Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
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Are you interested in becoming Catholic?
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. -
For the UnbaptizedMen and women who have not been baptized are referred to as “catechumens” and enter the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Youth over the age of seven [7] take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC). This process has several stages of prayer and formation that culminate in the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Liturgy as the catechumen receives the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
Period of the Inquiry
During this time, each individual is interviewed by the pastor or member of the parish RCIA/RCIC Team to learn about each person’s history and desires about joining the Catholic Church. Initial sessions are also held to catechize the individuals in the basics about Catholicism and his or her relationship with God.
FIRST RITE/STEP
THE RITE OF ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORDER OF CATECHUMENS is the Rite we use to officially welcome unbaptized persons into the RCIA/RCIC process. This Rite welcomes those who are preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, takes place normally during a Sunday Mass/Eucharist and can take place almost any time of the year, normally in late fall.
Period of the Catechumenate
During this time, each individual is catechized while growing in his or her relationship with God. The Church describes this period in the following way, “The catechumenate is not a mere expounding of doctrines and precepts, but a training period in the whole Christian life, and an apprenticeship duty drawn out, during which disciples are joined to Christ their Teacher” (Ad gentes 14). This period does not occur for a specific amount of time, but according to each person’s progress.
SECOND RITE/STEP
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.
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For the BaptizedMen and women who have been baptized in another Christian community whose baptism is recognized as valid are referred to as “candidates” and enter the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Youth over the age of seven [7] take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC). This process has several stages of prayer and formation that culminate with the Rite of Reception and the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Period of the Inquiry
During this time, each individual is interviewed by the pastor or member of the parish RCIA/RCIC Team to learn about each person’s history and desires about joining the Catholic Church. Initial sessions are also held to catechize the individuals in the basics about Catholicism and his or her relationship with God.
FIRST RITE/STEP
THE RITE OF WELCOMING is the rite we use to officially welcome persons baptized in another Christian community into the RCIA/RCIC process.
Those who already share our Christian faith through Baptism celebrate the Rite of Welcoming as they mark this moment of following God's call to live their Christian faith and complete their initiation within the Catholic community.
The Rite welcomes them as the Mass begins. They are signed by the cross of Christ and affirm their intention to live under Christ's cross. Their formation in God's Word begins as the-Word we hear proclaimed each week in our assembly is presented to them. The Mass does take a little longer, yet it is important that the parish community welcomes these men, women, and children into our midst and shares our faith with them. This Rite also gives all the faithful the opportunity to give some thought to the question, “What is the cross you are embracing in your own life?”
This Rite can take place almost any time of the year and is usually done in the fall.
Period of the Candidacy
During this time, each individual is catechized while growing in his or her relationship with God. This period does not occur for a specific amount of time, but according to each person’s progress.
Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: The candidates become full members of the Catholic Church through the celebration of the Rite of Reception and the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. This liturgical rite may take place almost any time of the year, normally at a Sunday Mass when the candidate is ready.
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*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].
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