How Does a Person Become a Catholic? [Ecumenical]

2HeartsNetwork.org ^ | 2001 | 2HeartsNetwork.org

[Salvation]

How Does a Person Become a Catholic?

to Seek Ye First

There are several ways to become a Catholic. The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate spiritual formation according to each person's needs. In general, though, people who are becoming Catholic fall into three categories: infants and young children; people who, whether baptized or unbaptized, have had little or no affiliation with or religious training int the Christian faith; and baptized people who have been active members in other Christian denominations.

Infants and Young Children

Children who are born or adopted into Catholic families usually are baptized as infants, a practice that began early in the Church's history. This makes sense because the children will be raised in a Christian environment, learning the ways of faith from their parents and other family members, and eventually receiving formal religious training through their parish school or religious education program. For the same reason, children whose parents enter the Catholic Church before the children have reached school age also are baptized.

People with Little or No Christian Background

Many adults who wish to join the Catholic Church have never been baptized. The Church offers unbaptized adults a process of formation in the Catholic Christian faith and way of life called "Christian initiation," or "Catechumenate." Christian initiation is a gradual process. It begins somewhat informally. After the interested person contacts the local Catholic Church, he or she may be invited to meet with other people who are exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic. These people have the opportunity to ask questions about the Church and to hear about the message of Jesus Christ and how it is lived out in the Catholic Church. A person may continue to participate in these sessions as long as he or she wishes. No commitments are made or expected during this time.

If the person decides to pursue the process of becoming Catholic, he or she enters the catechumenate; unbaptized persons in the catechumenate are called catechumens. The catechumenate provides a structure for the proclamation of the Gospel, catechesis (passing on of the teachings of the Church), public and private prayer, spiritual direction, the observance of the feasts, fasts, Sundays and seasons of the Church calendar, direct contact with members of the parish community, and participation in the work of the Church for justice and peace. During this time, each catechumen is paired with a sponsor who can serve as a spiritual companion and offer support and encouragement. The sponsor is already Catholic.

Through the various rites of the catechumenate, the Church marks a person's journey to full membership. These rites reflect his or her spiritual growth and the community's loving concern. The climax of the catechumenate process is the celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and eucharist, usually at the Easter Vigil, followed by a period for reflection on the sacraments and for integration into the life and mission of the Church (a sketch of the periods and rites of Christian initiation can be found below). From the time an unbaptized person becomes a catechumen until that person celebrates the sacraments of initiation usually takes at least one year. This allows the catechumen to experience one full cycle of the Church's rhythm of feasts and seasons.

Baptized adults who have never been formed in the Christian life also participate in the catechumenate process. As they prepare for acceptance into the Catholic Church, they are known as candidates rather than catechumens. Even though the process is the same, the Catholic Church takes care to respect the fact that these people truly are baptized. Only when there is good reason to doubt that the person's baptixm took place or was celebrated validly--a rare occurrence--will such a person be baptized before entering the Catholic Church. Baptized persons are received into the Catholic Church when they are ready, by making a profession of faith, receiving the sacrament of confirmation and sharing in the eucharist.

Children who have reached school age, whether they are baptized or not, will participate in the catechumenate process adapted according to their age.

For clarification, a valid baptism means that a person has been either submerged in water or had water poured on his/her head, while the Christian pastor/preacher says: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." All three persons in the Trinity must be invoked for the baptism to be recognized by the Catholic Church as a valid baptism. We believe that only a valid baptism performed in this way removes original sin.

Baptized People Who are Active Christians

People who have been active members of other Christian denominations seek membership in the Catholic Church for many reasons. Often, they are attracted by the Church's liturgies or by its stance on issues of justice and peace. Sometimes they are married or engaged to a Catholic. A person who has been an active Christian, who attempts to live in a way congruent with the teachings of Christ, who has actively participated in the worship and life of a Christian community and who prays does not need to undergo the full process of Christian initiation. Such a person does need an understanding of Catholic beliefs, the experience of participating in the Church's liturgical life over an appropriate period of time and an acquaintance with the Catholic community to be able to make a lasting commitment to the Catholic Church. Each person's situation should be evaluated and his or her needs met in an appropriate way. When the time is right, such a person may be received into the Catholic Church at any time of the year. This is accomplished by the person making a profession of faith and celebrating the sacraments of confirmation and eucharist, usually at a Sunday parish Mass. (Even if the person has been confirmed in another Christian denomination, the sacrament of confirmation is almost always celebrated).

What is the First Step?

Anyone who is thinking about becoming a Catholic Christian or who would like more information can contact the nearest Catholic parish. Meeting with the pastor or another member of the parish's pastoral staff ordinarily is the first step in the journey toward becoming a Catholic.

To find a Catholic parish near you, check the phone book, ask a friend who is Catholic, or if you live in a small rural town that has no Catholic parish, you can check out Masstimes.org for information about the closest parish to your home town.

