We believe in Christ because he revealed himself two thousand years ago and founded the Church, which has faithfully preserved for us the truth about God. In order that faith may not be fruitless, we, together with our brothers and sisters, come to know the One in whom we believe, talk with Him and about Him, accept the forgiveness granted in Christ's death on the Cross, share in His life by obeying the commandments and learning to love God and our neighbors. How does one become a Catholic?
If you are looking to begin your journey in the Catholic Church
- begin to come to the church for Holy Mass and participate in it with our community, without yet having received Communion. In this Sacrament, Christians, having properly prepared themselves and confessed their sins (Communion without proper preparation is a sin and of no benefit to the person), partake of the Body and Blood of Christ under the form of bread and wine. In the Latin Church unleavened white bread of round shape is used (hostia and communicants), in the Byzantine rite - leavened bread (prosphorae). In the same way you will be able to receive communion, entering into full communion with the Church.
- Pray the prayers that the Church has offered to Him for centuries and your own prayers that come from the depths of your heart.
- read the Word of God - the Bible, especially the New Testament.
- It is good if you read the book by Fr. Alexander Mena's "Son of Man"
I'm not baptized
Baptism in the Catholic Church takes place after the preparation in the bosom of the Church that is necessary for the faith of the Church to become our faith. The preparation for Baptism usually lasts about a year:
- Evangelization period (within 3-4 months after the first conversation with the priest): ends with acceptance into the Catechumenate.
- Catechumenate (from Greek katecheo - to instruct, teach): a time of intense preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism; lasts several months. For this period a group of those preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism is formed. During the group meetings, priests give lectures on the basics of the faith and help in every way possible to grow in faith on the way to Baptism.
- Rite of Election: about 40 days before Baptism, the catechumen (oath-taker) becomes elect for Baptism.
I'm baptized
If you have already been baptized once as an infant, child or adult (Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant, baptized by your grandmother, etc.), you should also tell the priest about it. If it turns out that your baptism was valid, you do not need to be baptized again. The sacrament of Baptism is performed only once in life and is not renewed. In this case you need to be baptized. Before you proceed to the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, preparation is also necessary, which takes the form of lectures on the basics of the faith for baptized Christians and individual preparation.
Approach the priest (best done any day after St. Mary's Vespers Mass, at about 7:45 p.m.) and tell him about your desire to become a member of the Church.
God bless you!
