Interested in Joining the Catholic Church? What Next?

Published: October 19, 2024

By Jeff Hines
Faith Formation Director

So, you want to join the Catholic Church? Wonderful! Your local Catholic church is ready to welcome you with open arms. In the new Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, first, you are joined to the Church; then, you prepare for the sacraments of initiation in the midst of the parish community. Let me explain.

Pray for Guidance

But first, right where you are, in the quiet of your heart, recognize that God is near you. He created you out of love. He knocks on the door of your heart. Acknowledge his presence and ask him to guide you.

But first, right where you are, in the quiet of your heart, recognize that God is near you. He created you out of love. He knocks on the door of your heart. Acknowledge his presence and ask him to guide you.

Visit a Catholic Church

Next, find a friend from your local Catholic church and let him or her know you are interested. Your Catholic friend will engage you in friendly conversation, Scripture and prayer. He or she will introduce you to others and invite you to parish gatherings to learn more about Jesus and his Church.

Take Part in Parish Life

You will be welcomed into the Christian life of the parish from the very beginning. You will meet your parish priest and initiation coordinator, who are prepared to help you. As you inquire into the Catholic faith, you will experience a growing desire to change your life and enter a relationship with God in Christ. You will recognize a sense of sorrow for having turned away from God. You will develop a habit of calling on God to help you.

Talk to Your Pastor

When you are ready, tell your pastor or initiation coordinator that it is your sincere desire to be joined to the Catholic Church and one day be formally incorporated into the body of Christ through the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist). Your pastor will discern the beginnings of your spiritual life in Christ and invite you to participate in the next liturgical rite when inquirers like yourself enter the Church to begin the spiritual journey.

Baptized or Not?

If you have never been baptized, you will celebrate the Rite of Entrance and become a “catechumen” in the Catholic Church. If you have been previously baptized, you may celebrate the Rite of Welcoming and become a “candidate” in the Catholic Church. Either way, by your desire to be incorporated into the Church, you are united with the Church, which already cherishes you as its own. This is the first step in your journey to full incorporation into the Church through the sacraments of initiation.

Divorced and Remarried?

“But I’m divorced and remarried. Can I be joined to the Catholic Church?” Yes, even if you are divorced and remarried, you can be joined to the Church in the Rite of Entrance or Rite of Welcoming. Let your pastor and initiation coordinator know so they can connect you with those in the Church who are trained to help you heal spiritually and address impediments to celebrating the sacraments.

Journey to Sacraments of Initiation

Now, having expressed your desire to be incorporated into the Church and having been received as a catechumen or a candidate, you are on your journey to become a fully initiated Catholic. Over the next full liturgical year, or as long as your unique spiritual journey takes, you will attend Mass on Sundays and take part in the life of the parish.

When you are at Mass, you are in the healing presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but you will refrain from receiving the Eucharist until the day you receive the sacraments of initiation. Don’t worry — there are other people at Mass who do not receive the Eucharist because they, too, are on their spiritual journey to the sacraments.

Your journey toward the sacraments of initiation has begun. Your Catholic friends, priest and initiation coordinator will be your guide.

Jeff Hines is the director of the Office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Little Rock. He has a theology degree from Newman University. This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic Oct. 19, 2024. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.