Adults who have been baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit are considered Christians.  However, for a Christian to become Catholic, all that is required is a profession of faith, followed by completion of their initiation (the sacraments of Confirmation, and First Communion, as needed). Instruction is required so that the profession of faith can be made in an informed manner and the sacraments can be received fruitfully. This instruction may require more or less time depending on the individual's situation. ​

Adult confirmation programs of approximately eight weeks in length are offered in many parishes for adults who are formed, practicing Catholics who simply missed Confirmation somehow along the way. For those who are not formed and practicing Catholics, it may be most appropriate to participate in the RCIA process to complete initiation.

SPONSORS:

Note that there are very specific requirements that must be met for someone to be a Confirmation Sponsor. BEFORE you select a Confirmation sponsor, contact your parish for more information.

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA): The series of sessions that adults attend in preparation to receive their sacraments and become fully-initiated Catholics.  

The Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – are the foundation of the Christian life.  

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

For adults today, the Church, after the Second Vatican Council, has restored the order of the Catechumenate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  It outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens, bringing their conversion to the faith to greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God's gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community.  This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher.

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español

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RCIA consists of the following FOUR stages:

1. INQUIRY: This is also called pre-catechumenate, and is a time for questions and instruction to the gospel values and an opportunity for the beginnings of faith. The goal of this period is awakening faith. This period continues until the person has decided they want to seriously begin to be formed in the Catholic faith.
2. THE CATECHUMENATE: The Catechumenate is a period of nurturing and continued growth of faith. The goal of this period is deepening initial conversion and passing on the Catholic tradition. This period, which is usually the longest, is a time of learning the Catholic faith, way of life, and testing, in which people come to decide whether or not they wish to become Catholic.
3. PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT: Once someone is ready to fully commit to becoming Catholic, they begin this step, which ordinarily takes place during the season of Lent. It is a period of intense reflection on our lives and our conversion.  A time of intense prayer and final preparation for the celebration of the sacraments. The goal of this period is to eliminate what is weak and affirm what is good in the person in preparation to encounter God in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. This period generally consists of the 6 weeks of Lent but may be changed to accommodate individual needs.
4. MYSTAGOGY: This period follows full initiation into the church and is marked by full participation in the life of the church. It lasts until the end of life. We must continue to learn and to grow in our faith, and we must continue to be active. The goal of this period is a deeper understanding of the paschal mystery through Eucharist, Gospel, ministry, and mission. Although this period lasts until the end of one’s life, it officially lasts one year from the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.