Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

Do you have family or friends interested in learning more about our Catholic Faith?  For more information, please contact the parish office at (828) 754-5281 or Email to stfrancislenoir@rcdoc.org

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) is designed to meet the needs of adults wanting to become Roman Catholic or who have been baptized as Catholic, but have not received further religious education and have not received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. It is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about Catholicism and the Church’s process for becoming Catholic. 

HOW DOES A PERSON BECOME CATHOLIC?

“Who Participates in the R.C.I.A.?”

The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate spiritual formation according to each person’s needs.  In general, people who are becoming Catholic fall into five categories of spiritual needs.

1. 1.  Children age seven and older and adults who have never been baptized and who have had little or no affiliation with or religious training in the Christian faith
2. 2.  Those who have  never been baptized but, nevertheless, have lived their faith and worshiped regularly with a Christian community
3. 3.  Baptized people, (even baptized Catholic), who have not received religious training
4. 4.  Baptized people who have been active members in other Christian denominations
5. 5.  Infants and children under age seven, i.e., those whose faith formation is still completely dependent upon a responsible adult

The R.C.I.A. process, (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) or the CIC process, (Christian Initiation of Children), is the Catholic Church’s process of becoming Catholic for those who are in the circumstances described in 1, 2, 3, & 4, above.

“Is R.C.I.A. for Already-Active Christians?”

Baptized Christians of another denomination who attempt to live in a way congruent with the teachings of Christ and who pray and have actively participated in the worship and life of a Christian community, need not participate in the full R.C.I.A. process, but do benefit from parts of the process.  They may need a clearer understanding of Catholic beliefs, the experience of participating in the Catholic Church’s liturgical life over an appropriate period of time, and increased familiarity with the  Catholic community before making a lasting commitment to the Catholic Church.  When the time is right, such people may be received into the Catholic Church at any time of the year.

Th unbaptized and the baptized who have not received formation in the practice of the faith usually do participate in the full R.C.I.A. process.

“What is the Catechumenate?”

For those who participate in the full RCIA process, it begins with a period of Inquiry, a time of reflection on one’s own life in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  During this period the inquirer also asks questions about the Catholic Church and prayerfully discerns whether or not God is calling him/her to join the Catholic Church as the specific denomination within which to live his/her faith.  If the person decides to pursue the process of becoming Catholic, he or she enters the catechumenate at the next convenient opportunity.  Unbaptized persons in the catechumenate are called catechumens.  Baptized persons in the catechumenate are called candidates.  The purpose of the catechumenate is to provide a structure for the proclamation of the gospel; catechesis, (the passing on of the teachings of the church); public and private prayer; spiritual direction; the observance of the feasts, fasts, Sundays and seasons of the church calendar; direct contact with members of the parish community and participation in the work of the church for justice and peace.  Normally, catechumens conclude the catechumenate and celebrate Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter, though not always the first Easter after they begin the process. Candidates conclude the catechumenate and are received into the Catholic Church through a Profession of Faith, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter or at another suitable time during the church year.  After the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), the individual’s formal process of spiritual formation in the R.C.I.A. continues for a period of time to help the new Catholic become fully incorporated into the life of the Catholic Christian community.

“What is an Ongoing R.C.I.A.?”

Ideally, the R.C.I.A. process is “ongoing” in a Catholic parish.  “Ongoing” means that, throughout the liturgical year, there are opportunities for individuals to inquire about the Catholic Church.  It also means that there are several opportunities throughout the liturgical year for individuals to begin the catechumenate; and, for those who are already baptized, it means that there are several opportunities throughout the liturgical year for individuals to be received into the Catholic Church.  This ideal is difficult to obtain, but the growing number of persons who seek to become Catholic challenges us to continue to strive toward it.

-Adapted from “How Does a Person Become a Catholic”, Liturgy Training Publications.