How do I become Catholic?

Becoming a Catholic is the most joyous experience that someone could experience, for it is accepting the Way, the Truth, and the Life-Christ himself. Becoming Catholic means that someone is choosing the way of Christ over the way of the world; he or she begins the process of conversion that will last a lifetime, but will hopefully lead him or her into eternal life with God. 
 
The process of becoming initiated into the Church looks different, depending on how many of these sacraments have already been received.

Preparation for the Unbaptized
There are five main stages for those wishing to enter the Church who have not been previously baptized. A preliminary stage is called inquiry, while the other main steps follow:

• Order of Catechumens: Individuals express their desire to learn more about the Catholic faith.  The purpose is to provide a foundation in Catholic teaching.
• Rite of Election: This is when the catechumens' names are written in a book and then undergo a period of more intense period of reflection, instruction, and enlightenment.
• Scrutinies: These are Lenten rites for repentance and soul-searching. The Catechumens are also presented with the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer.
• Initiation:  During the Easter Vigil Mass, the catechumens receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. It is a very beautiful liturgy that recalls the story of our salvation, beginning in Genesis, and going all the way to the coming of Christ.
• Mystagogy: In this final stage, the new Christians are strengthened in their new-found faith. This period of instruction lasts through the Easter season to the feast of Pentecost.

Preparation for Christians
The preparations for baptized Christians looks very different. Because these individuals are already baptized, they are not considered catechumens, and the amount of instruction they receive in the Catholic faith depends on how much instruction they have already received. 

Every parish in the archdiocese offers this spiritual formation journey for those seeking to become Catholic or further their Catholic faith.

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