How to Join the Roman Catholic Church

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Learn the beliefs, sacraments, and initiation rites of the Catholic Church

Co-authored by Ira Israel and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: October 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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Learning about the Catholic Faith

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Initiating Into the Catholic Church

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Getting Baptized as a Catholic

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What if you’re already a baptized Christian?

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Q&A

There are few decisions in this life that are larger than the decision to get baptized into the Catholic Church. That said, it’s a profound, joyous, and momentous decision that’ll influence the rest of your life. The trick is just knowing where to start! That’s why we’re here to show you how to begin the conversion process, enter into the Church community, and finally get baptized, answering all your questions along the way.

Converting to Catholicism

To become Catholic, attend a mass and speak to a local parish about Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) classes. After 1 year of learning about Catholicism, you’ll get baptized at Easter mass and be an official Catholic. You’re then eligible for other sacraments including confirmation and the Eucharist.

Section 1 of 4:

Learning about the Catholic Faith

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1
Read the Bible and the Catechism to learn about Catholicism. Before you take the plunge, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into. The best place to start is the Catholic Church’s main literature—the Catechism and the Bible. Reading the Bible needs no introduction. The Catechism, though, is more or less the entire doctrine (beliefs) of the Church, and every baptism candidate reads it anyway. Best to start now!^{[1]
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- If time isn't on your side, read Genesis and the Gospels. You'll get a good grasp on the creation story and the story of Jesus. What's more, when you do talk to a priest and express your interest, it'll be clear you've done your homework.
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Pray to explore your own faith and belief. Just because you're not a seasoned veteran of the Catholic church doesn't mean you can't pray. And it definitely doesn't mean God can't hear you! There’s no wrong way to pray—talk silently or out loud to God, or recite traditional prayers. Note how it feels. If it makes you calm and contemplative, that’s a good sign!
- Prayer is part of your “period of inquiry,” in which you decide whether or not baptism is right for you.
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Attend a mass and inquire about baptism at the parish. Before you commit, it also helps to attend a few Catholic masses, to get a feel for the rituals and culture of the Church. Look up Catholic parishes near you, and attend a service—all are welcome, Catholic or not. It might be best to go with a friend, who can explain what’s happening. Then, if you enjoy the church, contact its parish office and request information on their baptismal process.^{[2]
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- You’re not “locked in” to one church once you’ve been baptized there, but it’s good to get initiated into Catholicism in a setting you enjoy and feel comfortable in.
- Feel free to attend masses at several parishes to find the one that best suits you. Each parish is different, with a different community and even slightly different mass proceedings.

Section 2 of 4:

Initiating Into the Catholic Church

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1
Apply for the parish’s RCIA program to get started. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and is a guided program that leads baptism candidates through the entire process, offering classes, mentoring, community, and guidance along your journey to baptism.^{[3]
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Research source} When you call your parish, ask about its RCIA program, and how you might enroll.
- RCIA is often seasonal, culminating in baptism during the spring. Different programs run on different schedules, but you may need to wait for the next year’s RCIA program to enroll.
- Note that if you’re already baptized Christian, but not Catholic, you may not need to go through RCIA, and the whole process will probably be different than if you’re unbaptized. This varies by parish.
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Chat with a priest about your background and intentions. Before you can enroll in RCIA, you’ll likely have an interview with a priest, deacon, or other important member in the parish. They’ll ask you about your background, your knowledge of Catholicism, and intentions surrounding getting baptized. If they think you’re ready, they’ll formally enroll you in RCIA, and start you on a “precatechumenate process,” in which you’ll attend mass and pray as you prepare for initiation into the church.^{[4]
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- Otherwise, the priest will tell you where to start your journey of faith, offer helpful resources, and suggest you return once you’ve learned a little more. Don’t worry—you haven’t been turned down, you just have more time to learn!
- After, you and the others going into RCIA will attend a mass where you’ll announce your intentions through the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Rite of Welcoming.
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Attend RCIA classes to learn about and deepen your faith. With your fellow candidates, you’ll learn the history of the Church, the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church, and the proper order of sacraments and the celebration of mass. During this stage, many classes have you attending mass for only part of the time, leaving before communion, as you may not receive Eucharist until you have entered the Church.^{[5]
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- This stage is called the “catechumenate” stage, when you learn about the Church itself, what it stands for, and what it means to be Catholic.
- You’ll receive anointing, participate in prayers, and become involved with the community at large. Not to mention, your class will become closer and closer and do things on their own time.
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Complete the RCIA semester with a sponsor. Most RCIA classes take place over the course of one liturgical year. That way, you get to experience all the feasts, fastings, and holidays. In this time, you'll receive a sponsor to guide you and answer questions of faith—or, if you have one in mind, you can choose one to work with.^{[6]
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- During this time, you may be asked to clarify your marriage status. If you are divorced but have not received an annulment, you’ll need to obtain one before becoming Catholic.
- If you are married outside the Catholic church, you may be asked to get "remarried" (or have your marriage "blessed"), which can often be done by appointment.

