What is RCIA?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), also called the Catechumenate, is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation.

It is a process which enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The RCIA is more than a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants.

RCIA is primarily a journey of faith:

From the awareness of stirring of faith and curiosity within one's heart,

• through all those stages of asking and seeking,
• through beginning involvement with Roman Catholic people,
• through hearing the Gospel proclaimed and by faithful reflection and prayer on this Word of God,
• through study and discussion about the Catholic experience,
• through doubts and hesitations,
• through discernment of God's call for them as individuals,
• through the steps of commitment,
• through the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)

to a life of faith, love, and justice lived in communion with Catholics throughout the world.

If you are interested in this program, please contact the Religious Education Office at (610) 692-5886.