Becoming A Roman Catholic (RCIA) and The Sacrament of Confirmation

Stop by the Office of Campus Ministry (Lower Level Gallagher Center)  to fill out a form to start the process!

Confirmation Meeting Time
Monday Evenings

If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in making your Confirmation or becoming Catholic, please contact Sr. Nora Gatto, D.C. at 286-8414.  Or better yet, stop by the Office of Campus Ministry and introduce yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide an appropriate spiritual formation according to each person's needs, yet in a communal setting.

How Does One Become Catholic?

• Most Catholics are born into Catholic families and gradually come to share in the full sacramental life of the Church.

• Others, who may have been previously baptized in a non-Catholic Christian Church, have become Catholic after making a Solemn Profession of Faith, being Confirmed, and sharing Eucharist with the Catholic community.

• And others, never baptized, have been initiated through a process that leads to Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Church's annual celebration of Easter.

How Is The Christian Initiation Of Adults Implemented?

• The normal place for a person to become a member of the Catholic Church is within the parish setting; however, since students spend most of their lives at Niagara University, Campus Ministry provides for the spiritual needs for students much in the same way a parish does for its members.  Thus, Campus Ministry provides the CHRISTIAN INITIATION PROCESS for interested students while other adults are referred to a nearby parish.

• The CHRISTIAN INITIATION PROCESS is concerned with the total formation of the person into the believing with the Church community (doctrinal formation), living with the Church community (practical formation), praying with the Church community (liturgical formation) and serving the Church (apostolic formation).

Who May Attend The Group Meetings?

• Studentswho have never been baptized as Christians.

• Studentswho have been baptized in another Christian faith tradition and are now interested in the Catholic tradition.

• Studentswho were baptized in the Catholic tradition but were not raised Catholics.

• Catholic students wishing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Catholic?

• CHRISTIAN INITIATION is not a program or a class, rather it is a process of preparation for the lifetime commitment that begins with reception into the Catholic Church.  Some people need more time than others to prepare for this commitment and transformation.  The usual length of preparation is one year, but can be longer.

          The initiation of our candidates takes place in the spring at a diocesan campus ministry
          celebration with the Most Rev. Henry Mansell, Bishop of Buffalo.

What Exactly Does The Process Involve?

• The RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS is a year-round process which students can join at any time, though the ideal time to begin is in the fall (September/October).

• The group meets weekly during the school year.  Each meeting lasts about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs.

• After a PERIOD OF INQUIRY, those who have chosen to seek full Church membership are presented to the Church at a Sunday mass.  This and other Sunday rituals mark the spiritual growth of the candidates as well as express the community's joy and prayerful support for them.

If I Begin, Am I Obligated To Become A Catholic?

• There is no obligation to make any kind of commitment pnor is there pressure exerted on anyone to become a Roman Catholic.  We respect the conscience and decision of every inquirer.  Because of your association with us we would hope that you would gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Catholic faith, beliefs, and practices.

I Think I'd Like To Begin, But I'm Still Hesistant.....

• If there is some concern or reason that you are reluctant to begin the Initiation process, please call Sister Nora Gatto, in the Campus Ministry office (286-8400) to discuss your particular concern or situation.   Of course, there will be no obligation and confidentiality will be respected.

Campus Ministry Office
Niagara University, NY 14109
(716) 286-8400