The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) (RCIA) is a journey of faith. It is the process through which adults who desire to join the Catholic Church become members. Though an ancient process begun in the early days of the Church, it fell out of use for centuries. During that time individuals who wished to become Catholic met one on one, usually with a priest or sister, for an unspecified amount of time to learn about the faith before being accepted. The RCIA as we know it today was revised and mandated for use in the Church following Vatican Council II.
Who can be part of this journey?
- Someone who has never been baptized.
- Someone who has been baptized in another faith tradition, and who wishes to join the Catholic faith.
- Someone who has been baptized a Catholic, but who has not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and first Holy Communion.
What is involved in the RCIA process?
The RCIA process is consists or four phases or steps which are punctuated by three public Rites as follows:
1. Period of Inquiry
- unique to each individual
- time for asking questions
- time to intensely examine one’s personal relationship with God
- ends when the inquirer becomes firm in the desire for initiation and for the study of Catholic teachings and practices
2. Period of Catechumenate
- begins with Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens for the unbaptized who are now called Catechumens, or the Rite of Welcoming for those who are already baptized now called Candidates
- time of learning the teachings of the Church and beginning to accept Catholic teachings and practices
- Sponsors accompany both catechumens and candidates on their journey
- length of the catechumenate phase can vary from person to person
- ends when the catechumens discern that God is calling them to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist); the candidates, when they discern that God is calling them to make profession of faith in the Catholic Church and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist
3. Period of Purification and Enlightenment
- begins with the Rite of Election for Catechumens; the Call to Continuing Conversion for Candidates
- Catechumens are not called Elect; Candidates continue to be known as
- Candidates
- time of intense preparation during Lent to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation
4. Period of Mystagogy
- begins with the Catechumens reception of the Sacraments of Initiation usually during the Easter Vigil; Candidates may be received into the Church at any time of the year
- time of reflection on the commitment made to the Lord, the Church, and the faith community
- time of finding a place in the community and getting involved
What is the length of time that one is part of the RCIA?
The RCIA is not a lock-step process. Therefore, there is no specific length of time. One becomes member when ready to accept God’s call and to take on the responsibility of membership.
Who can be a Sponsor? What is required of a sponsor?
Any fully initiated, practicing Catholic, who is at least 16 years of age can be a sponsor. A sponsor is a companion to the Catechumen/Candidate on their faith journey. It is expected that sponsors accompany the person to the weekly RCIA sessions and to support them during the Rites.
When are RCIA sessions held?
RCIA sessions are held every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 PM. For persons who desire to participate in the process and who find it absolutely impossible to make Wednesday evening sessions, the RCIA team will make special arrangements.
Who are the RCIA Team?
The RCIA team (catechists) are faith-filled members of the parish who volunteer to share their faith with those persons who desire to become members.
What about children?
With the permission of their parents children who are 7 or 8 years of age are able to in the children’s process known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC). For children, it is usually a two-year process. The RCIC meets on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:45. The RCIC team consists of two catechists who stay with the children through the two-year process.
An Adult testimony concerning the RCIA process
On April 7, 2012, I fulfilled the Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion. My family and friends gathered and it was great to see everyone come together for this special time.
My sponsor was my fiancé and he was always very supportive and that night he couldn’t have been any prouder.
When we first started dating he told me how he was going to go to church every Sunday and that I could come with him if I wanted to. At first I was definitely skeptical about going but he kept telling me to give it a try and to be patient and now I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else on a Sunday morning except to be at Church. If we can’t make it on Sunday mornings we will go on Saturday nights. The Easter Vigil was very nice and it was 3 hours but it honestly didn’t feel like 3 hours at all. Even though not everyone in my family was able to come the Easter Vigil, the next day when I saw everyone for Easter dinner, they were asking me how it went and giving me congratulations. Easter morning, my fiancé’s parents had a party for me and my grandparents who weren’t able to make it to the Easter Vigil were able to come to the party and it was so nice having everyone there. Even though not everyone in my family goes to church on a regular basis, I definitely think that the Easter Vigil left a true impression on anyone who attended. I know that it definitely changed my life and my sponsor had a lot to do with that because of his support and dedication and I can only hope that someday someone will say the same about me and my story.
Whitney Snyder