What is involoved in becoming Catholic?

Question

My bf and I have been dating for a little over 3 years now. He is Catholic and I am not. I know that he wants a Catholic wedding, but he never goes to church. I think if we started going to church together, it would be good for us. What all is involved in becoming Catholic, and how long does it take?

Answer 1

Becoming a Catholic isn't about giving up the Bible, or getting nutty about anything. Catholics have MORE exposure to Sacred Scripture than most Protestants. Each Sunday Mass has three readings from Scripture and weekday Mass has two, for instance. If you were to join an RCIA class it is quite likely that you will be given a Bible - in fact Celtic saints encouraged the reading of Scripture - providing you had access to it and you could read (The printing press was not invented until the sixteen century, which was why there were few Bibles around and most were to be found in monastic settlements).

What you will find is that Catholics take Scripture seriously, that Catholics do not worship Mary, but rather ask her to pray for us. Catholics do not worship statues, but rather worship God in the Mass. Becoming a Catholic is a choice that YOU make - of your own free will. You can leave RCIA at any time - the final decision to become a Catholic has to come from you and your heart. Ask questions, seek answers and do your best to understand what being a Catholic really is all about. Then make up your own mind.

Answer 2

Step one - stop listening to all the Catholic haters on here. They obviously aren't Catholic and don't know anything about it.
The Catholic Church is Christian. They were the 1st Christian Church. They have a strong tradition of Philosophers and encourage the importance of Reason in Faith, so a lot of Catholics do "think for themselves" and come to realize that what the Church teaches is correct. And all churches ask for donations and it is not "required!"

There is a program that includes taking a class about the beliefs of the Church and the history of the Church and you will find out that Church teachings are actually supported Biblically! *shock!*
The program is called RCIA - the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This program is to make sure you agree with Church teachings and want to become Catholic. It could take anywhere from a few months to a full year. If your bf never goes, he may need a refresher in the faith, too, so you can go to this class together and strengthen your relationship and your faith. Chances are he prolly didn't get a good education in Catholicism since that has been the norm in the last couple decades!
If you do, and if you are a baptized Christian, then you would be Confirmed and receive your 1st Communion at Easter Vigil. If you are not baptized you would also be baptized at that time.
Yes marriage and divorce are a big deal like this other dude said. That comes from the whole "Whom God has brought together, let no man put asunder" passage from the Bible. So make sure you mean it! :)
It is important to be together in your faith.
Best of luck and I hope you come home to the Church.

Answer 3

Firstly, let me make it clear you do not need to convert to Catholicism to marry in the Catholic Church.

Secondly, you do not need to be Catholic to go to a Catholic church. All are welcome at Mass; you can sit, stand, kneel, pray, etc. -- you just can't receive Communion.

Thirdly, if you are really interested in converting to Catholicism for the right reason (because you believe the teachings), the usual way is to go through a program of classes (which usually run fall-spring) and be received into the Church the day before Easter. If you have already been baptized, you can be received at other times of the year if you can demonstrate that you are ready.

Answer 4

Becoming a Catholic means studying the catholic faith. There is a series of classes called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initaition for Adults). You go to Mass and hear the readings and the homily and then are dismissed to discuss the readings and to learn about Catholic doctrine and practices. This continues until you are welcomed into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

Enrolling in RCIA does not obligate you to becoming a Catholic. It is just an opportunity for you to find out what it means to be a Catholic. It would be very good for your bf to enroll with you.

Contact me if you have any questions. Instant Messenger me - everydaycatholic

Answer 5

I am going to get all kinds of negative responses for this, but the Catholic religion is not much more than a money making scheme. I am a Christian and whole heartily believe in the sanction of marriage. If your bf has not been going to church for a while he too will have to take some sort of classes. If you two love each other, catch a plane to Vegas, find a wedding chapel, and do the vows there. Spend the night afterwards seeing how many times times you can make each other say..."oh my God" !

Answer 6

Easy, give up bible truth for Catholic Doctrine, get nutty about Easter and Christmas, but be an *** when you drive or deal with people in stores and Dr. offices. Expect a lot of superficial crucifix?Mary worship with no real knowledge of the whys or were fores! Just because mom and Dad did it.
Say the right things, have the priest to dinner a couple of times, go to PRE_Canna classes...really, that is were they tell you how to be married, sexually and fiscally!!! Like a priest should know that...,eh?
Be prepared to baptize your children into a faith that supported the Holy wars into the middle east, that breeds HATE down to this day.
The inquisitions, The burning of Bible translators from Latin to common language.
The removal of all protestants by death.
The approval of the death of millions of Jews in WW2. Most recently apologized for by the Pope. an admission of guilt.
Did I mention Galileo, or DaVintie, or Columbus?
Honey RUN RUN RUN screaming for freedom of expression every were!

Answer 7

Go to a Catholic church in your neighbourhood and ask the secretary about R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). In our parish it is one night a week for about 3-4 months. After that you be able to start receiving the sacraments. In the meantime you can attend church on Sundays without receiving the sacraments to get an idea of what the faith is like.

Answer 8

In Sept. they usually start RCIA classes (these are for information about the liturgies and the Church itself) and then one could come into the Church at Easter time. Every Church is different in the exact timing of the classes but, I promise you, you will have a first hand encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and know it!!

Answer 9

To be catholic you must get baptized, and to be a good Catholic you should go to mass every Sunday, you can get divorced if you are catholic, you should also make your first Communion but you must prepare for that (I prepared for like a year)
In my opinion you should do it, it'll make yourself feel full of grace and it takes you a couple of steps nearer to heaven

Answer 10

Don't do it. If you get married in the Catholic church you cannot get divorced. Ever. You have to appeal to the Vatican for an anullment. That means if you have children, they will be illegitimate.

How can you even think about becoming a Catholic? It is one of the most restrictive religions around. And they do a great job on putting guilt trips on people. You'll go through life feeling guilty about everything you do. Plus, as you know, there is absolutely, positively no premarital sex or any type of contraception allowed. This is fine if you want and can afford 12 children.
Don't convert to a religion when you cannot live totally by its rules!