What to call myself. .

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kalerumi

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Hello everyone, it’s been some time since I’ve posted on this forum. But I have a question that is mainly about semantics. At one point can I begin calling myself a Catholic? At Confirmation? This may seem like a silly question, but I’ve had some confusion regarding this. Thanks!
 
I’m guessing from your question that you are presently in RCIA and a candidate for confirmation? Here on CAF people who are in RCIA usually put that as their religion. On the other hand if you mean when you meet someone or in general conversation where going into detail isn’t the point, I’d think you can call yourself Catholic. It’s my understanding that candidates (and catechumens) can have Catholic funerals if they die before they are received, so I think we consider you “part of the family” once you’ve expressed the desire to be received.

I’m sure if I’m wrong a half-dozen people will be quick to correct me!👍
 
Officially, baptism.

But like the previous poster said if you want to say you are Catholic before then, that’s fine. 😛

Edit: duh, you’re already baptized protestant (i assume by your religious status) why didn’t I see that . Okay, I guess confirmation then… but i’m not 100% sure.
 
kalerumi said:
Hello everyone, it’s been some time since I’ve posted on this forum. But I have a question that is mainly about semantics. At one point can I begin calling myself a Catholic? At Confirmation? This may seem like a silly question, but I’ve had some confusion regarding this. Thanks!
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After you’ve been received into the Church, on Holy Thursday. You are a Catechumen. You are no longer a Protestant, BTW. How could you be? You are not protesting the Faith!
 
Thank you! Yes, I was just wondering because I attend a private Christian university, and many times I’ve been asked what denomination I belong to. My answer has been “I don’t belong to a denomination. I attend church at [Parish].”

I didn’t want to offend anyone by calling myself Catholic, when it will be another few months before I enter the Church wholly.
 
My Catholic friend told me when I was in RCIA that while I wasn’t a Catholic by communion, I was a Catholic by faith, if that helps 😉 If you wanna get technical, then just say that you’ll be fully Catholic when you get confirmed.
 
You can be a member of a Parish and be a Protestant. A spouse of a Catholic, for instance.
 
When I was in RCIA, I had some fun with that question. “30% Catholic!” I’d reply, “50% Catholic!” and so on until I was received into the Church at Easter Vigil.

Then you can buy yourself a t-shirt that reads “100% Catholic”. 😉
 
TeresTala said:
When I was in RCIA, I had some fun with that question. “30% Catholic!” I’d reply, “50% Catholic!” and so on until I was received into the Church at Easter Vigil.

Then you can buy yourself a t-shirt that reads “100% Catholic”. 😉
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Oh, wow! Then I am 1% Catholic? Became a catechumen yesterday - working towards baptism and confirmation, Easter 2011!!

Hope
 
=kalerumi;6584484]Hello everyone, it’s been some time since I’ve posted on this forum. But I have a question that is mainly about semantics. At one point can I begin calling myself a Catholic? At Confirmation? This may seem like a silly question, but I’ve had some confusion regarding this. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Technically one must:
  1. Be Baptized in the rinity with water
  2. Make your First Confession
  3. Know, accept and BELIEVE in the REAL PRESENCE and receive your First Holy Communion.
BUT: Once you know enough about the Catholic Faith, what we believe and practice and WHY we do, then one may JOYFULLY PROCLAIM I’m becomming a Catholic:D

May God grant you Wisdom and Peace!

Love and prayers,
Pat
 
I don’t know the official time you can call yourself Catholic, but I didn’t consider myself Catholic until my Baptism/Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Prior to that I was a Inquirer (when I first started RCIA), a Catholic Catechumen (after the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming) and then I was one of the Elect (after the Rite of Election). If you are already baptized then you will be a Catholic Candidate after the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming).
 
If you are baptized and believe in all that the Catholic Church teaches you ARE Catholic, the rest is just technicalities.
 
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