Q: I’m in my 50s and have lived a very sinful life. I have been married and divorced four times. I have never been baptized. I also had an abortion when I was 23 years old. I have taken the last several years to get my life on a better path. I haven’t dated in the last five years. I feel an ever-present need and desire to become closer to God, and I want to become a Catholic. I believe that Catholicism is the one true religion and is as close to God and his teachings as physically possible in our human world. Is it even possible for me to be baptized in the Catholic Church, based on my circumstances? Would I need to get my marriages annulled? What steps do I need to take to move forward? – H.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: It sounds as though Our Lord is sending you a great grace. Your desire to draw closer to God and to enter the Church is a sign of his great mercy. You have always been his beloved daughter. You can certainly be baptized into the Church, after you receive the proper instruction. If you want to enter the Church, the best thing would be to contact the nearest parish and ask about joining the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a program designed to teach adults the basic beliefs and practices of Catholicism. When you enter the OCIA it would be good to speak with your priest about your marriages. He could advise you about the annulment process, which could help you later in case you get romantically involved with someone. In the meantime, you might want to dedicate time to prayer each day and to learn more about the faith through reading and videos. A few suggestions: Youth Catechism (good for any age); the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults; and Father Mike Schmitz’s “Catechism in a Year” series. Feel free to attend Mass, though you can’t receive Communion yet. If you feel a need for special healing from your abortion, please consider doing a retreat with Rachel’s Vineyard. I hope that some of this helps. Count on my prayers.