On 13 December 2025, at St Nicholas of Myra in Penrith, a ceremony was held for 11 devotees who are in the process of becoming Catholic. Before this Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, also known as the Rite of Welcome, these devotees are classified as inquirers, a term for people who have not yet been baptised.
This Rite of Acceptance is an important and essential step in their journey of faith. During the ceremony, all inquirers are asked two foundational questions as a public statement of faith:
Question 1: What are you hoping for from this community?
Answer: Faith.
Question 2: And what does Faith offer you?
Answer: Eternal Life.
This moment marks the beginning of a formal relationship with God and requires the following commitments:
- A stated intention to change their lives and enter a relationship with Christ
- An understanding of the need for repentance
- Establishing the practice of calling upon God in prayer
- Developing a sense of Church
- Gaining experience of the companionship and outlook of the Christian community through contact with a priest or other members of the parish
This is the first time the inquirer publicly declares their faith before the community. Each must be accompanied and supported by a sponsor. Through this rite, the inquirer becomes an official member of the Church as one preparing for baptism. From this point forward, the inquirer is known as a catechumen, meaning “one in whom the Word of God echoes.”
Lessons to be learned from the Christian community include eradicating selfishness, learning to forgive others, living the Good News, and growing in hope through the Holy Spirit.
During the Rite of Acceptance, the five senses—sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste—are highlighted, as all are used in Catholic worship. The catechumens are signed with the Cross of Christ so that they may always recognise Christ when they see Him, hear His voice when He speaks, be the voice of Jesus to others, do the work of Christ, and walk the path He sets before them.
The parish priest, Father Joe, blessed the catechumens with the sign of the cross. Each was presented with a small wooden cross, symbolising their relationship with God. They will also receive a Bible—God’s written Word—along with an explanatory guide to help them unlock the many spiritual treasures it contains.
The next step on the path to becoming a Catholic is for these catechumens to undertake the Rite of Election, which formally ratifies their readiness for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the upcoming Easter Vigil.
My prayer for the catechumens is that they may be instruments of God’s Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace.
Young catechumens prepare for their confirmation during the 130th anniversary celebration Mass at St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta, in August 2024. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Want to become a Catholic? Here’s what you need to know
Karen Verlinden was first introduced to God by her grandmother when she was a little girl. But it wasn’t until decades later that she finally decided to do something that had long been in the back of her mind – get Baptised and become Catholic.
“I have always felt drawn to becoming a Catholic,” she said. “I began going to church with my husband last year. I had always wanted to be Baptised Catholic and with my husband’s encouragement I made some enquiries with our local parish to begin the process.”
That process is called Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and is a spiritual journey that can take between six and 12 months, culminating in the person receiving the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil.
If someone has been attending Mass at their local church and decides to take the next step to become Catholic, their first port of call should be to talk with their parish priest or pastoral director, said Deacon Roderick Pirotta, the Pastoral Director of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Druitt South.
This will give them a good understanding of what is involved, their suitability and the significance of what they are about to undergo.
Becoming Catholic might be the end of the RCIA process but it is just the start of a person’s ongoing relationship with Christ, Deacon Roderick said.
“It is not just becoming a Catholic, it’s about becoming a disciple of Christ. That is a lifelong journey, not a moment or an event in your life.
“Therefore, speaking to a member of the clergy is extremely important,” he said.
Catechumen receives the Sacrament of Baptism from Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during the Easter Vigil 2024. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
The next step is to contact the parish office who will put the person, also called “the inquirer”, in touch with the parish’s RCIA Coordinator. They will discuss the process in detail and the time commitment that it involves. Sessions are held every week and include prayer, scripture sharing, presentation on an aspect of the faith and time for discussion.
“I stress that it is their own spiritual journey and it is their decision whether they decide to continue with the process,” said RCIA Coordinator of Kellyville Parish, Annette Tan.
“In our parish, the RCIA process is about six months from the first group meeting, which is at the beginning of September. This group would complete the RCIA process a few weeks after Easter.”
When the inquirer commits to the process, the RCIA Coordinator finds a suitable parishioner to act as the sponsor for the person, and they will remain with that person during the rest of the RCIA process. If the inquirer misses a session for any reason the RCIA team will organise a catch-up session, Annette said.
Karen Verlinden is nearing the end of her RCIA journey in the Baulkham Hills Parish, and is looking forward to being Baptised and the “sense of belonging” that will come with it.
“I am looking forward to being able to receive the Eucharist alongside my husband,” she said. “As time passes I will gain a greater understanding which I believe will strengthen my faith.”
Visit our website for more information on RCIA program in the Diocese of Parramatta.
This article was originally published in the 2026 Lent & Easter | Autumn edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
