Come and See: Becoming a Catholic Through RCIA
Most people who end up becoming Catholic start in roughly the same place. Something has caught their attention and will not let go. Perhaps they married a Catholic and have spent years at the back of the church during Mass, watching everyone else go up for Communion. Perhaps they were brought along as a child, drifted, and have found themselves thinking about it again. Perhaps they simply walked in one afternoon when the church was empty and could not entirely explain why.
If any of that sounds like you, we would be very glad to talk to you.
The Oldest Invitation in the Gospel
At the very beginning of St John’s Gospel two men start following Jesus at a distance, not quite sure what they want. He turns round and asks them, “What are you looking for?” They do not give a clever answer. They ask where He is staying. And He replies simply, “Come and see” (John 1:38-39).
That is still how it works. You are not asked to have your conclusions ready before you begin. You are asked to come and look properly.
What RCIA Is
RCIA stands for the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the path by which an adult is received into full communion with the Catholic Church, and it is open to you whether or not you have ever been baptised.
It is not a course with an examination at the end. It is a group of adults meeting regularly to look together at what the Church believes and why: the Creed, the sacraments, Scripture, prayer, the moral life, and the person of Christ at the centre of all of it. There is room for questions, including the awkward ones. In our experience the awkward ones are usually the most useful, and nobody has ever asked us something we had not been asked before.
Those who have never been baptised are prepared for Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion together. Those already baptised in another Christian tradition are not baptised again, because the Church recognises that Baptism. They make a profession of faith and are received, confirmed and given Communion.
Where It Leads
The journey traditionally reaches its destination at the Easter Vigil, the greatest night of the Christian year. The church is in darkness. A new fire is lit, the Paschal candle is carried in, and the light spreads from candle to candle through the whole congregation until the building is full of it.
And on that night, in front of a parish that has been praying for them for months, those who have been preparing are baptised, confirmed and receive the Lord for the first time. It is difficult to describe to someone who has not seen it. Ask anyone who has been through it and watch their face.
Things People Worry About
Let us deal with the usual worries directly, because they stop more people than they should.
You do not need to know anything yet. Starting with no knowledge at all is entirely normal. That is what the programme is for.
You are not committing yourself by enquiring. Coming along to find out is not a promise to be received. Some people take longer, and some decide the time is not right. Nobody will pressure you.
You do not need to be sure you were baptised. Our application form has an option saying you are not sure, because it is one of the most common answers we get. It is nothing to worry about and we will help you find out.
It does not cost anything. There is nothing to pay for RCIA.
Your past is not an obstacle. The Church has been receiving people with complicated histories since the day it started. If something in your circumstances needs sorting out, Fr Nathaniel will help you work through it quietly and without embarrassment.
What We Ask of You
We ask you to come to the preparation classes as fully as you are able, and to join us at Mass. You will learn more about the Catholic faith by being present at the Mass over a few months than by reading about it for a year. It is not primarily an idea to be understood. It is a life to be joined.
Beginning at St Anthony’s
The simplest way to start is to send us your details. The form takes a few minutes and there is nothing to pay:
Apply online to join the RCIA programme →
If you would prefer to fill it in by hand, you can download and print it:
Download the RCIA application form (PDF) →
Submitting the form simply tells the parish you would like to be considered. Fr Nathaniel or a member of the RCIA team will then be in touch about when the classes begin.
If you would rather speak to a person before filling in anything at all, that is probably the better way round. Speak with Fr Nathaniel after any Mass, or call the Parish Office on 01753 267 918. The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, inside the Presbytery at the back of the church. You are also very welcome simply to come to a weekend Mass and see what you make of it.
Do Not Wait Until You Feel Ready
Almost nobody feels ready. The people received into the Church at Easter each year were, twelve months earlier, exactly where you are now: interested, uncertain, and wondering whether to make contact.
Make contact. Come and see.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16)
Written by parishioners of St Anthony of Padua, Slough.