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[littlelamb411]

I was born and raised Catholic, and was active in the church for well over a decade and a half (I'm only 23). I strayed from the church and dabbled with several other religions (most not Christian). I think God may be calling me back to the church though, and am strongly considering a reversion to Catholicism. How does one know for sure? During my time away from the church, I learned that I really don't know a whole lot about Catholicism. Certainly not as much as one who was raised in the church should know. Sure, I know the basics, but when it comes to the deep stuff, I am at a loss. Where does someone like me learn about who I was born to be? Where I do learn about the faith of my ancestors? Is there a good book to read? I was considering going to a class, but that may not be possible right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :) God bless,
~littlelamb~

[JacktheCatholic]

My wife is a cradle Catholic and I am a new Catholic and we have learned together through free resources.

Here are some links to sites:

Letter from men of the early church to other christian churches - http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/

Catholic encyclopedia - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/index.html

Answers to many Catholic questions and answers for defending your faith (See Library links in upper left) - http://www.catholic.com/


Also check out the Hsitory section at this site and read what fellow Catholic shave written to and responded. Also ask questions in OBOB.

[Ravenonthecross]

These are treasure-troves of Spiritual riches contained with these catechisms that and a version of the Holy Catholic Bible such as:

Douay-Rheims (http://drbo.org/)

http://www.newadvent.org/bible/

Although this website NewAdvent.org website has the the same Bible version as the link above; it contains a most excellent encyclopedia about our Holy Catholic Faith.

Another on-line version of Catholic Scripture may be found below:

(http://www.catholic.org/bible/)The New Jerusalem Bible (http://www.catholic.org/bible/)


Of Note:
I sincerely recommend to you a good solid orthodox Catholic Version of the Holy Bible, the reason, being as Protestant bibles such as the :NIV, KJV, NKJV, etc. are missing the Deuterocanon (seven Old Testament books, which the Holy Catholic Church in her wisdom and guided by the Holy Ghost deemed canonical and thus were put in the canon of the Holy Bible by the One True Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. )Furthermore, protestant versions of the Bible are purposefully translated in order to avoid most Catholic Interpretations of Holy Scripture and when this not done with the scriptural texts themselves, often heretical and anti-Catholic footnotes or commentary is used with the various Protestant bibles. Therefore, I urge caution when using a distorted and incomplete version of Scripture as the Protestant Scriptures are; which are oftentimes such as the few that I mentioned above. Thus one should only use Protestant Bibles as a secondary source in conjunction with a Catholic Bible as primary source, when in comparing the differences between the Holy Catholic Faith, and the various Protestant Sects' faiths and in order to better instruct one's self and others on how the Holy Catholic Church alone can correctly guard and interpret Holy Scriptures as she is guarded by the Holy Ghost as opposed to the lack of the fullness of the Christian faith found often in Protestant scriptures.

In Christ's Peace,
Matthew

Below are a list of good Catholic Apologetics sites in order that one may learn more about our Blessed Lord's Holy Catholic Church and the objections raised against her (note I may have repeated a websites that I'd mentioned in previous posts!)


http://www.catecheticsonline.com/Apologetics.php
http://www.catholic.org/news.php
http://www.newadvent.org/
http://www.catholic.com/default.asp

toirewadokodesuka:
Read some Catholic Catechisms:wave:! It'll help you with learning about our Holy Catholic Faith!

Here's a list of catechisms that are approved via imprimatur by the Church:


These are in handy Question and Answer Formating, which are for very easy use of learning and reading in order that one might educate one's self in the One True Holy Catholic Faith:
A Doctrinal Catechism (http://biblelight.net/keenan.htm)

The Balitmore Catechism (http://www.cin.org/users/james/ebooks/master/baltimore/bindex.htm)

Catechism of Pope Saint Pius X
(http://www.cin.org/users/james/ebooks/master/pius/pindex.htm)
The Douay Catechism of 1649 (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/Catechetical_1649.php)

Compendium of the Catholic Catechism (http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html)

Whilst these particular catechisms below are more detailed and compended into concise but detailed paragraph formats which explain the One True Holy Catholic faith as in the manner of an explanatory textbook style-form:

Catechism of the Council of Trent (a.k.a. "The Roman Catechism") (http://www.cin.org/users/james/ebooks/master/trent/tindex.htm)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM)


(Of Note: in order to learn specifically about the Catholic faith and her objections to the various Protestant heretical sects, especially the "A Doctrinal Catechism," but also the Catechisms of "The Douay Catechism of 1649" and "Catechism of the Council of Trent" would help educate, enlighten, and edify one not only better in regards to the Catholic Faith, but also the objections raised against her.)
Take care and do read with the mind of Church and with prayer to our Blessed Lord Christ Jesus with his grace always and at all times.
God bless you sir,
sincerely,
Ravenonthecross

Here's a few catechetical resources I've found through my reversion unto the One True Holy Catholic Faith.

[jdemnyan]

Yes, I would agree to consider reading some solid orthodox resources- However, I would strongly encourage you talk with a priest or a member of consecrated life. After all, we are community of believers partaking of the unbloody sacrifice of the altar. If you are not comfortable about approaching a cleric, then maybe should talk to a lay minister or least a Catholic of good repute. They would provide both spiritual and practical insight to living the Faith-

[Gsox04]

I think a lot of people are in the same boat. I was raised Catholic and was active in it for 22 to 23 years. In the last year or two, though, I have had my own issues and questions concerning the Church. Because of where I stand now I no longer consider myself Catholic but still hold most of the Church's beliefs.
I have been in a search myself about the Catholic faith for many years now and I think what helped me immensely was taking an R.C.I.A. class. It's the class taken by people converting to Catholicism but it can also be taken by Catholics.
It can be intimidating going up to a priest and asking away but I think this is also one of the best options. There are many life-long Catholics who simply don't have the answers so going start to someone you know does seems like a good way to start.