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Find a parish, anywhere.
Choose your country and town, and we list Catholic churches near you from OpenStreetMap, the community world map. Honest limit: no complete, licensed worldwide list of parishes or Mass times exists, so always confirm with the parish.
1. Find a church near you
- MassTimes.org lists Catholic churches and Mass times worldwide. Search by city or let it use your location.
- GCatholic.org lists the dioceses and churches of the Catholic Church in every country, with addresses and websites.
- Your local diocese (the Church in your region, led by a bishop) usually lists all its parishes on its website. GCatholic.org will help you find it.
- A map app search for “Catholic church” also works in most places. Look for a parish website or phone number.
Some parishes belong to the Eastern Catholic Churches, such as the Maronite, Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Syro-Malabar or Chaldean Churches. They are fully Catholic, with their own ancient liturgies. CCC 1203 Orientalium Ecclesiarum 2
2. Visit a Mass, without pressure
Anyone may come to Mass. You can sit near the back, watch, and join in as much or as little as you like. Nobody will single you out.
At Communion, Catholics come forward to receive the Eucharist. If you are not Catholic, you are welcome to stay in your seat, or in many parishes to come forward with your arms crossed over your chest for a blessing. This is not a rejection. The Catechism calls the Eucharist a “sign of unity” and speaks of the pain of the divisions that break the common participation in the table of the Lord. CCC 1398 CCC 1400
Church law sets out exceptions. Members of the Eastern Churches not in full communion with the Catholic Church, such as the Orthodox, may receive “if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed.” Other Christians may receive only in danger of death or another grave necessity judged by the bishop, under the conditions the canon lists. CIC 844 If you are unsure, ask the priest before Mass. Read the full answer.
3. Talk to a priest
Priests are used to questions from people of every background. A conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Call or email the parish office and ask for a time to talk.
If you are Catholic and want to go to confession, most parishes list confession times on their website or in their weekly bulletin. Everything said in confession is protected by the absolute secrecy the Church calls the sacramental seal. CCC 1467
4. Ask about becoming Catholic
Adults usually prepare to become Catholic through a parish program. The Church calls this the catechumenate. Many English-speaking countries call the parish program OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) or RCIA; other languages have their own names. The Catechism explains that from the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been a journey and initiation in several stages. CCC 1229 CCC 1232
What to say: “Hello, I’m interested in learning about the Catholic faith. Who could I talk to about becoming Catholic?”
If there is no parish near you, or if it is not safe to practice openly where you live, contact the nearest diocese and ask what is possible. Keep reading, keep praying, and stay in touch with a priest as best you can.
5. Coffee with a Catholic friend
Many people come to the Church through a friend. If you know a practicing Catholic, ask them to tell you why they believe, or to bring you to Mass. Most will be glad you asked.
Find a church on MassTimes.org
Stone & Incense is not affiliated with MassTimes.org or GCatholic.org. We collect no information about your search. Please also support your own parish.