Rachel Evans
Becoming Catholic and embarking on a journey towards holiness is a profound and joyous experience. The process of joining the Catholic Church is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, and it involves three chief rituals or sacraments: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. These rituals are meant to bring out and strengthen positive qualities in the catechumen, and their initiation usually occurs during the Easter Vigil. To become holy, one must open their life to God and embrace a life of prayer, surrendered love, and selflessness, as exemplified by Mary. Pope Francis emphasizes that holiness is a personal call from God to live a life of love and bear witness in one's everyday life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beliefs | Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah, the Bible is God's word, and there is a Holy Trinity consisting of God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. |
| Sacraments | Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. |
| Initiation Rites | Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), which includes a period of instruction and reflection before being received into the Church. |
| Spiritual Guidance | Seek guidance from a priest or deacon, who can help with Catholic education classes and the period of purification and enlightenment. |
| Community | Participate in an adult Bible study or prayer group, join a ministry, and continue learning about the Catholic faith even after initiation. |
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What You'll Learn
Learn the beliefs, sacraments and initiation rites of the Catholic Church
To become a Catholic, one must undergo the three sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. The process of joining the Catholic Church is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.
Beliefs of the Catholic Church
Catholics believe in the words of The Apostles' Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried". They also believe in "the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting".
The celebration of mass, or Eucharist, is central to the Catholic faith. Derived from the Greek word for 'thanksgiving', the Eucharist focuses on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the reenactment of the Last Supper of Jesus. During mass, those who attend are given the mission to spread the Word of God and Christ to all people.
Sacraments of the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church has seven holy sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. Each sacrament is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament.
Baptism is the sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace to the person being baptized. In Catholicism, the baptism of infants is the most common form, but unbaptized children or adults who wish to join the faith must also receive the sacrament. During the rite of baptism, holy water is usually sprinkled or poured on the head of the person being baptized by a priest, who simultaneously invokes the Trinity with the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". The old self is said to die in the waters, and a new self emerges, mirroring the death and resurrection of Christ.
Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation and serves to "confirm" a baptized person in their faith. The rite of confirmation is usually performed by a bishop or priest and includes the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing, and the anointing of the forehead with holy oil.
The Holy Eucharist is another sacrament of initiation. It is the central rite of Catholic worship and can be received daily if desired. It is derived from the Greek word meaning 'thanksgiving' and focuses on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the reenactment of the Last Supper of Jesus.
The other four sacraments of the Catholic Church are Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.
Initiation Rites of the Catholic Church
The sacraments of initiation—baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist—are also initiation rites. A person who is baptized in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. Their initiation is deepened by confirmation and the Eucharist, but one becomes a Catholic at baptism.
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Seek guidance from a priest or deacon
Seeking guidance from a priest or deacon is an important step in becoming a Catholic. They are representatives of Christ and can offer unique counsel and guidance on your spiritual journey.
Firstly, you should register your interest in becoming Catholic with your local church. You will then be directed to an initial meeting with a member of the Office of Religious Education staff. At this meeting, you will be provided with books and other reading materials, and you may be referred to a priest.
If you have been baptised as a Christian or Protestant, you will need to provide a baptismal certificate. You will then be invited to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) with a priest before being confirmed as a Catholic and receiving Holy Communion.
Your priest or deacon will guide you through the period of purification and enlightenment, after which you will be baptised, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist. This period is also known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), which is a period of instruction to help you better understand Catholic beliefs. It is a time of waiting and reflection before you are brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the three sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.
RCIA classes are typically held in the evenings and are taught by priests. They will address specific topics about the Catholic faith, and you will be provided with reading materials such as the Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Outlines of the Catholic Faith. It is important to attend these classes without your children, as the presence of a child may prevent the priest from speaking freely and addressing certain topics.
Your priest will be able to provide you with guidance and support throughout your journey towards becoming a Catholic, so do not hesitate to reach out and seek their counsel.
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Get baptised
To become a Catholic, one must receive the three sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through these sacraments, and the process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms. However, it is important to note that one becomes a Catholic at baptism.
Baptism is a beautiful and holy sacrament that is essential for salvation in the Catholic faith. It is believed that through baptism, one is freed from sin and reborn as a child of God, becoming a member of Christ and the Church. It is a profound, joyous, and momentous occasion that marks the beginning of a person's initiation into the Christian community.
