The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process for learning about and becoming part of the Catholic Church. The RCIA is a period of preparation extending over the course of a year or more. The RCIA process is appropriate for adults who have not yet been baptized, for those who were baptized in another faith tradition, and for those who were baptized Catholic but not raised within the Catholic faith.
At its heart, the RCIA formation experience is about growing in faith, coming to an awareness that each of us makes up the Church, and committing one's life to Jesus Christ and the Church. In general, the RCIA experience includes the following steps. Alternative meeting times may be added to the schedule if the need arises.
This is a time of inquiry. There are weekly meetings to ask questions, get acquainted, hear the story of salvation and learn the most basic traditions of the Church.
Period of the Catechumenate. This period is an apprenticeship in the faith of the community. It is a time for deeper formation of our relationship with God, for participating in the Liturgy, and for getting involved in service to others. We continue to meet weekly, as well as attend Mass together on Sunday. During the liturgy, we leave the assembly to meet as a group to reflect on the scripture readings.
This is a time for healing and grace, a time for interior reflection on our relationship with God and others. This period coincides with the season of Lent and culminates with the decision to become Catholic. We continue to meet weekly as well as at Sunday Masses.
At the Easter Vigil Mass, we celebrate the Rite of Initiation, which includes Baptism (for those not yet baptized), the profession of faith, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
This is a time to explore and appreciate the mystery of Baptism and deepen one's grasp of the life, death and risen presence of Jesus Christ among us. Mystagogy is a period of discernment about how to live out the meaning of the rituals just celebrated at the Easter Vigil. We meet weekly for four weeks after Easter and then once a month until the first anniversary of a person's initiation.