How to Become Catholic

Becoming Catholic

Full communion comes through baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. One baptized in the Church becomes Catholic at that moment. Those validly baptized elsewhere become Catholic by professing the Catholic faith and being formally received, normally followed by confirmation and the Eucharist. Preparation depends on whether one is already baptized.

OCIA (formerly RCIA), the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, established in 1972, is for adults and children past the age of reason. Its roots go to the early Church; St. Hippolytus described a three-stage process. Contact your local parish; classes typically begin in September.

If you are not baptized

• Inquiry: learning about the faith.
• Rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens: expressing the desire to become Christian. The catechumenate, usually under a year, gives thorough instruction in doctrine and morals.
• Rite of election: normally the First Sunday of Lent, when the names of the "elect" are enrolled.
• Purification and enlightenment: the scrutinies on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, and presentation of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.
• Initiation: at the Easter Vigil the elect are baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist, ideally from the bishop.
• Mystagogy: deepening faith through the Easter season. For their first year, the new Christians are "neophytes."

If you are already baptized

Baptized Christians are not catechumens and should not be treated or named as such. Their preparation is determined individually. Those never instructed may share much of the catechumens' instruction but not their rites; those who have lived as Christians need only instruction in Catholic tradition and some probation. Reception should ordinarily take place at a Sunday parish Mass rather than the Easter Vigil, to avoid confusion with baptism.

Since baptism has already removed earlier sins, they must confess mortal sins committed since baptism, by kind and, as far as possible, number; absolution covers forgotten sins if one repents of all. Confession should come before and separately from reception.

At reception the candidate professes: "I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God." The bishop or priest says, "[Name], the Lord receives you into the Catholic Church. His loving kindness has led you here, so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit you may have full communion with us in the faith that you have professed in the presence of his family," and normally confirms and gives First Communion.

Conditional baptism and other cases

Baptisms are presumed valid unless serious investigation raises doubt about the water, the Trinitarian formula, or intention; then a conditional baptism is given ("if you are not already baptized, I baptize you..."). Baptized Catholics never catechized or confirmed are not catechumens but receive suitable formation.

While you wait

Baptized Christians already have a sacramental bond with the Church (cf. Unitatis Redintegratio 3; CCC 1271), and catechumens who explicitly desire to enter are joined to her by that intention; the Church embraces them as her own (Lumen Gentium 14; CCC 1249).