Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process in which participants “undergo conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments. The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism”.
The beliefs of the Catholic Church and her beautiful teachings are consistent through the ages.
- We believe that God created human beings in love. Everything God creates is good and created out of love. While we have the capacity for sin, the Church believes in the dignity of the human person above all else.
- We also believe that goodness infuses all of God’s wondrous creation. All creation, made by God, reflects that goodness. Catholics see the world and its beauty, renewed by the Incarnation, as sacramental – speaking of God’s goodness and love.
- We believe in stewardship. God gives everything to us and our Catholic responsibility is to share our time, talent and treasure with those around us.
- We believe in the Holy Trinity, that God has revealed himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – a communion of knowledge and love – has created us to share in that life.
- We believe in community and a living Church – believers are a part of the living Body of Christ and, as such, we are a reflection of the communal nature of the Trinity.
- We believe that God loved his creation so much that he became human in the person of Jesus to walk among us.
- We believe in the communion of the saints – models of faith who help us and guide us in our daily lives.
- We believe in Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection, and we hope that one day we will rise to new life with him.
Becoming Catholic today means joining an ancient faith, deeply rooted in the teachings and traditions of Christ, that is filled with hope and vibrancy as we continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the ends of the earth.
If you have questions about the Catholic faith, are curious about Christianity, or interested in celebrating Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist), RCIA is for you. RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. You may also hear about “OCIA,” which stands for the “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.” They mean the same thing – the process the Catholic Church uses to help adults get their questions answered and to become baptized and confirmed members in full communion with the Catholic Church.
For Catholics, baptism is a really big deal. We believe that baptism changes us permanently. When someone is baptized using water in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit with the intention to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, that person becomes a Christian. Even if celebrated in another Christian tradition (e.g., Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.), that baptism makes them an adopted child of God, sibling of Jesus Christ, and a member of Christ’s mystical body on earth. That baptism cleanses them of all sin and makes them a new creation in Christ. As we profess in the Nicene Creed, we “confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” Generally, everyone starts RCIA as an Inquirer. If they choose to move forward to celebrate Sacraments of Initiation, those who have never been baptized celebrate the “Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens” and become catechumens. Those who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition celebrate the “Rite of Welcoming the Candidates” and become candidates. Those who are already baptized Catholics and are seeking First Eucharist and Confirmation do not celebrate a Rite of Acceptance or Welcoming. They are called “adult candidates for Confirmation,” whom we call confirmandi (singular: confirmand).
We have a rolling Inquiry period, so no need to wait. See the “RCIA Schedule” below and come to Founders Room (from the church, go down the hall past the bathrooms all the way to the end) any Wednesday night we’re meeting at 6:30PM. You do not have to wait until we’re doing an “Introduction” session.
The Children’s Catechumenate is a process of discernment and whole-family catechesis for anyone between the ages of 8 and 17, who is interested in becoming a Catholic or who is currently a baptized Catholic above the second grade and seeks to be prepared for and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.
To learn more about the Children’s Catechumenate, please contact:
Elementary: Marisa Ferrara, Coordinator of Formation & First Sacraments at Marisa.Ferrara@stfrancisraleigh.org.