RCIA
RCIA is the process in the Catholic Church by which adults who have not been baptised, or were perhaps baptised in another Christian tradition, and want to become Catholic, become members of the Church.
Often there has been a long process of reflection and growth in faith for someone, sometimes over many years. At someone's invitation, or perhaps becuase they feel the time is right, such a person will ask to be received into the Catholic community fully.
The journey involves learning about the Church and its faith; it involves becoming accustomed to Catholic forms of prayer and worship; it seeks to help enquirers form helpful images of God and the Church which can be sustaining for them, and to help them see how God is at work in their lives.
What does 'RCIA' stand for?
Rite of
Christian
Initiation of
Adults
The journey normally reaches its climax (not its end, since the journey is life-long!) at Easter each year, when those entering the Church are baptised, and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion.
However, there are other rites and moments which mark that journey, celebrated in the faith community. These rites both signal important steps along the road to membership of the Church and express the support and prayer of the community itself as it accompanies its friends and offers its welcome. Some of those rites are described below.
Stages & Rites for Welcoming New Members
Rite of Acceptance
When? When you feel ready! You have spoken to your priest and begun to find out more about Catholic faith. You have decided to begin in earnest your journey of learning and prayer as a Catechumen, and so, often at a Sunday Mass or at another gathering of the community, you will be blessed, both by the priest and by your sponsor, be asked to dedicate yourself to prayer and study, and experience the welcoming embrace of the parish, which dedicates itself to helping and supporting you by its prayer and example.
Rite of Election
When? The First Sunday of Lent.
Everyone in the Archdiocese who is going to be baptised or received into the Church at Easter comes to the Cathedral to meet the Archbishop, who affirms the whole Church's prayer for you, and invites you to use the season of Lent as a time of preparation and prayer ahead of the great event taking place six weeks later.
"Scrutinies"
When? Three of the Sundays during Lent.
In the parish, we reflect on themes of renewal, faith and baptism along with those preparing for the sacraments, and we pray for them.
Preparation Rites
During Lent, those preparing for Baptism celebrate smaller rites which symbolise their preparation: they are 'gifted' the Creed and 'Our Father', and may have a special anointing too.
