Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
back
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History


Ricardo Quillen wrote:

Hi, guys —

Hi my name is R.J. and I am 16 years old. I grew up in a somewhat Christian home but we never attend church and I never really considered myself a Christian.

I woke up today and I can't explain it but I feel a need to join the Catholic Church.

It's been running through my head non-stop and I feel it may be a calling from God.
I am not baptized and I would just like some information about joining.

Ricardo

  { Can you provide some information on becoming Catholic; I feel a strong need to join the Church? }

Mary Ann replied:

Well, RJ, God calls people in many ways.

The first thing to do is pray. God wants to be in a close relationship with you.

The second thing to do is to talk to a priest. Not being baptized is not a problem.

Joining is a process that happens in a parish community and it involves study, prayer and support from others.

You might want to buy a Catechism of the Catholic Church and start reading it.

We will pray for you.

Mary Ann

Mike replied:

Dear Ricardo,

Thanks for your interest in the Church. There are several ways we can help.

You can check out my Favorites page. It has some great commentary and encouragement . . . yeah, by me : )

We also have a specific section on our FAQ page, that addresses your question:

How do I become Catholic and related questions.

Search around and find a pastor or priest from a local Catholic parish who is known for his faithfulness to the Church. Call the parish and make an appointment to talk to the pastor/priest about becoming a Catholic.

What you have described in your e-mail is definitely a calling from the Holy Spirit. I'm not saying this because I'm a Catholic, but because we have received similar e-mails from questioners saying similar things.

That said, keep in mind what my colleague Eric has said in various replies:

The right reason to become Catholic is not because Catholicism lines up with your personal beliefs but because the Catholic Church is the truth-telling Church.

In other words, as a Catholic you should believe that your beliefs should align with Catholicism, and not the other way around.

You will be asked, as a convert, to accept whatever the Catholic Church teaches to be revealed by God — now and in the future, known and unknown. You should choose the Church because She tells the truth and always will, not because what She teaches agrees with your opinions.

I will keep your spiritual journey in my prayers.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.