Section 3 of 4:

Getting Baptized as a Catholic

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1
Begin the period of purification and enlightenment. Once the end of the liturgical cycle nears, you will be deemed an “elect." This is the part where you'll prepare for three public celebrations: the Rite of Election, the Call to Continuing Conversion, and the deal-clincher at the Easter Vigil. During this time, you’ll contemplate your faith and decide with your sponsor and peers if you’re ready for baptism.^{[7]
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- This period often occurs during Lent, the liturgical season that precedes Easter. It often involves a retreat and a period of intense prayer, and the memorization of prayers like “The Apostles’ Creed.”
- During this process, elects will undergo “scrutiny,” which is a process of self-evaluation where you examine your past sins and come to understand them.
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Become baptized fully into the Catholic Church. In most RCIA programs, you’ll be baptized during the Easter Vigil Mass, the crowning ceremony of the liturgical year. You’ll be anointed with holy water while your sponsor stands beside you, you’ll profess your faith, and all your past sins are washed away. After, you’re an official member of the Catholic Church, ready to receive other sacraments.
- RCIA will also prepare you for your first communion, first confession, and confirmation, which make you a “full” member of the Catholic Church and often also occur during or after the Vigil.
- There aren’t any special speeches you’ll have to give. All baptism—and any sacrament—asks of you is that you stand present to receive it with an honest and open heart.
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Begin the period of mystagogy to learn even more. Mystagogy is the period just after baptism where your reflect on your faith journey, learn even more about your faith, and grow closer to God. Formally, it ends around Pentecost, but in reality, it’s a life-long process also called “postbaptismal catechesis” by which you continually explore your faith through prayer and learning.^{[8]
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- Some churches may continue to guide you for up to a year. You're still considered a newbie and may ask all the questions you need!

Section 4 of 4:

What if you’re already a baptized Christian?

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You don’t need to be baptized again, but can take RCIA. Protocol for baptized Christians converting to Catholicism varies by diocese, but Catholic doctrine says that baptism is a one-and-done deal: if you’re already baptized Christian, there’s no need to do it all over again. Instead, you’ll perform a Catholic profession of faith in a ceremony much like a baptism, but not officially a baptism.^{[9]
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- Your parish may still recommend going through RCIA in order to learn and encounter all that Catholicism means, but your education may be more relaxed.
- Ask your parish office for their individual protocol regarding already-baptized converts.

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Can you marry a non Catholic in the Catholic Church?

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It is possible for a person who is a non-Catholic Christian to marry in the Catholic Church but you will need to seek a dispensation or permission (to enter a mixed marriage) from the local bishop or other appropriate religious figure within the Church. You may also need to attend a marriage preparation course and other requirements, depending on the Church you’re getting married at. This is known as an interfaith marriage when it’s with another Christian. Things get more complicated with non-Christian religions and atheists though, in which case it is best to talk to your priest about getting a "dispensation from disparity of cult."

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What is the RCIA?

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The RCIA refers to the Right of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the process for adults who wish to convert to Catholicism and involves being introduced to Catholic beliefs and practices. It is a gradual "journey of faith," which varies in length depending on each individual’s progress in Catholic beliefs and practices. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic Christian, contact your local Catholic Parish and speak to the Parish Priest or Pastoral Associate to find out more.

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What are the beliefs of the Catholic Church?

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Catholic Church beliefs include: Jesus Christ is the Son of God; baptism is essential for salvation (it removes the original sin of Adam and Eve); the Ten Commandments are a moral compass that must be followed; the Bible is God’s word; and there is a Holy Trinity consisting of one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. There are many beliefs specific to the Catholic Church but these are the main ones. Contact your local Parish Priest for more help in understanding Catholic beliefs.

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Tips

Becoming Catholic can take anywhere from a year to several years. It’s a flexible process that lasts as long as you feel you need it to, and continues even after baptism.

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Many missals (prayer books found in the pews of a church) have the order of Mass with responses and times to sit, stand, or kneel in the front or back, so you can follow along.

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Priests and deacons are often more than happy to answer your questions about the Church, even if you aren’t committed to baptism. Alternatively, websites such as Catholic Answers have articles and forums for your questions.

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