How to Join a Catholic Church

Each year, on the Saturday before Easter, tens of thousands of people in the United States become members of the Roman Catholic Church. These new members have completed a Catechumenate, weekly gatherings that accept new members throughout the year and allow you to learn more about the Catholic religion and your faith. Completing a Catechumenate is just one step to join a Catholic church. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

1. Find a Catholic church where you are comfortable. Some dioceses (groups of churches in a particular geographic area) require you to join the church closest to your home, but this is generally not the case. If you haven't already found a church home, attend mass at various churches in your area to find out where you are most comfortable. This will help you determine which church will best meet your spiritual needs.

2. Attend a Catholic inquiry session. Most churches hold these meetings on a regular basis. They are usually listed in the church bulletin or you can ask one of the priests for information. These meetings are designed to give you the requirements for joining the church; requirements will vary depending on whether or not you have received any sacraments and are returning to the church or you are brand new to Catholicism.

3. Attend the Catechumenate. Unbaptized Catholics usually spend one to two years in the Catechumenate group; the length of time might be shorter for people who have been baptized. However, each candidate is encouraged to spend as much time as they need before they are fully initiated into the church. The steps in the process include the Sacrament of Baptism, the Eucharist and/or Confirmation.

4. Choose a sponsor. If you decide to join the church, you will need a sponsor who is a member of the Catholic faith community to serve as a listener and mentor.

Tips & Warnings

• There are no costs associated with joining the Catholic church; you will simply be committing your time.

• Newly initiated members are baptized on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday, at Catholic churches across the United States.

Resources

• Our Catholic Faith answers questions about joining the church.
• This site posts stories from and about the Catholic church.
• This site describes the RCIA process and answers questions.