How Do Catholics Convert?

[mulls]

I'm not talking conversion from protestantism to catholicism.

i'm talking about how does somebody who never had any previous christian knowledge, understanding, or experience, become a believing catholic?

i know many here are against the emotional "born-again" conversion experience, so i'm wondering how catholics do it. say a random person never knew God before, and through some series of events, whether it being witnessed to or doing a lot of studying, they come to accept Christ as their savior, and the Church as their home. at what point does this happen?

does it count when they first acknowledge Chirst and pray to God? or does it take a year's worth of RCIA classes and finally baptism at the easter vigil until they're finally "in"?






or say you were witnessing to somebody, trying to get them to believe. at what point would you call them a believer, and at what point does God acknowledge them as a believer?

[Livin_the_MASS]

Are you asking when they are saved or when do they become Catholic

If it's Catholic yes you have to take classes first before becoming one why? Because the Sacraments are Holy and they need to be taught what they are and what they do and how Christ does His work through them, especially the Most Holy Eucharist since it is Jesus Christ God Himself! God is present is all His Sacraments (He does His work through them) but the Eucharist He is Truly Present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Plus the Teachings of The Catholic Church in all areas!

So at Baptism you are born again you become a son within The Son! For me I was blessed, for it happened to me as an infant, for someone else coming into the Catholic Church who never believed you become born again at Baptism.

[quote][b]John 3:5-6

Jesus answered, "Amen, amen I say to you , no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.[/b][/quote]

I know the Catholic Church honors Baptism outside the Church as long as the correct formula is used, Water, and "I Baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Pouring the water over the head three times while saying this.

In the end though only God converts anyone, we are just servants doing what He commanded us to do,

[quote][b]Matthew 28:19-20

"Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age."[/b][/quote]

[quote][b]CCC
189 The first "profession of faith" is made during Baptism. The symbol of faith is first and foremost the baptismal creed. Since Baptism is given "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit",3 the truths of faith professed during Baptism are articulated in terms of their reference to the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

190 And so the Creed is divided into three parts: "the first part speaks of the first divine Person and the wonderful work of creation; the next speaks of the second divine Person and the mystery of his redemption of men; the final part speaks of the third divine Person, the origin and source of our sanctification."4 These are "the three chapters of our [baptismal] seal".5

191 "These three parts are distinct although connected with one another. According to a comparison often used by the Fathers, we call them articles. Indeed, just as in our bodily members there are certain articulations which distinguish and separate them, so too in this profession of faith, the name articles has justly and rightly been given to the truths we must believe particularly and distinctly."6 In accordance with an ancient tradition, already attested to by St. Ambrose, it is also customary to reckon the articles of the Creed as twelve, thus symbolizing the fullness of the apostolic faith by the number of the apostles.7[/b][/quote]


So God is the one who converts, we are His instruments, and yes you have to go and learn about being Catholic first. You make a profession of faith at the Easter Vigil if I'm not mistaken, so you have to know what you believe and when you profess it, [b]mean it.[/b]

God Bless His One Holy Catholic Church!
God Bless You
Jason

[Anna]

The ways in which an individual comes to recognize Truth are probably as many as there are converts.

At some point, a person realizes how little he knows about God, about how to live his life in accord with God's will. He may study for a time on his own, but ultimately he decides that there has always been an authority figure which Christ established to guide the flock.

Tracing through history, it becomes fairly obvious that the marks of the Early Christian Church are the marks of the Catholic Church today.

Using deductive reasoning, one comes to understand that Christ did found the Catholic Church, and He promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.

They may not accept some of the things the Church observes, because they do not understand it. But they generally desire to understand why the Church would observe such a thing. The desire to understand leads them to inquire and become more knowledgeable. Once they understand a few of the Church's teachings and the reasoning behind them, their doubts begin to fall, kind of like dominoes...and they begin to desire to become one with the rest of us...one of the members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Catholic Church.

At this point, they just need to contact a Catholic parish, who will enroll them in a program of initiation: study, prayer, and spiritual activities to help them grow in faith and understanding.

Usually, during the Easter celebration, these converts are brought forward in a great ceremony and are welcomed as the newest members of our family. There is great rejoicing in the joy of the Resurrection, and growth of the Church.

Sometimes this conversion/acceptance experience takes a long time. But life is a journey. With a Church 2,000 years old, we've come to realize that sometimes she moves rather slowly! At least, slowly by our standards. But who knows, in God's time?

[mulls]

so when would you say God officially recognizes a person to be one of His own?

not until they are officially baptized after RCIA....which can take up to a year?

[Anna]

What's a year to God? A blink of an eye? God is love. Love is patient.

God knows each one of us. He has carved us in the palm of His hand and calls us by name.

We commit to fully being "His" in the Sacrament of Baptism.
Then, original sin is washed from our souls.
Our soul receives an indelible mark indicating that we have been baptized into God's family.
So, I suppose by your way of reasoning, yes, we officially become children of God in the Sacrament of baptism which can take from September to April (7 months). But hey, it took us 9 months just to born, so it only takes 7 to be born again!

[Brother Adam]

[url="http://www.flyfreeministries.org/Outreach-areyousaved.htm"]How to be Saved[/url]

You asked.

