Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): A Conversion Experience of Mind,
Heart and Spirit

Awakening to Christ and seeking out the Church through the RCIA comes about in a variety of ways.

• For some it is a sense that "something is missing" - a sense, perhaps provoked by some crisis, that there is more to life than what they have now or maybe there is a better way to live than how they live now.
• For many, the journey begins because of a relationship with a Catholic - a spouse, fiancé, relative or close friend.
• Still others are drawn to inquire by the example of a Catholic life well lived.

Whatever the reason for the awakening and decision to inquire, the RCIA is a flexible process that can be adapted to each individual journey of faith. The RCIA is a process for those seeking Baptism as well as those who are already baptized in another Christian tradition but would like to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

Conversion is an ongoing, lifelong process of personal spiritual growth as well as a social process in which we strengthen and draw strength from others. The RCIA process recognizes the communal nature of conversion and provides an intellectual and spiritual framework within a faith community in which an individual's conversion experience can be understood and supported. Caring for people in the midst of this life-changing experience is the goal of the RCIA ministry.

The full RCIA process consists of four periods of awakening, growth and formation marked by celebration of three major rites involving the whole community.

Inquiry:

During the first period of the journey, the Inquiry period, seekers are invited to ask questions about Christianity and receive truthful, life-sharing answers from Catholic Christians. The informal discussions during the inquiry period help the seekers link their personal life stories to the Good News as witnessed and lived by the Roman Catholic community.

As each inquirer desires to continue the conversion journey within our faith community, he or she is invited to experience the first major rites of the RCIA process, the Rite of Acceptance for the unbaptized and the Rite of Welcome for those who are already baptized. Several times each year at Sunday Mass, inquirers enter the second period of the journey, the catechumenate, by participating in the Rite of Acceptance or Welcome.

Catechumenate:

The word Catechumenate means "time of serious study" and inquirers who become catechumens -- those who have not been baptized -- or candidates -- baptized Christians who have not been confirmed as Roman Catholics -- join us at Sunday Mass during the Liturgy of the Word, after which they are dismissed to continue reflecting on the Scriptures. There is also the opportunity for weekly sessions where the catechumens and candidates gain a deeper knowledge of the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. The length of the Catechumenate varies according to individual need. The norm is a year or more.

Our catechumens and candidates do not travel alone during this period. Sponsors are chosen from the parish community to act as spiritual companions, providing personal support, sharing experience of Christian life and helping make the catechumens and candidates feel "at home" with Catholic religious practice.

The catechumenate period ends when a catechumen or candidate is ready to begin the third period of the journey, the period of purification and enlightenment, which coincides with the season of Lent each year. The third period of the journey is marked by the celebration of the second major rite of the RCIA process, the Rite of Election.

Purification and Enlightenment:

The period of purification and enlightenment is a time of final preparation for initiation. The period is one of prayer, fasting and reflection for catechumens, now known as the Elect. During this period, the Elect experience special rites in preparation for baptism.

Easter Fire!

The Elect are initiated through the third and consummating rite of the RCIA process, the Sacraments of Initiation, at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. On that night, when light drives out darkness, joyful sounds fill the silence, and we proclaim and renew our resurrection hope, the Elect culminate their long journey to initiation in the waters of Baptism -- the newly baptized are sealed with the oil of Confirmation and share the bread and wine of the Eucharist as full members of the Roman Catholic community.

Mystogogia

The fourth period of the RCIA journey is called Mystogogia, which means "leading into the mysteries". The newly initiated meet between Easter and Pentecost to explore and confirm the Easter experience. Mystogogia is the final stage of the RCIA process, but it is in turn the beginning of a pilgrimage of lifelong, continuous conversion.