Are you called to be Catholic?
There are lots of reasons why people choose to become Catholic as teens or adults. Maybe you are married to someone who is Catholic and are ready to explore this faith further. Maybe you have friends or relatives who were married in the Catholic Church or you attended a funeral and were moved by that experience and now want to learn more. Maybe you know or admire someone who is Catholic and you want to explore the faith more deeply.
How do I learn if the Catholic Church is right for me?
If you are curious about the Catholic faith, we have a special process designed to help you do that. It's called RCIA. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Joining the RCIA process at a parish does not commit you to joining the Catholic Church. It is a process to help you explore what the Catholic Church has to offer. If you choose to complete the entire RCIA process, you will become a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church.
How do I know if the RCIA process is for me?
The RCIA process is designed for three groups of people:
- those who were never baptized
- those who were baptized in another Christian tradition (Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, and so on) who now wish to be Catholic by entering into full communion with the Catholic Church
- those who were baptized Catholic but never received any education or any of the other initiation sacraments such as first communion and confirmation.
How long does it take?
It's hard to say. If you haven't been baptized, or ever received any kind of religious education, it will probably take at least one year. If you are already baptized and educated in another Christian tradition, such as Lutheran or Presbyterian, it may be much shorter.
How do I get started?
The best way to start is by talking to someone in a local Catholic parish about your interest in their RCIA process.
Find a Parish in Your Area
For More Information
Please contact the Department of New Evangelization with your questions about RCIA.
E-mail:
Phone: (920) 272-8270