RCIA Information
The RCIA Process:
Since the days of the Apostles, becoming a Christian has been
accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. During the
Second Vatican Council there was a call for the reinstatement of the Cathechumentate. Thus, in January, 1972 there was a promulgation by Pope
Paul VI of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Catechism of the
Catholic Church #1232) Catechumenate is derived from the Greek (catechoumenos)
and means “instruction”. Catechumanate is the entire RCIA process. In the
early church, as in the restored catechumenate, Baptism, Confirmation and
Eucharist were one celebration, one rite of receiving new members into the
community.
The RCIA is the process through which interested adults are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and way of life. It is a communal process and involves a number of stages and liturgical rites (Rite of Welcome, Rite of Sending, Rite of Election) to assist the potential convert toward the final rite, the Easter Vigil at which time they will become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church prefers to call this a process and not a program. The RCIA is far more than an academic study of the Catholic faith but requires conversion via a deeply personal journey by the cathecumens/candidates.
Through the RCIA, the Catholic Church extends an invitation to the
following:
Those who are not associated with a community of faith and who wish to
become Catholic
Those who want to convert to Catholicism from another faith
Those who want to learn about the Catholic faith
Terms used in the RCIA:
Catechumen – A person who has never been baptized and is
preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil through baptism,
confirmation and eucharist.
Candidate – One who is already baptized in another
Christian faith and who now is preparing to be received into full communion
in the Catholic Church. At the time of full communion, he or she will make a
profession of faith, be confirmed and receive eucharist Inquirers
– Those who participate in the Inquiry Phase or Pre-Catechumenate Phase.
They are inquiring into Catholicism.
Elect – The name given to catechumens on the first Sunday
of Lent signifying being chosen by God
Catechist – persons from clergy, religious or lay person
who instruct others in the Catholic faith
Sponsor - A strong practicing Catholic who accompanies the
candidate or catechumen on their RCIA journey
Phases and Rites of the RCIA
Phase one – Inquiry Phase
Rite of Welcoming (generally during Advent) – Formally
known as “The Celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of
Catechumens and the Rite of Welcoming Baptized but Previously Uncatechized
Adults Who are Preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist into Full Communion
of the Catholic Church”
Rite of Sending (First Sunday of Lent) – Rite of Sending
Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop
Rite of Election (First Sunday of Lent) - Formally known
as “The Celebration of the Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to
Continuing Conversion of Candidates Who are Preparing for Confirmation and
Eucharist into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church”.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment (during Lent) -
Include Scrutinies on 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent which includes
exorcism prayer for deliverance from sin in order to strengthen the faithful
to the Word of God. Also involves laying of hands by the presider and
sponsors on the heads of the Elect and Candidates. This is an ancient sign
of forgiveness, healing and empowerment. The Gospel readings during the
Scrutinies includes a focus on thirst and water (Samaritan woman whom Jesus
meets at Jacob’s well), darkness and light (healing and coming to faith of
the man born blind) and death and life (raising of Lazarus from the dead).
Easter Vigil – Celebration of three Sacraments: Baptism
(beginning of new life), Confirmation (strengthening of life ) and Eucharist
(nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his transformation
in Christ) The Elect are now called Neophytes (newly planted) until
Pentecost
Final Phase – Mystagogy which in Greek means “entering more
deeply into the mysteries”. Mystagogy is the 50 day period from Easter
Sunday until Pentecost.
RCIA classes meet every Tuesday night (Oct. thru Easter) from 7:00PM - 8:30PM in Meeting Room B. Classes are open to all Catholics and Non-Catholics interested in learning more about the faith. Please call the church office for more information or to sign up (355-1523).
The 2009-2010 schedule is as follows:
| September 21 | Introduction |
| September 28 | Tour of the church |
| October 5 | What It Means to Be Catholick (Chap. 1 "Catholicism for Dummies") |
| October 12 | Who's Who in the Catholic Church (Chap. 2) |
| October 19 | Ya Gatta Have Faith (Chap. 3) |
| October 26 | No Class |
| November 2 | Believing in Jesus (Chap. 4) |
| November 9 | Worshiping Catholic Style (Chap. 5) |
| November 16 | The Sacraments of Initiation (Chap. 6) |
| November 23 | No Class |
| November 30 | The Sacraments of Community and Mercy (Chap. 7) |
| December 4 | Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming - 9:00 AM Mass |
| December 7 | Celebrating the Catholic Mass (Chap. 8) |
| December 14 | A Brief History of Catholocism (Appendix A) |
| December 21 | No Class |
| December 28 | (Chap. 8) |
| January 4 | Catholic Law 101 (Chap. 9) |
| January 11 | Loving and Honoring: The Ten Commandments (Chap. 10) |
| January 18 | Being Good When Sinning is So Easy (Chap. 11) |
| January 25 | The Church's Stand on Some Sticky Issues (Chap. 12) |
| February 1 | No Class |
| February 8 | Showing Your Love for God (Chap. 13) |
| February 15 | Expressing Affection for Mary (Chap. 14) |
| February 22 | Calling on the Canonized (Chap. 15) |
| March 1 | Catholic Traditions (Chap. 16) |
| March 8 | Ten Famous Catholics (Chap. 17) |
| March 9 | Ash Wednesday |
| March 13 | Sunday - Rite of Sending - 9:00 am Mass Rite of Enrollemnt - 3:00 pm Cathedral |
| March 15 | NO CLASS - St. Patrick's Day |
| March 22 | Ten Popular Catholic Saints (Chap. 18) |
| March 27 | First Scrutiny - 9:00 am Mass |
| April 3 | Second Scrutiny - 9:00 am Mass |
| April 5 | Ten Popular Catholic Places (Chap. 19) |
| April 10 | Third Scrutiny - 9:00 am Mass |
| April 13 | Review |
| April 19 | Chrism Mass at the Cathedral - 7:00 pm |
| April 23 | Easter Vigil (Saturday evening) - Time TBA |
For more information about Catholicism, see our Resource Page.
