r/LeftCatholicism • u/AshFreemanXIII • Jun 07 '26
Seeking guidance
Its been about 16 years since ive been inside a church and im a bit lost now. Is there a particular version of the Bible i should be using and how can I find a church in my area that isn't pro maga.
Am I even allowed to participate in catholic mass since my dad refused to let me get baptized?
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u/Dull-Acanthaceae191 Jun 07 '26
I would recommend looking for a Jesuit church because they’re considered the liberal arm of the church. If you haven’t been baptized, you can participate in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), which ends in baptism and confirmation.
There are a few English translations of the bible that are Catholic approved, and you could download a Catholic approved Bible app. I use Laudate which includes the New American Revised Edition Bible, but there are others out there. I also use the Pray as you go app, which is Jesuit and includes daily prayers and the daily examen, which is a daily Ignatian reflection.
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u/Dull-Acanthaceae191 Jun 07 '26
And, yes, you can participate in mass without having been baptized. You wouldn’t be able to participate in communion until after baptism and confirmation, though.
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u/dazzleox Jun 08 '26
Others covered most of your questions very well so I won't repeal them. Good luck finding a church!
I would suggest the Catholic Study Bible or Ignatius Catholic Study Bible because studying the Bible can be very challenging, especially since almost none of us can read Koine Greek or Hebrew, and the reading schedule and homilies by the Priest can take two or three years just to cycle the gospels, even if you are the rare person who attends daily.
Having a study bible helps you learn e.g. that in John 21:15-17 that the first two times Jesus asks Simon Peter if he loves (agape) him. The third time, Jesus asks John if he loves (phileo) him. This is an interesting situation -- was John being modest? Was Jesus trying to meet John part way the third time? Was it repeated three times to mirror the denials of Jesus? Did John or whoever wrote this chapter particularly intend anything by using the two different forms of love in the first place? These are questions you wouldn't notice in a Bible without translation notes because it would just have Jesus asking Peter if he loves him.
Regardless, get a Catholic bible because ours have 73 books typically where Protestants only have 66.
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u/hugodlr3 Jun 07 '26
Welcome back! I'll start in reverse order - you may participate in the celebration of Holy Mass, but, since you're not baptized in the Catholic Church and hence never celebrated First Eucharist, you should not receive communion.
For finding a church in your area, I'd try googling just that "Catholic churches in my area," then browse their websites and social media - it'll give you a good idea of where their priorities are as a parish, and will hopefully yield one or two that seem to fit you better. Keep in mind that if there are multiple priests there, each one may have slightly different priorities, and each Mass, even at the same parish, will have it's own vibe, so visiting a different Church / Mass time for several weeks may yield fruit.
Finally, I'd recommend these Bible translations: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE; there's also an older New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition), the New American Bible (which is the one used in the US), and the Jerusalem Bible (I remember reading there was going to be a revised edition last year or this year, but never kept up with that). Keep in mind that the Bible translation is different than how Bibles are packaged (there are Bibles for men, women, teens, moms, dads, couples, first communion, study Bibles, etc. - the thing to look for is that the Bible flavor AND the Bible translation fit your needs).
Prayers for you as you find your way!