[Oik]

Excellent Bro. Adam. Also, RCIA.

[Hananiah]

[quote name='mulls' date='May 29 2004, 08:56 PM'] so when would you say God officially recognizes a person to be one of His own?

not until they are officially baptized after RCIA....which can take up to a year? [/quote]
Yes, though if the person were to die before being water baptized God could make an exception for them.

[RandomProddy]

[quote name='Hananiah' date='May 30 2004, 05:29 AM'] Yes, though if the person were to die before being water baptized God could make an exception for them. [/quote]
the Prisoner on the Cross being an exellent example..

[azaelia]

[quote name='mulls' date='May 29 2004, 09:56 PM'] so when would you say God officially recognizes a person to be one of His own?

not until they are officially baptized after RCIA....which can take up to a year? [/quote]
Well, I think God "officially" recognizes EVERYONE as one of His own. We're all His children after all, whether we accept Him or not. The father of the Prodigal Son never stopped recognizing his Son as his own, even after he left his house.

Baptism is like coming back home. We're washed of the dirt from our long journey and welcomed into the Mystical Body of Christ. If our journey is cut short, God knows we were on our way. He is all-knowing and merciful after all.

My two cents.

Edited May 30, 2004 by azaelia

[Livin_the_MASS]

Scott Hahn "Swear To God, The Promise And Power Of The Sacraments" page 43

[quote][b]"Only by birth or adoption can we enjoy family life in a human household. Our birthright is to enjoy the guidance, discipline, and providence of human parents. Our parents have a duty to feed us and to foster our growth.

"Born, adopted, created anew: By Baptism we enter [i]God's family[/i]. Only by Baptism can we enjoy the fullness of life of God's household: the sharing of His table, His healing, His Fatherly forgivness and care. The early Christians saw the baptismal waters as the womb of the Church. As birth is a precondition of human family life, so Baptism is the precondition of the other sacraments.[/b][/quote]

[Crusader_4]

At the Rite of Intiation (think thats it) i believe one enters the catechumen and then they are considered Catholic. i.e. if i was in RCIA and died i could still be buried as a Catholic since i have Baptism as desire most likely the only thing that is stopping me from being baptised is the liturgical calendar and RCIA classes.

[theculturewarrior]

Conversion isn't necessarily canonical. The word convert means to "turn to," and in this case, it means turning to God and turning to the Truth. RCIA is the standard means of catechizing converts, but it is not necessarily the only avenue of conversion, and not always even a avenue of conversion.

Conversion for a Catholic comes when he turns to God. He recognizes his own weakness, his own failings, his own lack of power, and he recognizes that God is loving and almighty and capable of helping him grow. The difference between Catholics and some evangelicals is that we don't stop there. Conversion is a life long struggle, and we have the grace of the sacraments to help us through it. Especially the Eucharist and Confession. Everytime we take the Eucharist, it should be an occassion for conversion. If it's not, we're not looking at ourselves hard enough.

There is an ancient prayer of the Church, from the psalms...

Convert us, O God Our Savior
And turn away thine anger from us

[Quietfire]

It is important to note also that not all who have been baptised need go throught RCIA.

As adults, if one wishes union with the Church, one would initially speak with a priest and an interview would take place.

If for instance, as a christian who has been studying the Church and her teachings finds that he wishes union with the Church, after an interview with a Priest, may find that there is no need to go through formal RCIA, due to the fact that upon initial questioning you understand what the Church teaches.
The Priest may offer informal instruction to 'catch you up' with all that is needed.

You may then be confirmed privately if you wish.

It is also interesting to note, from my own personal experience, that there are many Catholics who take for granted the gift that has been given to them through the sacraments. They unknowingly make the same mistake as those who claim that 'once saved, always saved' is acceptable.

Do not let this stop someone who wishes to learn,understand, and want union with the Church.

The Church cannot [i]force[/i] her teachings on anyone.
One must ardently want it for oneself. Only then can one truly understand what it means to be Catholic.
To truly understand Catholic christian, one continues to learn even after confirmation. Then one knows the gifts that he/she has received is truly magnificent.

The chief end of man is to glorify God.

[quote] Im talking about how does somebody who never had any previous christian knowledge, understanding, or experience, become a believing catholic?[/quote]

Ok, from personal experience. I never received any previous christian knowledge. I have stated that before.
I started reading. Of course, I snubbed those books that contained the nihil obstat and the Imprimatur.
When I did start reading books that contained the 'stamp of approval' (my words)
I was still lost. Too much to understand.
Spending time here helped tremendously. Reading books that 'gently' touch upon the Church helped too.
I could p.m. you and give more details if you wish. I will leave that up to you Mulls.
We are not here to force you or anyone else, understand that much.
The decision is yours.
If in the end, one decides that they do not wish union with the Church. Many may ask "why not?"
It isnt my place to ask that. From personal experience... I have run from her for many years. It is only now I realize that though.

Peace Mulls.

Edited May 30, 2004 by Quietfire

[Brother Adam]

Quietfire does an excellent job at recognizing why "The Way" is so narrow. Few people desire to give up their way for God's way, even when it comes to matters of doctrine, faith, and worship.