The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) is an experience of personal formation and spiritual growth for individuals who are interested in exploring what it takes to become a disciple of Jesus in the Catholic tradition. The RCIA experience incorporates prayer, gathering with the faith community, study, and discernment in a combination of public rituals, community preparation, and individual reflection.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is modeled on the initiation ritual of the ancient Christian community and was revived in the Roman Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. It is now the principle way that the Catholic community welcomes new members. (Click here for an explanation of what we mean by "the Catholic Church.")
You may enter the RCIA process at any time, and the process for initiation usually can take anywhere from two months to three years. The Church greatly respects the time each person needs for conversion and decision. The RCIA is divided into steps and phases that follow a similar progression as a relationship.
First Step: The "Available" Phase (Informal inquiry)
Stage 1: We're Talking (Period of Evangelization & Precatechumenate)
Second Step: The "Define the Relationship" Talk (Rite of Acceptance)
Stage 2: We're Dating/Going Out/Official (Period of the Catechumenate)
Third Step: The "Proposal" (Rite of Election/Enrollment of Names)
Stage 3: We're Engaged (Period of Purification and Enlightenment)
Fourth Step: The "Wedding" (Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation)
Stage 4: We're Married (Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy)
Similar to a relationship, there are times during the RCIA process in which there will be individual reflection and discernment, public announcements (rites), relationship name changes (seeker, catechumen, elect, neophyte) and gatherings with the family (the parish and broader Catholic community). Let's look a little more closely at how this works:
First Step: Informal Inquiry
A seeker makes an informal inquiry to a fellow Christian friend, parish staff member, or pastor expressing some interest in exploration of spirituality, God, church, or the Catholic faith.
Stage 1: Precatechumenate
This is the stage in which we "talk." Seekers share their story, where they've been in their spiritual life, and where they would like to get to. We "talk" about the Good News of Jesus Christ and how it might change your life. We decide on a plan to get to where you would like to go and how to know when you've arrived. Often this will happen over three meetings. A fourth meeting is scheduled to review a formation plan. Once a faith formation plan is agreed upon, the seeker may be asked to begin some initial work on the plan. This often entails beginning a daily prayer routine.
Second Step: Rite of Acceptance
Once the presence of the following criteria below are discerned by both the seeker and the Church, the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens will be celebrated with the parish community.
- evidence of first faith
- evidence of an initial conversion
- evidence of an intention to change his/her life
- evidence of an intention to enter into a relationship with God in Christ
- evidence of the first stirrings of repentance
- a start to the practice of calling upon God in prayer
- a sense of the Church
- some experience of the company of Christians through a priest or members of the community
The Rite of Acceptance is a public rite that is likened to a "define the relationship talk", in which the seeker states his/her intentions and the Church states her terms and desire to accompany and pray for the seeker on the next phase of his/her journey. In this rite, the Church embraces the catechumens as her own.
Stage 2: Period of the Catechumenate
This is the "dating" phase. This phase typically lasts one year or more. When you date someone exclusively, you spend a significant amount of time together, get to know them as much as possible, and discern if marriage might be in the future. As a catechumen, you will get to know Jesus and the Church as much as possible through forming the Catholic habits of prayer, gathering, and studying.
Pray - establish a daily prayer routine
Gather - as much as possible gather in various ways outside of Mass with the local parish and Catholic community, strive for once a week
Study - at least once a week, choose a topic or two from your faith formation plan to discover more about. Journal about what you learned using the reflection questions, or 3 bullet points of interest. Share reflections with sponsor, RCIA team member, or during the Sunday Meeting
Third Step: Rite of Election/Enrollment of Names
Once the presence of the following criteria below are discerned by both the catechumen and the Church, the Rite of Sending will be celebrated with the parish community and the Rite of Election/Enrollment of Names will be celebrated with the larger church community in the Archdiocese.
* to have undergone a conversion in mind and in action
* to have developed a sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching
* as well as a spirit of faith and charity
* the intention to receive the sacraments of the Church
* a resolve to express that intention publicly in the actual celebration of the rite
The Rite of Sending is like asking the parents for permission or a blessing to wed their child. The parish community expresses their blessing and prayers as they send the catechumen to be elected by God to receive the sacraments of initiation.
The Rite of Election/Enrollment of names is like the proposal. God proposes to the catechumen fullness of life through the sacraments of the Church and the catechumen, now fit for the demands of discipleship, wholeheartedly accepts.
Stage 3: Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This is a more intense period of preparation, likened to the engagement period before the wedding. Now as part of the elect, you will embark on a more intense period of prayer and scrutiny of the areas of your life that need healing and conversion. Exorcism rites called the Scrutinies will be celebrated with the parish community to uncover and heal any areas of weakness and to strengthen and enlighten you for discipleship. Vows will be memorized (Presentation and Recitation of the Creed) and final preparations will be made for the sacraments of initiation.
