The RCIA Process

"To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement." 

— St. Augustine of Hippo

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."

The language used in the RCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and 1st Holy Eucharist.. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.
 

Everyone is Welcome!

RCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.
 

RCIA is not a 'program'but a Journey

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

Inquiry is the first period of the RCIA process and is simply an invitation to 'come and see'.   Inquiry is part of the overall process inviting anyone 7 years and older interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith to discern if they wish to become a member of the Church.  Inquiry does not have a set time period and lasts as long as necessary for the individual to decide whether they wish to take the first step in the process.  Depending on where you are in your faith and what you seek to understand to make a decision, will determine the length of time you are in this period.  

What to expect during Inquiry:

• Sessions with a member from our RCIA Team for open Q&A
• Sharing stories and determining your own individualized journey should you decide to continue in the formation process
  • What led you here?
  • Where are you now?
  • Where do you want to get to?
  • How will you get there?
  • How will you know when you have arrived?
• Introduction to our Parish and Parish Life

You may decide, at any point, that you wish to continue to the first step of the RCIA process - The Rite of Welcoming - or -Acceptance.   At this time, a Sponsor is selected for you as a 'spriritual friend' to walk with you through the remainder of your journey.  

The Rite of Acceptance is the first step of the RCIA process for the unbaptized and marks the beginning of the 'Catechumenate Proper' the formal formation phase of the process.  During this Rite the Candidate seeking Baptism expresses the desire to do so and the Church (through the parish) responds by accepting their intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ.

When:

• There are a few times a year the Rite is celebrated and depends on when individuals enter the process

Where:

• During a Sunday Mass

Significance: 

• Assembling publicly for the first time, the candidates who have completed the period of inquiry (pre-catechumenate):

  • Declare their intention to the Church
  • The Church, carrying out its apostolic mission, accepts them as persons who intend to become its members
  • God showers his grace on the candidates
  • Marks their reception and first consecration by the Church

• From this point on:

• The Church embraces them as its own with a mother's love and concern
• Joined to the Church, the catechumens are now part of the household of Christ
• The Church nourishes them with the word of God and sustains them by means of liturgical celebrations
• The catechumens should be eager, then, to take part in celebrations of the word of God and to receive blessings and other sacramentals
• One who dies during the catechumenate receives a Christian burial.
• You are considered a 'Catechumen' signifying the phase of formal formation

Next Steps:

• You will enter the formal formation process 'the Catechumenate' and depending on your individual needs will participate in various formation focusing on Word, Worship, Community, and Service along with your fellow parishioners 
• After the readings each Mass, you will begin being dismissed to participate in Breaking Open the Word 
• You will have opportunities to meet once at least 3 times a month for additional supplemental formation, discussion, and friendship.

When: There are a few times a year the Rite is celebrated and depends on when individuals enter the process
Where: During a Sunday Mass
Significance: If then, you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, wehre Christ is seated at the right hand of God - Teach us your ways O Lord!

• You will enter the formal formation process 'the Catechumenate' and depending on your individual needs will participate in various formation focusing on Word, Worship, Community, and Service along with your fellow parishioners 
• You will have opportunities to meet once at least 3 times a month for additional supplemental formation, discussion, and friendship.

The Catechumenate is the second Period in the RCIA Process

and focuses on supporting individuals as they set out on their spiritual journey.  The duration of the process is at least 1 year for the unbaptized and can vary for the baptized depending on the individual need.  During this period, we provide opportunities to nurture spiritual growth through:

•  Study - Studying scripture, the Creed, Introduction to the Catechism, study of the Saints, presentations, teachings, witnesses
• Prayer - Basic dialog, rote prayers, rosary, litanies, novenas, intro of Lectio Divina
• Reflection - Meditation and retreats

Study - You will participate in 3 different ways to prepare you to receive the sacraments and continue in a new way of life in Christ:

1. You (unbaptized only) will be dismissed following the Liturgy of the Word with a team leader to 'Break Open the Word' and reflect on the readings and homily in the liturgy of each Sunday Mass.  This will continue until you receive your sacraments or on special occasions where you will stay for the Eucharistic Liturgy.
2. You will participate with fellow parishioners in a wide variety of formation opportunties which are best suited to your needs including options under our lifelong formation structure LIFT (Living in Faith Together)
3. You will meet on a regular basis for basic catechesis with other individuals preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconcilliation, Confirmation, and 1st Holy Eucharist 

Prayer - You will have the opportunity to develop and deepen your prayer life through a variety of ways including:

1. Attending the Mass
2. Reading and praying with scripture
3. Learning a wide variety of ways of praying such as
   • Rote prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles' Creed, etc..) 
   • Meditations (Rosary, Retreats, etc...)
   • Lectio Divina and Diologue

Reflection - There will be occassions for meditations and retreats allowing for self-reflection and deepening your relationship with God.  These events take place as we approach the time when you will be celebrating the sacraments during Purification and Enlightenment:

Next Steps: 

1. Godparents are chosen
2. The Rite of Election
3. Purification and Enlightenment

The Rite of Election is the second step of the RCIA process and marks the close of the period of the Catechumenate Proper and the beginning of the period of the final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation.  This is only offered once a year and whether or not you are able to participate will be determined by your own personal readiness as well as when you entered in to the process.

When:

• This rite and the beginning of the next shorter period coincides with Lent

Where:

• At St Joseph Cathedral in Manchester

Significance: 

• On the basis of the testimony of godparents and catechists as well as your reaffirmation of your intention, the Church makes its 'election' (choice and admission) for your advance toward the sacraments of initiation.  Your name will be enrolled in the 'book of the elect' as a pledge of fidelity.  

• You have become familiar with Christian teaching
• A spirit of faith and charity
• An intention to receive the sacraments through deliberate will and enlightened faith 

Next Steps:

• elect
• competentes (co-petitioners)
• illuminadi (enlightened)

1. Continue preparation through Purification and Enlightenment 
2. Celebrate the scrutinies

At the Easter Vigil you will receive all three sacraments of initiation! 

Baptism
Confirmation
1st Holy Communion

The RCIA process is not a program where one reaches a destination, but the beginning of the rest of your life.  Formation of the faith is a life-long pursuit.  God is an infinate subject and the more we learn about him, the more frequently we enounter him in the scriptures, prayer, and the sacraments the more deeply we love him and want to align our lives to His will for each of us.  You are now a member of the body of Christ and very important part of His Church.  There are many on-going opportunities to grow and to serve and live in faith together.  What will you do next?!