Christian Initiation

CHRISTIAN INITIATION

BECOMING CATHOLIC

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church around the world, or enter into Full Communion with the Catholic Church as already baptized Christians. Parishes welcome and prepare these new Catholics through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. 

Before beginning the Christian Initiation process, an individual has usually come to some knowledge of Jesus Christ and is attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This person is called an Inquirer. There are several steps for an Inquirer to become Catholic. For a more complete description of the steps involved in the Christian Initiation process, please visit this "Christian Initiation of Adults" page on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.

At St. Albert the Great, the Order of Christian Initiation meets every Monday at 7:00 PM from August until Pentecost (end of the Easter season in May or June) each year.  Those who complete preparation receive the Sacraments of Initiation and enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil (Saturday before Easter Sunday). Click on the 'Expectations for Participating in Christian Initiation' at St. Albert the Great for more information on what is expected of those who join Christian Initiation. 

Christian Initiation  2024-25 in English begins Monday, August 12.

The Inquiry Phase is held on three consecutive Mondays: August 12, 19, and 26 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Seton Center, Our Lady of Guadalupe room on the St. Albert the Great parish campus. Christian Initiation Inquirers should attend all three of these sessions if possible. Each contains a foundational topic of interest: 1. The Bible; 2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church; and 3. The Creed - What We Believe. Also, at each session the process of Christian Initiation is described, including the complete schedule for the upcoming year. 

Christian Initiation sessions then begin on Monday, September 9 at 7:00 PM in the Seton Center, Our Lady of Guadalupe room. 

Inquirers should contact Deacon David Ochoa (click on the name to send an email) who leads Christian Initiation for English. Spanish speakers should contact Deacon Jose Trujillo. Or call the office (512-837-7825) for more information about how to contact the Deacons. See the Expectations document linked below, and the Formation General Information Form to be filled out before beginning the Christian Initiation process.

Expectations for Participating in Christian Initiation

St. Albert the Great Formation General Information Form

For more general information about the Catholic Church, we invite you to watch this 2-minute video from Catholics Come Home.org.