Fourth Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
This is like the wedding. You will be joined to Christ and his Church through the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
Stage 4: Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy)
You have been "wed." You have died to yourself and your old ways of life and have risen to new life with Jesus. Like newlyweds often experience all the glories and challenges of marriage in their first year, as a neophyte, you now will experience the struggles and joys of life as a Christian disciple. The Church community is committed to accompanying you along the way, particularly in the first year year after initiation. You will begin the lifelong process of learning and growing in your faith and relationship with the Lord.
The Rite of Christian Initiation includes a combination of private prayer, reflection, and discernment; small group study and faith-sharing; and public rites or rituals designed to celebrate the candidate’s progress toward initiation. Formation happens first of all in the parish and is accomplished through the life of the parish. Formation is integrated into the life of the RCIA participant through a process of reflection on his or her various encounters with Christ. These encounters cluster into 4 central markers of Christian discipleship:
1) a discipleship that is solidly rooted in the word of God
2) a life that is incorporated into the Christian community
3) a regular discipline of prayer and worship
4) a passion for witness and service in Christ’s name
These markers of Christian discipleship are incorporated into the following components:
Component 1 - Mass and Breaking Open the Word
Participants also develop the habit of weekly worship with the Catholic community at Mass. The primary formation event is the Sunday liturgy. Formation is marked by the liturgical cycle, during which the full mystery of Christ is revealed. RCIA participants experience the liturgical cycle through attending Sunday Mass each week with their families, sponsors, or RCIA team members.
RCIA participants also participate in Breaking Open the Word, which takes place each week during Sunday Mass in the local parish. Breaking Open the Word is a continuing opportunity to discuss the Sunday scripture readings and give the participants’ an opportunity to share their joy and spiritual experiences of prayer, gathering, and studying.
Component 2 - Prayer
RCIA participants develop the prayer habit of spending 15 minutes a day with God's word through a process of reading, reflecting, responding, and resting.
Component 3 - Christian Community
An RCIA participant is formed and integrated into the Christian community through participating in several events and parish ministries that might include:
* Alpha
* Small Groups
* Dinner at parishioners’ homes
* Pastoral Council
* Trivia Night
* Adult Faith Formation
* Choir rehearsal and sing at Mass
* Decorate church for liturgical seasons
* Liturgy committee
* Coffee and donuts
* Prayer groups
* Retreats
* Parish picnics
etc.
Component 4 - Witness and Service
An RCIA particpant develops a passion for witness and service in Christ's name through opportunities like:
* Social outreach opportunities through the parish
* Community service projects
* Testimonies during Breaking Open the Word
* Catholic Witness Hour
* Parishioner testimonies
* Neophyte testimonies
Component 5 - Catechesis
Catechesis is woven in through all of the above opportunities and in individual study. Occasionally there may be formal catechetical sessions to address the particular needs, questions and concerns of each participant. The process will always respect the privacy and personal comfort level of each participant. Issues and concerns which cannot be discussed in a small group can be addressed in private with a sponsor or a member of the parish staff.
Component 6 - Rituals or Rites of Initiation
Participants in the RCIA participate in the following rituals or "rites" by which the Catholic faith community publicly recognizes their status as catechumens or elect who are in the process of joining the Catholic Church. These rituals include the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Election, the Scrutinies, and Presentations.
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Adult individuals who have not been baptized in another recognized Christian tradition participate in the RCIA. Individuals begin as seekers, sharing their story and asking any questions about faith and life, God or the Church. Seekers are given the time and the space to explore their questions before taking any steps toward more formal formation in the Catholic faith.
Once seekers are ready to begin formal formation, they are accepted into the Order of Catechumens. Catechumens prepare for discipleship by exploring Catholic habits and incorporating them into their own spiritual life. Catechumens become Elect when they publicly affirm their desire to celebrate the sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. Elect become neophytes once they are initiated and are referred to as such for the first year following initiation.
Participation in the Rite of Christian Initiation does not assume that a participant will eventually choose to join the Catholic Church. Some seekers or catechumens, or even elect, decide for various reasons to remain in formal or informal formation for a longer time.
Many RCIA participants are married to a Catholic, or planning to marry a Catholic. Some have not been active in any religious tradition and have no church home. Others may have been active in another Christian tradition, but never been baptized or fully catechized in that tradition.
Sponsors and companions play an important role in the process by which an individual joins the Catholic faith community. Sponsors and companions remind us that we are participating in a process of conversion, which involves a personal experience of being welcomed into a faith community of human persons. Sponsors represent the faith community; they insure that no individual walks the journey of conversion on their own.
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Many RCIA participants are married to a Catholic, or planning to marry a Catholic. While an engagement timeline might be considered, the primary goal of the RCIA is to make disciples of Jesus - a process that can not be rushed.
If you have been divorced and remarried, your marital status may affect your full participation in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church.
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Last Update 12.27.22