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  • Become a Catholic
  1. Living as a Catholic
  2. Become a Catholic

Become a Catholic

The Catholic Churches in the Archdiocese of Birmingham welcome all people to come and visit or worship with us.

You needn't be a baptised Catholic to walk through the doors of our Church or to stay and pray during Mass.

We are very happy that you have come to visit us. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic or finding out more about the Catholic faith then speak to your local parish priest.

There is a period of instruction prior to being received into the Church that people go through so that they may better understand Catholic beliefs and why we do the things that we do.

This is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or is more commonly known as RCIA

This is offered to small groups in some parishes, or may be delivered on a one-to-one basis.

If you are already a Catholic, but have been away for the Church for any amount of time, please know that you are most welcome to return.

You may wish to speak to your parish priest about Confession. Be assured that it is always a great source of joy when someone returns to the Church after being away from the faith.



In 2026, as part of a new initiative, we are inviting those joining the Catholic Church this Easter to share a little, or a lot, of their journey so far.

"Becoming a Catholic: Your Story" is a short, optional questionnaire to find out more about why people have decided to join the Catholic Church.

You can read some of their stories below:

A powerful and thought-provoking contribution from parishioner Mary

A powerful and thought-provoking contribution from parishioner Mary

‘The journey towards being received into the church hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been absolutely necessary’ Read more

Published: 23rd April, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

'Looking back, I truly believe I was touched by the Holy Spirit that day'

'Looking back, I truly believe I was touched by the Holy Spirit that day'

Theresa reveals her incredibly moving journey back to the Catholic Church Read more

Published: 23rd April, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘I have learnt to pray to God and thank him’

‘I have learnt to pray to God and thank him’

Lucy is a busy Mum who has embraced her new faith family Read more

Published: 23rd April, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘The minute I walked in it felt like home’

‘The minute I walked in it felt like home’

Jodie shares the story of her welcome into the Catholic Church Read more

Published: 23rd April, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘I have always had a faith and felt that this was the right time to formally commit to becoming a Catholic’

‘I have always had a faith and felt that this was the right time to formally commit to becoming a Catholic’

This individual shares his journey after 10 years of attending Mass in Coventry Read more

Published: 12th March, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

'I look forward to finally fully participating in taking the blood and body of Christ'

'I look forward to finally fully participating in taking the blood and body of Christ'

Jubair shares his conversion to Christianity after years of questioning and researching Read more

Published: 12th March, 2026

Updated: 23rd April, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘I began praying the rosary, seriously, at around 18 and was led by Mary, Most Holy, to her Son’

‘I began praying the rosary, seriously, at around 18 and was led by Mary, Most Holy, to her Son’

Olivia, a parishioner in Bearwood, shares her devotion to the Rosary Read more

Published: 25th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘It was such a powerful and unexplainable feeling that I simply couldn’t ignore’

‘It was such a powerful and unexplainable feeling that I simply couldn’t ignore’

This soon-to-be Catholic recalls stepping inside a Catholic Church Read more

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 23rd April, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘After a few weeks I started to attend the sessions and Mass because I wanted to, I made the Sign of the Cross because I wanted to’

‘After a few weeks I started to attend the sessions and Mass because I wanted to, I made the Sign of the Cross because I wanted to’

Clinton led a life without faith, until he realised something was missing and started to ask questions Read more

Published: 24th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘To find a peace and become a better person’

‘To find a peace and become a better person’

A soon-to-be Catholic shares what he is looking forward to following his reception into the Church Read more

Published: 24th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

Grace shares the importance of family on her journey to becoming Catholic

Grace shares the importance of family on her journey to becoming Catholic

She will be fully welcomed into the Trent Vale community this Easter Read more

Published: 24th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘I really like the communal aspect of the Church and how the same teachings and messages are taught throughout the world’

‘I really like the communal aspect of the Church and how the same teachings and messages are taught throughout the world’

Sophia shares her excitement of becoming part of a global family of Christians Read more

Published: 24th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘I began to read the bible and go to church, and it completely changed my life and who I am as a person’

‘I began to read the bible and go to church, and it completely changed my life and who I am as a person’

Max, a parishioner at St Gregory the Great, Stratford-upon-Avon, is a step closer on his journey Read more

Published: 24th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘Simply being baptised, having that sense of belonging’

‘Simply being baptised, having that sense of belonging’

Lee is looking forward to his reception into the Catholic Church this Easter Read more

Published: 20th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

'My decision to become Catholic is not sudden but the result of a steady call that has unfolded through study, prayer, reflection, and lived experience.'

'My decision to become Catholic is not sudden but the result of a steady call that has unfolded through study, prayer, reflection, and lived experience.'

Charles, a parishioner at St Mary & St Benedict in Coventry, shares his thoughtful and deeply personal process Read more

Published: 20th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘I am looking forward to becoming part of the Catholic family’

‘I am looking forward to becoming part of the Catholic family’

John, a parishioner in Bartley Green, was inspired to learn more about the Catholic faith as he accompanied his wife to church events Read more

Published: 13th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

‘After just one Mass experience I knew I was in the right place’

‘After just one Mass experience I knew I was in the right place’

Calum shares his thoughts and what he has learnt on his faith journey so far Read more

Published: 13th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

An eight-year journey is about to come to fruition

An eight-year journey is about to come to fruition

Following his reception into the Catholic Church this Easter Tom is looking forward to ‘Being in full communion with the Church’ Read more

Published: 13th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

'I’ve learnt to be patient and to have faith in things'

'I’ve learnt to be patient and to have faith in things'

Tom is a parishioner in Cannock, Staffordshire and is looking forward to his continuing relationship with God Read more

Published: 13th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

'A desire to practice Christianity in its truest and most original form'

'A desire to practice Christianity in its truest and most original form'

Christopher shares a few thoughts of his Catholic journey so far. He is a parishioner in Quinton, Birmingham. Read more

Published: 13th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

Testimony: My Journey of Faith and Belonging

Testimony: My Journey of Faith and Belonging

Manisha Kumari will be fully welcomed into the Catholic Church this Easter, 2026. She is a parishioner of Erdington Abbey. Read more

Published: 12th February, 2026

Author: Faye Fawcett

Testimony: Waking up Catholic

Testimony: Waking up Catholic

Emma Rayment is a parishioner in Leamington. Emma became a Catholic during Easter 2017. Read more

Published: 12th March, 2018

Updated: 12th February, 2026

Author:

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