The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a path toward becoming a member of the universal Catholic church. An adaptation of the RCIA for teens and children (typically ages 8-15 and of sufficient maturity to make such a decision) is also available for becoming a Catholic. Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil Mass, thousands of people across the world enter the universal Catholic Church as the culmination of their preparation through the RCIA process. It is, indeed, a joyous occasion!
Individuals who decide to pursue becoming Catholic through the RCIA process (or adaptation for teens and children) include the following:
Non-Catholic individuals who have been baptized in another Christian faith (e.g., Methodist or Baptist)
Individuals who have not been baptized
Adult Catholics who received the Sacrament of Baptism, but not yet the Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation and wishes to do so.
Any Catholic who, after an extended time of inactivity in the Church, wishes to rededicate oneself to the Catholic faith and Church community.
The RCIA is not a formal course or program to be completed within a specified time period. It is a process by which the Church ministers to those individuals who seek membership in the Catholic community of faith and recognizes that some individuals need more time than others to prepare for this lifetime commitment represented in the initiation into the Catholic Church. The RCIA process involves five stages of preparation and a typical period completion is one to two years. Whenever a person completes the process, the entry into the Church community occurs during the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday.
Before RCIA begins, individuals engage in one or more casual conversations with the pastor or a designated RCIA team member to learn more about the process and/or the Catholic faith. These conversations provide opportunities to have questions answered and determine whether becoming Catholic and the RCIA process is the right path to pursue. Individuals do not have to make a commitment to become Catholic prior to beginning the process; it starts with your desire to learn more about becoming Catholic. During the RCIA process and before committing to joining the Catholic Church, you will participate in discussions and presentations, self-directed study and prayer, and engagement within the Catholic community to develop a rich understanding of the Catholic faith and living a Catholic life. When you are ready, you will receive the sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist and become a member of the Catholic Church and community.
To learn about the RCIA process at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, please contact the Parish Office to schedule a meeting with Father Rob to learn more (Telephone: 985-497-3412, Email: [email protected]).