The process by which one becomes Catholic can take different forms, but an individual is brought into full communion with the Catholic church through receiving the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. It is through the sacrament of Baptism that one officially becomes a Catholic- whether they were baptized Catholic as a baby, or as adults who chose to be baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist all at once. Preparation to be received by the church differs slightly depending on if you are already a baptized Christian or not. 

If you are unbaptized: 

You begin with the rite of reception into the order of catechumens, where you first express your desire and intention to become Christian. Catechumen is the term for one who is under instruction before baptism. during this period, you study a thorough background of Christian teaching, and reflect upon and affirm your desire to become Catholic. 

The second step is the rite of election, where the names of the catechumens are written in a book of those who will receive the sacraments of initiation. Here, you once again express your desire and intent to become Christian, and the Church judges that you are ready to take this step. This rite of election usually occurs on the first Sunday of Lent. 

After the rite of election, the elect (as catechumens are now called at this step) participate in three chief rituals known as scrutinies. These are rites for self-searching and repentance, with the goal of healing weak and sinful qualities and strengthening good qualities in your soul. These scrutinies are usually celebrated at Mass on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. It is during this time that your will be presented the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer, which you recite at your initiation. 

Initiation usually occurs the evening before Easter day, known as the Easter Vigil. Here, you will attend a special Mass to celebrate and be baptized, confirmed, and receive the Holy Eucharist- and are officially a Catholic in full communion with the church! The final state of initiation is called mystagogy, and it is where new Christians are further strengthened in their faith through instruction and becoming more deeply rooted in your local Catholic community.

If you have already been baptized:

If you are already a baptized Christian, reception into full Catholic communion is determined by addressing each individual case. For anyone who has been baptized but does not live a Christian life or who has not received instruction on their faith, they go through the same instruction as catechumens. However, they are not the same as catechumens, and do not participate in certain rites such as the scrutinies. For anyone who has been baptized and who does live a life instructed in the Christian faith, only instruction in Catholic tradition and a "degree of probation" within their Catholic community is required. Reception into the church for those who have already been baptized usually takes place at the Sunday Eucharist of their parish community instead of the Easter Vigil, to avoid any confusion on their distinction from catechumens. 

The rosary is an outward, sacred sign of our faith that is used as an object of devotion along our Christian walk. They are intended for daily prayer, and they help us keep certain principal events in the history of our salvation in our memory. The rosary is divided into "decades", five groups of ten beads each. Events of our Lord's life and Passion are called Mysteries. There are the Joyful Mysteries, the five Luminous Mysteries, the five Sorrowful Mysteries, and the five Glorious Mysteries. Normally, the mysteries you focus on depends on the day of the week on which you are praying. 

Joyful (Monday and Saturday)

Glorious (Wednesday and Sunday)

Sorrowful (Tuesday and Friday)

Luminous (Thursday) 

To pray the Rosary:

1) On the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and say The Apostles Creed. 

2) Begin the Rosary with the "Our Father"

3) Pray three "Hail Marys" for increase in Faith, Hope, and Love / Charity. 

4) Say the "Glory Be"

5) Announce the first mystery (depending on what day of the week it is) and say the "Our Father"

6) Say ten "Hail Marys" (one for each bead of the decade)

7) Say the "Glory Be", conclude the decade with the "Fatima Prayer" (optional)

8) Repeat steps 5-7 for the remaining decades

9) Pray the "Hail Holy Queen" and the "Final Prayer" to conclude

10) Make the Sign of the Cross. 

Confession is a beautiful aspect of the sacrament of Reconciliation. This sacrament "washes us clean" and renews us in Christ, allowing us to obtain forgiveness for sins and reconciliation with God. Normally, any Catholic above "the age of discretion" (which is around 7 years old) is obligated to confess their serious sins in confession at least once a year. 

The sacrament of baptism removes all of the sins committed before it. For Christians that have already been baptized and are seeking to be part of the Catholic church, they must confess the mortal sins they have committed since their baptism before receiving confirmation and the Eucharist.

The Apostles Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen."

Our Father: "Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen."

Glory Be: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

Hail Mary: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

Prayer of Mary at Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen." 

Hail Holy Queen: "Hail Holy Queen, mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.?R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."

Closing Prayer: "O God, whose only-begotten Son by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen."