RCIA Process

RIGHT OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION (RCIA)

The RCIA Process

The RCIA is the process by which those people seven years old and older join the Catholic Church. Each of them is in need of two or three of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation & First Eucharist – or Confirmation & First Eucharist). This process is the very core of our mission as the baptized. We are tasked by Jesus Christ Himself to spread the word of God to all people and nations: to build Church. His clarity on this subject leaves no doubt – there really isn’t any wiggle room …no “if’s or but’s.” We are all blessed that our RCIA process in our parish has three tracks: adult, teen and children. Each track meets separately to study scriptures and learn about the Church, but all Rites are done as one, with the Church.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is, therefore, central to the responsibility each of us shares, not as a burden, but as a source of joy. It is not an “end product,” but a wellspring of spiritual growth, not only for those going through the process, but for each of us assisting them. How could we not grow as we pray with them, share our faith with them, teach them and marvel as we witness their hearts being changed by God! Many a Christian thinks only of his personal relationship with God, sometimes labeled as a vertical relationship, “just you and me, God.” This can be good, holy and positive. Others think only of their horizontal relationship with the people of God. This can also be good and positive. Neither is complete without the other. Only with love and devotion to God, and the care, nurturing and evangelization of his people, are we truly being Disciples of Christ.

How long does our RCIA process take? The only answer is “It takes as long as it takes ….” Every person is an individual - each on his very own spiritual journey. Every person is growing at his own rate, dealing with his own difficulties and problems, and experiencing conversion in his own time. Therefore, there is no “right or wrong,” “good or bad,” “correct or incorrect” time it takes a person to go through the RCIA process. We have guidelines from the American bishops, but each person must be allowed to experience his own unique journey.

The formal RCIA process is broken into four phases: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogia. The following will briefly describe each phase and list the events that occur within each phase.

Inquiry A person comes to Inquiry to “inquire” about the Catholic Church. This welcoming phase is highlighted by weekly, year-round meetings, at which people are introduced to the Catholic Church and encouraged to ask questions. Their questions about Catholicism are answered and any misconceptions about the Church they might have are corrected. Their learning process begins and their prayer life is encouraged. While their weekly attendance is encouraged, it is not required.

Three times a year (approximately, every four months) we plan the Rite of Acceptance (to move the unbaptized into the Catechumenate phase, where they become the Catechumens) and the Rite of Welcoming (to move the baptized into the Catechumenate phase, where they become the Candidates). We interview all who have been in the Inquiry phase for a while, to see if they are ready to commit to becoming Catholic. We discern with them if the time is right. Have they learned enough to make their decision, … are they ready to respond to God’s call? If they are, they are assigned a sponsor who will walk with them, one-on-one, on their spiritual journey. This sponsor must be a strong practicing Catholic, who will demonstrate what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ. The main symbol of the Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming is the Cross. “We sign you with the sign of the Cross…” At this time they are asked what they are asking of God and what they are asking of God’s Church. We, as God’s Church, are asked to support them on their journey.

Catechumenate The Catechumenate phase of the RCIA is a period of learning. These are the people who are dismissed from the 8:30 Mass every Sunday. They go and study the scriptures of the day. This is called “breaking open the Word.” They learn how these readings relate to their lives while learning more about the teaching of the Catholic Church. The guidelines call for at least one year in the Catechumenate for each person and weekly attendance is very important. (The goal is to have the person exposed to at least one full year of scriptures – Year A, B or C – so as to be exposed to everything the Church teaches).

Before Ash Wednesday each year, the members of the Catechumenate who have been in this phase for at least one year are interviewed. We discern with them to see if they are ready to receive the sacraments. If they are, they are scheduled for the Rite of Sending, when each parish sends the members of the Catechumenate to meet with their local bishop for the Rite of Election. (At the Rite of Sending, the unbaptized sign their names in the Book of the Elect which is later presented to the bishop at the Rite of Election). The bishop welcomes both the Elect (those who have been “elected” by God – not vice-versa) and the Candidates (those already baptized). He hears testimony on their behalf and approves them to receive the sacraments this Easter. They enter the Period of Purification & Enlightenment.

Purification & Enlightenment This next period was started in the early Church as a period of retreat for those who were going to receive the sacraments at Easter Vigil. The time of learning was suspended; this was the time to prepare themselves to meet the Risen Lord in the sacraments for the first time. As they prayed and fasted, they readied themselves for the “Night of Nights,” the Easter Vigil Mass. (The Church, very early on, wisely recognized the need in all of us to prepare for Easter in a similar fashion, and thus “Lent” was born). During this period of Purification & Enlightenment, the Elect and the rest of the Church celebrate the three Scrutinies, where the Gospels are always the same. At each scrutiny we all examine (scrutinize) ourselves towards the goal of discarding that which is sinful and encouraging that which is good. Like the “woman at the well,” we face our own sinfulness; “the blind man” reminds us of the times we are blind to the suffering in our own world, and the story of Lazarus focuses on our own resurrection with Jesus.

At the high point of the Church year, the Easter Vigil Mass, they receive the sacraments and become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. This is not an end point …but a beginning.

Mystagogy The final period of the RCIA process has a limited number of meetings in which the sacraments are studied further. During the fifty-day season of Easter, the neophytes (newly baptized) meet once a week to ponder the experience and meaning of the sacraments. They participate in the eucharistic life of the Church with the faithful. After Pentecost they meet once a month until the following Easter. They then enter an informal period of mystagogy. This is a time of continued spiritual growth, ongoing acts of charity and active participation in ministries within the Catholic Church. This informal period continues for as long as the person lives ... We are all in this period of informal mystagogy, together, as long as we live!

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