RCIA/RCIC* is the process by which the Catholic Church prepares and welcomes new members who are over the age of seven and who have either not been baptized or have been baptized in other faith communities and who which to join the Catholic Church. This process includes learning sessions and prayer with the catechumens (those who have not been baptized) and with the candidates (those who have been baptized).
RCIA/RCIC classes are held over the course of several months to learn what the Catholic Church believes and participants are given the opportunity to ask question about those beliefs.
Those who begin RCIA/RCIC are not required to join the Church, but are merely curious about what Catholicism is and a free to choose to join or not join at any time of the process.
RCIA/RCIC includes several liturgical rites celebrate at key steps in the process.
The first ritual in the process occurs after the catechumens and candidates have spent some time in the “inquiry” process learning some of the basics of our faith.
THE RITE OF SENDING CATECHUMENS TO THE BISHOP FOR THE RITE OF ELECTION is celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent. The Rite of Sending is celebrated with the catechumens (the unbaptized) who has been preparing for many months to join the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. This Rite offers the local parish the opportunity to express our approval of the catechumens and to send them forth to the Bishop for the Rite of Election with the assurance of the parish’s care and support.
THE RITE OF ELECTION [also known as THE ENROLLMENT OF NAMES] is held later in the day when catechumens from around the Diocese gather with their godparents to be chosen, accepted, and elected by the Bishop to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. After their names are enrolled, they are no longer known as catechumens, but “the Elect.” The Church community plays an important role in giving good example to the elect as we prepare to celebrate the Easter solemnities that has the focus the Sacrament of Baptism.
These rituals usually occur on the First Sunday of Lent.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This final period, usually occurring in Lent, is a time of purification and enlightenment before the celebration at the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil liturgy. The elect prepare for the sacraments by intensifying their prayer and study while the parish community prays for them. Several 'minor' rites are celebrated during this time to help the elect prepare for the Easter Vigil.
THIRD RITE/STEP
Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: The elect become full members of the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of initiation. This liturgical rite usually occurs during the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil liturgy.
Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystogogy
After full reception into the Church, the individuals, known as "Neophytes", spend the Easter season receiving continued catechesis.
Period of the Candidacy
*PERSONS WISHING TO JOIN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, whether baptized in another faith or unbaptized and over the age of seven [7], may contact the pastor at any time of the year to begin the process known as RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults]/RCIC [Rite of Christian Initiation of Children].