RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The RCIA flows from Vatican II which guides the process by which adults are initiated into the Roman Catholic community. The RCIA is not a program. It is a process in which men and women are guided and cared for as they awaken in faith and are gradually introduced to the Catholic way of life. This journey of faith is similar to the one people made when joining the early Church communities. Today’s revised process calls on the entire community for involvement and prayerful support.

The RCIA process is marked by liturgical rites in the presence of the whole community in which new Catholics embark on, and join us in a continuing and deepening conversion into faith and discipleship. The RCIA takes the distinctive history and spiritual needs of each person into account including differences between the baptized and the unbaptized.

Conversion is the process of turning over one’s life and energies to God. We know from our own lives and experience that conversion is an ongoing, lifelong process of personal spiritual growth, as well as a social process in which we strengthen and draw strength from others. Caring for people in the midst of this life-changing experience is the goal of the RCIA ministry.

The presence of even one catechumen in a parish is sufficient to awaken a renewal of faith in the whole community. Each parish as it sends forth a message about its life, needs to become more and more aware of what it is communicating. The seeking of the catechumens challenges all of us to continue our own journey of searching out the face of God.

Rite of Acceptance

As each inquirer desires to continue the conversion journey within our faith community, they are invited to experience the first major rite of the RCIA process, the Rite of Acceptance takes place in the Fall. The inquirers who have not been baptized become catechumens (meaning new believers).

The catechumens assemble publicly for the first time to "make their intentions known to the Church". This celebrates the covenant that is being made between the catechumens and the local church community. They promise to continue the journey of faith within the community and to offer the witness of a seeking heart. The community promises to witness to the fullness of the Christian message and to support the catechumens on their momentous journey.

The lives of the catechumens have begun to change in many ways. A desire to enter into greater communication with Jesus Christ becomes more specific. Prayer has begun to take shape in the life of the seeker. A taste of Christian communal life has made its mark on their lives.

For the catechumens, new foundations have to be laid, roots have to be deepened, intimacy with God must be allowed to blossom, and life-styles must be altered. The implications of this initial act of faith are lifelong and all embracing.

The Rite of Acceptance gives the Catechumens and Candidates the right to a Catholic Burial and the right to have their children attend Catholic school.

Rite of Election

The Rite of Election takes place on the first Sunday of lent. This rite marks a major transition. Catechumens now become known as the elect, and their names are inscribed in the diocese’s Book of Enrollment.

Purification and Enlightenment Period

The period corresponds to the time in the Catholic Church known as Lent. Lent is the six weeks of preparation for Easter and the Sacraments of Initiation. The period is one of prayer, fasting and reflection for the Elect.

Easter Vigil

The Candidates and the Elect are initiated through the third and consuming rite, the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. The Elect culminate their long journey of initiation in the waters of Baptism. Then the Elect and the Candidates are sealed with the oil of Confirmation and share the Eucharistic Body & Blood as full members of the Roman Catholic Church.