How to Make Catholicism Part of Your Life

Maybe you were raised Catholic and you’d like to rejoin the flock. Maybe you’re tired of being a “Chreaster Catholic" who goes to church only on Christmas and Easter. Maybe you’ve never been Catholic and are simply drawn to the faith, or maybe you're marrying into a Catholic family. Whatever the reason, here are some easy steps to welcome Catholicism into your daily life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Read about Catholicism. This is especially important if you’re new to the faith. The church history is storied and the faith complex, and all of it is interesting. There may be more written on this subject than any other in the world, so you won’t want for material.
2. Embrace Catholicism’s Seven Sacraments. These include baptism, confirmation (expressing your mature faith), the Eucharist, Reconciliation of a Penitent (part of which is confession), anointing of the sick, holy orders (the clergy) and holy matrimony (marriage).
3. Attend church regularly. Doing so will bring you closer to other Catholics, reinforce your sense of spirituality and make Catholicism more tangible in your life.
4. Speak with your local priest. This is the priest's job (or at least part of it), to help guide members of their community through their own spirituality. Catholicism gives a great deal of power and import to the clergy.
5. Celebrate as many of the Catholic holidays as you're able to. Ash Wednesday is an obvious one, but there are others such as All Saints’ Day, the Season of Advent (preceeding Christmas) and even St. Valentine’s Day, which honors the Catholic martyr of the same name.

Tips & Warnings

• Catholicism is a religion of many rituals. It may take a lifetime, but do your absolute best to understand them all.
• Non-Catholics can not receive communion before they are confirmed.
• Spiritual changes are often difficult and take time, and are not something to be undertaken lightly.