Thinking About Becoming Catholic or Know Someone Else Thinking About It? Here’s How to Join the Catholic Church!

Are you wondering how to become Catholic? Whether you’re feeling a spiritual pull, exploring the beauty of Catholic teaching, or simply curious about the process, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of people begin the journey into the Catholic Church through a process called OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults).

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from how to start, what to expect at each step, and what it means to fully enter into the life of the Catholic Church. Whether you're drawn by the richness of the sacraments, the beauty of the Mass, or the depth of Catholic Tradition, the Church joyfully welcomes you!

How Do I Begin the Process of Becoming Catholic?

How to Join the Catholic Church 

Contact Your Local Parish

To begin the process of becoming Catholic, contact your local parish. You’ll need to choose a parish to join as you enter the Faith, and while it does not necessarily have to be the Catholic Church closest to you, it should be the parish where you intend to be part of for both worship and community. Once you have a parish in mind, you’ll want to contact their Director of Religious Education (DRE for short) about joining the OCIA program. The DRE’s contact information might be on the parish’s website, or you can call the parish office.

Can Anyone Become Catholic?

Yes! Anyone can become Catholic, regardless of his or her background, past beliefs, or life experiences. The Catholic Church welcomes all who seek truth, meaning, and a relationship with Jesus Christ through his Church! Whether you're curious about Catholicism, exploring faith for the first time, or returning after time away, the path is open to you. Through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), people from all walks of life can learn about Catholic beliefs, sacraments, and traditions. Becoming Catholic is a journey of faith, and the Church is ready to walk with you every step of the way. This is how to join the Catholic Church!

Steps to Becoming Catholic  

OCIA: The Road to the Sacraments

What is OCIA in the Catholic Church?

OCIA stands for “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.” It is a program that instructs you in the Catholic Faith and forms you into a follower of Christ within the community of the faithful and the life of the Church. Until recently, this process was called RCIA, which stands for “Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults,” but the bishops of the United States recently decided to change the word “rite” to “order.” This change in terms more accurately indicates that joining the Catholic Faith does not simply involve participating in a set of rituals leading up to the reception of the sacraments, but rather involves a continual journey of spiritual formation and discipleship. 

What are the 2 routes of OCIA?

There are two tracks to becoming Catholic within the OCIA process. The first route is if you have not been baptized and will be receiving all your sacraments for the first time: you are known as a “catechumen.” But suppose you are already a Christian who has been validly baptized (see FAQs below for what a “valid Baptism” means). In that case, you are known as a “candidate” and become Catholic by making a formal profession of faith and receiving the other Sacraments of Initiation. In either case, your formation to enter the Church will still take place through OCIA, with your journey culminating in the Sacraments of Initiation. 

Here is a thorough guide to Catholic Baptism!

The Sacraments of Initiation

What are the three Sacraments of Initiation? 

The three Sacraments of Initiation “lay the foundations of every Christian life” and fully bring you into the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1212). You enter the Church as an adult by receiving all three Sacraments of Initiation. Someone in an OCIA program might need to receive all three at once, or just one or two Sacraments of Initiation that he or she has yet to receive.

• Baptism frees your soul from sin so that you are spiritually reborn as a child of God. Renewed by Christ’s death and resurrection, you become a child of God and a new creature in his grace. 
• Confirmation strengthens and seals you in the grace that you received at Baptism. This sacrament makes you a soldier of Christ, equipped to witness to his Truth through the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit. 
• The Holy Eucharist is the food of eternal life that brings us into the source and summit of the Christian life, to be intimately close to His true presence. Receiving Holy Communion is an opportunity for the most personal encounter with Christ possible.

OCIA Explained

Do I Need to Do OCIA to Become Catholic?

OCIA formation includes those who:

• Are completely new to the Catholic Church and have not yet been baptized.
• Were baptized Catholic but fell away from the Faith and never received First Communion and/or Confirmation.
• Are already baptized Christians but do not yet profess the Catholic Faith. The Catholic Church recognizes Baptisms from other Christian faiths as long as they were administered according to the Biblical formula, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is a one-time sacrament, so if you were already baptized this way in a Protestant Church, you are set. However, you will enter the Church by professing the Catholic Faith and receiving Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.

