Dear Friend of St Catherine,

Are you curious about religion? Would you like more information about acquiring or maintaining a rich, rewarding faith life? Have you ever considered exploring the Catholic faith or becoming Catholic? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to consider the following...

Jesus is calling all of us.  He says, "here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."  (Rev 3:20)  He wishes to enter our hearts, but there is no door handle on the outside.  We must let him from the inside!  When we do, he wishes to eat with us.  Why "eat"?  Because he's talking about the Eucharistic sacrifice at Mass.  Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."  (John 6:53 - 54)  When you become Catholic at the Easter Vigil Mass through baptism, you will be able to partake of the Eucharist and eat at table with Jesus!

Every year, just under 100,000 people enter the Catholic Church in America.  If an individual wanted to become Catholic in the early history of the Catholic Church, they were prepared individually or in a small group by a priest or deacon.  They could be formally accepted into the Church and receive the "Sacraments of Initiation" (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) at any time during the liturgical season, although Easter Vigil was always preferred.  Starting in 1971, in response to the teachings and direction of the Second Vatican Council, the Bishops altered the way in which someone became Catholic.  A new program, called "The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults", was promulgated.  In many ways, this new program has been wonderful for individuals interested in becoming Catholic.

Anyone and everyone is invited, indeed encouraged, to become Catholic.  It is the responsibility of all Catholics to spread the truth of Jesus Christ and His Church to all nations: "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mk 16:15 - 16).  There are no restrictions of any kind, therefore, for someone to become Catholic.

If someone has already been baptized in another mainstream Christian denomination with water in the Trinitarian form, they need only receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter.  These individuals are called "candidates".  However, if someone has not already been baptized, they are called "catechumens" (from the Greek meaning "being instructed").  These individuals will receive all three sacraments of initiation.

RCIA is a liturgical process with it's own rites and processes.  Therefore, it is divided into four stages, roughly corresponding to the liturgical year:

1. Precatecumenate, a time of inquiry and evangelization, which runs roughly from September to the beginning of Advent. 
2. Catechumenate, a period of more serious and dedicated formation, which runs roughly from Advent to Lent. 
3. Period of Purification and Enlightenment, a time for final preparation and repentance, which coincides with Lent.  During the Easter vigil services, the catecumens and candidates receive the Sacraments of Initiation.  At this point they are formally received into the Catholic faith and are now Catholics with all the privileges and responsibilities.
4. Mystagogy (meaning "interpretation of mystery") is a period of continued reflection on the conversion journey undergone.  This period lasts from Easter to Pentecost.