R.C.I.A. - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
It is our Baptismal call to share our faith with others.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults consists of four distinct periods. Each period is marked by a formal Rite, or public celebration by the assembly.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults consists of four distinct periods. Each period is marked by a formal Rite, or public celebration by the assembly.
Inquiry
During this period, those who have an interest in learning more about the Catholic Church are invited to just “come and see.” During this time which is very informal, there is no commitment to the Church; it is a time for getting to know one another, for sharing food and stories, and for beginning to ask the big questions: what role, if any has God played in my life: Why do I think that God might be calling me at this time to explore the Catholic Faith? Why do I think it might be this particular faith community?
During this time, inquirers and Team members hopefully become comfortable in each other’s company and while there is not so much of an emphasis on formal learning, we do touch on some general topics of common interest and curiosity such as Scripture, Who is God? Who is Jesus? And we attempt to answer any burning questions participants may bring to the table. In addition, we try to make the inquirers feel more at home when they attend weekly liturgies.
At the end of this period, which may range from several weeks to a year or more, those who feel they are ready to do so are formally welcomed into the RCIA by celebrating the Rite of Welcoming in church. It is a time when the parish community gets to reassure the inquirers that, although they need not make a commitment to us at this point, we, the Church, make a commitment to them – to nurture and support them through our prayers and example. Now, they are officially recognized by the community as those who are beginning the Journey of Faith towards the Easter Vigil.
The Catechumenate
Now that they have celebrated the Rite of Welcoming, those who are in the Rite of Christian Initiation Process now enter the second phase, the Catechumenate. During this period, the catechumens (those who are unbaptized) and the candidates (those who are baptized as Catholics or in another Christian Faith) will do two things: first, they will be present each week as a group at one of the weekend liturgies and they will stay with the assembly until after the homily. Then they will be dismissed from the assembly but NOT from the Mass; they and their catechist (teacher) will go to another place and Break Open the Word of God that they have just experienced in church. This means that until they can join us at the Eucharistic table, they will be fed by Christ truly present in Scripture, and they will explore what the Lord may be saying to them in their own lives.
In addition to this weekend gathering, participants and their parish sponsors attend weeknight learning sessions where they receive and discuss information about the Catholic faith and practice. Topics include Mary and the Saints, Church history and structure, prayers and practices, the Mass, why there are different churches, and so on. Accompanying the participants on this journey is a specially trained parish sponsor, as well as any significant others a participant has chosen, such as a spouse or fiancé, or perhaps a parent or in-law. As the first week of Lent approaches, those who are prepared to do so will celebrate the Rite of Sending by the parish. This public celebration is held on the First Sunday of Lent and is marked by our parish family sending our candidates and catechumens and their sponsors to be formally invited to the Easter Sacraments at the Rite of Election by the Bishop at the Cathedral in Greensburg.
The RCIA Lenten Journey
For the RCIA participants (or the Elect, as they are now called) the Lenten season is the most intense. For them, this is the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, a time when they and we as a parish family are called to examine our lives, to turn away from sin, and to ask for God to rid us of all that is keeping us from becoming holy. Those who are on the journey toward the Easter Vigil are to intensify their prayer, to join the Church in her penitential practices and almsgiving, and to begin to discern where the Lord may be calling them to serve God through service in their new parish family.
During the Sundays of Lent, the elect and their sponsors are called forward to participate in a special intercessory prayers and blessings known as the Scrutinies. At these liturgies, the community hears special Gospel readings chosen especially for the occasion; and then, the celebrant invites the entire assembly to pray for the elect, that they would be freed from the hold of sin and would reform their lives. As we pray with and for them, we pray that we, too, might come to know the Lord in a deeper and more personal way and that God might free us from all that would hold us back from embracing God fully in our lives.
This period calls us all to experience a “metanoia,” or change of heart. The elect and Team members also attend a Day of Recollection in order to prepare themselves quietly and earnestly to experience the mystery of the Holy Triduum and the glory of the Resurrection.
RCIA Roles
Who are these people and what is their role in the process?
The Priest or Deacon – serves the Team as its spiritual head and advisor. It is his responsibility to celebrate all the Rites and special liturgies, and to preside over the blessings and rituals. In addition, he sees to it that any canonical issues such as annulments, marriages and baptisms are all valid and in conformity with Church law.
The Coordinator – It is this person’s task to see to it that all the parts of the RCIA process run smoothly, both for the participants and the other Team members. This person oversees the scheduling and the content of the sessions, makes sure that materials are available, and provides for the ongoing training and enrichment of the Team members. In addition, this person is to assure that the spiritual needs of both the participants and the Team members are being addressed, and works with the priest or deacon to see that the liturgies are in order.
The Catechists – These are the people who instruct and conduct in both the Breaking Open the Word and learning sessions. It is their job to make sure that questions and concerns in the sessions are addressed and that information is given in accordance with the approved teachings of the Church.
Parish Sponsors or Godparents – These are the people who are companions and mentors to those on the journey. While not expected to provide a formal learning process, they are to teach by example, sharing their love of God and their Catholic Faith by the way they live.
