The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."
Likewise, the language used in the RCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.
All are welcome!
RCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way
for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.
The Steps
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:
Each year, usually in the Fall, potential members of the RCIA class participate in a Rite of Acceptance into the 'Catechumenate' during one of our Sunday Masses. For the next few months, the Catechumens learn about the faith and prepare for the sacraments, especially to receive Baptism.
At the start of the holy season of Lent, which falls in late Winter, the Catechumens are sent to meet the Bishop at the Cathedral in Jackson where their names are recorded as members of the 'Elect'. For the next five weeks of Lent, they participate in rites of blessing and prayers during our Sunday Mass to prepare them for Baptism.
On the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday, the Catechumens gather in the Church with the parish community for the Solemn Paschal Vigil: the holiest Mass of the year where we celebrate the Resurrection at the earliest possible moment. During this Mass, the Catechumens are baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion, thus becoming full members of the Catholic Church.
For a few weeks afterwards, the Catechumens are invited to return to meet occasionally with their RCIA team members to reflect on the blessings they received and to learn how they can better participate in the life of our Parish family.
The RICA Team
People journeying through the RCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The RCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.