The Right of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

The Right of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) is the process non-Catholics follow to become members in full communion with the Church.

No two people have the same calling or relationship with Jesus. Some of us experience the call to intimacy with him within the Catholic Church - through one particular faith community within it. Within that community there is normally a particular person of faith – a parent, friend, or another parishioner – who, being Christ for them, specifically draws them to open themselves to also receive his gift.

Jesus presents this gift for each of us in a uniquely personal way. Many of us were baptized into the faith as infants as the consequence of our parents’ faith.

Others are led to faith only when as adults we are able to make our own choices and responses. They can make their own the prayer of the follower of Jesus “Lord I do believe, help thou my unbelief.” If such be the case, in the Catholic Church, they are invited to journey with the faithful through the process called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults – R.C.I.A. for short.

The process begins with an Inquiry period and continues with study of the beliefs and traditions of the Church. After the Inquiry period, the Rite of Acceptance provides the opportunity for inquirers to formally and publicly state their intent to join the Church. The congregation accepts the inquirers who then become Catechumens (if they are not baptized in the Christian faith) or Candidates (if they are baptized in the Christian faith).

At the Easter Vigil, those to be initiated are baptized, confirmed, and share in the Eucharist for the first time.

The final step of the process is mystagogy, a period from Easter Sunday to Pentecost when the newly initiated continue learning about the church and the parish and are called to continue to share their faith.

For more information please contact Andrew Burrichter.
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