A Journey In Faith

What is RCIA?

The RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is designed to assist interested persons in learning Christian teaching, accepting Christian values and morality, developing a life of prayer and becoming an active member in the local Catholic community.

Who is RCIA for?

The Church welcomes all adults (sophomore and older) who are interested in the Roman Catholic Faith:

• Unbaptized adults desiring to learn more about the Catholic faith and possibly becoming Catholic.
• Baptized Christians from other denominations who would like to learn more about and possibly join the Catholic Church. (candidates).
• Baptized but not confirmed Catholic Adults who have not received First Holy Eucharist and have been inactive in the Catholic Faith.

How does the RCIA process differ from convert instructions?

The RCIA process is the approved method for conversion to Catholicism. This process provides guidance and support from the entire Catholic community and the time for individual growth in faith. Members of the parish community share experiences, values, and beliefs, contributing to the formation of the catechumens and candidates while strengthening the faith of the community itself.

What does the process consist of?

The RCIA process is divided into four periods celebrated as the catechumens and candidates progress on their journey to full membership in the Church.

• The period of inquiry (Pre-Catechumenate) intends to awaken or deepen the faith of persons. It is the time for inquirers to ask questions and to decide if they want to continue in study for possible entrance into the Catholic Church. This period leads to the Rite of Acceptance, which is the first Rite in the Process and is celebrated with the parish community at a Sunday liturgy.
• The period of the Catechumenate is a time during which catechumens and candidates deepen their understanding and appreciation of the faith. Time is spent sharing and reflecting on scripture, traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church
• The period of Enlightenment and Purification corresponds with the Lenten season and Catechumens and Candidates prepare for the Sacraments. Catechumens who choose to do so will be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil celebration and will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Holy Eucharist. Candidates will be received into the full communion during a special celebration which also honors their Sacrament of Baptism that they had already received.
• The Period of Mystagogy is a time when the newly initiated (neophytes) share their experiences of the Sacraments and deepen their understanding and their knowledge of the Faith. It is a time of greater study into the mysteries of Faith. This period lasts from Easter to Pentecost.

When are RCIA sessions held?

Sessions are held year round on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Parish Center for Formation and Mission, normally in the Bonnie Fitzpatrick Room.

What can the community do?

The Community can:

• Encourage people they know who may be thinking about joining the Catholic Church to consider this process.
• Offer to be a sponsor for a Catechumen or Candidate by sharing their faith life, answering questions, attending RCIA sessions, attending liturgies with the Catechumen or Candidate & being a “companion through the journey.”
• Pray for the Catechumens and Candidates during their Journeys of Faith.

Who are sponsors?

Sponsors are members of the Catholic community who make the Journey with the catechumens or candidates. They serve as a companion and friend, as a source of information about Catholic practices, as a guide to parish organizations and members, as a participant in the liturgies, as a consultant to the RCIA team in assisting the catechumens and candidates through the process.

The Rite of Acceptance and Welcome into the Order Of the Catechumens

The Rite begins at the entrance of the Church. The Inquirers, accompanied by their Sponsors, are greeted with joy and happiness by the Presider and will be introduced to the Assembly of the Faithful. This Rite is of the utmost importance and significance. The Inquirers are, for the first time, assembled during a liturgy after completing the period of the Precatechumenate. Here in this Rite, our Inquirers declare their intentions to the Church and the Church in return accepts them as persons desiring to continue their journey into the Catechumenate. This Rite is the first consecration by the Church in recognizing that the fundamentals of Christian teaching have taken root in these individuals. In this Rite, the Inquirers seek and gain the acceptance of the worshiping community. Some of the Inquirers who are unbaptized will publicly declare their intentions to continue their faith journey toward full initiation.

The Rite of Welcoming is for baptized inquirers who are seeking to become Candidates and become more enlightened to the teachings of the Catholic Faith. Through this Rite all are one step closer to God, Initiation and Full Communion. The Community promises to be with the Catechumens and Candidates on their journey and to pray for them as they walk further along their journey and into deeper study and more thoroughly profound teachings of the Catholic Church. The Rite of Acceptance and Welcome is a beautiful Reception of the Catechumens and Candidates with an equally beautiful Celebration of the Word.

Sponsors accompanying the former Inquirers during this Celebration perform a beautiful gesture of blessing and support. The Community witnesses the blessings and through their promises and prayers gives the Catechumens and Candidates a true feeling of support and love. Through their responses the Sponsors and Community state their firm belief in following Christ. After the Liturgy of the Word, the Catechumens and Candidates are dismissed to a meeting place where they will reflect more deeply upon the Word of God spoken and proclaimed during the Celebration with a strong encouragement of looking forward to the time when the Catechumens and Candidates will fully participate in the sharing of the Lord’s Table.

How do I get started?

  Sign up Online

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 Please call Rob at (719) 571-0203