RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation...is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God's help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully. -Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, Introduction, §1

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (commonly called RCIA) is that ritual action by which we joyously welcome new Catholics into the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. Throughout the process of RCIA, those interested in becoming practicing Catholics will learn how to pray; will learn the tenants of our faith and what we believe; will find, by the grace of God and by perseverence, that knowledge and love for God which will lead them to heaven. We encourage any and all people who are curious about the Catholic faith to come and see if God is calling them to a deeper relationship through RCIA. 

There are many different kinds of people from all walks of life who might come to us for RCIA. Click the tabs to the left to learn more about what the process looks like for men and women whose "points of entry" may be different.

This category of persons includes those who are entering the Christian life for the first time. Whether coming from a background of Atheism or a Non-Christian faith, we are glad to welcome these individuals into the Catholic Church. 

The process for these individuals begins with a time of Inquiry, officially called the "Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate". This is the time when such individuals might realize that there is an attractiveness to the Christian faith and the way true Christians live their lives. This curiousity might bring them to a place where they can confidently say "I want to know more about Christianity and Catholicism." 

As these individuals progress through the phases of RCIA, they will become Catechumens, or those who are preparing to receive all Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.

If you fall into this category, and are unsure about which steps to take first, feel free to contact Jennifer Ely (ext. 204) to set up a time to meet on the phone or in person. We want to help you feel welcomed, and show you where to begin!

 

This category of persons includes those who were baptized into the Catholic Church, oftentimes as an infant, but who, for some reason, are not practicing Catholics or have not received First Communion or Confirmation. As such individuals are baptized in the Catholic faith, they are already Catholic indeed, and should be welcomed back to the fold of the faithful with joy!

These individuals begin their journey through RCIA as Candidates, meaning that they are "candidates for full communion with the Church". They have become Children of God by rights of their Baptism, and now they seek to be fully united with the Church by completing their Sacraments of Initiation through First Communion and Confirmation.

If you fall into this category, feel free to contact Jennifer Ely (ext. 204) to set up a time to meet on the phone or in person. We want to help you feel welcomed, and show you where to begin!

This category of persons includes those who were baptized into the Christian faith by way of a Protestant Ecclesial Community. We share a common brotherhood with such individuals, and rejoice at their desire to come into the Catholic Church, wherein resides the fullness of the Christian faith by way of the Sacraments and the Scriptural, Traditional, and Authoritative roots of Catholicism.

These individuals begin their journey through RCIA as Candidates, meaning that they are "candidates for full communion with the Church". They have become Children of God by rights of their Baptism, and now they seek to be fully united with the Church by completing their Sacraments of Initiation through First Communion and Confirmation. During this time such individuals will also declare their intent during the process of RCIA to commit themselves to the fullness of the faith expressed particularly in the Catholic Church. They will not receive baptism a second time, as their initial baptism (provided it was performed using the Trinitarian Formula*) was valid. They will continue forward to receive First Communion and Confirmation.

If you fall into this category, feel free to contact Jennifer Ely (ext. 204) to set up a time to meet on the phone or in person. We want to help you feel welcomed, and show you where to begin!

*The Trinitarian Formula: "[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Water must also have been used for a valid baptism.

This category of persons includes those who were baptized into the Catholic Church and perhaps received some catechism growing up, but who never received their final Sacrament of Initiation: Confirmation. These are also usually individuals who have already received their First Communion.

Such individuals may have a shorter period of catechesis, depending on the direction of the pastor and the level of catechesis the person already has. They begin their journey through RCIA as a Candidate, and seek to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church by way of Confirmation. 

If you fall into this category, feel free to contact Jennifer Ely (ext. 204) to set up a time to meet on the phone or in person. We want to help you feel welcomed, and show you where to begin!