Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
“The rite of Christian initiation presented here is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.” (Introduction to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, n.1)
Listed below are brief descriptions of the four periods of The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and the liturgical rites that mark movement from one period to the next. A “catechumen” is an unbaptized person; a “candidate” is one who has been baptized in another Christian denomination.
Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
This is a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.
First Step: Acceptance into the order of Catechumens – welcoming of candidates
This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on some annual date or dates, marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper, as the catechumens and candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond to God’s call to follow the way of Christ.
Period of the Catechumenate
This is the time, in duration corresponding to the progress of the individual, for the nurturing and growth of the catechumen’s or candidate’s faith and conversion to God; celebrations of the word and prayers of blessing and exorcism [prayers celebrated with the catechumens that are in the form of petitions drawing attention to the real nature of Christian life – the struggle to always choose that which brings us closer to God] are meant to assist the process.
Second Step: Election or enrollment of names – call to continuing conversation
This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, by which the Church formally ratifies the catechumens’/candidates’ readiness for the sacraments of initiation. The catechumens become the “elect.”
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This is the time immediately preceding the elects’ initiation and the candidates’ reception into the full communion of the Church; it usually coincides with the Lenten season preceding the celebration of initiation at the Easter Vigil; it is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the Scrutinies and Presentations of the Creed and The Lord’s Prayer with the elect, and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.
Third Step: Celebration of the sacraments of initiation
This is the liturgical rite, usually integrated into the Easter Vigil, by which the elect are initiated through baptism, confirmation, and eucharist. Candidates make a profession of faith and celebrate the sacraments of confirmation and eucharist.
Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy
This is the time, usually the Easter season, following the celebration of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday eucharistic celebration.
If you are interested in exploring the Catholic faith in a welcoming environment, please join us! All RCIA sessions take place on Wednesday nights, from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Church Hall. For more information, please contact RCIA Coordinator, Kathy Dancey, 614-421-7652, or kdancey@columbus.rr.com.