Where to start?

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Kaia

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Hi everyone,

I’m interested in Catholicism, but I really don’t know how to get started. I’m reluctant to go to Mass because I know nothing about Catholic liturgy, or even what to expect at Mass. I don’t want to make a fool of myself! I was actually thinking of buying “Catholicism for Dummies” just to gain some insight into what Catholicism is all about. I know a little, but not nearly enough.

If you have any advice on how to get started in Catholicism, I would be very grateful!
 
Welcome:) First find a Catholic Church in your area and make an appointment with a priest and tell him you feel your being called to become Catholic.🙂 How long have you been thinking about it?🙂
 
Welcome Kaia!!

I haven’t read Catholicism for Dummies - but I have seen others recommend it.
The Catholic Catechism is available in the religion section of most bookstores.
Our host has an excellent site with answers to basic questions…

catholic.com

Check out ewtn’s website
I find this one helpful also…
scripturecatholic.com/

If you slip into a mass just to observe - no one will know any different.
If you are uncomfortable - try calling the rectory and speak to the priest about questions/concerns.

If your interest continues to grow the process begins with joining your local church’s RCIA program where you learn the faith and begin the process for confirmation (and baptism if you have not yet received that)

Good luck!
 
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Kaia:
Hi everyone,

I’m interested in Catholicism, but I really don’t know how to get started. I’m reluctant to go to Mass because I know nothing about Catholic liturgy, or even what to expect at Mass. I don’t want to make a fool of myself! I was actually thinking of buying “Catholicism for Dummies” just to gain some insight into what Catholicism is all about. I know a little, but not nearly enough.

If you have any advice on how to get started in Catholicism, I would be very grateful!
Click to expand...
If I may suggest, find a copy of the the Apostle’s Creed (newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm) and then in prayer, meditate on what we as Catholics profess that we believe. Then with questions that brings up, there are many here will offer sound answers.
 
Catholicism for Dummies is a great book to read. Some other good ones are Essentials of the Faith and Teen Catechism – both by Father Alfred McBride. Don’t worry about not knowing what is going on at Mass, just go and see for yourself and don’t be anxious. Sit several rows back, but close enough to watch and listen to the priest. You will be surprised at how easy it is to follow, and at how much you will remember the next time. 😃
 
WELCOME HOME!!! 😃

First find a holy, competent priest. Begin your studies at home and in any form of RCIA they place you in. Always remember it will be a hard road, but so was the march to Calvary for Jesus… true faith is meant to be hard. Welcome home!
 
If you’re looking for a “quick and dirty” version of what Catholics believe then I would suggest “Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth”. You can get it here at Catholic Answers (and I think it’s even free). It’s about 30 pages and briefly covers the basics of Catholicism. Good little booklet!
 
Welcome, Kaia! Others have given you good advice about where to find answers. I wanted to give you are very basic outline of what happens at Mass:

As in most Christian churches (who mostly retained the form of their rites from the Catholic Church) Mass begins with a processional hymn in which the priest, lector and altar servers enter the sanctuary (the area around the altar).

Then there is communal penance for sins we’ve committed since our last Mass/confession.

God’s praises are sung in the “Gloria”. During all of this we stand.

Then we sit to listen to God’s word: one OT reading, a responsorial psalm is sung or recited, and a NT reading. Then we all stand and sing the “Alleluia” as the Gospel is brought from the altar to the pulpit to be read by the deacon or priest. We remain standing for the reading of the Gospel and then sit for the homily.

After the homily we stand to recite the Nicene Creed and then the Prayers of the People are said by the lector and finished by the priest.

We sit while he offering is collected and the gifts for the altar are brought up (the bread and the wine for the Eucharist).

The bread and wine are offered and consecrated. We kneel during the consecration–just follow everyone else or you may sit since you are not a Catholic.

Then we go up to receive the Eucharist. You may remain seated or you may go up with your arms crossed over your chest to receive a blessing, but you cannot receive the consecrated bread or wine until you have been confirmed as a Catholic.

Then the closing prayers are said, the priest blesses the people and a recessional hymn is sung as the priest, lector and altar servers leave the sanctuary.

You see, it’s really very simple. But, sit near the back and just follow others and/or follow the instructions in the missal or sheet of paper on which the form of the Mass is supplied.

In any case, just go and let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart and soul. Don’t concentrate on what you should do next but on the word of God and on the prayers, especially those of the consecration, and I think you will want to return to worship God again and again “in spirit and in truth”.
 
I went to a Catholic bookstore and started to look at what was there. There was one in our mall, and it was the only religious store that was nice to me and didn’t either ignore me or hover over my shoulder like I was going to steal everything in the store.

