What must I do... to be Catholic (again)?

  • Thread starter Thread starter eduardo
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

eduardo

Guest
Let me explain. No, there is no time, let me sum up…

Baptized Catholic as infant. Made first Communion. Left church as a young man, became avowed atheist. Returned to Christian faith (not even remotely as a Catholic) as a young adult. Baptized again. Married as evangelical to evangelical with full understanding that marriage is forever. Alas, divorced.

I have been drawn back to the church for the last eight years or so. I have done a lot of reflection and soul-searching. I have done quite a bit of reading. I have recently started attending mass at the church I went to as a boy. Last year I began saying the rosary with my Mom before she died. I sometimes still say it alone.

I am a churchless evangelical who prays the rosary and crosses himself in a church that is not my own. I listen to good solid homilies from a man I believe to be a godly priest and then I go my way. I feel like a stranger in a strange land, but I am comforted there.

I so want to participate in communion and know that, at least for now, I am not allowed. Will I ever be able to do that again? I am afraid that my divorce will prevent me.

Even if I cannot ever take communion again, can I at least go to confession? I went one time, just before my first communion, I am nearly forty. I have many things to say and the weight of them seems to bear on me.

I think I am ready at last. In short, how do I become a Catholic again?
 
Dude, it’s sooooo easy 🙂 Hit the confessional, start going back to communion.

And I think it’s cool that you are giving this serious thought.

In advance … welcome back.:extrahappy:
 
The truth is that I don’t know how to confess apart from what I have seen in the movies.

“Forgive me father for I have sinned it has been thirty some odd years since my last confession.”
 
Visit Catholicscomehome.org to get you started on your return. Click on the various links for good resources, inspirational music, informative videos.

Toward the bottom of the home page is a link Confession. That should get you started on preparing for yours.

God bless and keep you on this journey of yours to find peace.
 
eduardo said:
The truth is that I don’t know how to confess apart from what I have seen in the movies.

“Forgive me father for I have sinned it has been thirty some odd years since my last confession.”
Click to expand...
That’s pretty much how you start. And if you tell the priest that you don’t know what you’re doing, I’m sure he will be compassionate and walk you through the process. And if you’re worried, you might want to write out some things you want to confess and maybe bring a copy of the Act of Contrition in case your mind goes blank.

If you’re not remarried, your divorce will not prevent you from receiving the Eucharist once you’ve gone to confession and been absolved from your sins.

Merry Christmas and welcome home. 🙂
 
eduardo said:
I so want to participate in communion and know that, at least for now, I am not allowed. Will I ever be able to do that again? I am afraid that my divorce will prevent me.
Click to expand...
Make an appointment with a priest and explain your situation to him. Most likely you’ll need to go to confession and then be able to receive communion. Being divorced isn’t a bar to living as a Catholic. Remarriage after a divorce would be a problem requiring the help of a tribunal, but divorce itself won’t keep you away.
 
Welcome home, I agree with the above posters. Find a good Priest, explain your situation, make a good confession.

Will say a prayer for your return…
 
Thanks for your speedy answers.

I have been carrying this for a long time. I first came here in February I think, but I didn’t ask. I chickened out.
 
I have a good friend that was away for about 20 years. He told me that his confession went something like this :" I’ve broke every commandment except 1. And I tried to break that one." 😃 The priest got the point 😉
 
“Finding peace” is right.

Quite a few years back I shook hands with a bishop after the mass for a cousin’s confirmation – which I only attended as a family courtesy/obligation. Since that day I have been unable to look any priest in the eye for longer than a second or two for fear that I might fall down and confess right then.

That silliness has been hard for me to reconcile with my stated beliefs.

Thanks again. I’m actually getting choked up here.
 
eduardo said:
Let Even if I cannot ever take communion again, can I at least go to confession? I went one time, just before my first communion, I am nearly forty. I have many things to say and the weight of them seems to bear on me.

I think I am ready at last. In short, how do I become a Catholic again?
Click to expand...
go to confession, and then to communion. don’t know your marriage situation, if you have a concern (married outside the church, whatever) ask the priest in confession and he will tell you if there is any action to take. If you were never confirmed, you can and should ask how to get into an adult confirmation class, you deserve the very best, and the Holy Spirit will take you the rest of the way. Welcome Home!
 
Welcome Home 🙂
May the Chirst Child bless you and grant you strength.

Tak
 
eduardo said:
I am a churchless evangelical
Click to expand...
That is so profound. I have been there, dear Eduardo!
Welcome Home!!!
Go to Confession, and sin no more. Just like Jesus said to Mary Magdalene. You’re sins are forgiven, GO and SIN NO More. That’s all you need to do.

Being a churchless evangelical is so common. I remember being a faithful evangelical, but since church shopping is so common, there I was after 10 yrs going to a church where I didn’t know anyone anymore. Bob went over to x church, Sue went to Y church and Kelly went to Z church. We used to be such a community but then they were all gone. 😦

All I can say, is Welcome Home, if you are a single man living a chaste life, you will be able to receive the Eucharist after you make your first Confession.

I did just all of that 4 yrs ago!

We are kinda on the same path!

It’s very good to be like the Prodigal Son and beg to come back home. We’ll do anything, right, just to come home and eat at our Father’s table.

Merry Christmas dear brother in Christ. :hug3:
Luke 15:18-24***
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19
I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
20
So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
21
His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
22
But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast,
24
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began***.
Click to expand...
 
Simon_X said:
Welcome home, I agree with the above posters. Find a good Priest, explain your situation, make a good confession.

Will say a prayer for your return…
Click to expand...
The Sacraments are good and legit with all the priests, but do try to find a good one. Where I live, I love the Dominicans, Order of Preachers, who are very solid bible teachers. They “talk my language” as former evangelical.
 
eduardo,

The Holy Spirit is calling you back. It will take too much of your strength to resist Him! Also, you never stopped being Catholic. Once Baptized and Confirmed, you are always Catholic. You just stopped attending, for the reasons you have already given. I am certain that any priest would be overjoyed to hear of your return, and will walk you through the Reconciliation process. Repeat it monthly, and it will become the best habit you ever develop.

YinYangMom is right. Check www.catholicscomehome.org. And, welcome home!

Christ’s peace be with you.
 
Think about doing an RCIA course if you need to learn more about the catholic faith you are returning to.
 
call a priest today!!! You will make his day. And, you will make all the angels in Heaven dance and weep for joy!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top