MOTHER CHURCH WELCOMES YOU!

The Mystical Rose Catholic Page has received various responses from readers since its induction. Some of these came from inactive Catholics who now wish to return to the Faith, while others came from non-Catholics asking how to become Catholic. I have set up this page in order to help anyone else out there considering converting or returning to the Church.

Returning?

Are you an inactive Catholic? Would you like to talk about why you left the Church? If so, Father Bill McKee is willing to listen. Why not visit his Inactive Catholics web site?

General Resources for Converts

If you are a new convert to Catholicism, or are considering coming into the arms of Mother Church, there are web sites set up to help you.

Start with the Why be Catholic? series of articles on the Nazareth Resource Center page. Of particular interest is the article there entitled How to become a Catholic.

Consider visiting the Catholic Converts' Connection or Coming Home Network, two sites for Catholic converts. You can receive information and support there from other recent converts.

Of course, you cannot actually convert over the Internet! :-)
Get in touch with your local Catholic parish and ask to join their RCIA program. This is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, by which people join the Catholic Church (the article How to become a Catholic mentioned above contains more specific information on this).

Here's a new site which may also be of help: I converted, NOW WHAT? (an aid to the spiritually young).

More Suggestions

Anyone either becoming Catholic for the first time or returning to the Church should definitely study Catholic doctrine. As noted on the first page of this site, many Catholics are ill-informed about the teachings of Mother Church, so even "cradle Catholics" often need basic catechetical instruction!

The best book I could recommend for that is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It will teach you everything Mother Church professes; not the personal opinions of a particular theologian, but the true Faith as handed down from Christ and the Apostles!

It should be available from your local library or bookstore. You could also order a copy online from the Rosa Mystica Book Store on this site.

Finally, you can read the online version on the Christus Rex Web Site (It is rather long, just read it at whatever pace is comfortable for you. It is a very beautiful statement of our Faith).

The Knights of Columbus offer an excellent free home study course on the Catholic Faith, which some new converts like to use in addition to the RCIA program. For more information write to:

Catholic Information Service
Knights of Columbus
P.O. Box 1971
New Haven, CN 06521 USA

I also recommend that you learn how to explain and defend the Faith, since you will undoubtably be questioned or challenged at one point or another by someone who does not understand Catholicism. Some excellent books in that area are the following (all should be available from your local Catholic book store; if you don't have one near you, you can order them through the Rosa Mystica Bookstore by following the links provided):

• Catholicism and Fundamentalism : The Attack on Romanism by Bible Christians by Karl Keating. A great book which answers Fundamentalist objections to Catholicism. Recommended for all beginners in apologetics.
• Catholic and Christian : An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs by Alan Schreck. Also perfect for beginners; explains Catholic teaching clearly and convincingly.
• Not by Faith Alone : A Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification by Robert A. Sungenis. Focuses on the issue of "sola fide". Provides a thorough, biblical refutation of the belief that our salvation is by "faith alone".
• Not by Scripture Alone; A Catholic Critique of the Protestant Doctrine of Sola Scriptura by Robert A. Sungenis and Peter Kreeft. This companion volume to the last book takes on "sola scriptura". Presents strong Catholic answers to this doctrine. Both are highly recommended to anyone studying Catholic apologetics.
• We're on a Mission from God : The Generation X Guide to John Paul II, and the Catholic Church, and the Real Meaning of Life by Mary Beth Bonacci. Geared towards the questions and concerns of teens and young adults.

• Catholic Answers
• Nazareth Resource Library
• Catholic Biblical Apologetics
• The Beggar King Home Page
• Catholic Apologetics Network
• Catholic Doctrinal Concordance
• Augustine Club Apologetics Toolkit
• Saint Justin Martyr Center for Apologetics
• CORUNUM Catholic Apologetics Web Site

Spirituality

Truth is very important, so one must learn the truths of the Faith. Yet Catholicism is not just a philosophy or a list of dogmas. At its very heart it is a relationship, a family relationship: God is our Father, Jesus is our Eldest Brother, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of family unity Who binds us together in Christ. Mary is our Mother, the saints in heaven and on earth and the souls in Purgatory are our brothers and sisters.

Some excellent Catholic devotional works include:

• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. I love this book. Br. Lawrence found a great prayer method for busy people; he conversed with God all day long. (A partial edition is available online)
• The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux : The Story of a Soul Translated by John Beevers. St. Therese's "Little Way" has inspired millions; her spirituality of simplicity and childlike trust has much in common with Br. Lawrence. Both are highly recommended.
• The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. A Christian classic for 500 years! Beloved by Christians of various persuasions; not just Catholics.
• The Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville. A companion volume to The Imitation of Christ, written by another author a few centuries later. Draws practical lessons from events in Mary's earthly life.
• Mary Day By Day by Rev. Charles G. Fehrenbach. Short devotional readings for every day of the year, with a Marian emphasis. Each reading consists of a Scripture passage, a brief reflection and a short prayer to Mary.
• The Seven-Day Scriptural Rosary by Larry London. A scriptural Rosary meditation for each day of the week.

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