Hoe word ik katholiek?

Can I Become Catholic?

Becoming Catholic is a journey of the heart and mind — a move toward life in Christ and into a community that prays, learns, and celebrates together. If you feel drawn, know this: the Church will welcome you with open arms and gentle guidance.

Simple steps (what usually happens)

1. Say hello to a parish. Visit a local parish, attend Mass, or email the parish office. People there expect questions and will be glad you came.
2. Meet the RCIA team or priest. Most parishes have RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) or a small group that accompanies seekers. They’ll invite you to talk about your faith story and hopes.
3. Learn and grow together. RCIA or catechetical classes run for several months and mix prayer, teaching, conversation, and community life. It’s a time to ask everything — there are no silly questions.
4. Prepare for the sacraments. If you are not yet baptized, you will be prepared for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion, often celebrated at the Easter Vigil. If you were already validly baptized, you’ll be received into the Church (a profession of faith) and prepared to receive Confirmation and the Eucharist.
5. Be welcomed by the community. You’ll be asked to choose a sponsor or mentor — someone who walks with you in faith. The parish family celebrates your decision and supports your ongoing life in Christ.
6. Keep growing. Becoming Catholic is the start of a lifelong journey — ongoing formation, prayer, confession, and service are all part of the joyful path. What to expect in conversation (when you first talk with a priest or RCIA leader)
   a) A gentle welcome and questions about your background and spiritual life.
   b) An explanation of RCIA: simple meetings, prayer, reading, and friendly conversation.
   c) An invitation to attend Mass regularly and to join parish life. A short, friendly script you can use

What is RCIA or OCIA?

RCIA is an abbreviation for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It has also been referred to as OCIA which stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the process by which non-Catholics enter the Catholic Faith. To become a Catholic, one must understand the teachings of the Church, believe in those teachings, and be a baptized Catholic. Those who are not baptized will study the teachings of the Catholic Church through RCIA and conclude their journey with the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism into the Church. Those who were baptized as a Protestant, will study the teachings of the Catholic Faith in RCIA and conclude their journey with their reception into the Church by a priest, which may include a conditional Baptism and a profession of the Catholic Faith.

What Is RCIA / OCIA Like?

RCIA requires not only academic preparation but also a commitment to the Church’s teachings. You must be willing to live out an authentic Catholic life and strive to imitate our Lord and live a holy life. Our course will help you know what the Church teaches and help you live our in practice the joy of a Catholic life. OCIA classes typically begin at parishes each year in autumn and conclude before Easter, with Baptisms taking place at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. However, due to scheduling conflicts, special learning needs, demanding schedules and jobs, and other concerns in life, not all people can set aside the time to study the Faith through a formal class that meets at a set time each week.

Can You Take RCIA / OCIA Classes Online?

CatechismClass.com has developed a best-selling online Adult Faith Formation course that has served hundreds of converts since we launched it in 2010. Our Adult Faith Formation Program fulfills the requirements of RCIA classes by covering the Holy Scriptures (Old & New Testament), the Theology of the Mass & the Sacraments, the Articles of the Creed, Christian Morality, the Ten Commandments, and Prayer.

Should I Become Catholic?

Absolutely! The Catholic Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself and the one true Church – outside of which there can be no salvation. If you are considering RCIA, you take an extremely important step for your own salvation and we rejoice in this and are here to help you in your Faith formation. There is nothing else more important for your salvation than to receive the Sacraments and live a life in the state of grace!

How Can a Protestant Convert to Catholicism?

Even if it seems difficult to convert and uncertainty remains, there is nothing more important for your salvation than to be a faithful, practicing Catholic. Despite the challenges you may face from friends or family or colleagues, conversion is worth it. And RCIA is where the journey begins.

Prioritize your salvation and “seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you” (cf. Matthew 6:33). But know that — no matter what — you are not alone and a whole host of Catholics are eager to welcome you so that together we may be united in the same Faith and same Sacraments as we hope to be likewise united one day in Heaven with all the Catholic saints who came before us.