Becoming a Catholic is a big step.  It is something that involves both the head and the heart – so that it involves both learning about the faith and becoming committed to it. Each person takes a slightly different path.

To learn about the Catholic faith you might like to read The Catholic Story, available here on this website. There are 18 lessons which can be down-loaded, or you can place an order for it to be sent to you by post (click here). It is a good general introduction into the main elements of the Catholic faith.

After having a basic knowledge of the Catholic faith, the first step is to arrange a meeting with a priest or a pastoral associate in your local parish because becoming a Catholic also involves being part of a parish community.

If you do know someone who is a Catholic - someone whom you trust and can talk with – you might like to talk to them about the faith and perhaps later ask them to introduce you to the parish priest, or you might like to accompany them to Mass on some Sundays

If you are not connected with a parish, let us know where you live and the Catholic Enquiry Centre can give you the details of one or more near you.

You may be invited to join in the Rite Of Christian Initiation For Adults (RCIA) in which you join with others who are seeking to become members of the Catholic Church. This process may last between six to eighteen months.

Many parishes now provide a Catechumenate programme. In that programme, people who wish to become Catholics (they are called Catechumens) meet regularly with a priest and some Catholics from the local community to listen and learn what it means to be a Catholic. Over a period of a few months, they are gradually introduced into the life of the Catholic Church.

Or it may be suggested that you enter into a process of personal instruction in the Catholic faith. Whatever process is suggested, much will depend on the individual and a person's religious background.

Of course the other essential element involves growing in one's relationship with God. Therefore prayer is important - just talking with God, and listening to God speak to you.

If it is certain you are already validly baptized in another Christian Church, there will be no question of your being baptized again. If there is a reasonable doubt about your first Baptism, you will be baptized conditionally. This means that the priest will use the formula: "If you are not already baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".

Once Baptism is assured, you will be known as a Candidate, and are free to receive the Rite of Reconciliation or Sacrament of Penance (Confession). The priest will explain this to you well in advance and will help you in receiving this sacrament.

What happens when I become a Catholic?

a) Ceremony of Reception

For a good reason, the actual Reception may take place in a simple ceremony outside Mass. However, it is most desirable that the Ceremony of Reception into full communion with the Catholic Church takes place within Mass, whether on a Sunday or at a special Mass during the week.

It is not wise to rush to be received into the Catholic Church; better to take extra time and make sure you have a good understanding of the Catholic Religion before making your final serious commitment. Again, let the priest instructing you be the judge in this matter.

Mass begins as usual and, after the Gospel, the priest usually speaks in his homily about Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. He then invites you to make a Profession of Faith which consists in all saying together the Nicene Creed. This is the Creed said at Mass on Sundays and some other special days and is a summary of the faith of Christians, “Common to all the great Churches of the East and the West to this day” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 195).

The Sacrament of Confirmation follows. This is usually conferred by the priest who received you into the Church. He lays hands on your head. He makes the sign of the Cross on your forehead with the Holy Oil, Chrism. He says: "(Name) be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit".

You have now been received into full communion with the Catholic Church and the priest and others welcome you by some form of greeting. After some special prayers, the Mass continues and you receive, at the usual time, Holy Communion.

You might find it takes some time to become familiar with the rituals associated with the Mass. The Mass – A Guided Tour is available to help you. Click here of more information.

You will also become accustomed to the practices of the Church. The regular pace of life, Sunday Mass, frequent Confession, will become part of you. Sometimes you will worry that you have lost your "fervour", that you are not as keen as you were at Reception. But all this is quite natural and to be expected.

b) Will I always feel this way?

As you settle down into the Church, you should take care not to abandon that life of personal prayer which developed before Reception. You should also keep reading the Bible, perhaps following the Mass readings carefully.

But, there is one special person who you should come to know. This is the Mother of Christ, Mary. Perhaps Mary stood by you, and you learnt a deep love for her, as you drew near to the Church. Never let yourself be drawn from a personal devotion to her, for in her fellowship your Catholic life will never falter.

The Mother of God stands in the life of God's people as the member of our human race most perfectly redeemed. Therefore, Mary will always be your example and your ever present help.

As you settle down, you will discover more and more of the variety and happiness of Catholic life.  Only certain insane people can live at a high pitch of intensity, all the time. Most of us vary in our emotions and reactions from day to day, and emotions are not everything.

Your own past experiences will help you to appreciate this life, and you will help other Catholics to understand what is good and true about the Faith. But do not fall for the trap of trying to teach "cradle Catholics" various points about the Faith and its practice.

Perhaps you do happen to know more about some aspects of the Faith, converts often do, because they have learnt it as adults. But, in this area, care and humility should be your guide.

It is also important to realize that quite a few Catholics could be puzzled at your natural enthusiasm for things Catholic. They can sometimes take these things for granted. Do not pass judgment on them for this attitude, because they may treasure in a mature way elements in the Church which you are only beginning to discover. It is a large household into which you have been called.