[lalanay1]

Okay, ill cut to the chase.
I was baptised protestant. I go to our local tec college. Not special criteria like coe or catholic. About two years ago I made a lot of friends at our local catholic school through scouts. One of my friends asked if I wanted to start going to church with him. I agreed and for the last 18 months have been going to his catholic church every Sunday. I would love to be baptised a catholic so that I could follow the religion properly, but I don't know how to broach the subjects with my mom and dad. I'm 14, and I'm terrified that they'll just laugh in my face. My family is not devourt, and don't go to church or anything. I really need advice on how to broach the subjects with my mom and dad :confused:

[JudyKayTee]

If you are old enough to convert, you are old enough to ask them for their permission and list your reasons you want to convert, what you believe that the Catholic Church teaches.

Based on your other posts about your parents being over-protective and not allowing you to use public transportation I would guess they are going to say "no" at this time, particularly if they don't trust your judgment.

[spitvenom]

I don't think you should be afraid to ask them. You even said that they never go to church so I can't see it being a big deal to them. Worse they can say is No.

[arcura]

Alanay,
First of all it may not be necessary for you to be baptized as a Catholic IF you were properly baptized before. That is with these words and water, "I baptize thee (your name) in the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit"
Most protestant baptisms done in Protestant churches are recognized as valid by Catholic priests.
You'll need to talk to the priest in the Church that you have been going to about that.
Also at that time it would be good for you to tell him of your desire to become a Catholic.
He may be of great help to you in your effort with that.
I was baptized as a Lutheran and fell in love with the Catholic Faith so I took the road to Rome and joined The Church that Jesus established.
It was not necessary for me to be baptized again.
It will be necessary for you to attend some classes on the Catholic faith and learn some of the prayers. They are very interesting and spiritually fulfilling. You'll like them.
Also you should pray much to the Holy Spirit for His guidance for you and His help with your parents.
It would be good if you spent some time making a list of reasons you want to be a Catholic and pray over that list as you thoughtfully write it down.
Then, when you feel confident and ready, talk to you parents. The depth of your sincerity will be of aid to you when you talk with them.
But first be sure you talk to your priest about this.
I pray for help for you.
You will be joining The Church that practices full Christianity with all of the sacraments and graces of God.
After all these years I still marvel with joy upon receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
I have no words to adequately describe how wonderfully the Eucharist affects me.
Good luck to you and God's blessings on your road to the Catholic Church.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Wondergirl]

I agree with arcura -- I don't think the Catholic Church requires a person to be rebaptized if he was baptized originally in a Christian church in the name of the Trinity.

Learn all you can about the doctrines and history of the Catholic Church. When you are older, you will be able to make your own choices about this and other things.

[jmjoseph]

I was raised Catholic myself. For over forty years I was a member of the Catholic church. Not until recently have I joined a Methodist church in our town. It has a wonderful children's program for our two sons.

You see, I doesn't matter where you eat, as long as you get fed.

I think your parents should be very proud of you for doing the right thing.

GOD bless you.

[sndbay]

Search your heart, as Christ searches the heart of each of us. And follow One Lord in One Faith and in One Baptism.

Search the Word of God for the way.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Not by words of denominations or man's doctrine, but in the name of the Lord giving thanks to God and the Father by him

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Noted!
Colossians 3:20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Servants of the Lord
Colossians 3:22-23-24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

[Fr_Chuck]

I have cleaned up some wrong answers.

First no there is no need to get baptised again, there is no "catholic" baptism, they will accept amost all baptisms of other Christian faiths, sadly it is some of the protestant churches that will not accept other churches baptism.

They will have at this point a process called confirmation, before you can join and use the sacraments.

But at 14, go visit, there is no reason to become a member and in fact since you obviously have no idea of the rules or the customs of the church, you need to go and learn, perhaps a year or more till you know what they really teach before you jump in and join

[sndbay]

Who, exactly, is "we"?

"we" represents the forum of those here on the christian thread that want to discuss what the Word of God has to offer each of us. We don't always agree with each other, nor do we always disagree. It remains clear that we all have different opinons, yet we respect and love each and every member.

If there appears to be, lack of respect and love, then the thread monitoring should step in.

Not to stop the course of discussion but to elimate the disrespectful abuse directed toward any member.

