RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)
Welcome to our Christian Initiation page. The Catholic Church provides guidance for people seeking to further their relationship with God, community and others. RCIA is the process the Catholic Church uses to welcome newcomers and provide a time of formation for those interested in church membership. Children from the age of seven and older are welcome to participate in an age appropriate version of the RCIA tailored to their needs.
It is also helpful for those who are baptized Catholic, but have not yet completed their Sacraments of Initiation: Eucharist and Confirmation.
Catholics who have been baptized, received First Communion and are interested in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation will participate in Adult Confirmation sessions (see Adult Confirmation page).
Those who have never been baptized and those who have been baptized in another Christian church and wish to find out more about the Catholic Church are encouraged to inquire further.
STAGES IN THE RCIA PROCESS
CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, an extended night of prayer, singing and hearing the Word of God.
• By the waters of Baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ.
• Anointing with special holy oil called chrism seals the initiation by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Participation at the Table of the Lord in the Eucharist marks full membership in the Church.
CELEBRATING THE GIFT (Mystagogia)
Lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season fifty days later on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process. Reflection on the personal and communal meaning of what the person has just gone through and looking to the future as to how they can share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world.
CATECHUMEN OR CANDIDATE?
Interested non-baptized persons become catechumens, and catechumens become full members of the Catholic Church by means of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, which are referred to as the Sacraments of Initiation.
Baptized persons from a Protestant tradition, for example, who are preparing for reception into full communion in the Roman tradition, are called candidates. Already baptized persons become a member of the Catholic Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Their journey may vary from the catechumens.
Liturgical rites in the process differ between the catechumens and the candidates.
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS?
Our church community stands ready to walk with the catechumens and candidates through their faith journey to full membership in the Catholic Church.
Interested persons should contact Kathy De Noble, Pastoral Minister, 337-2330 Extension 25 or email the parish office.
