Becoming a Catholic, while a weighty decision, is easy in practice, although it will take time. It's easy to take your first step into joining the oldest Christian institution in the world. Take heart! Converts to Catholicism are among the strongest in their faith in all of Christianity.
Step 1
Read the Bible often, and pray often.
Step 2
Find a local Catholic church. It's not too hard - just look under the yellow pages of the phone book under "Churches." Alternatively, the website Mass Times allows you to search for churches based on parameters such city, zip code, phone number, or country.
Step 3
Look into the traditions and teachings of the Church, and see how Catholics defend them. It is important to know why you are converting.
Step 4
Attend a Mass or two, preferably with a Catholic friend who can explain when to do things and what they mean. Don't let a particular mass or church influence your decision. Most churches have had a fair amount of variation in services. There are often "teen masses" or "guitar masses" as well as languages corresponding to the local minority community. Additionally, your enjoyment of the sermon may depend on the priest who is celebrating that particular mass. Remember, however, that you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist--see "Warnings."
Step 5
Once you find a church you like, contact the Parish Office and inform them of your desire to convert. There are group classes, called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), for all people wishing to convert within a period, giving you a social framework for assimilating the experience.
Step 6
You will be asked to talk to a priest or deacon, or perhaps to a layperson who is experienced in the conversion process. He will ask you why you wish to become Catholic and in general, talk to you to be sure you are sincere in your desire and are aware of the conditions of being Catholic.
Step 7
If you continue on in the process, you'll start taking Catholic education classes, also known as RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. You will learn the history of the Church, the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church, and the proper order of 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.
Step 8
If you're lucky enough to become Catholic around Easter, you'll get to be baptized (if you haven't been baptized before), receive your first communion, and be confirmed at the Easter Vigil, the special Mass held the evening before Easter Sunday (your first reconciliation will be held sometime before).
Tips
- If you have been baptized before in Trinitarian form "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are examples of invalid baptism by the Church, as they do not baptize "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."), your baptism is valid and you do not have to be baptized again. If you have not been baptized, or been baptized with a non-trinitarian baptism you will need to be baptized in a Catholic Church.
- The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (available on Amazon, with a red cover) is an excellent introduction to the doctrine and prayer of the church. It also is a fairly easy read. Catholicism for Dummies is also useful.
- Even if you are just asking questions, but not sure that you want to become Catholic, you can approach a priest, deacon or parish staff member to answer your questions. They will probably be more than glad to set up a time to talk with you.
- There are many excellent web sites that can help you plug into the daily prayer tradition of the church. Check out www.universalis.com, www.sacredspace.ie, or www.pray-as-you-go.org.
- Many missals have the order of Mass with responses and times to sit, stand, or kneel in the front or back.
- The Catholic Church is often identified with guilt and strict rules. After attending a few masses and befriending a few Catholics, you will find this to be an unfair characterization.
- Typically, Catholic churches do a good deal of community service, such as homeless feedings or spending time with the elderly or orphaned. This usually represents the bulk of the Church's social events and is a great way to meet fellow Catholics while performing a valuable service to the community.
- If you find a part of the mass or the Catholic tradition unfamiliar or difficult to understand, ask a priest about it or consult a catechism.
- This page on conversion has some helpful links.
Warnings
- There are many common misconceptions about the Church which may cause you to look away without giving them a closer look. Find a well-versed Catholic friend, and he or she will probably be able to give you an answer. Alternatively, websites such as Catholic Answers have articles and forums for your questions.
- Until you are a member of the Catholic Church, you are not allowed to receive the Eucharist. It is unlikely that any action will be taken against you, but the Church asks you to respect its traditions. The Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ, no longer bread and wine. Remember that Paul says that, "Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27,29).
- Instead of receiving The Eucharist, those who have not received their First Communion may go in the line where people are receiving the Eucharist but when they reach the altar cross their arms in front of their chest with their palms against their shoulders. This indicates to the priest that you wish to receive a blessing instead. (Non-priests are not empowered to confer a blessing at communion; in this case, if you are ineligible for Holy Communion you should just stay seated. No one minds and you won't cause confusion.)
- The Catholic Church is an establishment that has spanned millenia, it bears a large amount of rite and tradition. If you are not absolutely certain that you want to be a part of this, hold off on the final steps until you truly believe. There are several excellent books on the market regarding other people's conversion journeys. Purchasing and reading these will be quite helpful.
- Above all, do not convert for someone else. Only convert if it is truly what you believe.
