The RCIA is for:

The Unbaptized

Individuals 8 years or older who have not been baptized and seek Christian formation and initiation.   ​

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The Baptized

• Christians baptized in the Catholic Church, who have not been formed in the Christian faith, who require the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist to complete their Christian Initiation. 

• Christians baptized validly outside the Catholic Church* who have have not been formed in the Christian faith and who seek to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

​*includes Adventist, African Methodist Episcopal, Anglican, Assembly of God, Baptist, Church of Christ, Church of the Nazarene, Congregational Church, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal Church, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Seventh-Day Adventist, United Church of Christ

 

What is the process?

The RCIA process is tailored to an individual's circumstances.

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Unbaptized children (age 7+), high school students, and adults complete​​

• period of inquiry​

• rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens

• instruction and spiritual formation (may vary according to age)

• rite of election (Cathedral)

• lenten scrutinies and sacrament of reconciliation

• sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil

• post-baptismal instruction and reflection

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Baptized Catholics who have received little religious instruction and who seek to complete their Christian initiation

• period of inquiry​

• rite of welcoming the candidates

• instruction and spiritual formation

• call to continuing conversion (Cathedral)

• penitential rite and sacrament of reconciliation

• sacraments of confirmation and eucharist (Easter season)

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Baptized non-Catholic Christians who have received little religious instruction and who seek to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church

• period of inquiry​

• rite of welcoming the candidates

• instruction and spiritual formation (may vary according to background and experience)

• call to continuing conversion (Cathedral)

• penitential rite and sacrament of reconciliation

• rite of reception with confirmation and eucharist (Easter season)

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Are you a non-Catholic Christian? ... Are you interested in becoming a Catholic?

Individuals baptized validly and formed in the Christian faith need not undergo the RCIA process -- they are already people of faith and members of Christ's body. They may be received into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church, after they complete a process that involves:

• instruction in Catholic teachings

• spiritual development in collaboration with a sponsor 

• faithful Mass attendance

• involvement in the life of the Church

• the Rite of Reception (a Profession of Faith)

• the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist

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For more information, contact Brian Justice: bjustice9@gmail.com

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Do you have a child or teen who needs to receive sacraments?

Unbaptized children aged 6 or younger receive baptismal preparation from Sharon Willi.

Unbaptized children aged 7 or older seeking Christian initiation participate in an adapted RCIA process (see above); they receive the three sacraments of initiation together: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

Teens requiring 

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Anyone wishing to  into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church should contact Brian Justice: bjustice9@gmail.com.

 

Christians from non-Catholic traditions may become  Christ is tradition and and their hearts are not in need not convert to of inquiry and conversion to instruction and spiritual development that is less about conversion to faith and more prepares them to better understand the 

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RCIA is not for:

• Practicing Catholic adults and teens who require the sacrament of Confirmation 

• Christians baptized validly outside the Catholic Church who are formed in the Christian faith and who seek to become Catholic 

• Catholic children seeking First Communion

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Unbaptized children (age 7+), high school students, and adults complete​​

• period of inquiry​

• rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens

• instr

Stages of RCIA:

The Period of Inquiry:  The initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You're asking questions and checking it out, but aren't yet ready to commit. Your main task here is to explore and develop your faith enough so you can make an informed initial decision about entering the Catholic Church. The final decision won't come for a long time, when you actually enter the Church at Easter and receive the sacraments of initiation. This stage ends with the Rite of Welcome.

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Catechumenate: Those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you're developing your faith and are being "catechized" — learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life. You focus on catechesis in this stage: learning about the faith, how to live as a Christian, and developing your interior life. Your job now is to come into closer contact with the Living God and learn more about the Catholic Faith. This stage ends with the Rite of Election which typically takes place on the first Sunday of Lent.

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Enlightenment and Purification: The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare you to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter. If you're following the RCIA process, you'll go through a beautiful series of Gospel-based meditations during Lent, which is the time frame of this period. This stage of intense reflection calls you to deeper conversion in preparation for your renewal at Easter. This is what the season of Lent is for, but it has a special intensity for you this year as you're entering the Church and receiving the sacraments of initiation. The Church uses three profound and beautiful passages from the Gospel of John to focus this preparation effort.

 

Initiation: The culmination of the whole process! You're received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you'll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (If you've already been baptized, you won't be baptized again.)

 

Mystagogia: After reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully. Specific catechesis on the Mass, the Sacraments, and especially the Eucharist are the focus of this stage. The Mass and the Eucharist are the "source and summit" of the Christian life in the Catholic Church, and this period is designed to help you understand, appreciate, and live more deeply this center of Catholicism.

 

 

RCIA can also serve as a focus for ongoing conversion for all members of the Catholic Church. As Catholics see new candidates learning the doctrine, they are encouraged to study their faith. As they participate in the liturgical ceremonies welcoming new members, they can renew their own commitment to Christ. As they see the newly baptized begin ministries of service, they are encouraged to serve more generously. And those who act as sponsors, teachers, and "prayer partners" for the candidates have abundant opportunities for personal growth.  All are welcome to come and continue to study and develop their faith.