What's it like to be Catholic?

Question

I have been considering converting from christianity to catholisim fo abot a year, but I want to be sure of what I'm getting into. What is catholisim all about?

Answer 1

Catholicism is:

+ A personal relationship with Christ
+ A relationship with all 1.1 billion Catholics on Earth
+ A relationship with everyone who went before us to heaven
+ 2,000 years of great Christian spiritual thinkers from which to draw wisdom

+ Rules and regulations for the spiritually immature (what they need at this point in their journey)
+ Deep spirituality for the spiritually mature (what they need at this point in their journey)
+ And just about every level of spiritual maturity in between

Just to list a few things about what it is like to be Catholic.

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.

Answer 2

(Note that I am looking at this situation as an outsider - I'm agnostic, though I was once Christian.) You don't convert from Christianity to Catholicism. Catholicism is a form of Christianity, just like Baptist, Methodist, or anything else. If you're not a Catholic Christian, you're a Protestant Christian. (There is a question of where Anglicans fall, but that's not important to this question.)

Catholics aren't some outlandish group. Really. I've been to school with them for the past 8 years, after attending a Baptist school for 5 years. You don't have to be hardcore and believe everything the Church says - I know plenty of Catholics who don't believe in transubstatiation, and I know plenty who use birth control. Mass is boring, just like any other service.

The only big differences I see is that, as far as ceremony goes, Catholics are very traditional. They also don't take the Bible literally - they aren't blind to science. Catholicism is about the same things as other religions - treat people right, pray, etc. Catholicism is pretty much any other type of Christianity - believe in Jesus, he'll save you, yay for Heaven.

Really, converting from a Protestant sect to Catholicism won't be that big a jump.

Answer 3

There are many different ways of being "Catholic". Some are deeply devoted to worship of God and veneration of the saints. Others are moved by the richness of the liturgy (when it is allowed to be). Some focus on the gospel of social justice and volunteer to help feed the hungry, comfort the suffering, or protest injustices. A few explore philosophy and theology. There are even Spirit-filled Catholics called "Charismatics". Name a type of spirituality in Protestantism, there's likely something very much like it somewhere in Catholicism.

Doctrinally, Catholics are very similar to other Christian denominations, so it might be easier to note the differences.

Catholics officially believe that the Mass is a direct participation in Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, and that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Jesus.

They also believe that the community of believers forms one body of many parts and that this union continues after death. This is called "the communion of saints" and what it means is that we can pray for each other, alive or dead. Many Catholics pray to the saints in heaven asking for support in praying to God. They also pray for the purification of people who may have died not-quite-ready for heaven. Mary is especially venerated and asked for help because of her special relationship to Jesus. Catholics do not believe anyone can grant divine favors by themselves but that they can add their prayers to intercede with God.

"Intercession" was an issue that caused the Protestant Reformation. The idea was being seriously abused by some Catholic leaders in Luther's day, so he formed a theology, "sola fide" that renounced the effectiveness of any human effort before God. Catholics still believe that God judges by our actions as well as our faith. And that action includes praying on behalf of each other.

There are other kinds of intercession too. In the early days of Christianity, when belonging to the Church was dangerous, some people left the faith, then later asked to return. At first the community didn't know how to handle them. They decided the apostates could be readmitted if they publicly confessed all their sins and repented outside the fellowship meeting during the course of a year. When this was judged to be too harsh, some communities changed the practice to private confession before an official representative of the Church and only a symbolic penance. Catholics have had some form of this reconciling sacrament ever since.

There are several other "sacraments", special celebrations of God's grace, as well, to address the important moments of life. Three are called sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Two are vocational: Matrimony and Holy Orders. And two are healing sacraments: Penance and Anointing of the Sick.

Catholics also use "graven images", not as idols but as visual and tactile aids to remind them of what they are doing. It's sometimes a challenge to concentrate when you're praying to an invisible God or saint. They clearly know the difference between a living spirit and inert wood, plaster or plastic.

At its best, Catholic worship involves all the senses, the sight of candles, banners, stained glass, flowers and architecture, the sound of music, bells and chant, the smell of incense, the taste of the cup, the texture of the bread and the reassurance of a friendly hug or handshake. A service can be dull and dead or heartfelt and electrifying, depending on the ministers and the Assembly.

It's not quite like any other denomination. And despite their "Catholicity", each parish has a different soul: pious and prayerful, social and outgoing, serious and involved in the issues of the day, or enthusiastic and expressive. If you are still interested, there is a program called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Inquirers spend a few weekly sessions asking general questions in a casual setting. If they wish, they can continue in proper RCIA sessions, in which Catholic concepts are discussed based on the the Sunday Bible readings. Although the standard track steers toward Baptism (for the unbaptized) at the Easter Vigil, it's really up to the "Catechumen", the RCIA director and the pastor to decide if and when the initiation is completed.

God bless you and guide your decisions.

Answer 4

Catholics are Christians.. I was raised Catholic, Left and came back to the church 7 years ago.. Do some research or talk to a local parish about the possibility of converting. Good luck. If your happy where you are... it's not necessary to convert..

