What Is RCIA?
This is what we tell people when asked: “What is RCIA?” The letters stand for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is not the best kept secret at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church but rather a well-known process through which the unbaptized, the uncatechized, or persons baptized in another religion may be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church . The sacraments of initiation are Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
The Christian initiation process is not a program. Programs have a fixed length of time and a determined course of studies. No one can “program” the Holy Spirit as he moves individuals to conversion; each person’s conversion journey is unique. While a parish may do things systematically and make a calendar of events each year, it must also pay close attention to the fact that for each inquirer, the conversion journey is unique to him or her.
My husband Larry went through the RCIA process in 1992. At the time we had been married for 28 years and had raised our four children in the Catholic religion, just as Larry had promised the priest before we got married. As an unbaptized non-catholic, it was necessary for him to make this promise before the priest would marry us. Call it ‘conversion by osmosis’ if you will, it was inevitable that he would decide to become Catholic. Through mine and my children’s example and our daily family life, Larry decided that the Catholic religion was something he wanted to know more about.
When one begins attending RCIA sessions, the pre-catechumenate period of the conversion process begins. This is know as a time of inquiry. Questions and/or concerns the inquirer may have about the Catholic religion are answered by the RCIA team. When he/she decides to move forward in their journey, they enter into the period of the catechumenate through the Rite of Acceptance, a rite through which the church accepts them into the faith community. The beginning of Lent brings the catechumen (unbaptized) and candidate (baptized) into the Period of Purification and Enlightenment through a process called the Rite of Election. The catechumen and candidate are ready to move into their final preparation period. They have experienced true conversion of heart, mind and soul. The period of Lent is a time to prepare themselves spiritually through repentance to celebrate the paschal mystery. This is a time for candidates to discuss the sacrament of reconciliation with their RCIA group. It is not necessary for the catechumens to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the other sacraments of initiation since their Baptism at Easter Vigil would erase all sin and fill their souls with God’s sanctifying grace.
Easter Vigil arrives. God has called the catechumens by name and has given them a unique path to follow. As the water of life was poured on the catechumen’s head, the priest said, “I baptize you In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”. After Baptism, the sacrament of Confirmation is received by the newly baptized and the candidates. After Confirmation the candidates make a profession of faith with the assembly, and renew their baptismal vows. At this time, the newly baptized and confirmed and the candidates who have been brought into full communion with the church and the Spirit receive the Body and Blood of Christ through the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The period following Easter Vigil is known as Mystagogy and lasts for a period of seven weeks, until Pentecost. During this time the neophytes (newly baptized and initiated) will look more deeply into the sacraments, how they affect their daily life, and how they are strengthened by them for their spiritual journey.
If you wish to learn more about the Catholic religion or wish to complete reception of the sacraments of initiation, call the St. Joseph Rectory at 284-5613 and someone will contact you.
God’s blessings to all on your faith journeys!
Larry and Charlotte Hargis, RCIA leaders
Shirley Lunde, RCIA Team member