You’re on the Becoming Catholic path. Eight short steps. You can leave anytime.
Becoming Catholic
An eight-step companion for anyone thinking about joining the Catholic Church, or already preparing with a parish. Each step is short, plain, and cited to the Catechism and Scripture.
Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus, 1601. National Gallery, London. Public domain, source.
Byzantine icon, Christ Pantocrator, encaustic, 6th century. Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai.“Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”
Journeys / Becoming Catholic
New here? Three easy ways in.
No background needed. Pick any one, at your own pace. You can stop at any point. The full list of steps is below.
- Who is Jesus?Who Jesus is, in plain words. About 7 minutes. No pressure.
- See a Mass for yourselfFind a church near you, with its address, map and website for Mass times. Watching is always fine.Find a parish near you
- Ask a real personFind a church near you to call or visit, with the words to say. Asking commits you to nothing.Find a parish near you
First time at Mass? Our “In the pew” guide tells you when to stand, sit and kneel.
8 steps
The steps
For people asking about joining, or already preparing. Each step is a short, plain reading with its sources listed.
Begin step 1- 1Who is Jesus?A question on the road. Everything starts with a person. 7 min.Read
- 2Why a Church?A morning in Jerusalem. Jesus did not leave us alone. 8 min.Read
- 3The SacramentsEvening at Emmaus. Seven ways Christ meets us. 8 min.Read
- 4The MassThe upper room. What happens at Mass, and why it matters every Sunday. 9 min.Read
- 5PrayerBefore dawn. How to start praying, even if you have no idea what to say. 8 min.Read
- 6The catechumenate (OCIA/RCIA)The house of Cornelius. The months of getting ready: what OCIA is and what it asks of you. 8 min.Read
- 7The road: stages, rites and your sponsorJericho, a sycamore tree. You don’t do this alone, and you don’t do it all at once. 7 min.Read
- 8The Easter VigilHoly Saturday, after dark. A dark church. One candle. Then everything. 7 min.Read
Only have 10 minutes? The whole path on one page
When you’re ready
Every journey here ends with real people, not a website. No pressure, ever.