Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

So what exactly do those initials stand for? RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a time for those who are not baptized or are baptized in another faith tradition to inquire about Catholicism.

There probably isn’t a book called "Catholicism for Dummies", and this is not one.

RCIA is the Catholic Church’s way of forming new disciples of Jesus Christ. It’s the way the Catholic Church welcomes new members, but even more important than membership in the Catholic Church is becoming a disciple of Jesus.

Participating in RCIA is much more than going to classes on Catholicism. It’s undergoing a conversion to a new way of life in Christ. Participants learn the Catholic Christian way of life by being in the midst of members of the parish community.

RCIA meets year round. Sessions typically include prayer, instruction on some aspect of the Catholic faith, and small group discussion time.

Candidates are initiated gradually through a series of liturgical rites. New members receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, the highlight of the Church year.

Who is RCIA for?

RCIA welcomes:

• Those who have never been baptized.
• Those baptized in another Christian faith tradition who may be interested in joining the Catholic Church.
• Catholics who were baptized but never confirmed.
• Anyone who just wants to learn more about the Catholic faith: Perhaps you are engaged or married to a Catholic and want to know more about your partner’s religion. Maybe your children are being raised as Catholics and you want to better understand the faith tradition they are learning or maybe you’ve attended Church with a Catholic friend and would like to know more. You’ll deepen your faith—guaranteed!

Some topics for the RCIA sessions include:

• Church Tour – learn all about the things you see in our church building.
• Walk through the Mass – understand what’s happening at Mass so you’ll feel more at home here.
• Similarities and differences between the Catholic Church and other Christian faiths.
• Misconceptions and questions about the Catholic Church – ask anything!

What if I’m not sure if I want to become a Catholic?

That’s fine! RCIA begins with Inquiry sessions. At the end of the Inquiry period, you decide if you are interested in learning more. Even if you decide to continue, there is no final commitment to join the Church until much later in the process.

For more information, please call Madeline Merkl at the Christian Formation Office, 334-3023