Becoming Catholic
Welcome...the door is open
Are You Interested in Becoming a Catholic?
In the Archdiocese of Melbourne there are 232 Catholic parishes. Those who are interested in becoming Catholics should, in the first place, make contact with their local Catholic church community. Most parishes have a programme for adults who are interested in becoming Catholics, called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The starting point for becoming a member of the Catholic Church is simply by talking to your local parish priest and/or the parish leaders. They are best instructed to be able to listen to you and understand what God seems to be doing in your life. If you wish, they can then introduce you to the basic steps in becoming a Catholic.
How does a person become a Catholic?
Stirred by the Spirit, adults seek meaning in their lives. The Catholic Church welcomes those who are searching through the catechumenate (RCIA) process. Based within a parish community the RCIA process is adapted to the spiritual needs and life journey of adults.
The journey
There are five stages to the journey. Each one concludes with a community ceremony (RITE) which acts as a starting point to the next stage. At each Rite the candidates affirm their intention to proceed to the next stage while the community commits to supporting them on their journey.
Who will accompany you on the journey?
Welcome ... the door is open.
The Catholic community is ready to welcome and accompany you on your journey towards Christ as a member of the Catholic Church
It is the Holy Spirit who has led you this far and it is the Holy Spirit who will invite you to open your heart and your life to God.
The Catholic community will assist you on your journey. The Parish Priest and all the members of the Catholic community will be your companions and your guides.
As your journey progresses, you will also meet with your Bishop and the wider Catholic community.
The journey consists of periods of formation interpersed with the celebration of faith-filled and moving rituals.
It's an incredible journey that you are called to undertake under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
It's a life-transforming journey ... a journey that begins with the first step of contacting the Parish Priest or the RCIA Coordinator as indicated in the brochure.
Complete brochure on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Read more...
Frequently Asked Questions
The Catholic Enquiry Centre is the national faith promotion outreach of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference. It was founded in 1959 for the better knowledge of Christ and the Catholic Church in Australia.
The Centre aims to assist Catholics seeking a return to faith practice. It also seeks to offer clear information about the Catholic Faith for those who are searching for faith or people of other religious backgrounds, and to promote inter-religious understanding.
They provide answers to a number of frequently asked questions. Read more…