[arcura]

lalanay1,
I want to make clear something's here.
I converted to the Catholic Church about 35 years ago from being a Lutheran who was president of the Sunday School there.
After much study to prove how wrong the Catholic Church was I found that it was I and what I have been taught that was wrong.
Since my conversion I have continued to study and learn the Catholic way, and I strongly say this...
If a person FULLY understands the official Catholic teachings and the scriptural background and foundation for that teaching that person would NEVER leave the Catholic Church even upon the pain of death.
That I firmly believe.
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)

[gromitt82]

okay, ill cut to the chase.
i was baptised protestant. i go to our local tec college. not special criteria like coe or catholic. about two years ago i made a lot of friends at our local catholic school through scouts. one of my friends asked if i wanted to start going to church with him. i agreed and for the last 18 months have been going to his catholic church every sunday. i would love to be baptised a catholic so that i could follow the religion properly, but i dont know how to broach the subjects with my mom and dad. im 14, and im terrified that theyll just laugh in my face. my family is not devourt, and dont go to church or anything. i really need advice on how to broach the subjects with my mom and dad :confused:

If they are not practicing any confession you may stand a chance they do not care too much whether you become a Cathilic or anything else. You may tell them that if they love you they must understand it is much better than you become a Catholic followee where you will have a set of very nice friends than you become interested in joining some urban tribe or in drugs.

This should be a powerful argumentation, don't you think?

Gromitt82

[JudyKayTee]

If they are not practicing any confession you may stand a chance they do not care too much whether you become a Cathilic or anything else. You may tell them that if they love you they must understand it is much better than you become a Catholic followee where you will have a set of very nice friends than you become interested in joining some urban tribe or in drugs.

This should be a powerful argumentation, don't you think?

Gromitt82

Not at his age, no. I see this to be problem for his parents. Not saying if that's right or not right.

He's 14! I'm not arguing about this with my 14 year old! Perhaps OP's parents feel the same way.

[arcura]

gromitt82,
Yes it could be a powerful argumnent.
But it depends on what the pafents are like,
Fred

[gromitt82]

Not at his age, no. I see this to be problem for his parents. Not saying if that's right or not right.

He's 14! I'm not arguing about this with my 14 year old! Perhaps OP's parents feel the same way.

With all due respect to your opinion I must still say a disagree with it,

A 14 years old boy is normally able to discuss basic religious subjects and, I believe, to decide whether he wants to choose one confession or other.

As you know the Sacrament Confirmation is in many Christian Churches a rite of initiation for the purpose of bestowing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Iin the West it is usually administered at the age of reason (7 years) or in early adolescence (from 13 years onwards).

And a14 year old boy can, consequently, refused to be confirmed if he prefers to choose one confession where Confirmation is not carried out.

Gromitt82

[JudyKayTee]

As you know the Sacrament Confirmation is in many Christian Churches a rite of initiation for the purpose of bestowing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Iin the West it is usually administered at the age of reason (7 years) or in early adolescence (from 13 years onwards).

And a14 year old boy can, consequently, refused to be confirmed if he prefers to choose one confession where Confirmation is not carried out.

Gromitt82

And how would I know this?

[arcura]

JudyKayTee,
To know it is by asking someone with authority who knows.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[Alty]

I am a parent. I am also a Deist. I was raised Lutheran but went to a Catholic school. I've had a taste of many different religions and I want the same for my kids, so they can find their path.

At 14 you're still growing, learning, exploring. I think it's great that you're so interested in the Catholic religion, my fear, as a parent, is that you're only interested because of your friends and not because of the actual faith/religion.

By all means talk to Mom and Dad, see what they say. If they don't agree to this then remember that you can choose your own path when you're an adult. There's nothing to stop you from learning more about the Catholic religion and other religions for that matter.

The sky is the limit. :)

[arcura]

Altenweg,
You are right about that.
She can continue to learn more about that faith as she grows older whether her parents agree or not.
And...
That is what she should do; that is become more rounded and knowledgeable as time goes on.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

[JudyKayTee]

Fred, once again you changed gears from a "powerful argument" the boy should use concerning his desire to become Roman Catholic to "she can continue to learn ... that is what she should do."

[gromitt82]

And how would I know this?

You will know by asking -as Arcura rightly say - someone who knows and has the authority to give proper advice.

Gromitt82