When is one 'allowed' to call oneself a Catholic?

[awantz]

To give you a better answer, when I was in RCIA (I was baptized in another faith), we were called Catholics. To better identify myself I called myself a candidate, but we were Catholics.

I’ve done everything short of confirmation and I’m still called a non-Catholic by the Catholic church.

 

[TrueLight]

Call yourself a Catholic! It’s the best thing EVER!

To give you a better answer, when I was in RCIA (I was baptized in another faith), we were called Catholics. To better identify myself I called myself a candidate, but we were Catholics.

I’m glad you’re coming Home! I was JUST confirmed two days ago and haven’t come down since I was annointed and rec’d Eucharist! It’s more amazing than I EVER imagined!!!

Congratulations Heather!

The rest of us will meet you on the other side of the Tiber, soon enough!

How do you feel?

 

[GraceSofia]

When I attended an AoG church a few years ago I asked them when I was able to call myself a Christian (for example when you are asked what religion you are on forms, etc). I was told that you can call yourself Christian as long as you BELIEVE, whether you’ve been baptised or not.
I’ve looked up online when you are able to call yourself Catholic and a lot of people have said that you must be baptised first…
Is this true, and is it really fair? Why is the intention not enough to enable someone to profess their faith, just because they have not reached baptism yet?
I have still not been baptised but am attending Mass and will be individually prepared by my priest (as there is no RCIA here). I would love to be able to tell people I am a Catholic but the general consensus (online at least) is that I’m not ‘allowed’ to do so.
Any thoughts on this please?

Greetings, Clair!

I think it depends who you are telling. I see nothing wrong with telling “people” in general that you are Catholic. However, if the bishop of your diocese came along, you should probably give him the long explanation of your status.
I would put it on a hospital form, for example, since I would want a Catholic priest called in certain situations.

Catechumens are allowed a Catholic funeral and a Catholic wedding so in a broad sense the intention of your heart makes you Catholic already. (See here: standrewbc.org/rcia_new07.html).

Also, this pertains to your situation:

In the case of those who are already Christians, their baptism itself forms a certain sacramental relationship with the Church (cf. Vatican II, Unitatis Redintegratio 3; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1271). They are also joined to the Church by their very intention to enter it,*** as are the unbaptized ***who inted to do so: “Catechumens who, moved by the Holy Spirit, desire with an explicit intention to be incorporated into the Church are by that very intention joined to her. With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 14:3; CCC 1249).

---

Thus even before one is fully incorporated into the Church, one can already enjoy the status of being recognized by the Church as one of her own, precious children.***

Read more HERE

I know it can seem hard to wait, but remember that you can make a spiritual communion during Communion.

 

[TrueLight]

Greetings, Clair!

I think it depends who you are telling. I see nothing wrong with telling “people” in general that you are Catholic. However, if the bishop of your diocese came along, you should probably give him the long explanation of your status.
I would put it on a hospital form, for example, since I would want a Catholic priest called in certain situations.

Catechumens are allowed a Catholic funeral and a Catholic wedding so in a broad sense the intention of your heart makes you Catholic already. (See here: standrewbc.org/rcia_new07.html).

Also, this pertains to your situation:

Read more HERE

I know it can seem hard to wait, but remember that you can make a spiritual communion during Communion.

Thank you Grace. Your post is very encouraging.

 

[ClairUK]

Greetings, Clair!

I think it depends who you are telling. I see nothing wrong with telling “people” in general that you are Catholic. However, if the bishop of your diocese came along, you should probably give him the long explanation of your status.
I would put it on a hospital form, for example, since I would want a Catholic priest called in certain situations.

Catechumens are allowed a Catholic funeral and a Catholic wedding so in a broad sense the intention of your heart makes you Catholic already. (See here: standrewbc.org/rcia_new07.html).

Also, this pertains to your situation:

Read more HERE

I know it can seem hard to wait, but remember that you can make a spiritual communion during Communion.

Thankyou so much GraceSofia (beautiful name!) that is indeed very encouraging…I would like to be able to call myself Catholic among friends and family at least…none of them are Catholic and most aren’t even Christian, so I doubt they would tell me off for it…it is mostly about showing people my intention without going into the long explanation they wouldn’t understand anyway…if that makes sense…I think I will decide what to put on forms based on what they are for…
And thankyou Heather, and congratulations!
Thankyou to everyone for their responses

 

[GraceSofia]

Call yourself a Catholic! It’s the best thing EVER!

To give you a better answer, when I was in RCIA (I was baptized in another faith), we were called Catholics. To better identify myself I called myself a candidate, but we were Catholics.

I’m glad you’re coming Home! I was JUST confirmed two days ago and haven’t come down since I was annointed and rec’d Eucharist! It’s more amazing than I EVER imagined!!!

A warm welcome Home! (((cyber hugs)))

 

[GraceSofia]

Thankyou so much GraceSofia (beautiful name!) that is indeed very encouraging…I would like to be able to call myself Catholic among friends and family at least…none of them are Catholic and most aren’t even Christian, so I doubt they would tell me off for it…it is mostly about showing people my intention without going into the long explanation they wouldn’t understand anyway…if that makes sense…I think I will decide what to put on forms based on what they are for…

You’re very welcome. That sounds like a good way to handle it.

 

[heathernoel]

Congratulations Heather!

The rest of us will meet you on the other side of the Tiber, soon enough!

How do you feel?

Thank you!! I didn’t think I would ever be able to experience this feeling. I am Home. My first reconciliation was awesome…truly. I let go of the guilt I had been carrying for years, and felt FINALLY I could allow myself to feel His love, which of course has depths we can’t fathom. My marriage was also convalidated, which was amazing! I love my wedding, but this was beyond words. Having Father bless us with friends around in front of the tabernacle? I floated until the next day when I was confirmed.

Oh, I felt the Holy Spirit in me, around me, and over me. I could feel the love my friends have for me.

It was aaaaaaaamazing!!!

I’ll be here, waiting for you!! My prayers are with you

 

[quiet52]

That’s an even worse prospect…I was under the impression from the CCC (after being pointed towards it be previous replies) that faith and Baptism makes you a Catholic…
And in fact:
1249 Catechumens “are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity.With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own.”

Seems like nobody can agree

You become Catholic when you are baptized. You will be baptized, confirmed, and receive first Eucharist (Holy Communion) during the same Mass, usually at Easter Vigil. Those are the three sacraments of initiation – you will become a “fully initiated” Catholic.