To get baptised, one must first believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the true Messiah. It is also important to familiarise oneself with the Bible and the Catechism, which are the holy texts of the Catholic Church. After this period of study and reflection, one can begin the process of Catholic education classes (RCIA) with the guidance of a priest or deacon.
During the Easter Vigil Mass, the priest or deacon will pour holy water over the candidate's head while saying the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." These exact words are essential for the validity of the baptism. The candidate will also profess their faith, and their past sins will be washed away. With this sacrament, the individual becomes an official member of the Catholic Church.
After baptism, the individual enters the period of mystagogy, a time to reflect on their faith journey, learn more about their new faith, and grow closer to God. This period of reflection and waiting is necessary, as becoming a Catholic is a momentous event.
For infants, baptism usually takes place in the parish that at least one of their parents attends. The parents must intend to raise the child in the Catholic faith, and the child must have at least one godparent who is a confirmed, actively practising Catholic. The godparent must be at least sixteen years old and is responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the child, helping to teach them the Catholic faith.
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Receive confirmation and the Holy Eucharist
To receive confirmation and the Holy Eucharist, one must first be baptised. In the Catholic Church, baptism is a necessary step for salvation, as it removes the original sin of Adam and Eve. A person is baptised with holy water, professes their faith, and has their past sins absolved.
After baptism, one's initiation into the Catholic Church is deepened by confirmation and the Eucharist. Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation that is closely connected to baptism and the Eucharist. It completes and deepens the grace of baptism and leads one to the Eucharist. Confirmation is received only once, as it leaves a permanent spiritual mark on the soul. The bishop or priest administers the sacrament of confirmation and celebrates the Holy Eucharist, giving the new Catholic the Eucharist for the first time.
The Eucharist is the culmination of full initiation into the Catholic Church. It is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation, along with baptism and confirmation. By receiving the Eucharist, one enters into full communion with the Catholic Church.
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Join a Catholic community
Joining a Catholic community is a profound and joyous experience. The process of joining the Catholic Church is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). It is a systematic process that involves a period of instruction to help you better understand Catholic beliefs and receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
The first step is to find a Catholic community near you and register your interest in joining. You will then typically have an intake meeting with a staff member from the Office of Religious Education, who will provide you with the necessary paperwork and reading materials, such as the Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Outlines of the Catholic Faith. If you have been baptised in a different Christian tradition, you may be invited to the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) before being fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
RCIA or OCIA classes are usually taught by a priest and cover a range of topics about the Catholic faith. These classes will prepare you for your first communion, first confession, and confirmation, which are the sacraments that make you a "full" member of the Catholic Church. During this time, you will also go through a period of purification and enlightenment, guided by your priest or deacon.
After completing your initiation sacraments, you are officially a member of the Catholic Church. However, your journey as a Catholic continues as you grow in your faith and become more involved in the Catholic community. You may choose to join a ministry, participate in adult Bible studies or prayer groups, and continue learning about your new faith.
Remember, becoming a part of a Catholic community is not just about completing the initiation sacraments but also about living a life of harmony with Church teachings and deepening your relationship with God and your fellow Catholics.
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Frequently asked questions
To become a Catholic, you must first believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the true Messiah. Next, you should read the Bible and the Catechism to familiarize yourself with Catholic beliefs and sacraments. After this, you can begin Catholic education classes (RCIA) with your priest or deacon, who will guide you through the period of purification and enlightenment, after which you will be baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist.
The three chief rituals, known as scrutinies, are normally celebrated at Mass on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. These rituals are rites for self-searching and repentance, meant to bring out and heal qualities of the soul that are weak or sinful, and strengthen qualities that are positive and good. During this period, catechumens are formally presented with the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer, which they will recite on the night of their initiation. Initiation usually occurs on the Easter Vigil, the evening before Easter Day, when a special Mass is celebrated and catechumens are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Holy Eucharist.
Pope Francis has written about the path to holiness, stating that it is a personal call from God to each Christian. Holiness requires a personal response given one’s state in life, talents, and circumstances. He emphasizes that holiness is not only for those who can spend much time in prayer but for all Christians in their ordinary affairs, living their lives with love and bearing witness in everything they do. This involves making time for prayer and showing loving care for others in simple gestures.
