Becoming a Catholic--Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

RCIA is a communal process of spiritual and educational formation for adults who seek to become full members of the Roman Catholic Church through their conversion of mind and heart. The process is open to all persons, regardless of religious background or philosophical persuasion, who genuinely seek, by God's grace, to live their lives in the distinctive Catholic Christian faith. Because the Spirit of God is tested and made manifest in the community, the RCIA process is designed for persons who come together in mutual respect and patient love as a group. "Private instruction" in the faith, then, is seen as a real exception to the norm of group experience.
Christian Initiation begins with the inquiry sessions in the Fall. All inquirers, both those who are already baptized as Christians (who will be called candidates for full communion after the Rite of Acceptance) and unbaptized persons (who will be called catechumens after the Rite of Acceptance) meet to learn about and to discuss the broad spectrum of Catholic Christian life. Any Catholic who would be interested in becoming a sponsor is encouraged to attend these meetings.
Full communion into the Church, as with any other organization, is a gradual process: hence the Church provides Rites of Initiation. During the course of this journey of prayer and discernment, Catechumens and Candidates participate in a number of ceremonies in which the Catholic community gradually acknowledges their journey to full membership. These ceremonies include the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming, the Rite of Election, and the three Scrutinies. Full initiation culminates at the Easter Vigil through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Catechumens and candidates are asked to have a sponsor. A sponsor must be a practicing confirmed Catholic in good standing with the Church. During the course of the year, the sponsor studies and prays with the catechumen or candidate and guides him/her on their journey of faith. The sponsor takes an active role in the spiritual life of the catechumen or candidate and plays a vital role in the RCIA process.
 

Overview of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Period of Evangelization and the Precatechumenate. This is a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to gospel values; an opportunity for the beginnings of faith. First Step: Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on some annual date or dates, marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper, as the candidates express, and the Church accepts, their intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ. Period of the Catechumenate. This is the time in duration corresponding to the progress of the individual, for the nurturing and growth of the catechumen’s faith and conversion to God. Celebrations of the word and prayers of exorcism and blessing are meant to assist the process. Second Step: Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names. This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, by which the Church formally ratifies the catechumens' readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation, and the catechumens, now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments. Period of Purification and Enlightenment. This is the time immediately preceding the elects' initiation, usually the Lenten season preceding the celebration of this initiation at the Easter Vigil. It is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and presentations, and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday. Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. This is the liturgical rite, usually integrated into the Easter Vigil, by which the elect are initiated through Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystogogy. This is the time, usually the Easter season, following the celebration of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent Catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration. Adapted from Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:  Study Edition, page 14.

For further information, contact Ms. Marge Hunt at 698-4110 or 698-4338.

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Page Updated:  12-Apr-09