Start hereCrash Course Catholicism
How adults learn about the Catholic faith and prepare to join the Church.
Becoming Catholic
Whether you have never been baptized or you already belong to another Christian church, here is how adults join the Catholic Church, step by step.
Where are you starting?
Your path depends on whether you have already been baptized.
I have never been baptized
You are a catechumen
You walk through every step of OCIA and receive Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, usually at the Easter Vigil.
I was baptized in another Christian church
You are a candidate
In most cases you are not baptized again. You make a profession of faith and receive Confirmation and the Eucharist, on a Sunday or at the Easter Vigil.
I was baptized Catholic but never confirmed
You are a Catholic candidate
You prepare to complete your initiation by receiving Confirmation and the Eucharist.
The steps of OCIA
OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is how the Church welcomes adults. It has four periods, and a celebration with the parish marks each move to the next.
- 1
As long as you need
Inquiry
Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
You come to know Jesus Christ, bring your questions and talk with a priest or the parish's OCIA leader. For some this is a long search; for others it is shorter.
Rite of Acceptance
You stand before the parish and say you want to become a baptized member of the Church. The parish affirms your desire, and you become a catechumen.
- 2
Several years or a shorter time
Catechumenate
Period of the Catechumenate
You learn the faith in full, reflect on what God is saying to you in the Scriptures and consider what changes he is asking of you.
Rite of Election
Usually on the First Sunday of Lent, at the cathedral. You tell the bishop you desire Baptism, your name is written in a book, and you are now called one of the Elect.
- 3
During Lent
Purification and Enlightenment
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
A time of prayer, study and spiritual direction, with the whole parish praying for you. It includes the Scrutinies and the presentation of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.
Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday you receive Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, and you are fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
- 4
From Easter until at least Pentecost
Mystagogy
Period of Mystagogy
As a new Catholic, you reflect on the Easter Vigil, keep learning about the Scriptures, the sacraments and the Church's teaching, and discover how you will serve.
Already baptized? Your preparation is shaped to you, since you already belong to Christ. You may be received on a Sunday during the year or at the Easter Vigil, depending on your readiness.
What you can do this week
Small steps that help, wherever you are on the way.
Go to Mass
You are welcome at every Mass. Until you are received into the Church, you do not receive Communion.
Follow the Order of MassCall your parish
Ask to talk with the priest or the person who leads OCIA. That conversation is the first step.
Find a parishLearn the basics
Read the Catechism and the Gospels at your own pace, and write down your questions.
Open the CatechismWatch and listen
Short videos that explain OCIA, plus stories from people who became Catholic.
Watch the videosLive from our visitors
Where are you on the journey?
Tap the step that fits you today and add it to the count. It's anonymous: no name, no email. Every step shared here is someone finding their way.
- Steps shared
- …
- Countries
- …
Choose a step above. When you move to the next one, come back and add it too.
Watch and learn
What OCIA is, how to begin, and the story of one scholar who found his way home.
Start here
Unapologetically Catholic
An OCIA coordinator explains the first steps, from visiting Mass to the Easter Vigil.
Matt Fradd
A former Protestant pastor tells how studying the Bible led him into the Catholic Church.
Common questions
What does OCIA mean?
OCIA stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Many people still know it by its older name, RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
How long does it take?
It depends on you. The catechumenate can last several years or a shorter time, depending on how you grow in faith and the questions you meet along the way.
I was baptized in another church. Will I be baptized again?
In most cases, no. Baptized Christians make a profession of faith and receive Confirmation and the Eucharist.
When will I be received into the Church?
If you have never been baptized, at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. If you are already baptized, on a Sunday during the year or at the Easter Vigil, depending on your readiness.
Can I receive Communion before I join?
Not yet. You are welcome at every Mass, and you receive the Eucharist for the first time when you are received into the Church.
Who walks with me?
A priest or your parish's OCIA leader guides you, and the parish community prays for you. Catechumens come to the Rite of Election with their sponsors and families.
What happens after I am received?
You keep growing in the period of mystagogy, which lasts at least until Pentecost. You reflect on the sacraments you received, keep learning and find how you will serve.
Take the first step
The parish nearest you is the place to begin. Look it up, then call or stop by and ask about OCIA.
Find a parish near you