The journey of faith often leads people to the fullness of the truth found in the Catholic Church.
Unbaptized individuals and non-Catholic Christians are introduced to the teachings and practices of the Church through a gradual process called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) before becoming Catholic.
At the beginning of the process, basic questions are answered and spirituality is nurtured during an inquiry stage.
Following a Rite of Acceptance, they enter into a stage of thorough instruction called the Catechumenate.
The future Catholics then enter into the prayerful stage of Purification and Enlightenment during a Rite of Election at the beginning of Lent with their Bishop.
At the Easter Vigil, these new Catholics are fully initiated into the Church by receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
The final stage of Mystagogy focuses on exploring and reflecting on the personal experience of living the sacramental life of the Church.
Drawn toward full participation in the Catholic Church:
Welcoming and guiding people through conversion:
From the time of the Apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1229
An initiation into the Catholic Church:
A journey of faith:
The Spirit said to Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.
Acts 8: 29-31
You can’t just sign up to be Catholic:
Becoming Catholic is a process:
They are fully incorporated in the society of the Church who, possessing the Spirit of Christ accept her entire system and all the means of salvation given to her, and are united with her as part of her visible bodily structure and through her with Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. The bonds which bind men to the Church in a visible way are profession of faith, the sacraments, and ecclesiastical government and communion.
Pope Paul VI, Lumen Gentium, November 21, 1964
Learning what the Church teaches:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
Pro-Life in every way:
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