How Do I Become a Catholic?

One of the best ways is to contact a Catholic parish near you to let them know that you are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Faith. You will be invited to inquire into what "being Catholic" is all about.

Our parish office at All Saints Catholic Parish is also here to help. We warmly welcome your questions, whether you're just curious, exploring your faith after time away, or ready to begin the journey.

We believe that God calls individuals to live the Good News Jesus proclaimed and to become his disciples as members of the Catholic Church.

If you want to become Catholic, you will participate in a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (sometimes called RCIA or simply Christian initiation). In RCIA, you will learn about the teachings of Jesus as the Catholic Church has handed them on, and put these teachings into practice by living as part of the Catholic community, serving others, and praying.

If you have not been baptized, the RCIA process prepares you to become a Catholic Christian by celebrating what we call the sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

If you have been baptized in another Christian tradition, the RCIA process prepares you to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

A typical RCIA process takes you from the pre-catechumenate period of inquiry to the Rite of Acceptance. Then you will go through the Catechumenate period of formation to the Rite of Election, followed by a period of purification and enlightenment to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. You will go through a short period of post-baptismal catechesis for spiritual growth.

If you have been baptized as an infant, but have not received further formal instruction in the Catholic Faith nor the sacraments of Confirmation or the Eucharist, RCIA is indeed for you.

RCIA welcomes those who are already baptized Catholic but wish to complete their sacraments of initiation and grow more deeply in their faith.

Becoming Catholic is a life-long commitment. However, the Christian initiation process typically lasts for several months or longer in order to prepare to take this step.

Participants in the initiation process generally meet once or twice each week, including part of the Mass on Sunday, but each parish initiation schedule varies.

The initiation of individuals who are ready to make the commitment to become new members of the Catholic Church typically takes place at the Easter Vigil, or at other times deemed necessary.

While we love being Catholic and hope that others will want to become Catholic also, we do not exert pressure on anyone to do so. Our hope would be that at the very least, you would come to a greater appreciation of Catholic beliefs and practices.

You do not make any commitment or obligation by inquiring about Catholicism or beginning the Christian initiation process. We want you to take the time you need as you think about becoming Catholic and we respect your decision to stop or to say, "not right now" at any time.

Thank you for your interest in discovering or rediscovering the Catholic Faith. We hope you have found helpful resources here to learn more.

As you continue on your journey, we encourage you to keep an open heart, attend Mass at St. Mary's or St. Joseph's, speak with our pastor, and pray daily.