RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

For information, and to register, please contact parish office..

Please note that RCIA is for those who are not yet baptized.  If you are baptized in another Christian tradition, and would like to inquire about joining the Roman Catholic Church, please contact the parish office..

Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens

During he Rite of Acceptance the candidates publicly declare their intention to the Church and the Church in turn accepts them as persons who intend to become its members.  During this Rite the candidate will become a Catechumen, and they now enter a period of formation and guidance aimed at training them in the Christian life.  The prerequisite for making this step is that the beginnings of the spiritual life and the fundamentals of Christian teaching have taken root in the candidates.  This is evidenced by the first stirrings of repentance, an intention to change their lives, a start to the practice of calling upon God in prayer, and some experience of interacting with members of the community. [RCIA ritual, no. 41-42 and 75)

Rite of Election or Enrolment of Names

          First Sunday of Lent

During the Rite of Election, on the basis of the testimony of godparents and catechists and of the catechumens' reaffirmation of their intention, the Church judges their state of readiness and decides on their advancement toward the sacraments of initiation.  During this Rite, the Catechumen will become a member of the Elect, and they now enter the period of final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation, during which they will be encouraged to follow Christ with greater generosity.   This step is called election because the acceptance made by the Church is founded on the election of God, in whose name the Church acts. [RCIA ritual, no. 105-106]

First Scrutiny - 3rd Sunday of Lent

Presentation of the Creed - 3rd Week of Lent

Second Scrutiny - 4th Sunday of Lent

Third Scrutiny - 5th Sunday of Lent

Presentation of Lord's Prayer - 5th Week of Lent

The Scrutinies are Rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. [RCIA ritual, no. 128]

During the Presentation of the Creed, and the Presentation of the Lord's Prayer, the Church lovingly entrusts to the Elect the ancient texts that have always been regarded as expressing the heart of the Church's faith and prayer. [RCIA ritual, no. 134]

Preparation Rites - on Holy Saturday 

     Recitation of the Creed

     Ephphetha Rite

     Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens

On Holy Saturday, the Elect are asked to refrain from their usual activities, spend their time in prayer and reflection, and as far as they can, observe a fast.  The Rite of Recitation of the Creed prepares the Elect for the profession of faith they will make immediately before they are baptized; the Rite also instructs them in their duty to proclaim the message of the Gospel.  The Ephphetha Rite, (or Rite of Opening the Ears and Mouth) impresses on the Elect their need of grace in order that they may hear the word of God and profess it for their salvation.  The Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens will be done on the hands of the Elect.  The Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens symbolizes the person's need for God's help and strength so that, undeterred by the bonds of the past and overcoming the opposition of the devil, they will take the step of professing their faith and will hold fast to it throughout their lives. [RCIA ritual, no. 172, 180, 184, 191, 194]  

Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation

     At the Easter Vigil

At the Easter Vigil, the person is fully initiated into the Church through the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).  

It is important to note that the person's sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of Baptism.  (The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, is for sins committed after Baptism.)