Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA)
A process for adults who are (or might be) interested in joining the Roman Catholic Church.
RCIA is a renewed ritual of an ancient process of becoming a full, active, participating member of the Catholic Church.
RCIC is the Rite of Christian Initiation for children age 8-12.
RCIT is the Rite of Christian Initiation for teens age 13-18.
What is RCIA?
It is a process for adults who are (or might be) interested in joining the Roman Catholic Church. RCIA is a renewed
ritual of an ancient process of becoming a full, active, participating member of the Catholic Church.
What is RCIC/RCIT?
This is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children and Teens. Any child or youth 8-17 yrs of age who has been baptized into
another faith and would like to become a Catholic or who has never been Baptized becomes involved in this faith journey.
Questions and concerns
Call the office @ 301-834-9185
Have you felt the Holy Spirit calling you towards the Catholic Faith?
Is your spouse Catholic and you want a better understanding of the Catholic faith?
Are you concerned of the consequences with family and friends if you join the Catholic Church?
Do you have questions and would like to come to an Inquiry class?
Are you Catholic but feel the Holy Spirit calling you to be a member of RCIA, RCIC or RCIT team or
a sponsor for the faith community?
What if I am active in my faith but never received Eucharist or Confirmation?
Who becomes involved with the process?
The Catechumenate: a person who has never been baptized.
The Candidate: a person who has been baptized in another faith.
The Candidate: a person baptized in the Roman Catholic Church but has not been fully initiated
with the Eucharist and Confirmation.
The Entire Parish Community
How is the Faith Community involved?
-by making the adult feel welcome
-by sharing in special Rites and Celebrations
-by being an active role model within the faith community
-by showing continuous support for the adult throughout the process
-by being a catechist
-by being a sponsor: a personal link between the adult and the community
How Long is the Process?
RCIA is a personal journey. The adult chooses the level of commitment throughout the entire process.
The process has 4 unique periods.
Evangelization & Precatechumenate (Inquiry)
This period builds a foundation in the Catholic way of life. This enables the adult to decide whether the Catholic Church
is truly for him or her.
For those who are already sure about their decision, Inquiry period provides information to strengthen that choice.
The period ends with The Rite of Acceptance or Welcoming. The adult asks the faith community if he or she can become a Catechumenate of the church.
The faith community agrees and pledges prayer and support for his or her journey.
The Catechumenate
This period gives opportunities for the adult to spend time:
-growing in personal faith and prayer
-interacting with the faith community in service
-participating in the liturgy of the Word with the faith community
-learning the teachings of the Catholic Church
This period ends with The Rite of Election, usually on the first Sunday of Lent. The adult asks the faith community if they
agree to send him or her forth to the Bishop. There he or she will be elected into the final process of becoming Catholic.
The faith community agrees to send the adult forth and pledges continuous support and prayer.
Purification & Enlightenment (Lent)
This period represent 40 days of final preparation for Easter. The adult reflects on his or her religious experience and
faith as preparation to make the final commitment at the Easter Vigil Celebration.
On the 2nd Sunday of Lent a special blessing is prayed over any Candidate who wishes to continue the process.
The 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent are shared with the entire community and the Catechumenate in the Scrutinies.
This period ends with the entire community sharing in the celebration of the adult receiving Baptism, Confirmation and
First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
Mystagogia
The adult now centers his or her thoughts and prayers on celebrating both the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Time is spent on asking, “How can I serve the others in my Faith Community?” The final celebration of the RCIA
process is, The Feast of Pentecost. The adult marks the beginning of a new life in the Catholic Church.
Classes are held every other Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:00pm at St. Francis