Becoming Catholic is an opportunity to continue growing and deepening your relationship with God.
The whole journey is called the 'Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA for short. Initiation provides an opportunity to meet with others and to share, reflect, pray and learn more about the Catholic faith. There are ceremonies or 'rites' at each stage to signify the steps along the way and it normally takes around 12 months depending on the readiness of each individual.
Initiation into the Catholic Church is done through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (First Communion). If you are seeking Baptism, you begin a process called Catechumenate. However, if you are already baptised in another Christian tradition, you follow a process of continuing conversion leading up to Reception, Confirmation and First Communion. The Easter Vigil is usually a time of celebration of these Sacraments of Initiation and is a time of great joy for candidates and their families.
Along your journey you will be accompanied by members of your local catholic parish community who share with you their own Faith. These accompanying persons are called the RCIA team, and it is their role to assist you in understanding the Scriptures, the practice of worship, and the Sacraments according to Catholic tradition.