RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of conversion, a process of seeking out, encouraging, and walking with those who desire to learn more about the Catholic Faith. It is a journey of faith that we walk together. The “we” includes the members of the RCIA Team and the Inquirers, those who have a desire to COME AND SEE.
RCIA is the Church’s way of helping people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. It is concerned with the formation of a person into a total understanding and belief in the Church community, so that he or she can comfortably pray and serve with the community. It is a gradual process which culminates with the sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist at Easter time.
- Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church?
- Are you unbaptized but recognize a need for spirituality in your life?
- Are you baptized Catholic or baptized into another religion but never received any formal religious education?
- Are you married to a Catholic and attend Mass but just don't know what the next step is to become one of the Catholic faithful?
- Are you yearning for something more in your life?
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the place for you. Every year adults are welcomed into the Catholic Community through RCIA. It is a learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus Christ.
The doors are open! We invite you to join us!
Join us at an upcoming RCIA meeting or call to find out more...
- Meeting times and locations are each Thursday evening at 7:00 PM in the Rectory or
- For more information, contact the RCIA leader, Barbara Bartzi, by calling the office at St. Anthony’s - 625-2048
- or send an email to: webmaster@stanthonyoakley.org
The Period of Inquiry – This is when people can ask questions to get an idea about Catholicism. They learn about scriptures and Jesus Christ. This period takes as long as it needs to. When the person is ready to go to the next phase, sometimes they need to write a letter saying why they feel they want to convert.
Period of the Catechumenate – For this phase to begin, people need to accept Jesus Christ is their savior. They begin going to Mass on Sunday and further their commitment to the faith. They reflect more deeply, about how Catholicism will affect your life. This phase also lasts as long as it needs to for individuals.
Period of Purification or Illumination – This period corresponds with the time of Lent. It is the six-week preparation time for Easter. It becomes the praying time for those who are to become Catholic known as the Elect. The period is begun by the Rite of election, usually celebrated at the Cathedral Church with the Diocesan Bishop. This rite accepts them accepted as candidates for the Sacraments by the Bishop, representing the fact that this decision is not theirs alone. Normally this rite takes place on the first Sunday of Lent. Special prayers are offered to support the Elect.
Celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation – The Sacraments of Initiation is celebrated at the Easter Vigil. The Easter Vigil is an extended night watch of prayer, singing, and hearing the Word of God. By the waters of baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ. Those who are all ready baptized, have the Sacrament of the Reconciliation prior, are given Holy Communion, and are confirmed. Anointing with Holy oil called chrism seals the initiation by the power of the Holy Spirit and participation at the Table of the Lord in the Eucharist marks full membership in the church.
The Period of Mystagogy – This period lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season. That is fifty days later on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process. Those who have just shared in the sacraments of initiation are now called Neophytes and during this period of Easter joy they reflect on what they have just gone through and look to the future as to how they can now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world. This period reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and to look for new ways to live the life of grace, personally and together.
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), also called the Catechumenate, is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation.
It is a process which enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The RCIA is more than a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants.