RCIA: Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults
An Overview of the Process
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The process by which we accept new
members into the faith
May be baptized in another faith
May be completely uncatechized
Overview of the Initiation Process
Precatechumenate/Inquiry
Rite of Acceptance or Welcome
Catechumenate
Rite of Sending/Rite of Election/Rite
of Call to Continuing Conversion
Purification and Enlightenment
Initiation Sacraments
Mystagogy
Periods of the Initiation process
Precatechumenate
Called inquirers
Opportunity to explore the basic doctrines of
the faith
Informal setting – no set schedule of topics
Sharing of personal stories – what brought
them here
Directed by the needs of the inquirers
Duration as long as needed
Periods of Initiation Process
Catechumenate
Follows Rite of Acceptance/Welcome
More formal period of instruction
Based on lectionary -dismissed from liturgy
after homily
Explore the connection between word and
treasury of faith
Deeper look into Catholic teachings
Baptized called candidates
Unbaptized called catechumens
Periods of Initiation Process
Purification and Enlightenment
After Rite of Election/Call to Continuing
Conversion
More retreat like setting
Focus on spiritual growth
Explore thirsts, blindness, and deaths in
life
Baptized called candidates
Unbaptized called The Elect
Periods of Initiation Process
Mystagogia
Informal setting again
Connect life to liturgy of word and Eucharist
Time to explore even deeper into the treasury
of faith
Called neophytes if baptized at Easter Vigil
Called Catholic Christian if just received into full
communion
Occurs after Easter Vigil at least through
Pentecost
Rites of the Initiation Process
Rite of Acceptance into the Order of
Catechumens
For unbaptized inquirers
Occurs after discernment by team, pastor and inquirer as
to readiness to explore deeper into faith
Now called catechumens
Rite of Welcoming
For baptized inquirers
Occurs after discernment by team, pastor and inquirer as
to readiness to explore deeper into faith
Now called candidates
Rites of the Initiation Process
Rite of Sending/Enrolling of Names
Used to send catechumens from parish to bishop
Catechumens only sign the book of the elect as a pledge
of their commitment to receive the Easter sacraments
Rite of Election
Occurs at the Cathedral
Affirm their commitment to receive sacraments at Easter
Vigil
Now called The Elect
Both usually occur on the first Sunday of
Lent
Rites of Initiation Process
Rite of Calling the Candidate to
Continuing Conversion
For those already baptized seeking full
communion with the church
May occur in conjunction with the Rite of
Election at the Cathedral
Occurs usually the first Sunday of Lent
Affirms their commitment to enter into
full communion with the church
Rites of Initiation Process
Initiation Sacraments – for the
unbaptized
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Takes place at the Easter Vigil
Reception into Full Communion- for
the baptized
Make a profession of faith
Confirmation
Eucharist
May occur at times other than Easter Vigil
More information
Websites:
North American Forum on the
Catechumenate www.naforum.org
US Catholic Conference of Bishops
Books
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults rite
book from Liturgy Training Publications
Foundations in Faith from RCL
publishing