Becoming a Catholic - Th Rite Of Christian Initiation Of Adults

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands of men and women are received into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new members through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and at a liturgy bringing men and women into full communion with the Catholic Church. This process is designed for those who are not yet baptized as well as those Catholics who yet to receive First Eucharist and/or Confirmation.

What are the steps of RCIA?

Prior to beginning the RCIA process, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. We call this the Period of Evangelization and Pre-catechumenate.

After a conversation with a priest, or RCIA director, the person, known as an "inquirer," may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.

The period of the catechumenate will last for several months or longer. Each person is different. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this journey. During this time, the catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means.

The Rite of Election comes next. It includes the enrollment of names of all those seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the cathedral church. The catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called "the elect."

The days of Lent are the final period of purification and enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the catechumen receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

The last step of formal instruction follows the reception of the sacraments is "mystagogy". After the person is initiated, formation and education continue in the period of the post baptismal catechesis, which is called "mystagogy." During the period the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. They also spend time reflecting on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission and outreach activities.

The process starts in September with weekly meetings and typically concludes after the period of mystagogy. Let the journey begin!!!!!

If you would like more information about this process, please e-mail