RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

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In his weekly general audiences in 2006 and 2007, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the lives of the apostles.  In doing so, the Pope painted a picture of the apostles who were very much human and also very much searching for a deeper connection with God.  Each one had to leave behind what was known in their lives and embark on a new journey with Jesus.  This journey involved taking risks, trusting in God, and being open to change and conversion.   When the journey was over, this ragtag group of individuals had become a true community of faith, hope, and charity.  The Church was born.

Perhaps you find yourself in a similar situation.  You are searching for meaning in life.  You hear Jesus’ call to “come and follow me.”  You desire closeness and intimacy with God.  You want to be a part of a community of faith.  You have come to the right place!

Our hearts seek the One who creates us and who seeks us as well.  The God of mystery became visible when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born into our world and lived a human life as one of us, teaching us how to live and love.  His death and resurrection reconciled us to the Father and to one another and gave us the promise of eternal life.  Jesus is the starting point and center of Christianity.  He entrusted his apostles with the mission of continuing his presence on earth.  Within the Church, life is no longer a solitary search for meaning, but rather a journey with companions in the faith.  God reaches out to His Church community, the family of God, and they reach back together to the God who is love.

The Catholic Church welcomes your interest in our Church. The initiation process has been a blessing for the Church. Those in the Catholic faith community speak of the renewal of their own faith as they witness those engaged in the initiation process prepare to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.

What is RCIA?

An Overview of the RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Parishes welcome new members into the Catholic Church through a process of education, faith sharing, and rituals known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This process includes several stages marked by prayer, study, and discussion. Included in the process are several Rites, which take place within the context of the Mass. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) describes the RCIA as a process in which participants “undergo … conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments … The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism.”

The RCIA is structured over a series of ceremonial steps and periods of learning, and the timing of these may vary for each individual. One may take as much time as he or she needs in the initiation process before becoming ready for full initiation through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Initiation within the Church is a journey of conversion that is gradual and ongoing and suited to individual needs. It is a process rather than an educational program and this process takes place within the community of the faithful, the local Church.
RCIA STAGES

The RCIA process has several distinct stages. These Catholic RCIA stages are a good model of faith development itself, so this article will fit you whether or not you're actually in the RCIA process.

Inquiry:  the initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You're asking questions and checking it out, but aren't yet ready to commit.

Catechumenate: those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you're developing your faith and are being "catechized" — learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.

Purification and preparation: The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare you to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter. If you're following the RCIA process, you'll go through a beautiful series of Gospel-based meditations during Lent, which is the time frame of this period.

Initiation itself is the culmination of the whole process! You're received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you'll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (If you've already been baptized, you won't be baptized again.)

Mystagogy: after reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully.