How do I Become Catholic?

Becoming a Catholic is the most joyous experience that someone could experience, for it is accepting the Way, the Truth, and the Life--Christ himself. Becoming Catholic means that someone is choosing the way of Christ over the way of the world; he or she begins the process of conversion that will last a lifetime, but will hopefully lead him or her into salvation and eternal life with God. 

The sacraments of initation--Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist--are necessary for complete unity with the Catholic Church, for all Catholics. The process of becoming initiated into the Church looks different, depending on how many of these sacraments have already been received.

There are five main stages for those wishing to enter the Church who have not been previously baptized. A preliminary stage is called inquiry, in which the candidate starts learning more about the Catholic Church. The other main steps follow:

• Order of Catechumens: Individuals are accepted through the rite of reception, in which they express their desire and intention to learn more about the Catholic faith. The catechumenate can vary depending on how much the catechumen has already learned. The purpose of the catechumenate is to provide these individuls with a foundation in Catholic teaching.
• Rite of Election: This is when the catechumens' names are written in a book of those who will receive the sacraments of initiation. After this, these individuals undergo a period of more intense period of reflection, instruction, and enlightenment.
• Scrutinies: These cheif rituals are celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. These are rites for repentance and soul-searching. The Catechumens are also presented with the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer.
• Initiation: This occurs at the Easter Vigil. During this Mass, the catechumens receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist all in one night. It is a very beautiful liturgy that recalls the story of our salvation, beginning in Genesis with the story of Adam and Eve, and going all the way to the coming of Christ.
• Mystagogy: In this final stage, the new Christians are given even more instruction and are strengthened in their new-found faith. This period of instruction lasts through the Easter season to the feast of Pentecost.

The preparations for baptized Christians looks very different from the preparation for those who have not baptized. Thus, it is important to make sure that the two are not confused. Because these individuals are already baptized, they are not considered catechumens, and so do not need to go through the same preparation; for example, these individuals should not participate in the scrutinies. The amount of instruction they receive in the Catholic faith depends on how much instruction they have already received. Sometimes all that is necessary is instruction in Catholic doctrine; this will need to be determined on an individual level. These individuals should receive the sacrament of Penance prior to entering the Church. Furthermore, after a period of probation, these individuals who have already been baptized should not be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, but at some other Sunday liturgy.

• How to Become Catholic (Catholic Answers)