How to Learn About Catholicism

You may visit a nearby Catholic Church if you are interested in learning about the religion.

Learning Catholicism may be of interest to you for many reasons. It may be for academic purposes, religious purposes, or, perhaps, you may just be curious. You may already be Catholic and wish to further your bond with your faith. No matter the reason for wanting to learn about Catholicism, there are plenty of options for you on your quest of understanding. You may do research on the internet or in a library, attend a Catholic Mass to see what its all about, or even make a visit to speak with a priest at your nearby church.

Instructions

1. Research Catholicism online or at your local library or bookstore. Here, you can find answers to many of the questions you may have without necessarily having to attend a church or speak to anyone else about it. This may be the best way to get started on learning about Catholicism if you are hesitant, unsure, or nervous about letting others know of your interest.

2. Attend a Catholic Mass at a nearby church. Mass is held on Sunday and most churches offer different Mass times so you can choose which one fits into your schedule. By attending a church, you may see first hand just how Catholics worship God and have a service.

3. Set up an appointment to speak with a Catholic priest. A priest is one of the most knowledgeable people that you could speak to regarding the subject of Catholicism. He will be able to answer any of your questions directly.

4. Read the Catholic Bible. This Holy Book is what the entire Catholic religion is based upon. Here, you can study scripture and lessons that are used in Catholic Mass.

Tips & Warnings

• All Catholic Masses are the same no matter what church you attend. The structure of Mass is the same from beginning to end. You may wish to have a Catholic friend attend Mass with you so they can answer any questions you have about it during Mass to help you learn. Also, some churches offer Mass on Saturday evenings.

• If you attend a Catholic Mass, be prepared that if you are not already Catholic, you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist during Communion. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is literally the "body and blood of Christ", not just a symbol of it like Protestants believe, and therefore only wish for baptized and catechized Catholics to receive it.

References

• Catholics Come Home: Catholic Information Homepage
• Catholic Online: Becoming a Catholic