RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

If you know someone who might like to begin journeying with us in faith, please invite them to contact:

Deacon Luke Hally
(908)766-0888, ext.223

St. James Roman Catholic Church
184 South Finley Avenue
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

What is the RCIA?

The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

The RCIA involves the whole parish - in prayer as the rites are celebrated, in hospitality as new members are welcomed, and in specific ministries like sponsor, team member, or dismissal leader.

This year's RCIA Group

What are the steps of the RCIA?

1. The Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate: Prior to formally beginning the RCIA process, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. For some people, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, it is a shorter time. Often, some contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience leads people to inquire about membership in the Catholic Church. After a conversation with an advisor or spiritual guide, the person, known as an inquirer, may become firm in their desire for initiation and decide that they would like to begin more formal study of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. They are admitted into the next step through a special ceremony called the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. In this ritual the Church symbolically claims these men and women for Christ by signing them with the cross. The parish assembly affirms his or her wish and the inquirer then becomes a catechumen.

   This is the first time that the inquirers publicly declare their faith before the parish community. Because no one likes to do something like that on their own, each inquirer is accompanied by a sponsor. Sponsors may be chosen by the individual or provided by the parish. Sponsors provide support and companionship for the rest of the R.C.I.A. process.

2. The Period of the Catechumenate: Depending on how the catechumen is growing in faith, what questions and obstacles they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this faith journey, the duration of this time period can vary. The bishops of the United States have suggested that this catechumenate period is to last for at least one year. During this time the catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they want to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what membership in the Catholic Church involves. Catechumens have a special connection to the Church and even though they are not yet baptized, they have certain rights in the Church.

   When a catechumen and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. This rite includes the official enrollment of names of all those seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. On the first Sunday of Lent, the catechumens and their sponsors and families and members of the parish gather at the cathedral church and the catechumens publicly request baptism. Their names are then recorded in a special book and they are then no longer called catechumens, but the elect.

3. The Period of Purification and Enlightenment: This is the period during the days of Lent leading up to the celebration of initiation at the Easter Vigil. This Lenten season is a period of intense preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the elect and special prayers for them by the parish communities.

   The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday night when the catechumen receives the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church and will continue to live out his or her response to God as a member of this faith community.

4. The Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy: After the Initiation at the Vigil, the newly baptized member continues the faith journey with this period of formation and education called mystagogy. This period continues at least until Pentecost and often longer. During this period, new members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission and outreach activities.

What if a person wants to become a Catholic and has already been baptized in another Christian Church?

Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for men and women who are baptized Christians but not Roman Catholics. These individuals make a profession of faith but they are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called candidates, usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the specific teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Some of their formation and preparation may be with catechumens preparing for baptism, but the preparation for candidates is very different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many of them have also been active members of other Christian communities.

When are the meetings throughout the RCIA process?

During the inquiry period, meetings are typically held on Thursday evenings. Beginning with the Catechumenate period, the catechumens attend Sunday liturgy at 10:30 a.m. and are dismissed after the homily to meet with the RCIA team. They spend the first part of the meeting Breaking down the Word where they reflect on the Scripture and what meaning it has for their life. The second part of the meeting is called Catechesis where a parish team member will present religious instruction

What is the role of the sponsor?

A sponsor can be someone you already know like a friend or a neighbor, or he or she may be someone the RCIA team leaders believe is compatible with you, someone who can offer advice, provide a shoulder to lean on, pray with you, and journey with you during your inquiry. Sponsors serve an important role of support and encouragement to the catechumens and candidate as they struggle to name the experience of God in their lives and the call to gospel living.