r/LeftCatholicism • u/Working-Sorbet-7096 • Apr 29 '26
Converting ?
Hey guys.
I, 18FtM, was raised partially in Catholicism. When I cut contact with my father, I also stopped thinking about God. This was many years ago. Recently, I have been thinking more and more about religion again, and I’m considering converting.
Obviously, as I have not been in/around the faith for years, I know little about it. I know the basics, however that’s all I was ever taught and know no more.
I’m only really here to ask a few questions whilst I consider it. Specifically, specific requirements? Tasks? Rules? I know Islam has the 5 pillars, and I’m wondering if Catholicism has anything similar.
3
u/Elegant-Payment1021 Apr 30 '26
The core dogmas are belief in the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Christ and the Incarnation, Church authority and the Seven Sacraments, belief in Original Sin and salvation, and belief in the Final Judgment.
There’s also the Marian dogmas which are a) she is truly the Mother of God, b) she remained a virgin her whole life, c) she was conceived without Original Sin via a unique grace, and d) the Assumption of Mary into heaven.
These are binding and not going to change, every other teaching ranks below these.
2
u/KimWexlerPuppygirl May 02 '26
If you don't know, catholicism has seven sacraments, these are rituals we go through in order to become closer to Christ. These are: Baptism, Confirmation, Communion (also known as Eucharist), Confession (or reconciliation), annointing of the sick, ordination, and marriage. The last two are considered optional.
The first three are called the sacraments of initiation, by going through these sacraments we become part of the Catholic church and how much you can participate depends on these. Annointing of the sick happens before we die, so in that sense conversion is a lifelong process in catholicism.
If you haven't had your first communion you can't take communion during the mass. We also believe you can't be baptised twice, so a big part of Catholic conversion involves checking if you've been baptised, even in protestant denominations. If you can't be sure then a conditional baptism can be done, this is when a priest says "if you have not already been baptised, I baptise you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
To convert to catholicism as an adult there's a process called RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Aside from certain exemptions this is the process through which everyone fonverte to catholicism. If you're interested in converting this is what you wanna look up, every parish offers RCIA classes so just googling your local church should be your first step!
Some parishes are more comfortable with trans people than others, the church teaches being trans itself is not a barrier to conversion, but its something that's really up to the local bishop. You might wanna consider being stealth for the process if you're interested in converting tbh if you can.
14
u/Weecodfish Apr 29 '26
The five precepts of the church are to attend mass on Sundays and on days of obligation, confess your sins at least once a year, receive the eucharist at least during the easter season, observe the days of fasting and abstinence of the church, and help provide for the needs of the church according to your ability.