The RCIA Journey

The rite of Christian initiation presented here is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.

This rite includes not simply the celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and eucharist, but also all the rites belonging to the catechumenate. Endorsed by the ancient practice of the Church, a catechumenate that would be suited to contemporary missionary activity in all regions was so widely requested that the Second Vatican Council decreed its restoration, revision, and adaptation to local traditions.

The RCIA is the normative process for preparing adults catechumens into the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist. But the RCIA also provides rites for special circumstances:

  • The Christian Initiation of Children
  • The rites of reception of baptised Christians into the full communion of the Catholic Church.
  • The guidelines for preparing uncatechised adults for confirmation and eucharist (usually referred to as candidates)
  • The journey of children and of candidates towards Christian initiation and/or full communion with the Church is an adaptation of the rite of Christian initiation of adults.


THE STEPS AND STAGES OF THE RCIA JOURNEY
The initiation of catechumens is a gradual process that takes place within the community of the faithful. By joining the catechumens in reflecting on the value of the paschal mystery and by renewing their own conversion, the faithful provide an example that will help the catechumens to obey the Holy Spirit more generously.

The rite of initiation is suited to a spiritual journey of adults that varies according to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of the individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place.

This journey includes not only the stages for making inquiry and for maturing (see no.7), but also the steps marking the catechumens’ progress, as they pass, so to speak, through another doorway or ascend to the next level. The steps lead to stages of inquiry and growth; alternatively the stages may also be seen
as preparing for the ensuing step.


THE FIRST STAGE: THE PRE-CATECHUMENATE PERIOD
The first stage, also called the Period of Enquiry) consists of inquiry on the part of the candidates and of evangelization and the precatechumenate on the part of the Church. It ends with the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens.

THE FIRST STEP: THE RITE OF ACCEPTANCE
The first step: reaching the point of initial conversion and wishing to become Christians, they are accepted as catechumens by the Church.

THE SECOND STAGE: THE CATECHUMENATE
The second stage, which begins with the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens and may last for several years, includes catechesis and the rites connected with catechesis. It comes to an end on the day of election.

THE SECOND STEP: THE RITE OF ELECTION
The second step is usually celebrated at the beginning of Lent: having progressed in faith and nearly completed the catechumenate, they are accepted into a more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation.

View Rite of Election 2011

THE THIRD STAGE
The third and much shorter stage, which follows the rite of election, ordinarily coincides with the Lenten preparation for the Easter celebration and the sacraments of initiation. It is a time of purification and enlightenment and includes the celebration of the rites belonging to this period.

THE THIRD STEP:  CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION: BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST.
The third step is usually celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Having completed their spiritual preparation, they receive the sacraments of Christian initiation, baptism, confirmation and eucharist.
The Rites of Christian Initiation are followed by the fourth stage: the period of Mystagogia. After their initiation, they are called neophytes (or newly planted

THE FOURTH STAGE: THE PERIOD OF MYSTAGOGIA
The final period extends through the whole Easter season and is devoted to the postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogia. It is a time for deepening the Christian experience, for spiritual growth, and for entering more fully into the life and unity of the community.
The new members are therefore invited and challenged to embrace the privileges and the responsibilities of having become active members of the Catholic community in witnessing Jesus Christ to the world.