The Stages of OCIA

1) The Precatechumenate Phase 

The initial stage of OCIA is called the inquiry phase or precatechumenate. During this time, you are learning about the Catholic Faith and its teachings, asking questions, exploring, and praying about embracing Catholicism, all with the support of the community. There is no set time limit for precatechumenate: it is simply a time for you to meet Christ and be evangelized. In a video on his YouTube channel, Fr. David Michael Moses helpfully relates this time to how someone might take an interest in following Christ during his public ministry. “If I could take it back to the time of Christ, this phase would be kind of like being someone in the town who’s hearing about what Jesus is doing and wants to get to know him better,” Father says. The precatechumenate/inquiry phase ends with the Rite of Acceptance, which is your formal entrance into the OCIA process.

2) The Catechumenate Phase

The next stage of your journey towards entering the Church is called the Catechumenate. This is when you begin official classes (usually weekly) that bring you deeper into the Word of God and various aspects of Catholic teaching. Opportunities for discussion and fellowship will enrich your catechetical formation and grow your faith. Because this time places special focus on unpacking the Scriptures, catechumens often attend Mass for the Liturgy of the Word and then are dismissed before the Liturgy of the Eucharist to go to their faith formation meetings. Here they journey deeper into the Scriptures. This setup may vary depending on the parish. 

Picking a Godparent or Sponsor 

During this time, you will choose a godparent or sponsor, someone to accompany you personally as you journey towards the Sacraments of Initiation. They should be a Catholic whose faith you admire and who can be a companion, example, and encouragement to you during and after the initiation process. If you are an adult seeking Baptism, a godparent (or two) will accompany you to the baptismal font. If you are only receiving Confirmation, you will have one sponsor who stands by your side when you are confirmed. (If you are receiving all your Sacraments of Initiation, it’s likely you’ll have both a godparent for Baptism and a sponsor for Confirmation.)

Your godparent/sponsor will probably have to attend some formation sessions, rites, and Masses with you during the OCIA process. This allows them to be a part of your journey. You will also choose a confirmation saint to have as your patron. You will add their name to yours when you receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

The Rite of Election

The Catechumenate phase leads to the Rite of Election (sometimes called the Rite of Sending), which is when catechumens (that is, the unbaptized converts) express their desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Usually, this rite is held at a diocese’s cathedral and presided over by the Bishop because it is his role to verify the readiness of catechumens and grant admission. Sometimes he will delegate a priest to perform this rite in his stead. The Rite of Election usually takes place on the First Sunday of Lent, just weeks before catechumens are received into the Church on Easter. The catechumens come forward with their godparents, and their names are written in a book of the elect, personally expressing their intention to commit to the Catholic Faith.

After the Rite of Election, the catechumens are called “the elect” because the Church has chosen to receive them for full initiation! Candidates, because they are already baptized, do not qualify for the Rite of Election. They are already known as “the elect,” and now the catechumens join them in this designation. Together, all those preparing to join the Church are ready to enter the last few weeks before becoming Catholic!

3) Purification and Enlightenment 

You are almost Catholic! The last few weeks of OCIA formation are known as a stage of Purification and Enlightenment because they are spent preparing for the Baptismal bath of enlightenment. These weeks, the last few weeks before you are received into the Church, are a time of more focused spiritual preparation for the catechumens. They coincide with Lent, and three special public rites called the scrutinies take place during this phase. As intense as the word “scrutinies” may sound, these are simply occasions to examine oneself more closely to gain deeper awareness of your spiritual wounds and weaknesses. The 1988 text for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults shares that “the scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.”

The Scrutinies

The scrutinies take place at Sunday Mass before the entire congregation: after the homily, the priest calls the catechumens to come forward. The rite that he prays over them includes intercessions for the elect (usually these take the place of the typical prayers of the faithful during Mass), a prayer of exorcism (casting out any evil influences and asking for protection against temptation), and dismissal of the elect (they go forth from the Mass to their own meetings). The scrutinies focus on repentance and spiritual healing, and very appropriately, they are held on the Sundays when we hear the Gospel stories of the Samaritan woman at the well, the healing of the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. They are meant to remind the elect and all of the faithful of Christ’s mercy and love. 

