How to Become Catholic Without RCIA (removed)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, is a process completed by adults that allows them to become Catholic. Depending on which Catholic church you attend, there may not be a RCIA program available for you to complete. You may not need to search for a new Catholic church in order to get baptized and confirmed into the faith. By following the steps listed below, you can become Catholic without having to go through RCIA.

Instructions

1. Pick a local Catholic church to attend. The reason the church should be local is that this will make it easier for you to attend Mass on a weekly basis.

2. Start going to the same Mass each week. You shouldn't miss a Sunday Mass or any Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation, as Catholics believe doing so is a mortal sin. The reason for going to the same Mass is so the priest and other members of the congregation see you at Mass each week. This will allow these individuals to become familiar with you.

3. Learn the basics of the Catholic Mass and follow the traditions of Mass. For example, you should know and say The Creed and the Lord's Prayer (see resources below) at the appropriate time each Mass. You will also need to know when you should stand, sit and kneel during Mass. It's also important to remember that you are never to take Communion until you do become Catholic. Simply stand or kneel (depending on the church you attend) during Holy Communion.

4. Shake the hand of the priest or thank the priest at the end of each Mass. Doing so is a good way for you to introduce yourself to the priest and also allows the priest to notice your presence at each Mass.

5. Get involved in activities in the Catholic Church. You could volunteer to work during a church festival or offer to take part in Holy Week traditions, such as the washing of the feet. Helping out with church activities is a way to show the priest that you are a committed member of the congregation even if you are not yet Catholic.

6. Keep going to the church for at least twelve months. If you asked to become Catholic within two to three months of going to that church, the priest will not believe that you are truly committed to Christ or the teachings of the Catholic Church.

7. Speak with the priest during Holy Week about getting baptized and confirmed. If you talk to the priest on Monday or Tuesday of Holy Week, he may offer to baptize and confirm you during Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday morning. Remember that you should only do this if the priest is familiar with you and you are known as a contributing member of the congregation.

Tips & Warnings

• Try and find a more "liberal" Catholic church or one that is known for not having a RCIA program. This will make becoming Catholic without RCIA easier. You may need to call around and speak to members of different churches or individuals working in church offices so that you find the right church for your needs.

• Remember that not all priests will be open to baptizing and confirming an adult who hasn't finished RCIA. You may need to go to two or three different churches before you find a church open to allowing adults to not complete RCIA before converting to Catholicism.

Resources

• The Creed
• The Lord's Prayer