Christian Initiation Synopsis:

Period of Inquiry: This is a time of introduction to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a time of reflection on one's own life in light of the values of the reign of God. It is an unstructured time of no fixed duration for questions and an opportunity for the beginnings of Christian faith to form.

Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens: In this liturgical rite, those who wish to become catechumens publicly express their desire to follow the way of Jesus. The Church accepts their intention and welcomes them into the household of faith as catechumens.

Period of the Catechumenate: Along with the whole community, catechumens celebrate the liturgy of the Word at Mass each Sunday. After the homily, the catechumens and their catechists (teachers) continue to study and ponder the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church. During this time, catechumens receive anointings, participate in prayers of exorcism and blessing, and take part in the mission of the Church to the world. Through prayer, learning and coming to know other Catholic Christians, catechumens discover the love and power of God in their lives and in the Church.

Election or Enrollment of Names: At this liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in the cathedral of the diocese, the bishop formally acknowledges the readiness of the catechumens and calls them to the sacraments of initiation. The catechumens respond by expressing their desire for these sacraments. From this time, until they are baptized, they are called the elect.

Period of Purification and Enlightenment: This time of intense preparation for initiation usually coincides with Lent. During this period, the elect and the parish community together focus on conversion, scrutinize their lives in light of the Gospel and celebrate the presentations of the Creed and Lord's Prayer.

Sacraments of Initiation: The elect become full members of the Body of Christ, the Church, through the celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and eucharist, usually at the Easter Vigil. From this time until the end of the period of mystagogy, they are known as neophytes, which means "new sprouts."

Period of Mystagogy: During the 50 day season of Easter, neophytes ponder the experience and meaning of the sacraments and participate with the faithful in the eucharistic life of the Church and its mission for justice and peace. Formation and teaching continue for one year to help the neophytes become incorporated into the full life of the Catholic Christian community.

[Jeff Chandler]

Though I cannot participate in Communion, I am thankful to be in His presence.

You are a rare specimen: a mature adult.

[Salvation]

There are so many details with an annulment.

Did either of the wives really want to be married?

Did the really want to have children?

If your answer to either of those questions is “NO”, then you have a very simple “lack of form” annulment.

Then it gets more complicated from there.

Did you have church weddings or were you married by a Justice of the Peace or a mayor, etc. Those civil marriages are not recognized by the church and are also easy annulments.

Like I said, there are so many ins and outs on this subject. If you still desire to be a Catholic I suggest you find a Catholic priest who is knowledgeable in this area; he will help you walk through the process.

[Mad Dawg]

The Catholic Church demands that I go to the diocese and pay for the privilege of doing so, twice, I my case.

Yeah, in many dioceses you have to pay for the considerable time and work that go into an annulment. I don't like it, but I think it's not fair to characterize it as paying for the annulment. You want something that's involved, SOMEBODY's paying for the people doing the work.

(2) If I go to Christ and ask for forgiveness for being an adulterer, ...

But, strictly speaking, you are saying that you are not going to stop committing the sin. It's hard to reconcile that with your saying it's a sin.

Yeah, we all know when we go to confession, that we're probably going to do whatever we confessed again, and distressingly soon too.

But here's a case where you have a choice. It's not like swearing or eating too much. You have to do the work and pay the expense to get an annulment. YEAH, that's a burden, but you can do it, and compared to quitting smoking or something, it's not so very hard.

But if you don't mean to do it, then your act of contrition in confession is patently insincere. And that's not good for you.

And as to your earlier question, for quite some time now the Church has left questions of the legitimacy of offspring to the state. In the state's eyes you and your current wife were married before. The children are "legitimate". There's no problem.

But in the Church's eyes, either you were not married before or you are not married now.

This is all pretty straightforward. The basis for it is biblical. Either there was fornication before or there is adultery now. So that's the problem.

This isn't personal. It's just an effort to explain what's going on.

[Salvation]

That reason has to come from your heart. I would suggest your read some stories about converts. You might identify with one and the “reason” would virtually jump off the page at you.

[Mad Dawg]

Yeah, for GrouchoTex I think "All y'all" is right.

For some Yankees I would recommend Them'uns.

Sounds a bit redneck...

You say that like it's a bad thing ....

There you go agin, lyin' through yer tooth.

;-)

[Salvation]

No Catholic fails because of divorce. Maybe mistakes were made, but that doesn’t mean your faith has failed.

Sit down with a priest and talk to see if you can start back on the journey toward receiving the Eucharist. You might be surprised.

[GrouchoTex]

Your explanation is one that I do not disagree with entirely , however. all the people being involved (exe’s & children who are now grown) did have compelling arguments.

From what my local parish has told me, in the eyes of the church, I am not married now.

