RCIA

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

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WHAT DOES "RCIA" STAND FOR?

RCIA stands for "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults". It is a journey of faith for anyone wishing to be baptized into the Catholic faith or who might wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. The RCIA is not a "programme", but rather a "process". It is a journey of mutual discernment between the community and those who wish to become part of our community.

WHEN & WHERE
DO WE MEET?

SO WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

Prior to Vatican II, anyone who wanted to become Catholic sat down with the priest and was instructed in the faith. There used to be a book called "Fr. Smith instructs Jackson". The emphasis was primarily on knowing the right answers to important questions.

Today, the emphasis has shifted to that of a faith journey. Thus, the RCIA, while involving a certain amount of catechesis (or instruction), also emphasizes community, scriptures, celebration and service.

Generally speaking, persons who wish to become Catholic begin as Inquirers. They begin a period of discernment, learning a bit about the Catholic faith, and examining their spiritual life and their fatih journey. At this point, some may decide that the Catholic Church is not where they are being called at this time, and that's OK. Others, however, may decide that this is for them, and wish to continue.

At this point, unbaptized persons are accepted into the Order of Catechumens, while baptized Christians are welcomed as Candidates. This period can last for months or for several years, depending on the person. There is no pass or fail, no exam and no real timetable. This is a time for further catechesis, for reflecting upon the Word of God, for celebrating rituals of strengtheing and for service. It is basically a time of apprenticeship. The Catechumen or Candidate will have a sponsor to journey with them, to discuss things with them and to help them in their journey of faith.

Initiation or completion of the initiation sacraments usually takes place at the Easter Vigil. The centre of the Easter Vigil is the initiation rites and without them, we lose much of the wonder and joy of the Easter Vigil.

We meet every Monday evening, in the Conference Room, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

We welcome new faces at any point during the year, but would ask that you first phone Sr. Jude at the parish office before attending one of the meetings - 564-4097.

WHAT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY?

The RCIA is not something disconnected from the parish at large. The whole community is part of the process as well! Members of the community serve as Godparents and Sponsors, as Catechists and Hospitality.

During the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Election and at the Easter Vigil, the priest/bishop asks the congregation whether these catechumens and/or candidates have progressed in their journey of faith, and whether we are ready to help them continue their journey. The RCIA is for all of us!!

A BIT OF HISTORY

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a restored rite, promoted by the Second Vatican Council. In the early Church, people who wanted to become Christian went through a period of catechesis (instruction) and were initiated on the evening before Easter Sunday.

Over the centuries, Christianity spread throughout Western Europe, to the point that almost everyone was Christian. And slowly, adult intiiation became less and less common, and most of those being baptized were infants. Because infants were often in danger of death, the preparation time before baptism and the actual baptismal ritual itself were shortened. Thus, the infant ritual for baptism became the norm, even for adults - short & sweet! With the RCIA, we are trying to return to the practice of the early Church.