The time of purification and enlightenment concludes when you receive the Sacraments of the Initiation …

4) Initiation

… and this joyous moment takes place at the Easter Vigil! With the Sacraments of Initiation, you come home to the true Faith in the community of Christ’s followers. The Easter Vigil is a long and glorious liturgy that celebrates the Resurrection and begins the celebration of Easter. Through multiple readings (including up to 7 Old Testament texts, 7 psalms, an epistle, and a Gospel reading), we hear all of salvation history and glorify God for the joy of redemption through his Passion, death, and Resurrection. After this lengthy Liturgy of the Word, the catechumens process to the baptismal font with their godparents to receive the sacrament of Baptism. Then the neophytes (new converts) are accompanied by their sponsors to the altar where they receive Confirmation. When it is time for Holy Communion, the candidates receive their First Eucharist. 

As we celebrate Christ, who is risen and alive on Easter, you and all who enter the Church have the joy of receiving new life in him spiritually through the sacraments. Welcome home to the Catholic Church!

 

5) Mystagogy 

Although you’re now fully Catholic by having received the Sacraments of Initiation, there is one more formal stage of OCIA as the Church celebrates the Easter season for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday: Mystagogy. In Greek, “mystagogy” means “to be initiated” or “led into the mysteries.” This is your time for ongoing catechesis, deepening your understanding of the Faith, and taking your place in the Catholic community.

In a way, the road of “becoming Catholic” never ends because we are always called deeper in dedication and love for God. Most OCIA programs continue supporting new converts a few weeks beyond the Sacraments of Initiation, offering catechesis that helps you unpack and explore the significance of what you have just received in the sacraments. From here, you are ready to be sent out on the mission of living your faith and introducing others to Christ!

How To Continue Growing In Your Faith After Becoming Catholic

It’s time to own your faith and keep the graces of your conversion aflame! Here are some ways to do so:

• Seek continued faith formation and catechetical growth. At Ascension, you can find many excellent books, podcasts, programs, videos, and articles to take you deeper! 
• Learn about the saints: their lives teach us how to live our walk with Christ and how to live as humans transformed by holiness. Choose some saints to pray to, and if any saints choose you, befriend them!
• Surround yourself with a good, Catholic community! This might look like fostering closer friendships with one or two Catholics in a similar state of life as you and whom you admire, or joining a bible study, Catholic women’s/men’s/adults group, or some other activity at your parish. You can also connect with other Catholics online. Don’t hesitate to create community––be courageous in reaching out to other Catholics around you!
• Make a pilgrimage! The tradition of pilgrimage, of making a trip for prayer and spiritual growth, is an ancient Catholic practice of immersing oneself in the sacredness of holy sites. Pilgrimages grant new perspective, clearer discernment, and greater peace. You do not need to travel far to make one––although visiting Rome, the tombs of European saints, or the locations of major Marian apparitions like Lourdes and Guadalupe is deeply transformative. But there are pilgrimage opportunities closer to home, too: many cities have lovely cathedrals (or perhaps even basilicas!), shrines to saints and devotions, or even simply beautiful parishes. A mini-pilgrimage is possible in your own hometown or diocese––perhaps even in your own neighborhood. For more about pilgrimage, here’s a podcast by Dr. Edward Sri.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Become Catholic 

How Long Does It Take To Become Catholic? 

Becoming Catholic usually takes about a year. OCIA programs begin in the fall, around the start of a school year, and most catechumens are baptized the following Easter. However, a catechumen could remain in OCIA for a couple of years or more, depending on their own faith journey. Sometimes, too, the other Sacraments of Initiation are given at other times in the year.

Why Be Catholic?

Because the Catholic Church offers the fullness of truth. It has been handed down from Jesus Christ through the apostles and safeguarded for over 2,000 years. The Catholic Church is where Scripture and tradition come together, where the sacraments—especially the Eucharist—bring real grace, and where you can find a spiritual family that spans the globe and history. In a world full of shifting opinions, Catholicism offers a steady foundation rooted in God’s love and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Is There Anything I Need to Do Before Beginning OCIA?

Spiritually, the process towards becoming Catholic starts well before your first session of OCIA. There are many ways to spiritually prepare for this journey. Begin to develop a prayer life, learning some traditional, prepared prayers but also speaking to the Lord from the heart. Speak to the Lord about what is stirring within you as you embark on your conversion process, and make silence in your heart to hear his voice––the relational dimension of close friendship with God is essential to living the Catholic Faith well. Additionally, read the Scriptures and attend Mass to worship the Lord with other Catholics. Finally, because the Catholic Church is one, big, joyful, universal family, seek to know other Catholics and have conversations about the faith. If you are already doing these things on your road to becoming Catholic, wonderful, keep them up!

