How to Become Catholic

Converting to Catholicism is a serious commitment. If you are interested in understanding the steps involved, read on to learn how to become Catholic.

Becoming a Catholic is not a quick and easy process. A person must be ready to make a lifetime commitment, and as a result, must go through a period of study which may last more than a year.

The process of becoming a Catholic encompasses two formal periods of preparation, the precatechumenate and the catechumenate.

• The Precatechumenate is a period of general exploration, where the inquirer meets with priests, deacons and lay Catholics both formally and informally to learn about Jesus Christ, the Gospels, and the Catholic Church.

• The Catechumenate begins with a formal rite of "entrance into the order of catechumens", usually celebrated during a mass.

1. The catechumen professes their desire to join the Church, during the ceremony.
2. They are accompanied by a sponsor.

• During the catechumenate, which may last up to 18-21 months, the catechumenate will prepare to join the Church by attending classes and discussions, as well as weekly mass.

• Adults are typically received into the Church at the Easter Vigil mass on Holy Saturday. Baptism is immediately followed by the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. Adults who have previously been baptized in other Christian denominations are received into the Church, rather being baptized again, and then receive Communion and Confirmation with the newly baptized..

• Priests have the authority to make exceptions to the formal process under special circumstances, such as the expectation of imminent death of someone who has expressed a desire to become a Catholic before they die.

• After completing the precatechumenate, becoming a catechumen, and then being baptized and confirmed, an individual can become a Catholic for life.

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