People searching in their faith journey are often attracted to the Catholic faith for various reasons. Our faith community offers spiritual and educational programs for those adults and children interested in becoming Catholic, and for those baptized Catholics who have not yet received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. The programs are the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC). Those adults and children who are not Catholic are invited to learn about the Catholic faith, and they make the free choice to embrace Catholic teaching and become members of the Church.
Those in the programs participate in a thorough period of inquiry, discernment, and catechesis, led by their coordinators. They have the opportunity to grow in the knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith. Participants often also take part in a retreat and various social gatherings and hopefully, over time, will be more fully integrated into the parish community.
Speaking about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Catholic author and program director Thomas H. Morris, in his book “The RCIA: Transforming the Church” stated that the program “…is a restoration of the ancient practice of initiation in the Church. Focused on conversion, candidates entered an extended period of formation and probation. The community ritually celebrated the conversion at various points on the journey, culminating with the celebration of baptism, confirmation and eucharist at the Easter Vigil. An extended catechesis followed this to help the newly initiated to live the commitment they made; lives of justice, service and charity as witnesses to the reign of God.”
Many who have participated in the program have truly appreciated its effectiveness. The steps in the RCIA process, as explained in the media publication, Our Sunday Visitor, are as follows:
The Precatechumenate, or period of inquiry, welcomes newcomers to ask questions as they begin to learn more about the Church.
The Catechumenate is a time of serious formation, often with others who are inquiring about the faith.
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment, “which coincides with Lent, is a period of continued instruction coupled with more intensive preparation and prayer. This period culminates with the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist), bringing the candidates and catechumens into the full communion of the Catholic Church, usually at the Easter Vigil. (A candidate is a baptized Christian; a catechumen is an unbaptized candidate.)”
Mystagogy is the time “after the newly initiated have been fully received into the Church; it lasts from Easter to Pentecost. All of these stages are marked by distinct liturgical rites.”
The process is similar, but more simplified, for children participating in the RCIC program.
Our parish RCIA and RCIC programs will begin in August. We expect that many in the programs will receive the appropriate sacraments at the Easter Vigil next year. If you know of someone who may be interested in the programs, please contact our parish office or any of our clergy.