how to become catholic?

Question

how do you go about becoming catholic as an adult?

thanks.

my boyfriends family is catholic and they are from another state, so he doesnt have a catholic church here. we want to get married in the catholic church, and raise our children catholic, that is part of why i want to be catholic, but i have been considering it for a long time.
i am currently protestant and baptised in the protestant church.
just dont know what classes and such that i have to do to become catholic.

Answer 1

before you do ask yourself, is this what I really want to do, and will you be committed to the lessons you will have to take, I am telling you this because I am a converted catholic and it's the best thing I have ever done in my life, I certainly do not want to scare you off but, Catholicism is different but vary fulfilling. May God Bless.

Answer 2

The typical way is through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). That's not the ONLY way for one to become a Catholic. If you sit down with a priest and discuss your intentions, THE initiation into the Church is baptism. If you've already been validly baptized - then that part of the initiation is done. If there's any doubt to the validity of the baptism, your priest can "conditionally baptize" you (if the first one is not valid, this one suffices; if the first one IS valid, this one is NOT valid).

There's more to it too. To become a Catholic in full communion (able to partake in the Sacraments) the next thing you would need is the Sacrament of Reconcilliation (Confession), and your first confession would be what is called a "General Confession" - whereby you sit down with your priest/confessor and essentially "wipe the slate clean" and you are absolved of all your sins.

Now you can partake of the other Sacraments of the Church, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, etc.

If you want more discussion on this, I invite you to the ACTS Yahoogroup:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acts
There are many Catholics there willing to talk to you about this (and even some non-Catholics who may try to talk you out of it! A good "test" of your intentions).

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Find a Catholic church in your area and attend services. Afterwards the priest is usually greeting people at the door and just quietly ask when you can come meet with him about becoming a member of his congregation.
I'd also suggest going to a website like "google" or "yahoo" and typing in "Catholic" and reading some of the things you find to better understand the religion.
Best wishes to you as you learn about the Catholic Faith, I hope it gives you what you want.

Answer 4

Call the Catholic Church in your area. Talk with the Priest and say that you are interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith. You will meet with the priest and he can answer your questions as well as give you information on being a Catholic. He can refer you to classes where you would take them with many other people. Good luck.

Answer 5

talk the Priest at a church. They have the Rite of Christian Initiation. It is a process to bring the catechumen (thats the convert) into the church. If you had been baptized in another church they'll accept it s long as it was in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. With the Roman Church it can be a lengthy process of like a year or two.

I came into the Orthodox Church. I went through a similar process. I was Chrismated, (Sealed with the gift of the Holy Ghost) at Easter about 6 months in.


Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 6

Click on my avatar, send me a shipping address, and I'll send you a free copy of my Catholic Resource CD, which contains just about everything you need to know about the Catholic faith.

Then, make an appointment with the priest or deacon, at your local Catholic parish, to come in and discuss the details of the RCIA program.

To find a Catholic Church in your area, go here:

http://masstimes.org/dotnet/Default.aspx

Answer 7

They have adult conversion classes. I have a cousin who did this. Just go to the church you want to start attending and speak to the priest there about becoming a Catholic and joining the church.

Answer 8

Find a local Catholic Church and attend a service. After the service talk to the priest that usually is there to greet people as they leave. If he's not there, ask someone where he is and find him. Talk to him and he will get you started.
And don't let all these negative people discourage you. It's a great thing you're considering.

Answer 9

Well, catholic diocese may differ from location to location. There is no big deal, i advise you to visit any catholic church and request to see a priest and tell him your present conditions, i think it will be best that way. I consider ur idea a good one, keep on with it.

Answer 10

Go to a Catholic Church and talk to a priest. He will be able to advise you.