Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA)

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and is the process through which one can, inquire/ learn about the Catholic Faith and then join the Church, or complete their Sacraments of Christian Initiation.

RCIA is for three groups of people

• Those who are not baptized.

• Those who were baptized into another Christian denomination and wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.

• Baptized Catholics who were never formed in the Catholic faith and have not completed their initiation; that is, who have received neither of the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist.

RCIA consists of four periods of formation, which are marked by rituals that celebrate what has been completed and call a person into the next phase. There is no specific length of time for each period. The RCIA is a journey that "takes as long as it takes," according to each individual and "when they are ready."

• The Inquiry or Precatechumenate

• The Catechumenate

• The Lenten period of Purification and Enlightenment

• Mystagogy or a time of deeper understanding of the "mysteries"