RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation
What is RCIA?
RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process by which adults become members
of the Roman Catholic Church. It is a process of prayer, discussion, study, and celebration for:
- Unbaptized adults who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith with a possibility of
becoming Catholic.
- Baptized Christians from other denominations who would like to learn more about and possibly
join the Catholic Church.
- Baptized Catholics who have not received their First Communion or been confirmed
or who would like further Catholic experience and training.
Most members of the Catholic Church were baptized as infants. At an older
age they received their First Communion and were confirmed. Others, those who
were previously baptized in other Christian traditions, become Catholics
after making a solemn profession of faith, receiving Communion and
Confirmation. This can be done at any time of the year, but in imitation
of the early Church, it is customary for people to be received into
the Church at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
The word Catechuman refers to a person who has never been baptized.
A person who has already been baptized in another Christian denomination,
either Protestant or Eastern Orthodox,
is called a Candidate..
RCIA is the Church's way of helping people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. It
is concerned with the formation of a person into a total understanding and belief in the Church
community, so that he or she can comfortably pray and serve with that community. It is a gradual
process which culminates with the sacraments of initiation, baptism for those
not already baptized, Confirmation, and First Communion at Easter time.
This should not be confused with adult
education or parish renewal programs. It is a way of assimilating people into a Catholic way of
life, by coming to an understanding of the Church and its doctrines, beliefs, and practices. It is not
a hurried process, but a deliberate, personal process of growth and understanding that takes as long
as it takes. For many, the time is 12 months; while some will be more comfortable extending that
period to one, two, or more years.
It is a Parish community process in the sense that the rites or celebrations that occur throughout the
process always take place in the presence of the Church community. The preparation of persons
for the initiation rites is the responsibility of the entire Parish, represented by the RCIA team.
How Does a Person Become a Catholic?
The Church wants to welcome all adults who are interested in the Roman Catholic Faith. The
RCIA is designed to assist you in learning Catholic Christian teaching, accepting Catholic values
and morality, developing a life of prayer, and becoming active members of the local faith
community.
The process is composed of five stages:
- The Pre-catechumenate, or inquiry period, consists of informal meetings to explain the process
and answer questions about the Roman Catholic Church. This is a time for inquirers to decide
whether they wish to continue with the process.
- At the beginning of the Catechumenate or instruction period (First
Sunday in Advent), inquirers are formally welcomed
by the Parish community and enter a period of more structured preparation listening to
presentations and joining in discussions based on scripture readings and other topics of importance
such as the Sacraments, the meaning of the Mass, and Catholic morality and social actions.
- For the Rites of Sending and Election (First Sunday in Lent),
the Parish sends the candidates to the Archbishop who,
on the part of the entire Catholic Church, accepts the candidates as the "elect" who will be
received into the Church at Easter. At this time the Church enters the Lenten period in preparation
for the Christ's death, and Resurrection. For the candidates this is a period of spiritual
enlightenment and preparation.
- At the Church's greatest feast, the Vigil of Easter, the "elect" will receive the sacraments of
initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) at the Parish Community's greatest liturgical
celebration.
- Mystagogy, the fifty day period between Easter and Pentecost, the new members of the Church community, called
neophytes, begin a time of reflection and begin to live out their sacramental call to service.
Why is RCIA important?
The RCIA is important to those considering membership in the Catholic Church because it enables
them to begin to learn about the Church as it lives, prays, serves, and worships in a modern world
before having to make a commitment to becoming Catholic. It is important to the Parish
community because it is a most important aspect of the community's evangelization mission.
How We Do It At St Bernadette Catholic Parish
At St Bernadette our RCIA group meets on Sundays from 10:00 am to noon. Those interested are
welcome to start at any time. It is never too late to start. We meet in room B-14 in the Parish
community and education building across the parking lot from the Church. You are welcome
regardless of where you might be in your relationship with God.
How Can I Get More Information?
You may call Jeannette or Carl Keim at (505) 281-5602 or Deacon Al McLane at the Parish office
(505) 298-7557.
Other Sites With Information about Catholic Beliefs
I suggest that you look at some of these sites to learn more about the Catholic
Chuch and her doctrine.
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This web page is being maintained by Carlyn Iuzzolino
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