Answer 5

First, know that Catholics are christian. As a previous poster said, I would start at my local parish talking to the priest there. He would be the best one to be able to answer any of your questions and to speak to any of your concerns. The process isn't hard, but it does take time. There is a program called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) that is basically sunday school for adults who want to convert. For a period of 9 months, you will go to RCIA meetings where along with other people wishing to convert (along with Catholics who want to learn more about their faith and church) will learn everything there is to know about being Catholic. This is a wonderful time to meet with other christians and learn about the church, yourself, and ask any questions you might have. If you go and talk to your local priest, he will be able to give you information about the RCIA program, and will be the one to sign you up for it if you decide to go through with the classes. Note that there is no commitment for you to be baptized if you go to the classes. You can decide at any point not to go through with the conversion, with no questions asked. Usually the RCIA classes start in September and go through the school year ending during the Easter season (usually it's on Easter Sunday when those joining the church take their first communion). You can also check out http://www.catholic.com/ to get more information about the church and its' doctrine. I hope it helps, and please feel free to e-mail me privately with any questions or concerns that I might be able to help you with. I'd be happy to help!

Answer 6

You mean, I hope, converting from Protestantism to Catholicism. Catholics ARE Christians, even though we disagree with them in a number of areas.

To get a better idea of what Catholics believe, check out the website for Catholic Answers: http://www.catholic.com/

Answer 7

I converted in 1993 and am very happy I did.

Check out the RCIA classes at your local parish...........there you should find your answers.

Answer 8

Perhaps you should just stick to one religion. Given that you don't even realise that Catholics are Christians, you've got a lot to learn.

Answer 9

It's great! I was born and raised a Protestant but converted to Catholicism when I was 22. I am now 68 years old and I have not looked back since then.

Yahoo News recently reported that the President of a Protestant seminary converted to Catholicism. That says a lot as far as I am concerned.

Here is the information about Catholicism which you are asking. Enjoy!

Roman Catholicism is a Christian denomination. The name "Catholic Church" originated in 107 AD when Ignatius of Antioch used the phrase to describe Jesus' "Church.
Most of what Catholics believe can be found in the Nicene Creed. But there are other definite core beliefs that stand out for Catholics, e.g. the Trinity, Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Sacraments and more.
A core belief of the Catholic Church is the Blessed Trinity. The Trinity means one and the same God in three distinct Divine persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Ten Commandments:
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, consist of ten moral commands which, according to the Hebrew Bible, were written by God and given to Moses on Mount Sinai in the form of two stone tablets. The religions that follow the Ten Commandments are Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They serve as a guideline on how to live our lives given by God. The Commandments give us structure.
Sacraments and Virtues:
A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. There are seven Sacraments.
Virtues
The Cardinal Virtues are four character traits that people strive to reach in order to be moral. The Cardinal Virtues date back to Greek philosophers and are meant for anyone seeking a moral life. The theological virtues are specific to Christians as written by Paul in The New Testament.
The Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance and Justice
The Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Love

Sins:
Sin is anything we do that leads us away from God.
The Seven Capital Sins
· PRIDE ... Unrestrained appreciation of our own worth.
· GREED ... Immoderate desire for earthly goods.
· LUST ... Longing for impure pleasures.
· ANGER ...Inordinate desire for revenge.
· GLUTTONY ... Unrestrained use of food and drink.
· ENVY ... Sorrow over another's good fortune.
· SLOTH ... Laxity in keeping the Faith and the practice of virtue, due to the effort involved.
There are two types of sin: venial and mortal. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our sins are forgiven.
Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is God, and the third Person of the Blessed Trinity. He is a Person that is filled with love, wisdom, and grace. He lives within us. He came down to us on Pentecost after Jesus ascended into Heaven.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Long-suffering, Humility, Fidelity, Modesty, Continence, Chastity.
Works of Mercy:
The Works of Mercy, or Acts of Mercy, are actions and practices which the Catholic Church expects to be fulfilled by believers.
Spiritual Works of Mercy - These deal with needs of the spirit.
· To counsel the doubtful.
· To instruct the ignorant.
· To admonish the sinner.
· To comfort the sorrowful.
· To forgive all injuries.
· To bear wrongs patiently.
· To pray for the living and the dead
Corporal Works of Mercy - These deal with needs of the body.
· To feed the hungry.
· To give drink to the thirsty.
· To clothe the naked.
· To shelter the homeless.
· To visit the sick.
· To visit the imprisoned. To bury the dead.
Holy Days of Obligation:
Holy Days of Obligation are days when Catholics are obligated to attend Mass.
Holy Days of Obligation Include:
Every Sunday
The Octave of the Nativity: Mary, the Mother of God - January 1
Ascension Thursday - 40 days after Easter
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary -August 15
All Saints Day - November 1
The Immaculate Conception - December 8
Christmas Day - December 25
Laws of the Church:
· To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation.
· To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
· To confess our sins at least once a year.
· To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time.
· To contribute to the support of the Church.
· To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage.
Beatitudes:
The Beatitudes mean happiness in Latin. It's the name given to the well-known, definitive and beginning portion of the Sermon on the Mount of the Gospel of Matthew. Some are also recorded in the Gospel of Luke.
· Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
· Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
· Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
· Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
· Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
· Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
· Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
· Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Peace and blessings!

Answer 10

It's like coming home.