The Church has the right and an obligation to receive any convert who professes the Catholic faith, regardless of religion, age, sex, or background, but it lays down some conditions. Those who are interested in converting to Catholicism must first learn about the religion, profess the faith, and make a commitment to live in accordance with Catholic teaching.

The first step to becoming a Catholic or investigating the Catholic Church is contacting the nearest Catholic parish. A pastor or religious educator will meet with those interested in converting and advise them of the steps to becoming Catholic. Parishes usually offer a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (or RCIA), a process by which adults can convert to Catholicism.

Most adults begin their conversion with a period of intense study to gain a sufficient understanding of Catholicism. In addition, after they have received the permission of a local bishop, new converts participate in three important rites:

• Rite of Acceptance

• Rite of Election

• Sacraments of Initiation

In most parishes, the RCIA begins in September and ends during Holy Week. Throughout the initial period of study, seekers are expected to ask hard questions about Christianity and Catholic dogma. Adults may be paired with mentors who are usually other adults living in the faith who can help answer their questions. The informal discussions during the inquiry period help the seekers determine whether they can live with the rules and teachings of the Catholic community. Many have no formal Christian education and are new to the ideas and traditions of the Church.