Okie...When I was 5 or so my parents baptized me catholic after that i never did anything else with my religion. I went to catholic churches every so often with my mom and such, but nothing else.
Well, now i'm 18 and i've been going to church a little more and now i want to do the rest of the stuff i have to do to become a "full catholic" (as i call it). So what else do i need to do? And how do i go about doing it? and does anyone know about how long it'll take me to get all of it done?
2006-08-11 15:03:22 · 17 answers · asked by stacy_e510 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just to add, from what i know of catholisim(?) i believe it's called, i believe in it. I forgot to add that i'm leaving in about 5 months to go to boot camp for the Air Force and for a while after that i will not have to time to study and take classes and all that, so do i even have enough time to do all that i need to do?
2006-08-11 15:22:49 · update #1
oh! and i don't really have a "steady" church that i go to...i've been trying a few different catholic churches near by and haven't really found ONE that i want to devote myself to...but they're all catholic! does that count?
2006-08-11 15:24:40 · update #2
--Is Catholic--
Correcting some mistakes here....If you were baptized, you do not go through RCIA. It is a completely different program that you go through, but many parishes because they lack the resources put people through RCIA or have them do much of this process. Canon Law specifically states that a baptized person is not to go through RCIA because they are not catechumens.
What you want to do, is to find a priest who will help you through the Confirmation process before you go to basic training. Depending on what exactly you are doing (full time where you are stationed etc), there will not be much opportunity to go through the Confirmation process for a while. Thus you should go through it now. A good priest will understand and will also help hook you into the Military Archdiocese which will provide the sacraments for you while you are in training, deployed, on base, etc.
God bless you! Thank you for your service to this country!
2006-08-11 18:02:49 · answer #1 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, first learn about the teaching of Jesus Christ in classes at the local Catholic parish.
Usually the courses about the teaching take about 9 months more or less. Then the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation are given. These are outward signs instituted by Christ to confer Grace.
Then simply pray, study, and learn about your relationship with Christ.
2006-08-11 15:11:11 · answer #2 · answered by Lives7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 7 sacraments...you only have 6 to go! Actually, if I remember correctly, some of them you don't have to do....I'd ask your priest. Probably 1st Communion and Confirmation. I don't know if you can just do them though, or if you'll have to take some kind of class.
Best of luck!!
Oh, thanks Ocean, forgot about Confession.
I may be a "heathen" now, but I was Catholic for a long time =)
2006-08-11 15:09:33 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Mira♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First talk to your priest. Since you were baptised in the Catholic Church, you are already Catholic, you are just behind on your Sacraments.
This is the perfect time of year! RCIA ( Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes should be starting in September.
If you do not have a good Catholic role model, they will find one for you- your 'sponsor.'
You go to the classes and learn each week they will get you caught up....and at the Easter Vigil---THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MASS OF THE WHOLE YEAR-- you will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Welcome Home and God Bless You!!!!!
2006-08-11 15:07:40 · answer #4 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.
You can go and ask any questions you want.
This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.
There is no obligation to become a Catholic.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2006-08-11 16:23:14 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would recommend that you first study the history of your church. Then Study the Bible in depth. Finally compare the practices of the church with the Bible, and then decide if you still want to be a "full Catholic."
There is a lot that you don't know about the church of your choice.
2006-08-11 15:17:18 · answer #6 · answered by Marty 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I guess you would still need to have your first communion and your confirmation... You should definitely talk to the priest at your parish, I'm sure he'd be glad to get you on track to become a full catholic. Good luck.
2006-08-11 15:10:25 · answer #7 · answered by dmc81076 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since you are attending Catholic Church again, ask the priest if they have an RCIA(Rite of Christian Initian for Adults)programme there. And if they do not, inquire which Catholic Church your local area has one.
2006-08-11 15:24:19 · answer #8 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have to go to classes. The usual time frame for the rituals are: Baptism (as a baby),
First Confession & First Communion (around 1st or 2nd grade),
Confirmation (around 7th grade),
Marriage (whenever),
Death (hopefully not soon)
Been there, done that
2006-08-11 15:09:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think you should get to far into the catholic thing, untill you have a good grasp on its history etc.....also I think everyone should ask themselves wether they agree with the founding principles of the religeon, and also if wether the instution you are thinking of attending abides by theses principles.
But many people choose religeon for the social support without thinking too deeply about that, so i guess it depends which camo you are in so to speak.
2006-08-11 15:13:51 · answer #10 · answered by martin s 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