Hey there,
I remember as a youngster going to Mass on Easter and the church was standing room only. During his homily the priest laid a guilt trip on all the Catholics who came just for that day. I thought to myself that was no way to make them feel welcome! And it really didn’t do much for those of us who had been attending Mass.
Truth be told, in some years past I was one of those there just for that day!
In more recent years I’ve been glad to hear the priests welcome visitors and newcomers, to thank them for coming, and to invite them back.
Easter and the Resurrection of Our Lord is a natural time for people to want to go back to Mass, even if they haven’t been in a while. For some it may be just for one day. For others it marks a return to practicing their Catholic faith, also known as reversion.
Merriam Webster defines reversion as:
“An act or the process of returning (as to a former condition).”
Similar to non-Catholics who convert to Catholicism, reversion involves a commitment as well.
This week Genuflect shines the spotlight on Catholic reversion. We look at the why and how of returning to the church; how a non-Catholic marriage, divorce, and abortion impact a return; the sacrament of reconciliation and more.
Even if reversion doesn’t apply to you, you may know someone who wants to return to the Catholic Church, but isn’t sure how to go about it. I hope these resources will help. And I pray you have a Blessed Easter and we see our churches full on Easter Sunday. He is Risen!
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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Why Return to the Catholic Church
We are all welcomed by Jesus. Before we get into how to return, let’s look at why we should return. Here are 5 reasons … regardless of how long you’ve been away.
Reasons to Return to The Catholic Church | St. Paul Street Evangelization
How to Return to The Catholic Church
How do you return to the Catholic Church after missing Mass for a long period of time or becoming disillusioned? Do you need to go to Confession? Father John Dietzen provides all the details right here.
How Does One Return to The Catholic Church? | Catholic Courier
Not Married in The Church?
There is a process for those who were married outside the Catholic Church to enter into a valid marriage. The process is called Convalidation. Here’s what it involves.
What Is a Marriage Convalidation? | Simply Catholic
Reconciliation Resources
Let’s face it, anyone who’s been away from the church will need to go to Reconciliation. So here’s a recent issue of Genuflect that covered the topic.
Reconciling With The Lord | Genuflect
Returning After Divorce
The bottom line is that divorced people are welcome in the Catholic church. Here are some helpful FAQs about divorce, annulments, remarrying, and receiving Communion.
I’ve Been Divorced… Am I Still Welcome in The Catholic Church? | St. Agnes & St. Rose of Lima
After Abortion
“For all of these women, the ‘Good News’—that the Catholic Church forgives abortion, and that the Pope is reaching out to them with an invitation to “come home” and be reconciled with God and return to full communion with their fellow Catholics—is truly astounding!”
A Special Word to Women Who Have Had an Abortion | USCCB
Free Online RCIA
Brush up on your knowledge of Catholicism with an online RCIA course. This Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults course is free and available 24/7.
Free RCIA Program Online | My Catholic Life
Accepting Invitations From God
Emily Conklin shares how her reversion back to the church was spurred by invitations from others. Experiencing new Catholic Communities helped spark her faith.
The Small Invitations That Led me Back to Catholicism | The Catholic Woman
The Catholic Church is Growing
Despite all the scandals, the latest worldwide statistics show that the Catholic Church is growing, having added 16 million members in 2019. The numbers are a little skewed geographically though. Here’s what they show.
What do The Latest Statistics Really Tell us About The Worldwide Catholic Church? | Get Religion
The Good Friday Prayer
If you need some help with your own reversion or someone else’s why not ask for God’s help? Pray this prayer on Good Friday between noon and 3pm. Here’s the prayer and exactly how to do it.
The Good Friday Prayer | Genuflect
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