R.C.I.A. Program : Back to Parish Information
What is the RCIA program?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA is a process of conversion. It is divided into four continuous phases that correspond to a candidate's progress in Christian formation.
Phase One: Period of Evangelization and Pre-Catechumenate
This is also known as the Period of Inquiry. During this period, information sessions are held for people who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. These sessions cover basic information about the Faith. There is no obligation involved in attending these meetings -- they are intended to help a person decide whether they want to continue learning about the Faith. Attendees at this stage are known as Inquirers.
Phase Two: Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
People who continue to be interested in the RCIA program and becoming a Catholic will move on to this step. Here, these people move from being inquirer to being people who have already begun to live as Christians, even though they are not yet full members of the Church.
At this point the inquirers or "catechumens" are joined by sponsors from the parish community who serve as guides, companions and models of faith for them. Sponsors provide personal support for the catechumens, share the Christian life with them and help to make them feel at home. Sponsors commit themselves to being a vital link between the catechumens and the community. They present the candidates to the Church and also represent the Church to the candidates throughout the RCIA process.
This entire process takes several months, and this step is one of the lengthiest. Yet, participants are invited to proceed at a pace which suits them individually. During this time, catechumens are instructed in the faith, participate in community activities, join with the community in the apostolic life of the Church.
Although the catechumens are invited to worship with the community, they are dismissed from the Eucharistic celebration after the Liturgy of the Word. Since they are not fully initiated, and cannot receive Eucharist with the assembly, they leave with their catechists (and sometimes their sponsors) to ponder the Scripture readings they've just heard.
When the catechumens are ready to respond totally to God's call to faith through the Sacraments of Initiation, the RCIA once again provides a ritual to mark this step in the conversion process. THis ritual is called the "Rite of Election." It is designed to take place on the first Sunday of Lent and is the Church's way of confirming God's call in the life of the catechumens. The ritual provides an opportunity for the catechumens officially to request entrance to the Church through the Easter Sacraments of Initiation, and for the community to respond to that request by saying, in effect, "We welcome God's call to faith in your life, and will welcome you into the Church this Easter."
Phase Three: The Lenten Period Before Initiation
The "Rite of Election" introduces this third step of the journey and also marks the final Lent before the catechumens receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Beginning with the First Sunday of Lent, the catechumens enter into their "40-day retreat" to focus on deepening their awareness of God's grace through prayer.
The Church also celebrates other rituals with the catechumens, called "Scrutinies." These are prayers of healing prayed by the community (on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent) that the catechumens will have the strength to withstand evil, and remain pure and free form sin as they journey toward initiation, continued conversion and maturing faith.
The Scrutinies are powerful rituals that also remind us, the faithful who are already baptized, of our need for the penance, healing, conversion and reconciliation that are part of Lent for all of us. Once the RCIA is implemented in a parish, Lent just isn't Lent without catechumens. While we minister to them, they provide a visible reminder to us of the meaning and purpose of Lent, and minister to us through their presence.
Then, the night of Easter Vigil arrives at which the Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated and the catechumens are made one with the Body of Christ called Church. This is the community's final ritual gesture with says, "Now you belong, for you have been born again of water and Spirit. Come, you are welcome at the Table of the Lord." It is the climax of the conversion journey, but not the end of the journey.
Phase Four: The Post-Initiation Phase
This concluding part of the journey to faith is called the "Mystagogia," from the word mystery. When the sacraments are usually explained beforethe Easter Vigil, this step is seen more as a time for the newly initiated and the community to move forward together toward a closer relationship with each other and toward a deeper understanding of God's Word, of the phase in the Easter Season (the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost), but in reality this step in the journey continues for the rest of a Christian's life. We are all constantly growing and understanding of the mysteries of our faith.
How do I become a part of St. Mary's RCIA program?
Please contact the parish office.