My sister is joining the Catholic church and i want to know what happens when you join? The rites you have to do ect
2007-05-13 10:02:27 · 16 answers · asked by lola709721 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nobody has ever been allowed to tell others what happens after you join. But the prevalence of smiling nuns and priests wearing feminine apparel can furnish some clues.
2007-05-13 10:11:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋
She would start by entering into the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program as an Inquirer. As an Inquirer there is no pressure to commit. One can remain as an Inquirer for as long as they want.
After some time, there will be an opportunity for her to decide if she wants to stay an Inquirer or if she wants to make her first commitment and take the first step toward becoming Catholic.
If she decides that she does want to become Catholic after being an Inquirer, then she would either be a Catechumen or a Candidate.
If the Catholic Church confirms that she has a valid Baptism certificate that shows that she was Baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then she would be a Candidate .
If she can't provide a valid Baptism certificate, then she would be a Catechumen. I was a Catechumen when I joined about 14 years ago.
There is also what is called a "conditional Baptism" for those who might have a memory of being Baptized as a child, but can't provide evidence of it. This was my case because I had been Baptized as a child, but because the building burned down, there was no record of the Baptism. So there was no way to show whether or not it was a valid Baptism.
Like I mentioned, a Baptism is only valid when done in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
2007-05-13 17:10:16 · answer #2 · answered by Life 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
People like your sister who join the Catholic Church participate in a process called the Rite of Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
These people participate in several minor rites leading up to the reception of the three sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist usually at the Easter Vigil, the night before Easter morning.
If they have already been baptized in another Christian church then they are not baptized again.
With love in Christ.
2007-05-13 20:38:46 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow...out of 9 answers, only 1 actually answered the question. There is a process that is gone through in which the person joining goes through a series of meetings (classes) to learn about the church. History of the church, what we believe, why we believe what we do, why we do the things we do the way we do them, etc. At the end of that series of meetings (usually at Easter time), the people who are joining the church are confirmed as members of the church during the Easter Sunday Service. Nothing too big or fancy. Just special to those going through the process. There's usually a reception in the reception hall of the church after the Mass to celebrate. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me privately!
2007-05-13 17:12:57 · answer #4 · answered by Kellye B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To convert to a Catholic Church you need to go through RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is made up of meetings/classes where the individual is taught the doctrine of being Catholic and encouraged to live their life in accordance of the Church. They also attended Mass as a group and are ultimately baptized and receive the other sacraments needed (First Communion, Confirmation, etc).
2007-05-13 17:15:31 · answer #5 · answered by )0( Cricket Song 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your sister will be in a nine month program called the "Rights of Initiation". She and a "Sponser" will take a class that covers what it means to be a Catholic. During this phase she is under no obligation. The classes is for her benefits to meet God, Priests, Deacons, and other parishoners.
Near Easter, she'll be asked if what she's been taught makes sense to her and if she'll accept Baptism and her first communion.
After being Baptized and taking her first communion then she'll have the other Sacrements she can take during different phases of her life: Marriage, Right of Reconcilliation, Anointing of the Sick, and taking the Eucharist.
2007-05-13 17:11:20 · answer #6 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You start off with what's call RCIA classes, then you take first Holy Communion so that you can participate in the Mass fully with others. RCIA is a classroom type environment that allows one to learn and ask questions about the dogmatic stuff that the Church believes and then you decide if you want to join after that.
_()_
2007-05-13 17:08:02 · answer #7 · answered by vinslave 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
She will get baptized that is all. There are other rites that will follow if she wants to eventually get married. The Catholic Church is very old and mystical it would take pages to explain to you what it involves.
2007-05-13 17:14:59 · answer #8 · answered by Jane Marple 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Well, you don't have to DO anything. You simply feel differently. If you really believe someone is up there, if you really believe in all that, then your catholic. You just have to believe in what catholics believe, although there are exceptions, for example creationism. Well, I'm not really into that, but there aren't any obligatory rites, it is all fruit of faith.
2007-05-13 17:06:55 · answer #9 · answered by Igna 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
To much to list check here:
http://www.ecatholic2000.com/rite/index.htm
2007-05-13 17:06:30 · answer #10 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You become a Catholic.
2007-05-13 17:05:01 · answer #11 · answered by Beavis Christ AM 6 · 6⤊ 2⤋