The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is the process the Catholic Church uses to assist those who seek baptism in the Catholic Church. A time of information, education and formation, the RCIA is a journey of faith and growth in one’s relationship with God, to be lived out as an active disciple of Jesus Christ as a member of the Catholic Church. The RCIA has three components: inquiry; the catechumenate; and mystagogia. The initiation sacraments (baptism, confirmation and Eucharist) are normally celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
Those who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition participate in a similar journey of education and faith development. When the person is ready, reception into full communion with the Catholic Church takes place.
Inquiry sessions, designed for non-Catholics who seek to explore questions about the Catholic faith, begin when the need arises.
Catechumenate sessions follow the inquiry sessions and are for adults who have expressed the desire to be baptized in the Catholic Church and have been formally accepted into the order of catechumens. Also participating are baptized non-Catholic adult Christians who have expressed the desire to be received into full sacramental communion with the Catholic Church and have been ritually welcomed to the process of preparation.
Mystagogia sessions are for adults who have recently received the sacraments of initiation or have been welcomed into full sacramental communion with the Catholic Church. Participants spend as much time as needed to explore the meaning of the sacraments received and their implication to their lives of the neophytes (new members).
For more information, please contact John Graveline.