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 four 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?
The whole parish
Christian Initiation is the privilege and responsibility of the whole parish. The community, through prayerful support and encouragement, welcomes and nurtures new members as they journey in faith into full communion with the Catholic Church.
The Archbishop
As shepherd and leader of the Archdiocese, the local bishop personally and actively promotes the process of pastoral formation for new members. He welcomes the new members by presiding at the Rite of Election and at a Mass of Thanksgiving after Easter.
The priest
The role of the priest extends across the various stages and phases of the initiation process. In particular, the priest presides at all the liturgical celebrations and is responsible for the pastoral and spiritual care of those on the journey and those accompanying them.
The sponsor
The parish family chooses a person to accompany a new member on their journey of faith. The sponsor, who is strong in their faith and commitment to the Church, provides an active and supportive role as a companion and guide.
The RCIA Team
Their role is to nurture God's work of conversion in each new member through pastoral formation and guidance. Drawn by the Holy Spirit, they are people of faith and prayer who know and love the Word of God and the Church's teachings. Their lived experience of the Christian life guides and prepares the new members to become aware of and to share the experience of God in their own lives and come to a deeper understanding of the faith of the Church.
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…