Catholicism for Dummies is great for a basic overview. You could try to check it out at your library instead so that you could look at it first. I read almost all of the books that our public library had. By the end of it I knew more than my Catholic husband and I am teaching him about it. I am hoping when I do RCIA that he can attend also so that he knows more.

GOOD LUCK!!! Don’t be afraid to go to Mass, I loved my first few experiences. You can just follow what other people do, other than communion. Don’t worry if everyone seems better at kneeling than you, and try several different places.
Kat
 
Dear Kaia,

If you do not mind, and if the Moderators do not mind, could you please provide the city in which you live. With this info, others here can provide a good Catholic Church for you to attend.

God bless
 
Participants;

Please use the PM system for personal information on members. Check Help-Forum FAQs for questions on using the PM system.

God Bless,
 
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Kaia:
Hi everyone,

I’m interested in Catholicism, but I really don’t know how to get started. I’m reluctant to go to Mass because I know nothing about Catholic liturgy, or even what to expect at Mass. I don’t want to make a fool of myself! I was actually thinking of buying “Catholicism for Dummies” just to gain some insight into what Catholicism is all about. I know a little, but not nearly enough.

If you have any advice on how to get started in Catholicism, I would be very grateful!
Click to expand...
First, welcome! 😃 Even if you are not certain as to what road to take, the fact that you have been drawn this far and have posted your question is a step in the right direction. I hope that you will continue down this path and possibly even bring a few people a long with you on your journey.
The first step I would suggest for you is to find a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Use this book as a reference to questions you many have concerning the faith and teachings of the Church. Next, I would suggest that you speak with a Priest. He can directly answer any questions that you may have. While you are there speaking with Father, ask about RCIA. Best wishes to you and God bless.
 
Lisa4Catholics:
How long have I been thinking about Catholicism? I suppose it was a few years ago when I read Dark Night of the Soul, by St. John of the Cross. He had an impact on me, but at that point I wasn’t ready to follow Christ. There were other things that happened along the way that led me here, but I won’t bore you with the details. It’s been a long road.

Lorarose
Thanks for the links and the advice. That really helped!

davidv,
I read through the Apostle’s Creed and (surprisingly, to me) I had no objections. Maybe I am ready, after all.

Cherub,
Thanks for the book recommendations and the advice!

dcmac,
You said “true faith is meant to be hard.” So very true.

tkdnick,
Not free, but only a dollar! 🙂

Della,
Thank you so much for that outline! That helped tremendously! At least now I have some idea what to expect. Some of it is quite foreign to me, but not all of it.

KittyKat,
Thanks for the encouragement! I was afraid to go to Mass, but my fear has lessened, at least a little. It helps to know what to expect at Mass, rather than going in completely unprepared.

GAssisi
I can PM you the information, if you think that would help. I did a search on the internet and found some churches fairly close by. I suppose I’ll try there first.

Tietjen
Thank you for the recommendation! I put it on my Amazon wish list.

Thanks again, everyone. You’ve all been so helpful! I’ll be sure to post any additional questions as they come up. 🙂
 
You can do this free online study ( go to the link) all about the Bible & Mass. It’s by one of our greatest current theologians and bible scolars- Scott Hahn.
And don’t worry about being noticed at Mass. Theres over 1 billion Catholics, and always new faces at Mass. Just sit down the back and follow what the others do. And do take the time to do this little series of lessons. There brilliant. You are in my prayers.
salvationhistory.com/online/beginner/begcourse2_home.cfm
 
Hi and welcome to our family:tiphat:
I am a cradle catholic and believe or not knew nothing about my faith even tho i went to religious instructions did my communion and 3 years ago made my confirmation i am 48 years old. I had been a fallen away catholic and looking to other religions even new age but came back to the catolic religion. I would suggest that if u can can tune into ewtn there is where i got my solid education in catholicism. And the book u mentioned is a good start it is an easy read u can also log into ewtn and there r many catholic web sites such as this one once u get started u won’t be able to start I hope this help God Bless You
 
Kaia-

When you go to a Catholic Church, usually a Missal or a Song Book (or both) will be provided. In the front(ish) will be an order of the Mass. This will give you exactly what is going on, who says what when, etc.

Additionally, the Missal will provide you with that days readings. The daily readings are not usually provided (just the passage) but everything for the Sunday Mass is.

Like people have said, slip in and sit in the back and just observe. I would recommend getting an aisle seat, however, so you can see what the priest is doing 😃
 
Welcome Kaia 👋

I’d suggest having a look at your tv schedule for Sunday - very likely you’ll be able to find a televised Catholic Mass on TV somewhere that you can watch to get at least some idea of proceedings.

You might want to wait a week though - this weekend is Easter, the high point of our ceremonial, therefore the longest and most complex services to follow.

If your internet connection is decent, you might be able to watch the televised Mass on EWTN at ewtn.com - that’s on four times a day, so plenty of chances to watch it.
 
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