And again, I do not disagree with the Catholic Church or the positions they hold, but their positions I can not abide by or that I find too restrictive, Granted, it is a state by state position, but isn't that in and of itself a contradiction? I mean, it's right or wrong, right? So I am left with a choice.

Many may not agree with my choice, but I will leave it to God to decide. So, if the Catholic Church considers me to be an adulterer because I have divorced and remarried, so be it,I'll let God decide that. After all, Maryland may but Pennsylvania may not? Again, God knows me better than all and I'll let him decide before any one human or board of them (with or without fees) does. So be it (Amen)

[GrouchoTex]

When I was a musician, I used to play in a bar where we used to say:

” The patrons had tatoos and were missing their front teeth, and that was just the women”

To which, I would reply, “Someday I’m gonna marry that girl!”

[Mad Dawg]

Did either of the wives really want to be married?

Well the Ol' Mizris says she really wanted to right up until she was. But by then it was too late.

[Mad Dawg]

Granted, it is a state by state position, but isn't that in and of itself a contradiction? I mean, it's right or wrong, right? So I am left with a choice.

Serious, Wha'? here. State by state or diocese by diocese? It sounds like you almost fell into the teeth of the Catholic machine. Others are tired of my saying it, but the old line is, "I don't believe in organized religion; I'm a Catholic."

Many may not agree with my choice, but I will leave it to God to decide.

Always a good idea. Well, FWIW, my advice is keep nagging Him about it.

before any one human or board of them (with or without fees)

And that would be one of the things to nag him about. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels," which is to say, the Church thinks of itself (rightly IMHO) as having apostolic authority and the gifts necessary to exercise that authority. ON the other hand, few humans are so very human as a bunch of ecclesiastical bureaucrats. It is as true in the Church as in the world that 100 IQ is average.

It is always appropriate to nag God. Remember the widow.

[Mad Dawg]

“Someday I’m gonna marry that girl!”

LOL!

See thar? Ifn you HAD up 'n married her, we prob'ly woudn' be havin' this conversation.

Hush up and pass me one them ham biscuits, wouldja?

[Convert from ECUSA]

"I ,for one, am sick and tired of “reaching across the aisle” in my church. I adhere to the teachings of the church to remain catholic. I invite all those who don’t agree or want to change them to find a more suitable denomination, you already are NOT a catholic."

You're not the only one that feels that way!

[Eagle of Liberty]

I attended the RCIA classes with him, because I was curious about the process of becoming Catholic myself.

I did this exact same thing with my wife and stepson. It was actually a really great experience to go through. The debates and discussions that occurred during the classes only strengthened my connection to the Catholic faith. When you are a kid growing up Catholic, it just doesn't sink in the same way that it does when you are more mature and have a better ability to truly participate in these religious debates and discussions with the priest of your church. I would highly recommend to all practicing Catholics to become a sponsor for someone wishing to join the church.

[genetic homophobe]

A good book to read about the subject
http://www.biblebelievers.com/babylon/

[tiki]

Only if you want to believe a bunch of ignorance.

[Jaded]

Maybe it is an outlier, and surely just an anecdote, but my original point stands: "If you are going to be a serious Catholic (taking canon law, etc. seriously), expect to be lonely".

That is true of a great many churches/denominations. People who just show up because it is the thing to do.

[Uri’el-2012]

Membership in any corporation will not provide salvation.

Only by calling His NAME will provide salvation.

His NAME is Yah'shua
which in G-d's language means:
YHvH is my salvation.

Salvation is from YHvH.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai

[Jaded]

Welcome to the overshare portion of our program:

I am currently going through the annullment process. For me it is "easy" because I married a divorced Catholic against the advice of several people including a priest. We were married by a Justice of the Peace so it is about Canonical form. (ah, to be young and stupid)

His (my ex) first marriage was in the Church, his other three were in front of JPs. While he says he doesn't have a problem with the annullment per say... all other statements he makes say that he does. His complaint is that "they are suppose to be about forgiveness and people make mistakes". He has this warped idea that annullment makes children from the marriages illegitimate. Even ours.... As a bonus, my annullment should be final on what would have been our 25th.

OTOH, I know a non-Catholic who has been married three times, all by ministers.

The appearance to the casual observer is that non-Catholic clergy take the sacrament of marriage less seriously.

The thing that people really, really overlook is marriage is not a sacrament with the Catholic Church but a covenant between a man and a woman. Not a contract to be broken or renegotiated. Since we live in a society of disposables, marriage becomes another disposable commodity easily cast aside at the first sign of discontent.

[annalex]

marriage is not a sacrament with the Catholic Church but a covenant between a man and a woman.

Didn't you mean the opposite? It is a sacrament, and that makes it a covenant between the spouses and God, rather than a contract of two people.

[Jaded]

The sacrament/covenant is not with the church but rather the people, the priest is a witness.