Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
685 become Catholic during Easter Vigil - Apr 10, 2024 Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Little Rock welcomed 685 new Catholics into... |
New life in Christ celebrated at Easter Vigil - Mar 29, 2024 While Christ is in the tomb on Holy Saturday, he did something very important... |
Bishop greets 676 to become Catholic - Feb 27, 2024 Bishop Anthony B. Taylor met 676 catechumens and candidates from 50 parishes... |
March 6, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Jonesboro Blessed Sacrament Church - Jonesboro |
March 8, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Rogers St. Vincent de Paul Church - Rogers |
March 9, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Little Rock Christ the King Church - Little Rock |
March 10, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Texarkana St. Edward Church - Texarkana |
Welcome! We are happy you are interested in learning about the Catholic faith. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which men and women become members of the Catholic Church. It takes place within the context of the church community, and after a suitable period of formation, culminates in the reception of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. See RCIA Steps. We hope the following answers your initial questions. To hear from others who have been through the RCIA process, go to New Catholic Testimonials. To inquire further, visit a Catholic parish near you.
You are always welcome to attend a Sunday Mass (worship service) at a Catholic church in your area. Go to the Arkansas Parish Directory to find a Catholic church in your area. Click on a parish to find directions, contact information and Mass schedule. This website also offers the following resources that explain the Catholic faith.
God calls and we respond. Through the process of Christian initiation, men and women at all stages of the faith journey come together in a non-threatening and non-pressured atmosphere to learn more about the Catholic Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process by which men and women become members of the Catholic Church.
The process takes place within the context of the church community, and after a suitable period of formation, culminates in the reception of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. The Catholic Church honors the baptism of those who have already been baptized with the Trinitarian formula and it is not necessary for them to be baptized again.
RCIA provides a forum for shared spiritual growth and a means to explore the Catholic Christian tradition through Scripture, sacraments, Church teaching and social outreach, all in the midst of the Catholic faith community. Formation includes several areas:
The process of initiation is for adults who are unbaptized and want to become Catholic Christians through the sacrament of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist; are baptized Christians (in another faith tradition or Catholic) who want full sacramental membership in the Roman Catholic Church through confirmation and Eucharist; attend a Catholic Church because of a loved one or spouse and are not sure if the Catholic Church is for them, but are willing to ask questions; and children who have reached the age of reason (about seven years).
It takes “as long as it takes.” Becoming a Catholic is ongoing and is life-long commitment. The process usually takes approximately a year but may take less or more time depending on the individual.
Those who opt to begin the process meet once a week and begin to attend Sunday Mass. Those who are ready to make the commitment to become members of the Catholic Church usually do so at the Easter Vigil or at other times throughout the year. For details on the RCIA process, see RCIA Steps.
By coming to inquire and finding out what is involved one is not making a commitment. During the first few months one is free to leave at any time. One may take all the time needed before making any commitment. There is no pressure and one should feel free to decide when one is ready to make such a commitment.
If you want to learn more about becoming Catholic, contact the Catholic church nearest you and participate in RCIA. For more information, go to Arkansas Parish Directory.
The Faith Formation Office recommends the following books for further study of the Catholic faith:
Catholic Update, a monthly faith formation newsletter published by St. Anthony Messenger Press. Each four-page issue addresses a single topic and explains it thoroughly. Many articles are available online. The Faith Formation Office also recommends the following articles:
685 become Catholic during Easter Vigil - Apr 10, 2024 Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Little Rock welcomed 685 new Catholics into... |
New life in Christ celebrated at Easter Vigil - Mar 29, 2024 While Christ is in the tomb on Holy Saturday, he did something very important... |
Bishop greets 676 to become Catholic - Feb 27, 2024 Bishop Anthony B. Taylor met 676 catechumens and candidates from 50 parishes... |
March 6, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Jonesboro Blessed Sacrament Church - Jonesboro |
March 8, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Rogers St. Vincent de Paul Church - Rogers |
March 9, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Little Rock Christ the King Church - Little Rock |
March 10, 2025 2025 Rite of Election in Texarkana St. Edward Church - Texarkana |