Becoming Catholic
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27)“I think this is truly the most wonderful experience we can have: to belong to a people walking, journeying through history together with our Lord, who walks among us! We are not alone; we do not walk alone. We are part of the one flock of Christ that walks together.”
Becoming Catholic is one of life’s most profound and joyous experiences. Some are blessed enough to receive this great gift while they are infants, and, over time, they recognize the enormous grace that has been bestowed on them. Others enter the Catholic fold when they are older children or adults.
The beliefs of the Catholic Church and her beautiful teachings are consistent through the ages. Becoming Catholic today means joining an ancient faith, deeply rooted in the teachings and traditions of Christ, that is filled with hope and vibrancy as we continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the ends of the earth.
What has long been known as Right of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is now Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens (unbaptized), bringing their conversion to the faith to a greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God’s gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community through reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, and includes an initiation into the mystery of salvation, the practice of the virtues.
Adult Formation Resources
Tools for Building a Domestic Church (Your Homes)
Busted Halo: Faith Shared Joyfully
Resources from the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
What Catholics Believe
Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo called the Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.