Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
www.Christart.com
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)
Who is it for?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is designed for:
Adult inquirers, that is, for the non-baptized/ baptized in other faiths (if you wish to find out more about Christianity or becoming a Catholic),
For adult Catholics, who are baptized, but not catechized and/or did not complete the other Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and/or Confirmation),
All are welcome, so if you are interested in the Catholic Faith or know someone who is, the RCIA program is the answer!
Description:
The most important thing to understand about catechumenal ministry is that Jesus Christ is its source, power, goal, and reason for existing. From this central fact, all else flows…
“In catechesis it is Christ, the Incarnate Word and Son of God, who is taught – everything else is taught with reference to Him – and it is Christ alone who teaches – anyone else teaches to the extent that he is Christ’s spokesman, enabling Christ to teach with his lips.” (John Paul II, On Catechesis in Our Time, 6)
“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.” (On Catechesis in Our Time, 5)
The goal of the catechumenal process is to bring catechumens and candidates into communion with Christ. This goal is accomplished through the three aspects of the catechumenal process…
Liturgy: Helping participants encounter God here as nowhere else.
Catechesis: Helping participants understand and embrace the Deposit of Faith in its fullness.
Pastoring: Helping participants move to deep conversion.
The Program:
Those who are called by God into finding the fullness of the meaning of their life through the family of the Catholic Church must go through the RCIA program to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion).
The RCIA program can be divided into four major parts:
1- Inquiry: This is the period where participants wanting to find out more about the Christian faith and the Catholic Church attend the sessions offered once a week to discern their calling. This period ends with the Rite of Acceptance or the Rite of Welcoming.
2- The Catechumenate: This is an extended period for pastoral formation and guidance aimed at training participants in the Christian life; it includes a thoroughly comprehensive catechesis on the truths of the Catholic doctrine and moral life‡. This period is concluded with the Rite of Election.
3- Purification & Enlightenment: This period consists more in interior reflection than in instruction. It is intended to enlighten the minds and hearts of participants with a deep knowledge of Christ the Savior‡. It ends with the Rite of Initiation.
4- Mystagogia: This is a time for deepening the Christian experience, for spiritual growth, and for entering more fully into the life and unity of the community‡.
There is usually no set length of time for the RCIA program and the progress of individuals may vary from one person to another. The participant is considered to be ready when all people involved in his/her journey agree to his/her readiness and conversion.
www.Christart.com
Conversion:
Conversion is a turning away from our old life, with all that holds us in bondage to sin, and a turning to new life of freedom in Jesus Christ. A true conversion requires a change of heart, only affected by the grace of God. When we see the greatness of God, then we begin to understand the evil of sin. (Ref. Catechism of the Catholic Church n1431, 1432)
Here is an excerpt from a conversion story by Arda Akoglu:
“…As we kept on reading (The Bible) a transformation took place without me even realizing. Many of my questions were answered. And those that were not answered were disappearing. I was being able to accept His word without having all the answers. And a deep faith took the place that my doubts and questions occupied before: a deep faith, real peace and a true love for Jesus Christ. I decided to invite Jesus into my heart and to follow Him wherever He may lead me without ever looking back again. I decided to accept Him as my Savior, I wanted to do His will and not my own anymore. I knew I needed to have a change of heart, mind and actions! I decided to align myself with how He wanted me to be and what He wanted me to do.”
If you hunger and thirst for peace and joy in your life, if you want that intimate relationship with your Creator than the RCIA program is the right step for you to take in your faith journey.
It is our prayer that all who walk through the doors of this program will have their lives changed by God by responding to His invitation.
Please come join us for an inquiry session where you will have the chance to see for yourself. The meeting times and all other information can be obtained by calling the Parish Office.
May God bless you and guide you in your journey.
With all our Love,
St. Mary’s RCIA Team
Contact: Parish Office
Ph: 604-435-9611 ext.0