven’t been released yet though. They’re about $10 per book although I’m linking the set of them:
catholiccompany.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=5165

Still, I’d recommend beginning with “Understanding The Sciptures - The Didache Series” and then progressing onto the Ignatius Study Bible series.

The Catecism of the Catholic Church is highly recommended but if you don’t have the money you can find it online:
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

I’d highly recommend getting a Rosary and praying it daily. The style would depend on your personal preference/finances. Here’s information on how to pray the Rosary:
rosary-center.org/howto.htm

Also, I highly recommend learning the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which is also prayed using the Rosary:
ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm

I recommend picking up some leaflets with information on the Rosary, Divine Mercy, etc. The following website has a packet of leaflets (Leaflet Assortment) you can order for $5.00:
www2.marian.org/mhcstore/Leaflets.zhtml

Also, here are some books that will help you learn more about our Blessed Mother:
catholiccompany.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=3816
catholiccompany.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=2165

I highly recommend a Devotion our Blessed Mother and the above books should help prepare you for one.

As for the Crucifix try to find one that fits your style/financial situation.

EWTN is a great place to learn more about our Catholic Faith. I highly recommend watching it.

Depending on your finances I’d also recommend some books by Scott Hahn.

To learn more about the Sacraments, I’d reccomend “Swear To God: The Promise & Power of the Sacraments”:
ewtn.com/vcatalogue/pages/itemdetail.asp?itemcode=9316&source=searchresult.asp&keyword=swear&g_than=1&l_than=2000&pgnu=1&category=all&eventcode=

To better appreciate the beauty of Mass I’d recommend “The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth”:
ewtn.com/vcatalogue/pages/itemdetail.asp?itemcode=6591&source=searchresult.asp&keyword=Lamb’'s&g_than=1&l_than=2000&pgnu=1&category=all&eventcode=
 
So, to sum it up:
  1. I’d first recommend getting a Bible (RSV:CE translation) and “Understanding The Sciptures - The Didache Series”. Read “Understanding The Sciptures - The Didache Series” which will help you better understand the Bible.
  2. Get a Rosary and start praying it. The Leaflets and Rosary book should help.
  3. Read “Swear to God…” along with “Understanding The Sciptures - The Didache Series”. After you are done with “Swear to God” start “The Lamb’s Supper…”.
  4. Use the Catechism as a reference. Since it is online use your finances toward the other items first.
  5. Eventually, look into devotion to Our Blessed Mother. The book “True Devotion to Mary” should help.
  6. Get a Crucifix whenever you finances permit it and you find the stytle you like.
  7. Pray!
God Bless.
 
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LydiaW:
I am 17 years old, and I am just starting out in the Catholic faith. I am taking RCIA classes at a nearby parish. I was wondering, now that I am on my way to becoming Catholic, is there anything i should do, or buy? I want to get stuff like a nice Catholic Bible, a Crucifix, etc, but is there anything i absolutely need? I want to be a good Catholic, and don’t want to slip up on anything.
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Your want is awesome 'possum. 🙂 I hope your jouney into the Church is filled with joy. All you need you already have, just don’t lose it.
 
Well I want to say thank you again for everything you guys have suggested and told me. I went to my RCIA class last night and had a great time, and today I was able to get a small crucifix. I have made a list of everything everyone has suggested, and I will definantly look into getting some of the stuff when I have more money. If anyone wants to hear about my reason for converting for the Catholic Church, or anything more about me, please just ask. Thanks!
 
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