During this period, those who have an interest in learning more about the Catholic Church are invited to just “come and see.” During this time which is very informal, there is no commitment to the Church; it is a time for getting to know one another, for sharing food and stories, and for beginning to ask the big questions: what role, if any has God played in my life: Why do I think that God might be calling me at this time to explore the Catholic Faith? Why do I think it might be this particular faith community?
During this time, inquirers and Team members hopefully become comfortable in each other’s company and while there is not so much of an emphasis on formal learning, we do touch on some general topics of common interest and curiosity such as Scripture, Who is God? Who is Jesus? And we attempt to answer any burning questions participants may bring to the table. In addition, we try to make the inquirers feel more at home when they attend weekly liturgies.
At the end of this period, which may range from several weeks to a year or more, those who feel they are ready to do so are formally welcomed into the RCIA by celebrating the Rite of Welcoming in church. It is a time when the parish community gets to reassure the inquirers that, although they need not make a commitment to us at this point, we, the Church, make a commitment to them – to nurture and support them through our prayers and example. Now, they are officially recognized by the community as those who are beginning the Journey of Faith towards the Easter Vigil.
The Catechumenate
Now that they have celebrated the Rite of Welcoming, those who are in the Rite of Christian Initiation Process now enter the second phase, the Catechumenate. During this period, the catechumens (those who are unbaptized) and the candidates (those who are baptized as Catholics or in another Christian Faith) will do two things: first, they will be present each week as a group at one of the weekend liturgies and they will stay with the assembly until after the homily. Then they will be dismissed from the assembly but NOT from the Mass; they and their catechist (teacher) will go to another place and Break Open the Word of God that they have just experienced in church. This means that until they can join us at the Eucharistic table, they will be fed by Christ truly present in Scripture, and they will explore what the Lord may be saying to them in their own lives.
In addition to this weekend gathering, participants and their parish sponsors attend weeknight learning sessions where they receive and discuss information about the Catholic faith and practice. Topics include Mary and the Saints, Church history and structure, prayers and practices, the Mass, why there are different churches, and so on. Accompanying the participants on this journey is a specially trained parish sponsor, as well as any significant others a participant has chosen, such as a spouse or fiancé, or perhaps a parent or in-law. As the first week of Lent approaches, those who are prepared to do so will celebrate the Rite of Sending by the parish. This public celebration is held on the First Sunday of Lent and is marked by our parish family sending our candidates and catechumens and their sponsors to be formally invited to the Easter Sacraments at the Rite of Election by the Bishop at the Cathedral in Greensburg.
The RCIA Lenten Journey
For the RCIA participants (or the Elect, as they are now called) the Lenten season is the most intense. For them, this is the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, a time when they and we as a parish family are called to examine our lives, to turn away from sin, and to ask for God to rid us of all that is keeping us from becoming holy. Those who are on the journey toward the Easter Vigil are to intensify their prayer, to join the Church in her penitential practices and almsgiving, and to begin to discern where the Lord may be calling them to serve God through service in their new parish family.
During the Sundays of Lent, the elect and their sponsors are called forward to participate in a special intercessory prayers and blessings known as the Scrutinies. At these liturgies, the community hears special Gospel readings chosen especially for the occasion; and then, the celebrant invites the entire assembly to pray for the elect, that they would be freed from the hold of sin and would reform their lives. As we pray with and for them, we pray that we, too, might come to know the Lord in a deeper and more personal way and that God might free us from all that would hold us back from embracing God fully in our lives.
This period calls us all to experience a “metanoia,” or change of heart. The elect and Team members also attend a Day of Recollection in order to prepare themselves quietly and earnestly to experience the mystery of the Holy Triduum and the glory of the Resurrection.
RCIA Roles
Who are these people and what is their role in the process?
The Priest or Deacon – serves the Team as its spiritual head and advisor. It is his responsibility to celebrate all the Rites and special liturgies, and to preside over the blessings and rituals. In addition, he sees to it that any canonical issues such as annulments, marriages and baptisms are all valid and in conformity with Church law.
The Coordinator – It is this person’s task to see to it that all the parts of the RCIA process run smoothly, both for the participants and the other Team members. This person oversees the scheduling and the content of the sessions, makes sure that materials are available, and provides for the ongoing training and enrichment of the Team members. In addition, this person is to assure that the spiritual needs of both the participants and the Team members are being addressed, and works with the priest or deacon to see that the liturgies are in order.
The Catechists – These are the people who instruct and conduct in both the Breaking Open the Word and learning sessions. It is their job to make sure that questions and concerns in the sessions are addressed and that information is given in accordance with the approved teachings of the Church.
Parish Sponsors or Godparents – These are the people who are companions and mentors to those on the journey. While not expected to provide a formal learning process, they are to teach by example, sharing their love of God and their Catholic Faith by the way they live.
It becomes the responsibility of each of us to put this process to work. We all know people who might have been coming to church for a long time and are not Catholic. If you know of anyone who might be interested in learning about our church, invite them to come to a session. It is our Baptismal call to share our faith with others.
If you have any questions or concerns about RCIA please feel free to contact the office.
If you have any questions or concerns about RCIA please feel free to contact the office.