Introduction
Being Catholic is an exciting journey that helps you grow closer to Jesus and find real purpose in life. When you receive a sacrament—like Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation—God gives you special grace to become the person He created you to be. But being Catholic is not just about a ceremony or something we only do once; it’s a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus in the Catholic Church.

This means going to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, practicing the faith through prayer and moral living, and staying involved in the Church community. It can be challenging, but God promises to give us even more than we could ever give Him.

Being Catholic – A Lifelong Commitment
When you’re baptized, the Church teaches that an indelible (permanent) mark is placed on your soul. This mark identifies you as a Christian forever. Even if a person stops practicing the faith, that mark remains. In other words, once you’re Catholic, you’re always Catholic.

This also means you’re joining a community (the Church) that has specific teachings and expectations. Being Catholic includes learning about your faith, praying, and trying to do what’s right according to Jesus’ teachings. It’s not about trying it once; it’s a lifelong choice to be a disciple of Christ.

Why It’s Worth It
Jesus said He came so we could have life “to the full” (John 10:10). When we become part of His Church, we receive His grace and love in a special way through the sacraments. We believe this helps us discover who we really are and what our purpose in life is.

The more we say “yes” to Jesus, the more He fills us with His joy. Even when life is tough, we have God’s promise that He is always with us. The Church wants to support you in this journey by offering you the sacraments, religious education, and a community of believers who can help you grow in faith.

Your Role
As a middle schooler, you’re growing in independence, but you still rely on your parents or guardians to guide you in the faith. They help you learn prayers, bring you to Mass, and show you how to live as a Christian.

You’re not too young to ask important questions: Why do we believe in Jesus? Why is Mass important? What does God want for my life? Finding answers will help you own your faith, not just follow it because your parents do (or want you to). The Catholic Church encourages everyone—parents and children alike—to keep learning and growing in understanding.

Regular Mass Attendance
Going to Mass each Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation is a core part of being Catholic. At Mass, we worship God, listen to readings from the Bible, and—if we’ve made our First Communion—receive the Eucharist.

If you want to receive a sacrament (like First Communion or Confirmation), it’s important to attend Mass regularly. The Mass helps you learn about your faith, and the Eucharist strengthens you to face life’s challenges. Missing Mass without a valid reason means missing the spiritual food God wants to give you.

The Precepts of the Church
The Church has some basic rules—called precepts—to guide us. They are the minimum requirements to stay connected to our Catholic faith.

• Go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
• Receive the Eucharist at least once a year (especially during the Easter season).
  • We receive the Eucharist at least once a year (in the Easter season), but ideally more often—and always in a state of grace (having confessed serious sins beforehand)
• Go to Confession at least once a year if you have committed serious sins (mortal sins).
  • A mortal sin is a very serious sin that breaks our relationship with God. It happens when someone does something that is very wrong, knows that it is wrong, and freely chooses to do it anyway.
• Observe days of fasting and abstinence (like Ash Wednesday and Fridays in Lent).
• Support the Church (through offering your time, talent, or treasure).

These practices are like spiritual training wheels, helping you stay on track in your relationship with God. By following them, you show you’re serious about living as a Catholic.

Living a Basic Moral Life
Catholic morals are based on Jesus' teachings about love and what Jesus revealed through the Church. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s choosing to do what’s best for others. Sometimes this means making hard choices, like telling the truth even if it’s difficult, or being kind even when someone is mean to you. In this life, love is not always easy, and doing what Jesus asks often involves taking up our cross daily and following after Him (Luke 9:23).

As a Catholic, you promise to learn and follow God’s commandments and the Church’s guidance. This includes taking care of those who are poor, lonely, or in need. We’re meant to see Jesus in everyone we meet.

Developing a Personal Prayer Life
Prayer is talking with and listening to God. You can pray with prayers the Church gives us (like the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be), but you can also speak to God in your own words. Tell Him about your day, your worries, and what makes you happy.

Try to set aside a little time each day for prayer. You can do this before bed or when you wake up. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Read a short Bible passage if you can. The more you pray, the more you’ll feel God’s presence and love.

Ongoing Faith Formation & Community
Your faith journey doesn’t end after you receive a sacrament. Keep learning by reading the Bible, discussing questions with your parents, teachers, or parish priest, and participating in religious education programs or youth groups.

Get involved in your parish by volunteering, attending events, and making friends who share your faith. This helps you see that being Catholic is about more than just Sunday—it’s a way of life built on loving God and serving others.

Understanding Each Sacrament
The sacraments are visible signs of God’s grace given to us by Jesus. The sacraments are special gifts and ways of receiving God’s grace so that we can know and love Him better and prepare for heaven.

Each one has a special purpose:

• Baptism makes you a member of the Church and washes away Original Sin.
• Reconciliation (Confession) forgives your sins when you’re sorry.
• Eucharist (Holy Communion) is when you receive Jesus’ Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine to nourish your soul.
• Confirmation strengthens you with the Holy Spirit to be a witness of Christ.
• Matrimony (Marriage) unites a man and woman in a sacred bond of love.
• Holy Orders ordains men to serve as priests, deacons, or bishops.
• Anointing of the Sick gives God’s grace and comfort to those who are ill or near death.

Before you receive a sacrament, take time to understand why it matters and how it will help you grow closer to God. Talk to your family or teachers if you have questions.

Conclusion
Being Catholic is both joyful and serious. You gain a spiritual family, receive special graces, and discover a relationship with God that transforms you into the person you were made to be. At the same time, it means committing your life to Christ’s teachings and following the Church’s guidance.

As a middle schooler preparing for (or continuing in) the Catholic faith, remember that you don’t walk this path alone. Your parents, teachers, parish community, and, most importantly, Jesus, are with you every step of the way.