How to Become Catholic?

Thank you for your interest in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Parish. R.C.I.A is a process by which adults and children (age seven or older) explore membership in the Catholic Church. The information included in this booklet may help answer some of the questions you might have about becoming Catholic and joining Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish.

The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate educational and spiritual formation according to each person’s needs. After an interested person contacts the parish and meets with the director of R.C.I.A., you will be invited to meet with our Inquiry Team and others who are exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic. You will have an opportunity to ask questions about the Church, tour the church, hear the message of Jesus Christ, and begin to get familiar with the life and mission of Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish.

If you decide to formally pursue the process of becoming Catholic, you will enter what we call the Catechumenate. It is a period of reflecting on Scripture, learning the teachings of the Catholic faith, experiencing catholic prayer and worship, and sharing faith with others in our parish community. Through various rites of the Catechumenate, the church marks a person’s journey to full membership in to the Catholic Church.  These rites reflect his or her spiritual growth and the community’s loving concern. The climax of the catechumenate process is the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

The R.C.I.A. process takes approximately a full year of consistent attendance. This allows you to experience a full cycle of the Church’s rhythm of feasts and seasons.  It also provides you with adequate time to genuinely discern the Catholic lifestyle. Are you truly prepared to take the challenge of being Catholic, sharing in the life and mission of Jesus Christ.

If you have any questions after looking over this information, please don’t hesitate to call me at the parish office, 748-9814.

Peace In Christ!

Brian Epkey, Pastoral Associate

For more information please read the following attachment.