What Officially Makes Me Catholic? 

You officially become Catholic at the moment of your Baptism, although all three Sacraments of Initiation are needed to make you fully Catholic. If you have been validly baptized before, the profession of faith that you will make is the moment of your reception into the Church.

What Makes A Christian Baptism Valid?

A valid Christian baptism is administered with the right intention and proper matter (water poured over the head or the person being immersed in it) and form (the Trinitarian formula is spoken: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”). This formula is biblical, given by Christ to his disciples before he ascended into heaven (see Matthew 28:19).

Can I Become Catholic If I’m Already A Baptized Christian?

Yes, and if you were baptized with water and in the name of the Holy Trinity (“Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”), you will not need to be baptized again! Your parish will probably require a baptismal certificate to prove that you were indeed validly baptized previously. Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist will complete your entrance into the Catholic Church.

Do I Have to Believe Everything the Church Teaches to Become Catholic?

Faith is a gift from God, a supernatural virtue that we cannot attain on our own. The ability to accept and believe the truths of the Catholic Faith is a gift from God. In reality, some aspects of the Catholic Faith are mysteries beyond our comprehension and can only be accepted with trust in the Lord and the wisdom of the teaching office of the Church. When you enter the Catholic Church, while you must believe all the important teachings of the Church, you are not expected to understand everything. Yet hopefully you understand enough to acknowledge that Christ is truly who he says he is and to faithfully follow the teachings of the Church. You can give your initial assent knowing that the Catholic Faith is true while striving to understand things a bit better as your journey of faith unfolds. It is important to pray for a deepening of the theological virtue of faith in your spiritual life as you become Catholic.

What Does “Catechumen” Mean?

Someone who is in OCIA formation to receive Baptism is called a catechumen. This word has been used since the Early Church to refer to someone who was preparing for initiation into the sacred mysteries of the Catholic Faith. “Catechumen” comes from Latin and Greek words that mean someone who is taught orally, because full acceptance of the Catholic Faith requires moral and intellectual formation. As mentioned earlier, individuals in OCIA who are already baptized are called “candidates.” They are already Christians (although not yet Catholic Christians) and fully enter the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

Why Do I Need a Sponsor or Godparent?

Because we all need companions on our journey to holiness, you will choose a godparent or sponsor (depending on what sacraments you need to receive) as you enter the Church. This person is someone from the parish who accompanies you as you enter the Church and provides spiritual assistance and support to you. They must be a Catholic in good standing who faithfully attends Mass and is a registered, active member of the parish. (Some other baseline rules apply, i.e. they must be 16 years old or above and have received First Communion and Confirmation; also, your parent cannot serve as your sponsor). A godparent is present with you for Baptism, whereas a sponsor stands beside you as you receive Confirmation. (If you’re receiving all your sacraments, you may have both.) It is vital to have a Catholic whose faith you admire as your example and guide, in both a religious and a personal sense, both during and after you are received into the Church. Your godparent or sponsor commits to supporting your spiritual upbringing and can help you discover what the Lord has in store for you.

Do I Have To Go To Confession Before Becoming Catholic?

If you are a catechumen preparing for Baptism, you do not need to confess your sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation ahead of Baptism because this sacrament forgives all the sins of your past life. Candidates do need to go to Confession ahead of time before receiving the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Your pastor will help you determine the right time to go. 

If you're nervous or unsure about this, check out this video that goes over all the steps to Confession! 

Can Children Become Catholic The Same Way As Adults?

How to Become Catholic as a Child 

Yes, children age 7 and older can become Catholic through the OCIA process. Young children might only receive Baptism at the Easter Vigil and then First Holy Communion later with the parish's First Holy Communion class. If a child is younger than the standard age for Confirmation in his diocese, he will receive this sacrament when he is old enough. 

Why Doesn’t The C In OCIA Stand For Catholic?

Catholics are the original Christians since “Christian” is the Greek word for follower of Christ, so there is no problem with having the word “Christian” instead of “Catholic” in the title of the OCIA program. While Jesus’ earliest disciples were first known as “people of the Way,” the term “Christians” surfaced quite early in the life of the Church and is mentioned in the New Testament: “In Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians” (Acts 11:26). The term “Catholic” was also used in the early Church, and more properly came to refer to Christians who follow the authority of the pope (particularly once Protestantism took root), but all Catholics are certainly still Christians.