The Catholic Church’s mission is to offer people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to deepen their understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Becoming Catholic involves a journey of faith, accompanied by the support of a parish community. This process is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA. During the RCIA process you meet with others to share, reflect, pray and learn more about the Catholic faith. There are liturgical ceremonies or ‘rites’ at each stage to signify the steps along the way.
If you or someone you know would like to know more about becoming Catholic, please contact your local parish, or Evangelisation Brisbane.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA is for all seeking to become members of the Catholic Church.
The RCIA is best described as a journey of faith that passes through a number of different phases and focuses on conversion of heart and mind to Christ. It is a gradual journey tailored to the needs of the individual.
The journey towards Christian Initiation for a young person differs from that of an adult. The Crossroads RCIA resource has been designed to provide support to parishes and communities in journeying with young people (ages 9 to 16) who wish to explore and develop their faith with a view to receiving the Sacraments of Initiation. Contact Evangelisation Brisbane for information about this resource.
Parents are usually asked to take part in a preparation program with their child to understand the sacraments of initiation and the commitment to living faith.
To start the process, you will need to contact your local parish. We have a page to help you find your nearest parish if you are unsure of your parish contact details.
Stages to Becoming Catholic
The Period of Evangelisation and Pre-catechumenate or Inquiry is the first stage of the journey. It is a time to explore and question your faith, uncover the basic message of the Gospel and begin to discern how to live this in your life.
It is a time of discovery with no fixed structure or duration. This is described as a time for inquiry and introduction to the gospel values; an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.
The Period of the Catechumenate is a time for you to deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith and your relationship with Jesus. It is a time for suitable pastoral formation and guidance. It can be thought of as an apprenticeship.
At the heart of the Catechumenate period is conversion of heart, the conversion to Jesus Christ.
The period of Purification and Enlightenment is a time for reflection and prayer and a time to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. This is a period of more intense spiritual preparation, in which is more about interior reflection than catechetical instruction. It often occurs during the season of Lent before Easter.
This is a time when the newly baptised (neophytes) begin their lifelong commitment to living a Christian life. It marks a shift from learning about faith to living faith in everyday life and a shift from looking within to looking outside, to the community.