I signed up for the RCIA courses that begin in September to do my Communion and Confirmation and to convert to being a Roman Catholic and I am curious about certain things such as what version of the bible Catholics read and if they hand out bibles for people such as myself to read and take home to keep? Or do I have to buy a Catholic bible on my own? If so what version do I look out for? Also during the RCIA courses do they give anything out to the students of the course such as rosaries or anything else? I was asking about the courses but the nun didn't get into specifics with me. What do I expect? This is a serious question and I need some serious and helpful answers. Please don't answer if you're not gonna help.
2007-07-22 11:17:56 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Douay-Rheims and St. Joseph editions of the Catholic Bible used to be the standards, but there are some newer and more enjoyable translations for reading and study. The New American Catholic Bible is accurate, as far as I can tell, but it's not always the most enjoyable to read.
The New Living Translation has a Catholic edition that's easy to understand, but like all modern translations, I sometimes question its accuracy. I have a New King James Catholic Bible that seems to split the difference very nicely: it's easier to understand and yet seems to be accurate, too.
My suggestion is to go to your Bible bookstore or Catholic supply house and sit down with each version. Read several chapters of each version, and see which one speaks most clearly to you.
As far as giving out Bibles and Rosaries, that depends on the parish. Many of them give a gift to those who celebrate their First Communion -- traditionally a prayer book, rosary, scapular medal, or similar keepsake. It will just depend on your particular church.
2007-07-22 11:36:05 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Any Catholic Bible has the whole Old Testament including Tobit,1&2 Maccabees,Judith,Wisdom,Ecclesiasticus(Sirach),Baruch,Daniel's Bel and the Dragon and the "God"parts of Esther .
There are many Catholic Bibles in English. I use the New American Bible, the Catholic Revised Standard/Ignatius,the Douai-Reims/Challoner, the Jerusalem and others.
RCIAs are different in different parishes. Call the RCIA director in your parish to find out what they "give out' and what the director suggests you pick up.
I suggest the New American Bible,The Catechism of the Catholic Chruch, a Daily and Sunday Missal and the Compendium of the Catechism.
2007-07-23 12:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by James O 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, regardless of what you use and study in classes, as a Catholic find and use a Douay-Rheims bible from say Tan publishing . It was and is the gold standard for english translation and has a certain feel in the phrasology.
Alternately, you could use a Haydock version which is a D-R version with very detailed commentary from catholic scholars.
2007-07-22 11:43:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The following Bible translations are approved by the Catholic Chruch for personal use:
+ Douai-Rheims
+ Confraternity Edition
+ Revised Standard Version (RSV) - Catholic Edition
+ New American Bible (NAB )
+ Jerusalem Bible
+ New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)- Catholic Edition
+ New Jerusalem Bible
+ Today's' English Version - Catholic
I recommend the New American Bible (NAB) which is the version used during Mass and other liturgies in the U.S. and many other English speaking countries.
Here is a NAB website: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/bible_versions.htm
Nice avatar.
With love in Christ.
2007-07-22 17:58:19 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The New American Bible. Buy the one that has an annotation. There is an edition of the NAB called the Catholic Study Bible. That's what I use.
You made a very wise decision to attend RCIA.
Peace and every blessing!
2007-07-22 11:25:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
>>If so what version do I look out for?<<
Fr. Mitch Pacwa (if you don't know who he is, follow this link: http://www.fathermitchpacwa.org/pages/about_us.html ) recommends the RSV CE (Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition -- NOT to be confused with the New RSV). It is available online here: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/r/rsv/
The NAB is used in liturgies in the United States:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
And the Douay-Rheims is a classic:
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/
2007-07-22 12:02:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
+PAX
I am a cradle Catholic and I use the Douay-Rheims which I love dearly. The lady up above, talking about Father Mitch has some great links... check them out.
I would also speak to your RCIA director and see which Bible he wants you to have.
In His Love and Congratulations!
J.
2007-07-22 12:26:09 · answer #7 · answered by teresa_benedicta_of_the_cross 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics read from the New American Bible . I think they will hand out bibles and religious instructions about how RCIA works, what it is all about and what will be expected of you .
2007-07-22 11:39:23 · answer #8 · answered by Dave aka Spider Monkey 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, my mother is a Catholic and only version of the bible I have seen her read is the Jerusalem Bible, whatever that may be.
How many other Catholics read this version, I don't know...
2007-07-22 11:22:31 · answer #9 · answered by HP 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The NAB I suppose, mine has that on the side.
what they give you depends on what they can afford, some parishes give you a bible and rosarys and some dont
Ill be taking rcia classes in the fall too :)
2007-07-22 11:20:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