Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) is the spiritual and intellectual formation process by which adults prepare to join the Catholic Church. This is a spiritual journey which begins by responding to God’s call to seek the living God. It provides a path to enter the Church, most commonly at the Easter Vigil Mass, through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism (if not already received), Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.
The RCIA process includes periods for growing in faith. These periods are stepping stones marked by liturgical rites, such as the Rite of Acceptance and Rite of Election, that are celebrated by the Church. It also provides education in the faith (catechesis) which consists of the teaching of Catholic Christian doctrine. It encourages prayer and builds a community of faith so that those entering and the Church and those already Catholic can learn and grow in the faith together.
Do you know an unbaptized person who is interested in becoming a Catholic? Do you know a baptized member of another Christian denomination who wants to join the Catholic Church? Do you know a baptized-but-notconfirmed Catholic who desires to become a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process for an unbaptized adult or a baptized adult member of another Christian denomination to enter the Catholic Church. This process entails prayer, worship and study. Although each person’s timeline through RCIA is unique, the process begins in September and generally ends at the Parish Easter Vigil on April 4, 2021, with a post-Easter time of growing deeper in the faith.
Beside the he Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), our parish also have Adult Confirmation program. This program offfers for baptized Catholic adults who are not confirmed but desire to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and become a fully initiated Catholic. This program also involves prayer, worship and study. It begins in the Fall and ends with the Sacrament of Confirmation conferred by the Archbishop at St. Louis Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021.
In our parish, we have several prospective candidates for RCIA and Adult Confirmation. If you or anyone you know is interested in making this journey, contact the Director of our Religious Education.