Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the liturgical and catechetical process designed for adults attracted by Christ and his teaching. It supports them as they seek to respond more deeply and to enter into the Communion of the Church. Each year, after a period of preparation, a good number of newcomers enter the Church at Easter. Catechumens – people who have not been baptised in a Christian church – prepare for all three sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). Candidates who have already been baptised are confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time at Easter.
What is RCIA?
The RCIA , which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptised men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. 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.
2. What are the steps of RCIA?
Stage 1: Just Looking
In the inquiry stage, you’re just finding out about Jesus, Christianity and the Catholic Church.
Your main task here is to explore and develop your faith enough so you can make an informed initial decision about entering the Catholic Church. The final decision won’t come for a long time, when you actually enter the Church at Easter and receive the sacraments of initiation.
The RCIA inquiry stage page has lots of detailed guidance for you during this stage.
Stage 2: Learning about the Faith
In the catechumenate, your faith has begun to develop. Now you need to learn and grow more.
You focus on catechesis in this stage: learning about the faith, how to live as a Christian, and developing your interior life.
Your job now is to come into closer contact with the Living God and learn more about the Christian Faith.
Stage 3: Reflection and Receive
This period of purification and enlightenment is the final stage before receiving the Easter sacraments of initiation into the Church: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (Those already baptised with a valid baptism in another Christian church aren’t baptised again.)
This stage of intense reflection calls you to deeper conversion in preparation for your renewal at Easter. This is what the season of Lent is for, but it has a special intensity for you this year as you’re entering the Church and receiving the sacraments of initiation.
The Church uses three profound and beautiful passages from the Gospel of John to focus this preparation effort.
Stage 4: Reflection on the mysteries of the Mass
This stage of mystagogy during Easter is for continued reflection on the sacraments you have received at Easter, especially the Eucharist.
Specific catechesis on the Mass, the Sacraments, and especially the Eucharist are the focus of this stage.
The Mass and the Eucharist are the “source and summit” of the Christian life in the Catholic Church, and this period is designed to help you understand, appreciate and live more deeply this centre of Catholicism.
3. What is meant when people refer to men and women coming into “full communion with the Church”?
Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for men and women who are baptised Christians but not Roman Catholics. These individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptised again.
To prepare for this reception, the people who are called “candidates”, usually participate in a program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Some preparation may be with catechumens preparing for baptism, but the preparation for candidates is different since they have already been baptised and committed to Jesus Christ, and may have also been active members of other Christian communities.
The free Tweeting with God app (#TwGOD), created by Fr Michel Remery, aims to answer many questions in 144 characters. The free ‘Tweeting with GOD’ app is a very useful tool for anyone who has questions about the faith. Introduced to young people preparing for Confirmation in the diocese, it was very favourably received. Although it comes with a book, the app can be used alone to great effect. The app has four main features: the standard texts of the Mass, a treasury of Catholic prayers, an extensive list of questions, and a SCAN feature for users with access to the book. In addition, the #TwGOD app offers a continually changing selection of interesting Tweets.
Questions range from the Big Bang, to sin, to the Crusades, to sex and the Bible. You can also find TwGOD on Facebook and pose your own questions.
A new course for those interested in joining the Catholic Church will begin shortly. For further details please contact Fr. Bogdan.
