THE REFORMED OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH
"If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" Mt 16:24
Being Catholic
Without sounding saccharine, being a Catholic is much like a person who has found love for the first time. It can never be re-captured or experienced again. There is an air of excitement when this new found Faith has been embraced. The desire to know and do more is a pleasure, even those things that would ordinarily be mundane.
When a person is preparing for baptism, they are encouraged to establish a life of prayer and communication with the Holy Trinity; to seek out a good priest as their confessor; ask for the assistance of the Blessed Mother and all the Angels and Saints. Here we present some prayers for this cause.
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit ( or Holy Ghost). Amen.
Our Father—Mt 6:9-13
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not in temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary—Lk 1:28, 42
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Church's Catechism is excellent resource and can be accessed on our resources page. It contains all the questions necessary before the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation as well as the essential prayers every Catholic should know.
As you prepare to become a Catholic (or renew your promises) you are choosing to accept Jesus Christ as the Saviour of your soul and to begin a relationship with Him. That does not mean you forget yourself, or who you are. It means you are choosing to accept His teachings; His values and principles as your own and how these can be applied in your life. You are choosing kindness to others and to yourself. You are choosing to be like the Philosophers of the East, who heard of His coming and travelled from afar to adore Him and present Him with gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh (Mt 2:11).
As our Lord is to you, He also is the Redeemer of humankind and calls you to live a life of holiness, growing in His wisdom and truth. Be patient with yourself. Be willing to receive.
In your personal relationship with our Lord, you live it out as an individual and continue to do so after baptism. But baptism is the pinnacle of your personal relationship. In baptism you make a public affirmation of your commitment to our Lord, to His Church and teachings. It marks you as one of His followers; you are no longer at it by yourself. You join an international group of likeminded people. You have the right to question and to say "no", becoming a Catholic is something of your own free will and choice.