RCIA
Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults

RCIA Inquiry:
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Catholic, or if you are an inactive Catholic who has been away from the Church, please join Frank Sevick in the Parish Center.

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RCIA
St. James Cathedral invites you to pay us a visit! 

You are under no obligation, you can visit any of our classes, anytime, even just to see what’s going on!

Are you:

• interested in learning more about the Catholic Church?

• unbaptized and you have a need for spirituality in your life?

• baptized, but never received any formal religious education?

• married to a Catholic and you attend Mass with them, and you want to share in their faith?

• seeking something in your life, but are not sure what it is?

The 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 experience that will change your life and give your life new meaning and new direction. Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and Savior, is the model we all should aspire to be like.  He can also help in your family life by giving  guidance to your children in their social interactions and keep them from the dangers of the world that are outside of your control.

• How Does One Become a Catholic?
• The Order of Christian Initiation
  • Period of Inquiry
  • Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
  • Period of the Catechumenate
  • Election or Enrollment of Names
  • Period of Purification and Enlightenment
  • Sacraments of Initiation
  • Period of Mystagogy
• Catechumen or Candidate?
• How Long Does It Take?
• What Is the First Step?

Usually, members of the Catholic Church are baptized as infants and they are raised by their parents in the Catholic way.  They receive religious instruction, may attend Catholic schools and as they grow in age and in faith, they come to share
in the sacramental life of the church.

Others, who were baptized in other Christian traditions, become Catholics after attending RCIA classes, make a profession of faith, receive communion and share Eucharist with the Catholic community.

Then there are others, who are not baptized, who will also attend the RCIA classes, and then take the sacraments of baptism, profession of faith, confirmation, and Eucharist, which are usually done during the Easter Vigil.

Whatever point you are at in your spirituality, the Catholic Church, will guide you through the process, with special attention given to your spiritual growth. Any questions you may have about, the Bible, faith, Jesus, the Church, etc., the wonderful, caring people of the Church will have the answers for you.

The Catholic Church warmly welcomes all who want to join. They will take special care to provide you with the foundation onto which you can build your faith in Christ. Through the process called Christian initiation (or Catechumenate), you will
find out what your neighbors already know about Christ and his Words, what over 2000 years of tradition have taught and guided the human race, and what faith in Christ has to offer you.

Christ wants nothing from you other than your love. His love is given to your freely, will you take it?

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Period of Inquiry

This is a time of introduction to the gospel of Jesus Christ and of reflection on one's own life in the light of the values of the reign of God. It is an unstructured time of no fixed duration for questions and an opportunity for the beginnings of Christian faith.

Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens

Those who profess their faith in Jesus Christ and sincerely desire to enter the church celebrate with the worshiping assembly begin their journey of faith. They accept the way of Jesus, receive the sign of the cross of Christ and join in the liturgy of the word of God.

Period of the Catechumenate

Along with their sponsors for the journey, catechumens celebrate the liturgy of the word each Sunday, receive anointings, participate in prayers of faith and blessing and take part in the mission of the church to the world. During these months or years in the Catechumenate, catechumens discover the love and power of God in their lives and in the church.

Election or Enrollment of Names

This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in the cathedral of the dioceses, in which the bishop formally acknowledges the readiness of the catechumens and calls them to the sacraments of initiation. Catechumens -- the elect -- respond by expressing their desire for these sacraments.

Period of Purification and Enlightenment

Usually during the Lenten season preceding the celebration of initiation at the Easter Vigil, this is a time of intense immediate preparation. Centered on the word of God, creed, Lord's Prayer and evangelical scrutinies, catechumens -- the elect -- experience the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in their own lives.

Sacraments of Initiation

Catechumens -- the elect -- celebrate initiation in the threefold sacrament of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist ordinarily at the Easter Vigil. The waters of baptism put to death the old person of sin and give birth to the new person in Christ. Anointing with sacred chrism seals and strengthens the newly-baptized Christian. Faithful and active participation at the eucharistic table of the Lord as apostles and witnesses is the goal of Christian initiation and constitutes full membership in the church.

Period of Mystagogy

Mystagogy is the 50-day Easter time following the celebration of Christian initiation. Newly-baptized persons receive sacramental catechesis and participate fully with the faithful in the eucharistic life and in the mission of the church for justice and peace. A program of Christian formation and incorporation into the full life of the Christian community assists the newly-baptized persons until their anniversary of initiation. This period reminds everyone that growth in faith is ongoing and lifelong.

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Christian initiation, or Catechumenate, is the way the church helps an unbaptized person prepare for and reflect on baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. A person in the Catechumenate is called a catechumen.

However, when one speaks of a baptized person from a Protestant tradition, for example, who is preparing for reception into full communion in the Roman tradition, one is speaking of a different matter. A baptized person should not be led automatically through the full catechumenal process or be called a catechumen. Instead, we call him or her a candidate.

Frequently candidates for full communion in the Catholic church find certain elements of the Catechumenate helpful in their preparation. For example, the focus on continuing conversion is appropriate for any Christian, especially at a time of transition. An understanding of Catholic beliefs, the practice of Catholic observances in the church year over an appropriate period of time and the experience of Catholic community are all necessary for an informed commitment that will last.

Since candidates are already baptized, the liturgical rites that mark the steps of the formation process are different from those of catechumens. There are rites of welcoming by the parish community and recognition by the bishop, a celebration of the call to continuing conversion and a penitential rite. Reception into full communion in the Catholic church takes place with the profession of faith, confirmation and Eucharist.

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Christian initiation is not a program. It is the church's way of ministering sensitively to those who seek membership. For that reason, some people will need more time than others to prepare for the lifetime commitment that comes with membership in the Catholic church. The usual length of preparation iS from one to two years. For those already baptized and who seek full communion in the Catholic church, the time may also vary. It seems reasonable that catechumens or candidates experience the yearly calendar of Catholic practices at least one time around before they are initiated. The process of spiritual renewal and catechesis should not be hasty, especially for those not accustomed to the feasts and seasons, rites and fasts the way Catholics observe them.

One of the better times for the sacraments of initiation is the Easter Vigil. it can also be a good time to celebrate the rite of reception into full communion with the Roman Catholic church. The celebration of the Easter Vigil dramatically points to the wellspring of the church's life: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Anyone who is seriously thinking about becoming a Catholic Christian or would simply like more information can contact the nearest Catholic parish. Ordinarily, meeting with the pastor or a minister of the Catechumenate would be first step in the journey toward becoming a Catholic.

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