How to Become Catholic? Top 7 Questions Answered
As an Evangelical pastor, I had a particular image of Catholicism, shaped by misconceptions and a lack of understanding. My conversion story, marked by personal struggles, loss, and intellectual curiosity, led me to embrace the Catholic Church. But how does one actually become Catholic? What does the process look like, and what steps do you need to take? In this post, I’ll answer the top 7 questions that many people ask about becoming Catholic, sharing my own experience along the way.
Frequently Asked Question about the process of becoming Catholic.
1.What do I have to believe in order to become Catholic?
When an adult becomes Catholic, they should be able to recite the Nicene Creed and also state the following words with conviction “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.” They will be asked to recite both the creed and the profession of faith publicly in front of the congregation. This is why RCIA/OCIA focuses heavily on the Catechism during classes.
2. What is RCIA?
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is essentially a process of discernment for those who are thinking about becoming Catholic. Think of it like a courtship or dating relationship. It’s an intentional process where the one who is not Catholic can get to know the Church in a structured environment. The classes are theological in nature. You can’t go to RCIA and not come away with at least a very basic understanding of the core elements of the faith. Who is God, What is the story of salvation, What is the Church, and why the sacraments?
3. What is the difference between RCIA and OCIA?
Recently, the term RCIA officially changed to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). The name change has more to do with the wording than the actual execution. Essentially, it’s still the same process and will look almost exactly like RCIA. The R in RCIA stands for the word “rite,” which connotes an event where the person who isn’t a Christian becomes a Christian. The O in OCIA stands for “order.” This change connotes more of a process or journey. The Church wants to highlight that this is more of a journey than an event. A good analogy might be something like “wedding preparation” vs. “marriage preparation.” Which one is better? Wedding preparation communicates that you are getting ready for an event, whereas marriage preparation communicates you are getting ready for a way of life. I am not saying the wedding is not important, because it inaugurates the marriage journey, but it is NOT the marriage. The term RCIA communicates wedding preparation, but OCIA communicates a move towards marriage preparation.
4. How long does it take to become Catholic through RCIA/OCIA?
Traditionally, RCIA starts around August/September and culminates at Easter, where everybody who decides that they want to become Catholic receives the proper sacraments to enter into the Church. However, with the change from RCIA to OCIA, the
Church is moving more towards a fluid relational approach. Think of it like dating. My wife and I dated for 6 months and then got married. It was short and sweet. Other couples date for 2 years and then they have an engagement for another 2 years. Marriage is a big decision. No one should rush into it, but when you know, you know. In the same way, when a person is ready to become Catholic, and the Church has properly prepared them in their discernment, then they should be able to become Catholic. Each church is a little different because each Priest runs the process with slight variations. At St. Peter’s Parish in Kansas City, which is where I run the OCIA program, people who want to be Catholic will get confirmed by default at Easter, but if someone communicates that they want to become Catholic before that, and they have properly been prepared and discerned their decision, then we will expedite their confirmation. The Church doesn’t want to make it difficult to become a Catholic; it is easy to receive grace!
5. Do I have to be baptized before I can become Catholic?
Yes, Catholicism believes that baptism washes all of our past sin through the washing of water and the grace of the Holy Spirit. The public act of baptism is the definitive entrance into Christianity. Almost all Christian denominations see eye to eye on this, regardless of whether one believes in child baptism or adult-only baptism.
6. If I come from another Christian Denomination, do I have to be baptized again?
The Catholic Church believes that baptism should be done only once. For this reason, it accepts, as valid, baptisms from almost all Christian denominations as long as the person who baptized you performed the baptism in the name of Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. It has to be a Trinitarian formula. So, NO, if you were raised in another Christian tradition and have been baptized, you do not need to be baptized again. It is quite easy for you to convert to Catholicism.
7. Do I have to go to confession before becoming Catholic?
That depends. If you have been baptized in a different Christian tradition, then yes, you will need to go to confession before receiving confirmation and the holy Eucharist. If you have never been baptized, then the answer is no. The person who has never been baptized will be baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist all at the same event. You will then partake in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) some time after your baptism.
If you’re interested in reading more about my personal journey to Catholicism, click here to read my full conversion story.