The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Catholic Church’s way of welcoming new members. It is a process of conversion likened to a journey in which the inquirers integrate into the faith community. It is a four-phase process with rituals between each phase. Sessions include discussions about many aspects of the Catholic faith including the Trinity, scripture, sacraments, saints, moral theology, prayer experiences, etc. The process typically takes many months, sometimes years, with initiation at the Easter Vigil. With our focus on campus ministry, the RCIA process at St. Thomas More Newman Center accommodates the academic calendar.
The whole Catholic community has a responsibility to participate in this welcoming.
The Process:
- Inquiry/Period of Precatechumenate
- Rite of Acceptance/Rite of Welcome
- Period of the Catechumenate
- Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion
- Period of Purification and Enlightenment
- Initiation
- Mystagogy
- Other Rituals: Anointing of the Catechumens, Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer, Presentation of the Creed, Scrutinies, Dismissals
The People:
- If you are not baptized
- If you are baptized in another Christian tradition
- If you are baptized Catholic but have not received First Eucharist
- If you are a fully initiated Catholic